Page 82 of Here's to Tomorrow

I think I just fell in love with everything else about her.

“Thank you for allowing me to crash your movie night, Mrs. Tamell. I didn’t know what to bring so I grabbed some M&Ms,” Rae says, holding out a huge bag of the chocolate candies.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that, darling, but thank you. They won’t go uneaten, that’s for sure. And please, call me Eleanor. Actually, that’s way too formal. Call me Elle,” my mother tells her, taking the bag of candy. “I’ll go put these with the other snacks. Make yourself at home, please.”

As my mom walks by me, she fist-bumps me because she’s that cool.

“Did she just…” Rae starts.

I stuff my hands in my back pocket and lift a shoulder. “Yeah, she’s cool like that.”

We laugh lightly, still standing about five feet apart. All I want to do is walk over there and kiss her, because what I had of her last night was not enough. But, I don’t know how appropriate that would be in my mother’s house with Joey right around the corner.

Rae licks her lips subconsciously. I watch with want, every cell in my body tingling, itching to grab hold of her and never let go.

I give in.

“Oh, fuck it. Come here,” I practically growl, stalking closer to her. I pull her into me, push my hands into her soft brown hair, and possess her mouth with mine.

I kiss her hard but briefly.

“Wow,” she says once I pull away. “Hello to you too.”

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Hi,” she repeats on a small giggle. “Oh, shit.” Her hand covers her mouth, her brows furrowing. “What have you done to me? I haven’t giggled since I was a kid.”

I feel the corners of my lips tip up. “I have that effect,” I say with false confidence, because honestly, I have no fucking clue.

“I…I kind of like it,” she confesses.

“Me too.”

“You two just gonna make out in the hallway or actually come socialize with everyone?” Tucker asks from behind me.

“Tucker,” Rae says, stepping away from me. “Did you miss me that much?”

“Oh, of course. You’re all I’ve been thinking about.” He winks. “But only because this asshole”—he points to me—“won’t stop talking about you. Ever. Actually, I kind of find you annoying now.”

She just laughs. “And by annoying you mean more attractive. I get it, Tuck, but I’m kind of taken. Sorry, dude,” Rae says, walking past Tucker and giving him a small pat on the arm.

The look on Tucker’s face is priceless as he watches her walk away into the house like she’s lived here all her life.

“Dude,” he says, turning back to me. Now his face is serious. “Marry her. Please.”

I laugh and shake my head. “I would if I could, man. I would if I could.”

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