Page 47 of Kissing the Debutant
But Jack… Jack was the reason for all of it. He hadn’t kissed her all week, not since that one perfect moment, but as she stood there staring into his eyes, she realized she didn’t have to wait for him. She knocked his hands away, and disappointment shone in his eyes. She didn’t let it last as she rose on her toes, locking her lips to his.
It took no time at all for him to respond. His arms wound around her back, crushing her to him. She lifted her hands to frame his face, to feel him, the real him.
He deepened the kiss, and she didn’t want it to end. She had no clue what she was doing, and couldn’t quite believe she’d initiated this at all. But that didn’t matter. None of it did. Only her and Jack and the dance that brought them together.
He smiled against her lips. “I should argue with you more often.”
“Ugh, why don’t my fights with boys turn out like this?” Mia said from the doorway.
Lillian pulled away, her face flushing in embarrassment. Jack smirked at her. “It’s just Mia.”
“Oh yes, just poor little Mia who hasn’t kissed a boy in like a month.” She sighed dramatically. “You’re killing me, Smalls.” She swatted Jack as she passed them. “I thought you didn’t like her.”
“You said that?” Lillian frowned.
Jack brushed a thumb over her cheek. “Only to stop her from being embarrassing.”
“Oh, I’m embarrassing?” Mia set her camera equipment down. “Last time I had a date, Jack showed up to give him atalking-to.” She exaggerated her air quotes. “Guy never spoke to me again.”
“I didn’t like him,” Jack said.
Mia grunted as she dug through her camera bag. “For the record, I totally approve of the smooching. Just don’t tell Jack’s mom I knew about this before her.” She cackled.
Lillian looked from Mia to Jack in question.
Jack rubbed his eyes. “Mom can be a little nosy. She spends her working hours listening to people’s problems.”
“Is she a psychiatrist?”
“Something like that.” He laughed. “Come on, we have a dance to film now that Mia finally decided to show up.”
Mia stood. “Hey! I’m only like an hour late.”
Jack held a hand out to Lillian, and she took it, but she couldn’t look him in the eyes as they took up their first position.
“Hey,” Jack whispered. “Don’t hide those pretty eyes from me.”
She met his gaze.
One corner of his mouth tipped up. “There we go.” The music started. “And in case you didn’t know, I’m going to kiss you again. And more after that.” He flashed a smile, not giving her a chance to respond before pulling her in for the first step.
Lillian’s brain could barely compute everything he’d said, but she went through the moves with a new determination. She wanted, needed this video to be perfect for Jack.
Shewanted to be perfect for him.
So, she danced. She embodied the feeling of hate that was the opposite of his love, knowing there was no world in which she could truly hate this boy with the smiling eyes and strong arms.
The music wound to a close, and Lillian no longer registered her aching feet. Her hand curled in Jack’s shirt, and she swore she could feel his heartbeat underneath. They stared at each other for a long moment before Mia’s cheer tore them apart.
“That was perfect!”
Jack finally ripped his eyes from Lillian to regard his friend. “Really?”
Mia nodded. “I don’t even think we need another take. That’s the one. With some editing, it’ll be amazing.”
Jack ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “We done?”
That was the fact of the matter, wasn’t it? This video was the last thing forcing them together. The solo dance for the competition was finished, and Lillian could practice it on her own now.
