Page 101 of Never You

“I’m sorry. I should’ve given you a heads-up. I didn’t know they were making such a big deal out of it.”

“Well, seems fair since it would kinda ruin the surprise.” He smirks, running a finger along my jaw. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because—I don’t know. This—” I move my finger back and forth between us. “I don’t know what this is, and I didn’t want to give you the feeling you needed to do anything for my birthday. Because you don’t.”

His gaze moves up and down my face, as if he’s thinking about my words, then he presses a rough kiss to my lips that leaves me breathless.

“Make it up to me.”

“How?”

“Give me tomorrow,” he says, a certain urgency audible in his tone.

“What do you mean?”

“Give me tomorrow. Just you and me. You still owe me one.”

“Okay,” I agree. “What do you want to do?”

“Everything. Anything. Show me around. Show me where you grew up.”

I bite my lip, shaking my head, not fully understanding. “What do you want me to show you?”

“The school you went to. Where you got your first kiss. Where you used to hang out. I want to see the world you grew up in.”

Goosebumps trickle over my body, a weird feeling of euphoria settling inside of me. I don’t know what's happening, but a grin forms, and I eagerly nod my head.

“Okay, yeah. Sure.”

“Yeah?” The back of his hand brushes my cheek, then he presses a soft kiss on my lips.

“Yes.”

His thumb traces the seam of my lips before he drags my lower lip down. “You drive me crazy, Rae Stafford.”

“Rae? Rae, where are you? It’s time for cake.” Nana’s voice calls out through the yard, and I close my eyes while he presses his forehead against mine.

Great timing, grandma.

“We should head back,” I murmur.

“Hmm, I guess so.”

His phone starts to vibrate in his back pocket, and I pull it out for him, pushing it against his chest with a smile. I’m tempted to see who it is, wondering if it’s Emily, but I keep my eyes on his, pressing a chaste kiss on his lips when I reach up.

“Take that. It might be important.”

“I doubt that. I’ll meet you inside in a minute.”

“I’m going to blow out some candles.” I break loose from him, my hand lingering on his stomach for as long as possible.

He looks at me like I’m the most amazing thing in the world, then nods. The man makes me swoon without even trying, feeling desperate for his touch.

And for the first time since the crash, I know exactly what I’m going to wish for.

31

This day is filled with surprises,literally. But watching Rae walk back into the yard, her family all smiling and waiting for her, and feeling the excitement it pumps through my veins because of it is the biggest surprise of all. I’m not falling for her; I fell hard. And I’m going deeper and deeper the more I see her walking around her home, comfortable around everyone she grew up with. I want to be a part of it.

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