Page 42 of Take This Heart
“You kissed me first, you know,” he says.
I gasp. “I most certainly did not!”
“But youwantedto. Same difference.”
I bolt up the stairs, his laugh following me all the way.
He isso irritating.
My teeth grind together.
And he’simpossibleto ignore.
I’m sure he’s used to having hookups wherever he goes. Everything about him screamsI can get whoever I want, whenever I want.
Well, I refuse to be another notch on his belt.
Those (very impressive) balls will just have to get bluer because I won’t be his convenient little summer fling.
Later, my phone startles me with all the vibrating from our family texts.
Dad
I was going to ask you all to send photos to cheer Goldie up. She’s turned into quite the grump with Milo around. But after seeing the picture from her that came through at some point in the middle of the night, I think she must be turning it around.
Grrrrr. Wait—what picture?
Noah
Geez. Believe me. We’ve noticed the grumpiness. Guess we have Lombardi to thank for turning that frown upside down.
Tully
I’m going to text Milo right now to thank him.
Scrolling up as fast as I can. OhmyGod. Apparently last night I sent a photo of me cuddled up to Milo, smiling as wide as I can smile, and looking like a loopy, lovesick fool.
I groan into my hand.
Camden
I didn’t get much sleep last night, but Goldie’s picture is making it worth it to be awake.
Dylan
Bill says howdy! And that he thinks you and Milo look cute together.
Tully
Bill? You named him Bill? What the hell?
I am NOT a grump. But Grayson and Bill are the only ones I want to see right now. Seriously, Bill? Okay, pictures of the geese will do as well. And as you can see, I’d had a drink. Otherwise, I never would’ve been smiling next to Milo Lombardi.
Dylan
Sure sounds like you’re a grump. You’re the sunshine of the family! That is your role in the Whitman family. No changing the lineup now. What is going on? He seems like a great guy!
Someone else can handle the sunshine for a while. And you would think that Milo’s a great guy, Dylan.
