Page 61 of One Little Kiss
“Then don’t.” Elijah’s voice is devoid of all humor and easygoing charm.
He barely sounds like Elijah…or, at least, the Elijah everyone in this school knows.
But I know him, and I’ve only seen this side of him on very rare occasions. Like that time his parents bailed on his birthday, or the day he found out that his sweet little cousin was being bullied.
Hearing it now, because of me, makes my heart hurt and my throat feels too tight.
Dominic’s trying his best to be calm and reasonable, and I decide right then and there that Dominic is an A-plus guy in my book.
I wish like hell I had a crush on him.
I wish he’d been the one to kiss me outside, and that he was the one to make my heart race and my body melt.
But no. The guy who did all that is exhaling loudly in exasperation as he ignores Dominic and talks to me. “Are you really gonna do this? Are you honestly gonna use another guy to avoid dealing with a problem?”
The words sting, as he knew they would. I glare at Dominic’s back before finally tapping him on the shoulder. “It’s okay,” I mumble. And then, with the best smile I can manage, I move out from behind him and add, “Thank you, though. Seriously. I appreciate it.”
Dominic’s expression is filled with concern. “No problem. If you're in trouble, or…” He casts Elijah a sidelong look that makes me feel awful. The two of them were kinda friends. Friendly, at least, and now my cowardly actions are putting them at odds.
“It’s fine,” I say. “Elijah didn’t do anything wrong, I’m just…” I don’t finish, even though both of them are eyeing me oddly now.
I’m just…what?
I move on. “I came with Elijah so I’m sure he’d be happy to drive me home. Right, Eli?”
His eyes narrow slightly as I use his nickname that feels so weird on my tongue. “Yeah. Sure. I’m ready to leave whenever you are.”
I nod and smile, feeling like a bobblehead as I fool no one. “See? We’re good.” I pat Dominic’s arm like that settles matters, then turn on my heel to walk away.
This time I don’t run. What would be the point? Instead, I stay one step ahead of Elijah as I lead the way to the side door that opens to the parking lot. That gives me a little more time to get a freakin’ grip before we have to have this conversation.
This conversation, which is going to be…what?
My heart does a tap dance against my ribcage. What am I supposed to say?
The truth.A little voice speaks reason, but I push it away.
No way am I going to admit how much that kiss affected me. I’m not sure I want to admit to myself how much I loved the feel of his lips, his touch…
I draw in a sharp breath just as I push through the door to the parking lot.
The sudden silence feels deafening, and neither of us pauses as we head for his car.
“We don’t have to leave, you know.” He sounds amused, and that annoys the crap out of me.
He is not allowed to be amused by this while I’m freakin’ reeling.
“Just take me home,” I snap.
His chuckle is low and sends a shiver down my spine.
Crap. I am not supposed to find his laughter a turn on. If anything, I should be annoyed. And I am!
He heads toward the passenger side door, like he’s gonna open it for me, which he probably would normally do, actually, but I brush him aside and do it myself. Without a word, he climbs into his seat.
But he doesn’t start the car. Not right away. Not even after I’ve buckled my seat belt.
“What are you waiting for?” I finally ask.
