Page 85 of How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex
“And yeah,” she says with a shrug. “I had a panic attack and that totally sucked. But when it was over...?” Her eyes shine with emotion when she looks at me again. “When it was over, I was so freakin’ relieved.”
My gut tightens at the intensity in her eyes. At this relief, and the freedom, and everything else she’s feeling for the first time in way too long.
“Like, the nightmare came to pass and I survived. Everything I feared...” She shrugs helplessly again. “It wasn’t the end of the world, and I made it through, and I’m—I’m better for it.” She takes a deep breath. “You know?”
We both know she doesn’t expect me to answer, and for a second my chest feels too full to respond. But when I do, I force a lighthearted, teasing tone. “So, what you’re saying is, I didn’t singlehandedly push you over the edge with that kiss then.”
“Oh no, you did,” she says, but her eyes are dancing with laughter. “That kiss was...” She trails off as the blush in hercheeks deepens, and I swear my heart triples its speed in record time.
“Keep going.” I nudge her gently with my knee. “You’re killing me here, Tucker.”
She laughs softly. “That kiss was like the last straw, I guess. I felt so...so...out of control. And I don’t know if you know this, but...” She gives me a teasingly serious look. “I’m not so good at letting go of control.”
I nod slowly. “I do know this about you.”
“So I guess...yes. That kiss was what set it off.” She bites her lip as she gives me a pleading look, like she’s begging me to understand. “But in a good way. You know?”
“I think I do.”
Her smile is slow and sweet, and it freakin’ lights up the night. My chest contracts so violently, for a second I can’t breathe. “Bailey?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you going to freak out again if I kiss you right now?”
She’s still smiling as she shakes her head. She leans in, placing her hands against my chest, and this time she kisses me first. I let her take her time, because I don’t want to rush her.
This is her figuring shit out, and I’m just here for the ride. I get that.
I don’t know what it means for me, but I understand it. And I’m okay with it.
For now, at least.
Do you really think Bailey’s going to end up with a loser like you?
My ribcage constricts with the memory. Grayson’s words from earlier today are threatening to ruin the moment, but I shove them aside as I draw her closer into my arms and hold on tight.
The kiss is slow and sweet, and so freaking hot it nearly kills me.
When she pulls back, her lips are swollen and her eyes are dazed. “Question.”
I can’t help but smile at her tone. Like a student raising her hand in class. “Shoot.”
“If that kiss earlier was to prove something...” She glances meaningfully to the place where Grayson and Macy arenot. “Then what is this?”
The question is simple, but the look in her eyes is anything but.
What are we doing?That’s what she’s asking.What’s happening between us?
I don’t have the answer. Honestly, I don’t really want to think about the question. Not right now. So, I run a hand over her hair and lean in until my nose brushes against hers. “This is practice.”
She starts to laugh. “Practice?”
“Everyone knows practice makes perfect, right?”
She’s still laughing as she nods. “And I do like perfection.”
I grin against her lips. “Then it’s settled.”
