Page 150 of Bookworm

"It was…" Natalia trailed off.

"You want the truth?" Casey said. When I nodded, she added, "Well, I think we should do a second take. Maybe shake off some of the awkward."

"Okay," I said, looking to Bo. "Are you alright with that?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm good."

So we tried again. I delivered the speech, leaned up to Bo, kissed him (even shorter this time), then looked back to Casey. She was whispering with Natalia about something. I couldn't hear them, but I knew we'd be doing a third take.

"Why don't we try it with Bo kissing you, Lottie?" Natalia suggested.

I nodded—but that take wasn't right either.

When Bo kissed me, I was so aware of the camera, so aware of Casey and Natalia watching us, even more aware of Bo's lips and the fact that I was enjoying thisfar too much. I jerked back, and Bo looked at me in surprise.

"Sorry," I said.

"No problem," he said.

Casey and Natalia started talking about trying different lighting or changing the location, but I knew it wouldn't do any good.

"I have an idea," Bo said. "If you want to try it."

I looked to him in surprise. "Sure. Whatshould I do?"

"Say the lines then faceme. I'll do the rest."

Casey raised her phone, gave me the cue, and I said my piece. When that was done, I turned and looked up at Bo. His eyes met mine, and his hands rose to cupmy cheeks. As he leaned forward, Ifelt myself tense—but then he murmured, "Stay with me, Kent," and pressed his lips against my forehead.

It was just as sweet as the night before.

My eyes closed on a sigh.

Bo kissed the tip of my nose.

And then he laid a final kiss to my mouth.

I didn't want to let him go.

As Bo leaned back, I knew there was a slight smile on my face, but I couldn't help it. I looked up—only to find his eyes already on mine.I didn't know how long we stood like that, five seconds, a minute, an hour.

But he held my stare until Casey said, "And cut!"

Feeling like I was coming out of a dream, I turned my head to see both my friends smiling.

"It was perfect."

Natalia nodded. "The best yet. Good idea, Bo."

"Thanks," he said.

"Okay, let's go with that," I said shakily. "I'm gonna get lost in the shelves for a bit.Thanks, guys."

Bo was silent as I walked away, butI could feel his eyes following me. Ducking into an aisle, winding through the shelves, I walked until I'd put a sufficient amount of distance between me and the guy I couldn't get out of my head.I leaned back against a shelf and closed my eyes.

Deep breaths, I thought. Just shake it off.

The problem was those kisses, even the awkward ones, still made me feel something.

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