I smile, breathing her in again. “You would smell like bubblegum.”
Her grin stretches even wider. “I would, wouldn’t I?”
We dance in silence for a moment, swaying back and forth. I’ve never paid much attention—okay, maybe in junior high—to how much of a full-body contact sport dancing is. My arm is wrapped around Summer’s back, with my fingers curling into her waist. My other arm is holding her hand. Our bodies are pressed together, and her free hand rests around my neck, her fingers grazing the skin just above my shirt collar. I pull her even closer so our hips touch and the side of our cheeks brush against each other. I want to close my eyes, but I can’t be one of those guys who closes their eyes while they dance—although everyone here thinks I’m Justin, so maybe it would be okay.
I settle on keeping my eyes open but paying attention to how she feels in my arms and the sensational feeling that holding her has spurred inside me. Every time Summer is in my arms, it feels like I’m never supposed to let her go, and yet, after tonight, I have to let her go.
“So I guessthis is one of our last activities before Justin’s going to be back,” I say into her ear.
“Yeah, that’s what he said.” We slowly move together to the melody of the music. “You’re probably so happy to be done with me.”
I lean back enough to see her blue eyes. “Nothing could be further from the truth.” She doesn’t look away like I think she will. Instead, she holds my gaze. “And you? I bet you’ll be happy to be done with me.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth.”
We both smile, knowing that’s the most either one of us can say out of respect for Justin.
Summer leans back in, placing her head on my chest and I’m a goner, completely lost over this woman. I can’t concentrate on anything but her. And the sad part is, she doesn’t even know how crazy for her I am.
What if I threw my hat in the ring? What if I told Justin that he better bring his A-game because I’m bringing mine? Would we shake hands and say, ‘May the best man win,’ or would he never speak to me again? I came to Telluride to build a stronger relationship with him, and now I’m willing to toss it aside for a woman—but not any woman. It’s Summer, the brightest light I’ve ever seen. The one woman who took my dark life and turned it into sunshine.
“Hey, look, you guys.” Hailey points above us. “You’re under the mistletoe.”
We both look up. There’s a large mistletoe centered directly above us.
“You have to kiss.” Hailey smiles as she and Brian dance beside us.
Summer shakes her head. “Um, I’m not into PDA.”
Hailey gives her a pointed stare. “You’re hilarious. I’ve never met anyone who’s more into PDA than you.”
Summer’s eyes drift back to me.
“Dude, take your chance.” Brian elbows me. “You can’t pass up mistletoe.”
Take my chance.
Throw my hat into the ring.
I glance at Summer. I’m not going to do anything she doesn’t want to do.
“Mistle-toe!” Janet sings the word as she and Marty dance by.
Summer looks around, noting how everyone in her family is watching us.
I smile, trying to ease whatever she’s feeling inside and repeat Justin’s words back to her. “Only if the situation can’t be avoided. It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”
She lifts her chin up to me, her eyes saying she’s on board.
It’s like the moment I step out on a bridge, my toes curling over the edge. I look down, and I second-guess everything. Did we calculate the free-fall correctly? Is the chute going to open at the right time? Are we sure the wind won’t pick up at any second? Do I remember how many flips and twists I’m going to throw? In those last seconds, before I bend my knees and jump, it seems like the craziest idea I’ve ever had, and yet I know it will give me the best rush of my entire life. I’m out of control but so in control there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll jump.
And jump I do.
I drop my mouth to hers, feeling the instant adrenaline jolt my entire body.
Her family cheers around us like our kissing has made all their dreams come true.
Little do they know, it’s made allmydreams come true.
