Page 14 of Rewrite Our Story

Cade lowers his hand, tucking the lighter back in his pocket, never once looking away from my lips. “What’d you wish for?”

My tongue peeks out to wet my lips. I can’t help but wonder what he tastes like. Will he taste like the peppermints he’s always sucking on? Will he taste like something different? More manly? At seven I told him to kiss me on a dare, telling everyone he was my first kiss and I was his because I was afraid he’d kiss someone else. Since then, I’ve shared soft kisses with a few other boys in my grade.

But deep down, the only boy I’ve ever wanted to kiss was the one staring at me like he might do just that—kiss me.

“If I tell you my wish, it won’t come true.”

“That must be one special wish.”

I laugh. If only he knew. “Only the most special.”

Everything around us fades to black as he leans in closer. Heat washes over my body in anticipation.

I think Cade Jennings wants to kiss me. And I’m desperate for him to.

My eyelids flutter shut, my lips parting slightly, eagerly waiting for him. One second ticks by, and then another and another. When I don’t feel him press his lips against mine, I open my eyes, to find him farther away than he was.

His expression has hardened once again.

My heart sinks. Maybe my wish was silly. His body language says everything. He isn’t going to kiss me. But for a moment, it really felt like he wanted to.

Cade plucks a blade of grass from the ground, bringing it closer to his face. “We shouldn’t be out here.”

Annoyed, I bring my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them. “And why is that?”

“You knowexactlywhy.”

“Don’t be vague with me, Cade.” I’m shocked by the bluntness of my words. My head spins from the back and forth of the last few minutes with him.

His features soften. As if he’s trying to drive me crazy, Cade pops off the ground. Before I can ask him what he’s doing, he’s bounding down a hill, only his head visible.

I’m about to get up when he returns, his hands behind his back.

I raise an eyebrow. “What could you have possibly found out here?”

One side of his mouth upturns. “A birthday present.”

I stand up, wiping dirt and grass from the backs of my thighs. “Forme?”

Cade looks around us. “No. For Tonka. Is it his birthday?”

I smack his stomach. His muscles are hard underneath my skin. He grunts, having to take the hit because his hands are still tucked behind his back. “You don’t have to be an ass.”

“Close your eyes.”

Mine narrow on him. He tucks his chin, gesturing for me to do as he says.

He doesn’t know I’d do anything and everything he told me to. Even with the rollercoaster ride of an evening with him, it’s the most excitement I’ve had in a long time.

Doing as I’m told, I close my eyes, eager to see what he found. My eyes don’t have to be opened to know he’s gotten closer. I can just feel him—sense him.

“Open.” His voice is much closer.

My eyes flutter open, focusing on what he holds in his hands.

“A marigold,” I whisper, marveling at the vibrant flower clutched tenderly between his thumb and pointer finger.

I look at him, silently asking if I can take it. He nods, handing the flower over to me. “I didn’t know we had any here.”

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