Page 82 of If We Never Met

"A fair amount, but this is one of the best parties I've been to in a while."

"I find that difficult to believe since you're at a kid's birthday party."

"With you," he said with a smile, leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "Hmm. You taste like strawberries."

She held up the glass in her hand. "Strawberry lemonade. Want a sip?"

"I'd rather taste your lips."

She cleared her throat, seeing Hailey and Megan moving in their direction. "Let's keep this G-rated."

"Until later?"

She saw the promise in his eyes. "Yes."

"Then you better give me a drink."

She handed him the glass. "You can finish it."

"Thanks." He swigged it down in two long gulps. Then he grabbed her hand as the boat suddenly took off. "Whoa."

"Adam said he was going to give us a faster ride," she told him. "He knows I like to go fast."

He smiled. "I think you like to go slow, too."

"G-rated," she reminded him.

He laughed. "Got it."

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of laughter, stories, drinks, food, and finally birthday cake. It was after seven when they finally docked at the harbor and got off the boat. She felt relaxed and happy but also eager to spend some time alone with Dante. She drove him back to the inn and pulled into the parking lot.

Dante looked over at her. "You're coming in, right?"

"I don't think you can stop me," she said with a laugh.

He leaned over, cupped the back of her neck, and pulled her in for a kiss. She didn't know if he meant it to be brief, but once her mouth was under his, she wanted more. They kissed for long minutes until they were steaming up the car.

"Let's go inside," he said breathlessly. "Race you."

"I don't think I can beat you in a foot race," she said, as she jumped out of the car. But she jogged alongside him as they ran up the steps to the porch.

He got to the door first. "I won. That means you have to pay up."

"We didn't make a bet."

"I made one in my head. It involves you getting naked."

"Sh-sh," she said, socking him in the arm.

"No one is around. So, are you going to pay up?"

"I just might."

Dante opened the door, and they hurried inside. She hoped Lizzie wouldn't be at the front desk, because that would only slow them down. Unfortunately, Lizzie was there, and she wasn't alone. There was a tall, handsome man standing in front of the check-in counter, wearing worn jeans, ripped at the knee, and a navy-blue T-shirt with a beer logo. His light-brown hair was on the long side, and his blue eyes seemed very familiar.

Chapter Nineteen

"Micah?What the hell are you doing here?" Dante asked.

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