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CHAPTER 18
Isabella
Jimmy guided me through the crowd at the packed Firefly festival and my entire body was buzzing. I wasn’t sure if it was the atmosphere which was electrifying, or a residual buzz from the hot kiss that had been interrupted by the law.
The air was crackling with excitement and fun. Everyone appeared to be having the time of their lives. I didn’t have, “visit a small-town festival,” on my list, but I was going to be adding it and then checking it off.
I scanned my fellow festivalgoers and wondered if anyone else had a list like I did. Or what secret each person might be hiding. I assumed that people looking at me would never guess that I had a bum heart and a before-I-die aka BID list. I don’t think a single person who wasn’t privy to knowledge of my medical history would single me out as a walking, ticking time bomb.
Jimmy’s arm brushed against mine. At the point of contact, a bolt of awareness shot through me. That’s when I knew that the vibration I was feeling was Jimmy and not the crowd. I’d made contact with at least a hundred people, but only Jimmy’s arm had made my body light up like a slot machine that hit the jackpot.
That realization caused guilt to creep up in me. I still hadn’t told Jimmy about my condition. Things had gone well when I’d told Cheyenne that I’d been hanging out with her brother. She’d been over the moon, in fact.
I’d felt a little embarrassment when she’d told Reagan and Nadia, but they’d been cool about it. Nadia gave both Reagan and I “props” for bagging a Comfort. I’d made it clear that I hadn’t bagged anyone.
Sure, I’d felt better after confessing to Cheyenne, but that was because the stakes weren’t that high. I wasn’t worried that she’d stop talking to me—or worse, feel betrayed. I wasn’t sure what Jimmy would do. I’d always thought I had a strong moral compass, but I wasn’t sure which way due north was on this one.
When I told Mrs. B over breakfast this morning that I’d been spending time with Jimmy, and that he was taking me to the festival tonight, I thought for sure the first question she’d ask me was, “Have you told him?”
But it wasn’t. She’d just told me to have fun. If anything, she’d seemed tickled about the news.
“Jimmy!”
“Jimmy!”
I looked up and saw two gorgeous blondes who looked like they belonged on a Victoria Secret catwalk waving in our direction.
Jimmy’s arm snaked around my waist and he pulled me close to him before dipping his chin. “Ladies.”
The way he tugged me against his side was a clear display that I was with him in a subtle, not in your face sorta way. One of the guys that I’d briefly dated would put his arm around me whenever a man would notice me, but I’d never had a guy do that when they were the ones that were getting attention. I had to admit it was a welcome change.
I wasn’t the only one that noticed his gesture. The Doublemint twins also picked up on it. If looks could kill, my heart wouldn’t need any help taking me out, those two would’ve assassinated me.
Once we passed the two bombshells he apologized. “Sorry. I would’ve introduced you, but I can’t remember their names.”
“You can’t remember their names?!” I would think any man that had met those two would have their names permanently engraved on their frontal lobe.
The corners of his eyes crinkled as they narrowed. “No, why?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “They were just, really beautiful.”
He shrugged. “They’re good looking.”
I just stared at him, mirroring the perplexed expression he’d just had. If he thought they were just good looking, what was I? I wanted to ask, but I stopped myself. That question didn’t fall in my new “say and do what I want” parameters. It was under the umbrella of not comparing myself to other people.
“What?” His eyes searched mine. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Nothing.” I smiled and continued walking.
I’d barely made it a step when I felt myself being jerked back by the belt loop in my shorts and then spun around to face Jimmy. My hands landed on his chest. His very muscular, very broad chest.
My eyes shot up at him in surprise and arousal rushed through me. Apparently, I enjoyed being manhandled. Or, at least, I enjoyed being manhandled by Jimmy. His eyes continued to search mine, and as they did my breathing grew labored. The intensity in his stare combined with being pressed up against his very hard body sent tingles racing down my spine straight between my legs.
In the back of my mind, I knew that we were in the middle of hundreds of people. But in the front of my mind, there was only me and Jimmy. We were the only two people that existed.
His hand cupped my jaw and he ran his thumb across my cheek. I shuddered at the rough edges of his callouses. I knew how those felt in other places.
“You really have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?”
