Page 118 of Between Hate and Desire

“Agreed.”

Lennon wraps her arms around me in a hug. “Thank you, Hunter. Even if it was on false pretenses, it feels good to finally get under their skin for once.”

“Are you thanking me for kissing you?” I arch a brow. “It wasn’t exactly a hardship.”

That makes her laugh harder. And if I’m not mistaken, blush too.

“C’mon, let’s get ready to watch the fireworks.” She grabs my hand this time and leads me off the dance floor, purposely walking right past our audience.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

LENNON

I don’t knowwhy kissing Hunter sends butterflies to my stomach every damn time, but I’ve decided it’s the hormones, and it doesn’t mean anything.

It can’t.

Abort. Abort. Abort.

Sometime over the past three months, he’s become my best friend. More than my best friend, he’s someone I trust wholeheartedly, someone I can’t wait to spend time with and ask about his day.

And every day as we grow closer, I fear the memory of Brandon will fade more and more. We only got two amazing years together, but I know his legacy will live on in our child, and I’ll never forget that.

“Where are you taking me?” Hunter asks after we grab blankets from my parents’ stash.

“To the best spot to see the fireworks,” I tell him, looking over my shoulder with a mischievous grin.

It’s still an hour till dusk, but the crowded park will only continue to fill with more people as it gets closer to showtime. There’s a spot on top of the hill that’s blocked off, and as teens, my sisters and I would sneak up there every year for the best view.

“Pretty sure that sign back there said?—”

“Yes, I can read,” I tease. “You trust me or not, Manning?”

“Sassy,” he taunts. “I like it.”

Chuckling, I continue leading him to the perfect location. “The fireworks will literally be above us.”

Hunter looks around, realizing how close we are, then scratches his hand over his scruffy jawline like he’s worried. “This seems like a hazard.”

“Are you pussying out on me?” I raise my brows, fanning out one of the blankets.

He cocks his head. “I’m still here, aren’t I?”

“Good.” I smile, feeling like a rebellious teenager. “Take a seat.”

I use the other blanket and roll it up into a makeshift pillow. We both lean back and look up at the sky.

“This is stunning,” he comments, and when I look over, I see his arms resting behind his head. I don’t know why, but it’s sexy when he does that.

Ugh, hormones.Go. Away.

I mentally slap myself. Then the guilt of Brandon missing this seeps in.

Sharing the news of our pregnancy and celebrating would’ve been so romantic with him. He’d hold me under the stars, and we’d kiss till our lips bruised.

Before Hunter notices my internal freak-out, I lie down next to him.

“I always love that you can see mountains from almost anywhere in town, but they look a little better this time of year,” I explain, looking up at the sky. “I have so many memories here.”

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