Page 28 of The Kissing Challenge

I felt like I was questioning everything he said, but I couldn't help it. Jackson asking me for a date was so unexpected. We'd gone to school together for three years and hadn't exchanged more than a handful of words. My head was spinning.

"Yeah, you're kind of cute," he said with a smile I knew most girls fawned over. But all I could think was that when Captain smiled at me, it took my breath away and felt like sunshine in my veins. "That kiss was amazing by the way."

"Thank you," I mumbled.

"So tonight, pizza?" he repeated. "Are you in?"

I ran a hand through my hair. I had absolutely no experience in turning guys down and didn't want to hurt his feelings. That was the only reason that could explain why I said what I did next.

"Can I think about it?" I asked. "I promise to let you know."

"Sure." Jackson ripped a piece of paper from his notebook, scribbled something down and then handed it to me. "Shoot me a text. It'd be fun to get to know each other better."

His eyes landed on my lips which made me blush.

"Hmm, okay," I said awkwardly. "It was nice talking to you."

"You, too."

Jackson gave me a nod and then walked away. I could only stare after him.

"What did he want?" Captain asked.

My brow furrowed. "He asked me out for pizza."

A scoff. "And what did you say? I hope you weren't too mean when you said no, Anne. But what was Jackson thinking? You barely know the guy."

"I didn't say no exactly," I said and watched Captain's face fall.

"You didn't?" he said. "Why not? Do you want to go?"

Shaking my head, I said, "No. But I didn't know how to say that."

Captain was scowling now. "Just like that. You say 'no' and walk away. Nothing hard about it."

My chin jerked back at his tone. "I was trying not to hurt his feelings."

"Oh please," he said. "He's a player, Anne. Jackson Yoast doesn't have feelings. He's got hormones, tons of them. And now they're locked on you."

I laughed. "Do you even hear yourself? That's ridiculous."

"Oh yeah?" Captain crossed his arms. "What all did he say?"

I thought back. "Jackson asked if I wanted to go out for pizza tonight, and then he mentioned our kissing video—"

"See?" he said. "I was right. The video, that's the only reason he asked you."

I couldn't even dispute it because that was the conclusion I'd come to as well. It still hurt when he said it like that, though.

I lifted my chin. "He also said he wants to get to know me better."

I left out the part about Jackson staring at my lips. That little detail seemed counter-productive to my argument.

Captain shook his head. "Anne, don't be so naïve."

"Captain, don't sound so jealous."

"Jealous?" he repeated. "Please. I'm just concerned. I turn my back for five seconds, and already you've got a guy like Yoast sniffing around you."

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