I turn to him and smile. “Thanks.”
His eyes fixate on mine with more urgency than last time. I suck in a breath; the apprehension getting to me just as much as it does for Josie on screen. I wet my lips and my eyelids lower. Without a second to rethink it, Milo’s lips press onto mine.
It’s like thousands of tiny fireworks tingling against lips. His kiss has strong pressure, mild suction, and a dose of hunger. As his head tilts, my lips partagainst his lower lip. The fullness of his bottom lip plucks into my mouth with an enjoyable sensation. As I release it, Milo takes control of the kiss, amping up the pressure and suction. A small moan seeps out of me as the tip of his tongue swipes my lip.
He pulls away and I rub my lips together, tasting the kiss all over again. I open my eyes as Milo fixes his glasses. The word wow wants to leap out of me, but I stop when Milo’s face grows sunken. His complexion dulls, and he scoots back on the bed.
“Ahh,” he stammers, getting off the bed. “I just came in here to get Gandalf. I’m free to look after him now.”
Still spinning from the kiss, I utter, “Okay.”
Milo steps across the room and picks up the baby carrier. “Yeah, okay,” he mumbles awkwardly. “I’ll see ya.”
He leaves the room and I sit back against the wall. A weighted breath puffs out of me. I smile as I rub my lips together. We kissed.
I look back at the laptop screen and wink at Josie. “I’ve been kissed.”
I rub the middle of my chest, unnerved by how fast Milo made his getaway. What was with that? He made the first move, didn’t he? I don’t feel like I lead him on. His lips pressed against mine first. He initiated, so why did he leave?
I rub my temples and sigh.Stop overthinking this, Jamie.
At least it answers my questions about him liking me. Well, I think it does. Beside the abrupt exit.
I sit up and close the laptop. I shake my head and can’t contain my smile.
Who cares what it means? I freaking had my first kiss!
Ninteen
WhileIfinishtypingmy history paper, I can’t help hearing Kai and Milo bickering in the other bedroom. A bathroom divides us, but it doesn’t stop—Kai’s voice, especially—from invading my space.
It actually makes me grin. I shouldn’t be feeling so happy about my best friend being miserable. But he’s been acting really sucky lately. If my staying here is causing him friction, then good.
I get up from the desk and walk to the doorway as Kai stomps into the living room.
“How was your evening with Tabitha?” I ask in a salty tone.
“It was the only highlight of the day,” Kai says bluntly.
“Were you even at a restaurant tonight?”
“Wow, you’re starting on me too. I already got enough heat from Mom and Dad.” Kai runs a hand over his head, agitated. “Going out to the cliff was just an idea. Tabby wanted to go out for dinner, so I did what she wanted.”
I huff. “Lucky her.”
Kai groans. “Then I come home to my room practically turning into a library. He’s totally raging on me because I wanted to turn music on inmy own bedroom.”
“He’s given up his space too,” I say, clutching my elbows as I lean against the doorframe.
Kai huffs as he perches on the arm of the couch. “What are you doing sticking up for him? You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I saw a different side tonight. Your parents forced him to spill info on you.”
“Milo’s a traitor, you know that. Or are you suddenly Team Milo?”
I pout, flashes of my first kiss running through my mind. Does this now make me the traitor? “I was just trying to say I feel guilty for taking over his space.”
Kai rolls his eyes, gets off the couch, and walks over to me. “Don’t get sad about it. I’d kick my brother out of the house to keep you here.”
