Page 62 of The Scout

An image of me pouring it over his head came to mind, but that would spark too many questions from my parents. “No. Why did you say that out loud?”

“Can you be more specific?”

His eyes focused on my rising and falling chest. I snapped my fingers. “Up here, please.” That damn smirk appeared again. “That you loved me.”

“But I do love you.”

“No, I don’t think you do.”

“Hannah, I’m pretty sure I’m more qualified to know my feelings than you are. Actually, I might be more qualified to know yours too. You’re just scared.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Ugh!”

“Everything okay in there, dear?”

“Yes, Mom. Just getting something for us to drink,” I shouted back. I filled the glasses and turned to Cash. “You don’t love me. And I don’t love you.”

Taking a few steps toward me, he cupped my face in his hands. “I’ll say it until you believe it. I love you, Hannah. If you don’t want to own up to your feelings, that’s fine. I can wait.” He glanced back at the counter. A vivid image of what he did to me popped into my head. Cash smiled. “I know you feel it too.” His lips met mine in a quick, soft kiss.

“You don’t play fair, Cash Jameson.”

“When it comes to you, Hannah Hall, I don’t play at all.”

“You’re infuriating.”

“You’re adorable. Just admit it. You want me just as much as I want you.”

“I don’t.”

“Liar.”

Ignoring him, I grabbed two glasses of lemonade and carried them into the family room, only to see my parents standing up. “Are you leaving?”

“Yes, we’re tired. We drove right here from the airport. Tell Jimmy we’ll see him at his game later this week. I can’t believe it’s his last one of the year.”

“Me either.” I set the drinks on the small table and kissed them each on the cheek.

“Bye, Bob. Bye, Elizabeth,” Cash said, waving from the family room.

“Bye, Cash,” they said in unison. “We’ll see you soon.”

“You can count on it.”

The door closed behind them, and I turned to look at Cash. “Must you be so charming?”

He shrugged. “It comes naturally. I’m going to leave now. Tell Jimmy I’ll call him later.”

“Okay.”

Before he left, he leaned in, our eyes locked, and he pressed his lips gently against mine. My breath caught in my throat as a flurry of emotions surged through me. Emotions I promised myself not to feel.

As our lips moved, my mind surrendered to the sweet sensation. Time seemed to stand still. My body responded instinctively, and I leaned into him, craving the closeness, the connection. I felt a surge of warmth and tenderness envelop me, spreading from my lips throughout my entire being. It was as if every nerve in my body sparked to life, tingling with a familiar sense of desire.

Yet, amid the dizzying whirlwind of emotions, a wave of uncertainty lingered. Coming to my senses, I broke the connection, and I found myself lost in his gaze, trying to find the right words, but they were lost to me.

---