Page 27 of The Pinkie Pact

Kieran kept reading. "And she asked me to make sure you get home okay."

He glanced at me, a question in his eyes, but I wasn't sure what the question was.

"I'm okay. Really. I can get back on my own," I argued. "I know you have to get going. And I'm a big girl."

"I know that. But this area can get really weird after dark."

As if to illustrate his point, there was a rustling in the bushes below us.

"See?" he said, raising a brow.

I smiled up into his eyes. "Pretty sure that was just a squirrel."

He grinned, and I had to focus on breathing like a normal person.

"Well, still." Nudging my arm with his, he said, "Come on. I'm getting creeped out. Will you walkmeback?"

I couldn't help smiling at how freaking cute that was. "Okay. Fine."

But I was going to kill Kara when I got home.

Long Walk Home

Kieran

"But I'd like to at least say hi to Abe before we go. Is that okay?" Sky asked.

"Sure. I'm more than happy to be late to the dinner party," I mumbled, dread filling my stomach at the thought of the night ahead of me.

Her face lit up as we rounded the corner, a spotlight on the humongous white marble statue of Abraham Lincoln. "Wow."

Standing directly in front of the awe-inspiring carving, I couldn't help watching her as she stared at Lincoln, the light falling on her face, making her even more beautiful. I glanced away. I shouldn't even be thinking these thoughts.

What is wrong with me?

She began to read the words carved in the wall above his head. "In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever."

I remained silent as she stood there for a moment, wondering if she felt the same way I did whenever I was here, like I was truly in the presence of greatness.

"It's so... I don't know... magnificent. Don't you just want to climb up and sit in his lap?" she said so quietly I almost didn't hear her.

I had to laugh at that, and she turned to look at me. "Don't tell anyone. But I've done that before," I admitted.

"What?" she said, clearly surprised. Probably not the impression she had of me.

"Freshmen year. A few times."

"And here I thought Kara was the rebel in the family," she said, those stunning blue eyes seeing right through me and making it hard to focus.

I remembered what we were talking about after a few seconds. "I guess I have my moments. I'll show you the pictures sometime." And then, I don't know what possessed me to say it, but I blurted out, "And we'll have to get you up there some night."

"Really?"

I nodded, enjoying the way she was looking at me. "Really. Just have to do it late at night. Or do it during a big storm when no one's around. And keep an eye out for the park police."

"Okay. It's a date." She glanced away suddenly. "I mean, you know..."

Those words stunned me, but I knew she didn't mean it like that. Obviously. She whirled around to read the writing on the inside walls of the monument.

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