Page 16 of (Un)Expected

“Thank you for asking me out.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” Adam chuckled. “If this next part goes well, I’m hoping to have many more nights like this.”

“Next part?”

My thoughts were cut off as Adam turned his head toward me, brushing the lightest of kisses against my lips. It was barely even a touch, more delicate than the breeze passing through us. Before I could comprehend what was happening, he pulled back, searching my eyes for permission. When I nodded my head, he leaned forward again, and I met his kiss, both curious and hungry for more.

When our mouths met, I expected electricity, to feel that all-consuming urge to take over, that magical moment when my heart would scream out, telling me that this was precisely what I needed.

There wasnothing.

Refusing to accept that, I lifted my chin, taking his lips more ferociously. He followed my lead, meeting me kiss for kiss, his hand moving to my jaw.

It was…nice?

Okay, it wasn’t that nice. It felt wrong, like our bodies knew this was a line we shouldn’t cross. I cursed my stupid, fucking head, heart, or whatever body part was ruining this moment, because Adam was everything I should want. He was kind, friendly, and made me feel special.

Butnothingabout this kiss worked for me.

Adam stopped, pulling back to face me with a sheepish smile. “So, uh, that was…”

“Not great,” I answered, dropping my face into my hands. As soon as I realized what I said, my head popped back up, shaking wildly at Adam. “Not that you’re not great! You are, I mean, of course you are! It’s me; there’s something wrong with me.”

Adam chuckled, placing his fingers on my chin. As he tilted my face up to meet his, he smiled softly. “There’s nothing wrong with you, Alex. The chemistry’s not there, and that’s no one’s fault.”

I rolled my eyes. “You sure about that? I’ve seen some of your movies. You seem to have chemistry with everyone else on the planet.”

Adam shook his head, “Did you see my last movie? The one with the girl from that dragon show?” I nodded. “She was theworstkisser I’ve ever worked with. Not only was there zero chemistry between us, but she smoked like a chimney. It was like playing tonsil hockey with an ashtray.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, happy that some of the tension had broken. I glanced back at Adam. “I did have a good time tonight.”

“I did too,” Adam replied.

“Maybe we can still hang out,” I said. “You know, as friends.”

Adam nodded, mulling over my words before replying. “You know what? I think I would like that. Friends.”

He put out his hand with a goofy smile, waiting until I placed my palm in his before pulling me into a tight hug. We sat like that for a few moments, enjoying the silence of the world around us.

At least, until it came crashing down around us.

“Holy fuck, I told you it was Adam Rice!”

A group of teenagers emerged from the other side of the trees, their cell phones clutched in their hands. Adam and I scrambled up, trying to ignore the flurry of photos and videos as we jogged back to the car. Even as he climbed into my Jeep, they followed, knocking on Adam’s window. It made my blood boil how little they cared about privacy.Fucking idiots.

“Ignore it,” Adam said. “They don’t mean any harm.”

“To hell with that,” I muttered, cranking down my window. “Mark Fischer, get your hands off my car before I call your mother! She still owes me for taking care of your dog last month. Hit my window again, and I’m postingallyour baby pictures online!”

Mark jumped back almost a whole foot, placing his hands up in the air. The rest followed his lead, probably not wanting to be on the receiving end of my threats.

As the car finally pulled away, Adam chuckled. “That’s one way to do it. Think it’ll work with the paparazzi back home?”

I winked back at him. “Best part of living in a small town. Know where to hit ‘em where it hurts.”

The following day,my phone trilled to lifewaytoo early. My head ached from lack of sleep, too busy replaying my date with Adam. Poking my head out from under my cocoon of covers, I glanced at the clock before smacking the screen.

Not even six a.m.

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