Page 131 of Don't Let Me Go (Don't Let Me 2)

When our mouths connect, she opens wide, letting me dip my tongue between her lips. If we weren’t in public and surrounded by kids she’d been tasked with watching, I’d climb on top of her, bury myself inside her, and refuse to stop. But I’ve already made her lose one job. I’d prefer to keep it from happening again. Doesn’t mean I won’t push our luck, though. I kiss her softly, nibbling her bottom lip as she tangles her fingers in my hair and lets out a soft moan when––

“Yo! You’re in public!” a voice yells.

Twisting beneath me, Blakely breaks the kiss and looks at Mia, her face heating with embarrassment.

Mia walks toward us with her arms folded, giving us a look that would make any strict mother proud.

“Oops?” Blake grimaces.

“Yeah, yeah. Get out of here, Theo.” She waves her hand at me like I’m a pesky fly in need of shooing. “She’ll call you later.”

With a groan, I stand up and offer my hand to Blake, pulling her to her feet.

“I’ll see you tonight?” I ask.

“Unless I come to my senses before then,” she quips, rising onto her tiptoes and kissing my cheek.

I snake my arm around her waist and tug her closer. “See you tonight, Blake.”

41

BLAKELY

“You nervous?” Mia asks, resting her shoulder against my bedroom doorjamb.

I paint some tinted chapstick onto my lips and take another once-over of myself in the mirror. Clicking the cap back on the tube, I turn to Mia. “Is it weird if I say no?”

She laughs. “No, it isn’t weird. You guys have known each other forever. You’ve been dancing around a relationship for years. I think, if anything, it’d be weird if you did feel weird.”

“That’s a lot of weird,” I joke.

“You’re a lot of weird,” she returns quickly, her lips stretching into a smile.

Grabbing a leather jacket from my closet, I slip it on and tug at the hem of my black tank top. Mia helped pick out my outfit, and I have to say, the girl has skills. With her help, my face looks fresh and dewy, my makeup looking natural and flawless. I braided my hair over one shoulder, leaving it loose and messy around my face while my freckles play peekaboo on my cheeks and the bridge of my nose. The combination feels like me. The real me.

The me I’m hoping to reintroduce to Theo tonight. Without any barriers. Or shitty history. Just the good. And there’s so much good.

“Seriously, you look gorgeous,” Mia notes. “He’s going to lose his shit.”

“I hope so,” I say dryly. “Do you work tonight?”

“Yup. Sammie’s been showing me how to make a few drinks. Hopefully, I’ll have a little more time behind the bar.”

“Ooo fun. I’d say I’ll come visit so you can make me a drink, but since I’ve been flagged and all…” I roll my eyes, the memory of Theo turning me in more amusing than infuriating since the dust has settled.

With a laugh, Mia says, “Good times. Good times. Do you know what you’re doing tonight with Theo?”

“No idea. He only told me to be ready by eight, and he’ll pick me up.”

“I think this is good,” Mia decides. “Healthy.”

“Me too. Can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“You haven’t really dated since Shorty…” The comment hangs in the air, but I don’t know what to say.

“I’ve been too busy being your fairy godmother,” she quips.

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