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“Puh-lease,” Maddy says, crossing her arms. “Everyone knows about your little crush on Blake.”
“Crush?” Juliette scoffs, but her eyes flicker to me. “He wishes.”
“Right,” Ryan chuckles, his disbelief evident. “Because following him around like a lost puppy is totally normal.”
Amanda squares her shoulders and leans in closer to Juliette. “I don’t care who you like, but sabotaging my internship application? That’s low, even for you.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Her voice drips with feigned innocence, but her smirk betrays her.
“Cut the act. You told your stepdad about my cancellation at the shelter.” Amanda leans in closer to me, her body trembling with anger. “How pathetic do you have to be to stoop so low?”
Juliette tosses her hair in a cascade of falsity. “He wants dependable people on his team. It’s not my fault you didn’t make the cut.”
Amanda makes a noncommittal sound. “I suppose thanks is in order.”
That wipes the smirk from her painted lips.
“Oh, you haven’t heard?” my girl continues, “I got offered a position at Lakeside working with Dr. Steinberg. Looks like your tactics to make me leave secured my stay for a long time. Hope you enjoy seeing me around.” She drops her voice. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Amanda grabs my hand and pulls me to the dance floor.
“Holy shit, that was awesome,” I say between laughs.
“I hate being a bitch.”
“Don’t feel bad. She deserves a reality check.” I pull her closer, swaying to the rhythm of a slow song.
Her laugh is soft in my ear, sending a wicked shiver of want straight to my dick. “I don’t know how you put up with her.”
“My charming personality attracts all sorts,” I say, winking.
Amanda shakes her head. “Why do I even like you?”
“Because I’m irresistible?”
She giggles, and it’s a sound that fills me with warmth. I’m still trying to understand how the hell I got so lucky.
I lean down and press my lips to hers. She wraps her arms around me tighter and tilts her head, opening up to me. I take full advantage. It feels right, being here, being with her. Like everything has clicked into place.
My hands roam her back, drawing her closer until there’s no space between us, only heat, only Amanda.
I lose myself in the rhythm of our kiss, each brush of her lips igniting a fire that burns away any lingering doubt. This connection—it’s real, powerful. It hums through my veins, synching with the pounding of my heart.
“Blake,” she whispers against my mouth. It’s a plea and a promise rolled into one. I don’t need words to answer. Our bodies communicate just fine, speaking a language that’s been ours since the day this girl stole my heart after that unexpected kiss in the bookstore.
We pull back, breathless, foreheads pressed together. She smiles, and all I can think about is how much I love this girl—how damn lucky I am to have her back in my life.
“You okay?” she asks, gazing up at me.
I squeeze her hips in response. “Better than okay,”
“That’s good,” she says. “We should probably find Maddy and Ryan.”
I nod, and we take off, hand in hand. But it becomes apparent they’re nowhere in sight.
“Where’d they go?” Amanda pulls out her phone and shakes her head. “She didn’t leave a message.”
I pull her into me, nodding to the balcony. “Let’s not worry about them right now. It’s nearly midnight. Let’s not miss the fireworks.”
