Page 18 of A Little Tempting

“How would I know? He was wearing a mask.”

“You didn’t rip the damn thing off him so you could see who he really is?” she scolds.

“Was I supposed to?”

With a shrug, she reaches for my cup and brings it to her lips. “I would’ve?—”

I snatch it back from her before she has a chance to drink any. “Yo, epilepsy, remember? And I thought taking off their mask was against the rules.”

“You’re kidding me, right?”

Her pointed look makes me squirm, and I lift a shoulder while stealing a sip of my drink. “I don’t know?”

“So you have no idea who kissed you?”

I wish.

“Nope,” I answer.

“Hmm…” She taps her manicured finger against her chin. “Okay, as your self-appointed private investigator?—”

“Oh, so now you're a PIandmy fairy godmother?” I rest my hand on my hip and quirk my brow.

“Uh, heck yes, and I nailed the fairy godmother position, so shush. Let me continue my sleuthing, shall we?”

Glowering at her, I wave my hand around. “Be my guest.”

“Why, thank you.” She clicks her tongue against the roof of her mouth and drags me back to the edge of the main area so she can peruse her options. “How tall is he?”

“I dunno? Tall?”

“Wow, you’re super helpful,” she notes. “Was he taller than you?”

“Yes, definitely.”

“Taller than Everett or Griffin?” She gasps. “Ohmygod, what if you kissed my brother?”

My heart leaps into my throat. “I didn’t.”

“You don’t know for sure,” she argues. “You could’ve most definitely kissed my brother.”

“He would have had to be hunting specifically for me, and Everett wouldn’t track me down when there are a shit-ton of other girls at tonight’s party.”

“Hey, you don’t know that,” she starts, but I lift my hand and cut her off.

“Seriously, Finley? It’sEverett. The guy might be overprotective, but I’m pretty sure he draws the line there, right? I mean…” I go silent, replaying the moment, a frown tugging at my lips.

“You’re not so sure, are you?” Finley assumes.

I hesitate while honestly considering the possibility, no matter how far-fetched it feels. “It was dark, he talked quietly, and I’m pretty sure I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears, so…”

My back hits the wall, and I slump against it as the idea of kissing Everett Taylor filters through me. It makes me feel…confused? Curious? Anxious? I don’t even know. Would he have kissed me? Would he have wanted to? I don’t…I don’t know.

“So, you’re not sure,” she repeats.

My attention clicks to her. “I guess not.”

“But you liked it?” she pushes. “The kiss?”

---