Page 36 of Anytime I Want

No more kissing? How about cuddling?

Julia

I make no promises. Get over here.

Right as I press send, I hear the front door open.

“This is your twenty second warning to make yourself brother-in-the-room acceptable,” Nathan yells out.

“Why are your eyes closed? There’s a wall between us and the TV. Oo, do I smell cookies?” I can hear Chloe’s footsteps leading into the kitchen.

“Nate. Open your eyes. It’ll be okay, I promise.” And that’s Josie. The gang’s all here.

“Graham. Let’s talk later, k?” I ask, willing my eyes to not drift down to his lips.

“Absolutely.” Graham leans back and wraps his arm around me. They all pile on the couch, and we watch terrifying storms play out on screen. They don’t know how nervous storms make me, even on TV, but they are all doing a great job distracting me, making little comments and singing along with the awesome soundtrack. The entire time, Graham keeps his arm tucked around me, lightly playing with my hair. It’s a dream. I let myself relax into him completely and I make eye contact with Chloe. She has a smug look on her face, and pulls out her cell phone. My phone dings a second later.

Chloe

Me and you, sleepover tonight. I know I said tomorrow but this is already too good. I can’t wait for the details!

“Yes, it is already too good,” Graham whispers, before pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

“Hey! You promised no kissing!” Nathan yells, contorting himself to kick Graham in the shin.

Chapter 20

Julia

After the movie ends, Nathan announces that he’s going to stick around and play some video games. Josie and Chloe leave way faster than necessary, and it’s so obvious they want to give us some time alone because they are sleeping over at my house. Graham fiddles with my hand while we stand by the open door.

“Thanks for the cookies,” I say, trying to break the tension a bit. Although, maybe I should stop. It turns out that I do quite like the tension.

“Ha, anytime you want to come over and make cookies, you are more than welcome. My mom is going to be so excited for the leftover cookie dough.” Graham grabs my hand, pulling me a step closer.

“Oh yeah, about that. Guaranteed that every time Chloe got up to get a drink, she ate at least two cookies worth of dough. I’d be surprised if there is much left.”

Graham smiles, not at all bothered. “Well, what my mom doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”

“Maybe I can come over next week and we can make her some more?” I ask shyly, glancing up at him through my lashes. I’m not exactly asking to recreate the kiss, but I’m also notnotasking. And Graham definitely knows what I am thinking.

“Yes.” He leans forward, giving me a gentle kiss. “So, are we to the level in this relationship that I can kiss you anytime I want?”

“Ew. No. Warn a guy,” Nathan says, stopping short at the corner of the living room. “I give you my blessing and all that stuff, but seriously, if you are going to just be making out with my sister all the time now, you need a new best friend. That’s so weird.”

Graham gives me one more quick kiss before turning me toward the door and smacking my butt, as if sending me on my way. “Better?” Graham asks cheekily. Nathan groans.

“I’m not sure I was sold on that one, but I think I could get behind some repeat kissing,” I joke.

“So, can I tell everyone that you’re my girlfriend now?” Graham asks, the hope shining in his eyes.

“I don’t know. You didn’t finish The List. Isn’t there a bet or something going on here?” I tease.

“I can do both, right? Tell everyone and their dog that I’m dating the prettiest and smartest girl ever, and finish The List by taking her on adorable rom-com level dates. Besides, youtold me betting on being my girlfriend was gross. So that’s not relevant.”

I shake my head and laugh at him. “I’m not entirely ready for the label. But that doesn’t mean never, just not yet. Be patient, please?” I look down, hoping that he can’t read the worry on my face.

“I can do that. Tomorrow we are going to the haunted house, right? There will be people there. Will you hold my hand so I don’t get too scared?” He tangles his fingers with mine and pulls me close.

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