Page 177 of Be My First

“That was the best kiss of my life. I’ve thought about it every day since.”

She’s looking down at her plate. “Me too. Although I didn’t have much to compare it to.”

“Is it still the best?” I ask. I shouldn’t ask if I don’t want to know the honest answer, but I do anyway.

She pulls her eyes up to mine. “No, it’s not.”

Knife to heart. Why did I even ask?

One of the corners of her mouth turns up. “Christmas was better.”

Thank god.

She puts her elbow on the table and rests her hand under her chin. “And the Spanish steps.”

I laugh. “I’m not going to argue with that.”

She gives me a faint smile and then says, “We should eat. It’s getting cold.”

Before I leave for the evening, I say, “What can I do tomorrow?”

She points to some artwork leaning against the wall. “Want to hang those?”

“I’d love to. I’m also really good at hanging art.”

She shakes her head. “You’re incorrigible.”

I open the door to leave, and she says, “Bo, wait.”

Bo. My stomach flutters. “What is it?”

“I want to tell you something tonight.”

My heart speeds up. “Okay. What is it?”

She clasps her hands together in front of her body like she’s nervous. “I had a crush on you for years before our kiss.”

My eyes nearly jump out of my head. “What? Like when you were twelve?”

She starts laughing and nods her head.

“Is that why you kissed me?” I ask.

She keeps laughing and nodding. “You fulfilled a middle school fantasy for me.”

I rub my chin. “Honestly, I’m equal parts horrified and flattered.”

She leans forward, and I stop breathing. “Be flattered. I waited until I was eighteen.”

She gives me a quick peck on the cheek and then turns. As she’s walking away, she calls over her shoulder, “Night, Bo. See you tomorrow. Sleep well.”

Like I’m going to be able to sleep after that.

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