Page 97 of Introvert

"Oh," I repeated.

Felix's lips twitched. "But you beat me to it."

Remembering my confession, I buried my head in his chest with a groan. "Please don't remind me." When I looked back up, he wore a small smile. "So, you weren't just asking for a fake date? To makeFerora even bigger?"

He arched a brow. "I think AF is big enough. Don't you?"

Standing on my toes, I kissed him again.

"You broke your rule," he pointed out.

"Told you I was a rulebreaker," I said.

We heard the five-minute warning, advising us to get to our places, the show was about to start.

Felix leaned back and met my eyes.

"Just so we're clear," he said, "I like you like you too."

The butterflies in my chest went crazy.

As we walked out of the hall, gathered our instruments and joined the band, there were several questioning looksthrown our way. I felt like I had something on my face. A big sign that said, I just made out with Felix.

As if reading my thoughts, he whispered in my ear, "Your lipstick's smudged."

"It is?" I asked, eyes wide."Oh no, Mercury'sgoing to be so upset."

"Here, let me."

As his thumb pressed along the outline of my lips, I held my breath. Felix leaned back, and there was a spark in his eyes.

"There."

"How does it look?" I asked.

"It looks like you were kissed and kissed well," he said.

Feeling shy and fluttery all at once, I swallowed.

"You look beautiful."

"Thanks. You do too."

Luckily, Taylor stepped up to address the group with a peptalk.

Which also gave me some much-needed time to recover.

"Alright everyone," she said, "we're past the half-way mark of the tour now.Santino's wrist should be better for the next stop. HERS is trending—and so isFerora." Taylor gave us a nod then added,"Go out and give them a great show. It should be smooth sailing from here."

If only she'd been right.

#

The trouble started a few days later.

I woke up early. Nothing unusual about that.I was often the first person awake. Sunlight filtered onto the bus and around the curtain of my bunk, but I didn't move a muscle. There was no need. I didn't think anyoneelse was up yet, couldn't hear shuffling or movement on the bus. Plus, at some point during the night, I must've turned over because Felix was the first thing I saw.

And I had to admit.

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