Page 27 of The Last Love Story
Pulling the book toward me, I place it in its spot, trying to shake off the overheated, lightheaded feeling that swamps me after a tiny touch from Justin.
“I think that’s everything.” I stand back and look at the table.
“Want to grab some lunch?” Trish asks, walking over with Zoey.
“Sure. But can we be totally cheesy and stop by the book arch to take pictures first? It’ll be too crazy tomorrow.”
“Oh yeah. We have to,” Zoey says. “I love the book arch. It’s the perfect blend of whimsical and timeless.”
“You should have one at your wedding,” I say dreamily to Trish.
She thinks for a second. “Maybe if it wasn’t going to beoutside at Mama and Papa O’s. I don’t know how well it would hold up outdoors. Plus, what if it rains?” Trish elbows Zoey. “Maybe you should have one atyourwedding.”
“Are you engaged too?” Justin asks.
Zoey sighs heavily. “No. She just likes to cause trouble.”
Justin’s eyes move between the three of us. “No wonder the three of you are such good friends.”
I put a hand to my chest in mock offense. “Excuse me. I’m not a troublemaker. I’m a good girl.”
Justin bites his lip, then leans down and whispers, “I’ll bet you are.”
Oh, shit.
I cause trouble. I’m in trouble. So much trouble everywhere.
When we get out to the book arch, we take turns snapping individual and group photos. After I take one of Justin with Zoey and Trish, I hand him back his phone, but he gives me that devilish smile that melts me.
“Don’t I get one with you?”
“Of course,” I squeak. Then I clear my throat. “Let’s do it.”
We walk over to the book arch and settle in the middle of it. Justin wraps his hand around my waist, but when his fingers dig into my side and he inches me closer, my breath catches.
That’s not how he stood with Trish and Zoey.
He did the Keanu Reeves thing where he put his hands out flat with his arms behind them, but obviously not touching them.
But me? He’s touching me.
And every glorious inch of his body touching mine has me on fire.
This is beyond being in trouble. With every second I spend with him, I want more. When he touches me, I want to rip my clothes off and explore the depth of the connection between us.
I’m emotionally charged, wildly uninhibited, and absolutely intoxicated with him.
That’s a dangerous place to be.
Lunch was…tense.
We laughed. We had a good time. But every time Zoey and Trish weren’t looking, Justin’s eyes were on me. Or mine were on him. Or both.
Then he gently grazed his hand over my thigh when he asked if he could pay.
That same hand has been on my lower back the entire walk—and elevator ride—back to my room.
It’s fine.
