Page 22 of The Pucking Kiss

My heart skipped a beat as I felt him focus his gaze on me. The corners of his mouth curled up into a smile.

“Well… her eyes.”

Everyone burst into collective “awws,” and I blushed.

“Really?” I asked him, searching his eyes for any sign of sincerity. Even though he was only acting, he was so convincing that even I forgot for a second that there was nothing between us in real life.

“Yeah,” he winked. “Your turn now.”

Feeling a surge of confidence, I spoke up, “I pick dare.”

“Whoa, risk-taker,” Jake said in the background, “I can see why you like her.”

“I’ll give you a dare,” one of the girls said. “I dare you to kiss Bryan.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

I had not expected them to give me this dare. But I wasn’t going to back away now. Gathering up all my bravery, I leaned in. Even Bryan was surprised. Slowly, I brushed my lips against his until, finally, our lips collided.

Chapter 9

Romai

“Whoa,” Bryan breathed out once we pulled away from the kiss. Around us, everyone cheered on.

“Now that’s what I call hot,” Jake joked.

Bryan winked at me and then leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Didn’t think you had it in you, Romai.”

“Guess there’s more to me than what you know.”

I was still buzzing from the thrill of the kiss, and my confidence was skyrocketing. I had never been this bold in my life, but now that I was actually trying, it felt pretty good.

When we finished truth and dare, Bryan laced his fingers in mine.

“I think we’ve made quite the impression on our classmates,” he said to me, laughing. People couldn’t take their eyes off us.

“I know,” I replied, feeling happy that my first appearance at a party with him was such a success. “Guess we’re the new IT couple.”

“I wouldn’t go so far and say that just yet,” he reminded me. “We still have to work on your social image.”

“You know how the deal works,” I grinned. “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”

“Hmm, you can scratch my back anytime you want,” he winked, and I blushed at the inappropriate suggestion.

Maybe I was going crazy, or it was half the can of beer I had earlier, but it was really beginning to feel like Bryan was my boyfriend. I knew better than to get used to the feeling.

“Maybe you should drop me home now…”

“Are you crazy?” Bryan looked at me as if I had said the earth was flat. “The party’s just getting good.”

“I know, but I don’t want to risk overexposure,” I reasoned. “We should keep them wanting more. It’ll make our next appearance at school even more impactful.”

“Wow,” he breathed, seeming impressed. “I never took you for this strategic mastermind.”

“Well, don’t forget that I have the brains here.”

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