Page 23 of Between Two Thorns

“I mean, if it is the end of the world after all.”

“It isn’t gonna be the end of the world.” Sam dismissed, though she could tell he was trying to be comforting. “Just some sort of outbreak.”

“Zombie outbreak.” Rose said, “Beginning of the apocalypse, just saying.”

“Well—” Sam cut her off, and she could tell that he was trying not to dwell on possible impending doom and the end of civilization as they knew it. Rose, on the other hand, had felt like the world was ending every other year since birth—maybe she was just used to it.

“ If ya still want that Cinderella kiss after midnight…”He looked at her eyes, and her gaze darted right down to his lips instead. Hoping, wondering, hanging on their next movement, whether they formed a word or pressed against her own. “Y’should ask Del if he’s alright with it.”

That threw her for a loop. Was it a rejection? Was he trying to push Del out front? Did this have to do with their conversation about how she was good with him? How they seemed to have a connection with Del that it had taken Sam years to form?

After what felt like a beat of stunned silence from behind her, Rose felt a derisive huff of breath blowing the hair at the back of her neck.

Giving her another pleasant shiver.

“Ain’t no prince charming.” Del said from behind her, his low gravelly voice even more pleasant on her ear than his breath playing across her neck. “That’d be him.”

Sam had a scoff of his own. “Oh please, I’m bout twenty years too old to be anyone’s prince.”

“For the record,” Rose interrupted the argument. “I think you’re both charming.”

Another laugh came from Sam, and she was sure she heard another little snort of a chuckle from Del.

He shifted behind her, up a bit towards the bench seat they were pressed up close to, until the fake plastic leather gave. And Sam turned his gaze towards him. And Rose could feel that same moment. That silent conversation passing through the air—literally over her head, on a frequency she couldn’t pick up at all.

Del was silent—and no, she realized, she couldn’t read his mind like Sam thought. Not when she couldn’t see his face and pick up on his vibe.

Whatever expression she thought she was going to see, she wasn’t prepared for the look on Del’s face.

It wasn’t hard, closed off, or pretending to be aloof anymore. It was the opposite. Grass green eyes were open wide in the dark, his chapped and bitten lips parted. Like he was in the middle of asking a question. Like his entire affect had been softened by the flicker of hope.

And Rose could feel her heart break right there. Wondering…why in the world he thought someone wouldn’t want to kiss him?

“It’s alright, go on…” Sam encouraged from behind Rose’s head. And her heart sped right back up into an even faster tempo.

Del’s gaze fell to her, looking at her own hazel irises, like he was making sure that Rose was alright with this turn of the tide.

She was more than alright kissing this sweet guy who hid it all in a tough shell.

Del ducked his head down, and Rose closed her eyes at once. Because, that was what you were supposed to do with your first kiss—the movies also told her she was supposed to pop her ankle—but that seemed like a distinctly bad idea with her wrapped foot.

Then, Del’s lips were on hers.

And, finally, a first kiss was everything Rose Woods had been dreaming of.

A little timid, a little unsure, but warm and sweet. After a fraction of a second, Del seemed to melt. The trepidation sank away, and he tilted his head to hers, sending the most delightful thrill through her. Like she could feel him opening up to her enthusiasm, melting under her touch.

Until he pulled away with a soft protest from Rose’s lips.

Her eyes opened, checking his face, wanting to make sure that he was okay—only to see him quickly glancing up. Over her head.

At Sam, like he was waiting for approval. Rose turned her upper body towards the older man, admitting to herself that she wanted to know what his reaction was.

“Wow.” Sam whispered.

And Rose felt a surge of…pride. Really. Accomplishment. That she had pleased him.

“Maybe…” Sam started, trailing off, his lips twisting like he was thinking. And Rose could feel herself and Del hanging on to how he would finish the sentence. “One more?”

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