Page 59 of Dreams
“You too, Mackenzie,” Coach said. “I want you to get the hell out of here. I’ll decide what to do with you later.”
Taylor stood in stunned silence until Josh took her hand and pulled her through the crowd. “Should we go after them?”
“No,” Josh said. “Definitely not. I want you to dance with me.”
“What about your date?”
“It’s not like that.” He spun around to wrap his arms around her. “Come on. I’ve missed you.”
She pressed her palms against his chest, smoothing the front of his jacket and then looked up at him. “Okay then.”
“Okay?”
“I’ll dance with you, Josh, on one condition.”
His eyebrow quirked up, amusement in his eyes. “And just what would this condition be.”
“Kiss me.”
Surprise sprung to his eyes, but his smile grew. He leaned closer, and Taylor’s skin buzzed with anticipation. He stopped when his face was just inches from hers. If she moved their lips would meet, and that thought alone sent her over the edge.
His warm breath blew across the small space between them as he spoke. “What if I don’t want to meet this condition?”
“Oh, you do.” She had no clue where this confidence was suddenly coming from, but it felt liberating.
His fingers dug into her sides as he pressed his lips against hers. On instinct, she snaked her arms up around his neck and pressed closer, opening her mouth to him.
Too soon, he pulled slightly away. “I think I met your condition.”
“Uh uh, not yet.” Kissing him again, her mind went blank. She didn’t care that they were in the middle of a crowd of people. She didn’t care that her parents were in that crowd and that her friend had just caused a very public fight.
That moment was what she’d remember of the night. The night she got to put on the beautiful dress and feel like everything was okay for now. She wasn’t the girl who’d spent the last year and a half throwing away every part of herself. She was now the girl who had it all back. Just for tonight, she would be happy.
Josh ended the kiss again. “All I’ve been able to think about since last week is kissing you. You have no idea what you’ve been doing to me.”
Taylor buried her face in his shirt and smiled. He smelled good.
They danced for a while as she listened to the steady drumming of his heart. It soothed her and excited her at the same time.
“Oh crap,” she said, remembering something. “Abigail was my ride.”
“I can take you.” He brushed her bangs out of her face.
“Haven’t you been drinking?”
“Water,” he said. “Scout’s honor.”
“Okay, can we leave?”
“Had enough of me?” he joked.
“I didn’t say I wanted to go home.” Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. “I totally did not mean that to sound all ‘take me to bed’.”
Josh’s laughs vibrated through her body and he couldn’t stop.
“I just want to hang out with you.” She slapped his arm, but when she tried to step away, he spun her back around and kissed her quickly.
“Let’s go.”
“What about your date?” she asked.
“Hold on.” He disappeared for a moment before taking her in his arms again. “She’s dancing with my buddy Zak. He’ll take her home.”
“Perfect.” She grinned, reaching up on her toes to kiss him again.
“Perfect.” He agreed.
