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“Jacob, nothing happened last night. It was just dinner and I only went because RJ said it was the only way he’d tell me who my kiss thief was. And now I know. And now it’s in the past.”

He just stared at me.

“And as far as the third base thing...homecoming was awful before the end. Well, right before the actual end.” I cringed thinking of my dad getting in a fight with Mr. Halifax. “It was only good for like ten minutes. When I was dancing with you. And I didn’t go out of my way to hook up with my kiss thief. I was actually debating leaving early because I was having such a terrible night and he surprised me...”

“I don’t want to hear any more,” Jacob said.

I nodded. “Okay. Yeah, I get it. I can’t believe I went from two boyfriends to zero in one night.” I laughed awkwardly and tried to force my face to remain even. But all I wanted to do was climb up the spiral staircase, collapse in my bed, and cry.

“What about anything we’ve talked about would lead you to believe that I’d break up with you? Ever?”

I opened my mouth and closed it again. “But I broke your trust. I went on a date with someone else and didn’t tell you. The more I think about it, the worse it sounds...”

“Do you want to break up?”

“No! Never.”

He smiled, but it looked forced. “I just want you to be honest with me about everything from here on out.”

I nodded. “Of course. And I’m so so sorry...”

“I know you only went to third base with Leo because you thought I didn’t like you. It’s my own fault, because I was trying to make you jealous at homecoming. I just wanted you to like me back.”

Jacob had no problem being honest. And his honesty made me want to cry all over again. “I know.”

“You thought I didn’t like you, but that wasn’t the case. That was never the case. I love you, Scarlett.”

I couldn’t stop my tears from falling now.

He closed the distance between us and wiped them away with his thumbs. “I think we’re on the same page now.”

I sniffed and laughed. “You’re really not breaking up with me?”

“Not in a million years.”

“And you’re not mad?” I asked.

“I mean...I’m still a little mad. But I’ll get over it.” His eyes searched mine. “You are over your kiss thief, right?”

“Yes! Jacob, I only went to unmask him because it felt like some weird loose end. I just wanted it to be over so I could stop thinking about it.”

He nodded. “I just...” his voice trailed off.

And I was pretty sure I knew what he was thinking. He’d already told me his fears when he finally asked me to be his real girlfriend. “You’re not second, Jacob. I promise. I love you and only you.”

He dropped his forehead against mine. “I love you and only you.”

I was glad I wasn’t still super high for this. I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him.

He pulled me closer, pressing me hard against him. And he kissed me back in a way I wasn’t used to. Harder. More possessive.

I was pretty sure he was still a little angry. And I just so happened to like his angry kisses.

His hands slid to my ass as I kept trying to pull him even closer.

“I think I know what we need to do,” he said.

“Single Girl Rule #47?”