Page 6 of Lost Summer
Adele’s cheeks flushed, a brilliant shade of pink beneath the festival lights, and she laughed softly, tightening the grip on myhand. The warmth of her touch ignited something in my chest. She was so close that I could almost feel her heartbeat matching the frantic rhythm of mine.
“Thanks.” Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—something unguarded now. Her eyes bore into mine. “You’re pretty hot, too,” she quipped, keeping her arms crossed even as the tension rose between us. “I’m sure my mate has been checking you out thisentiretime. You’re her type.”
“Oh?” I forced a chuckle as the words swirled around us like confessions, hidden beneath the sound of the crowd. “Am I your type, Adele?” The question slipped from my mouth before I could stop it.
Adele didn’t flinch. She locked eyes with me—a brief flicker of challenge lighting them up. “Yes.”
Just like that.
Without hesitation.
I grinned, safe in the knowledge that this goddess just told me she liked me.
Yes!
“So, no boyfriend?” I checked, bracing myself for the caveat.
Adele’s eyes widened. “No. What about you? Any gorgeous women on the go?”
I snorted, shuffling forward with the line as it moved. “Not anymore,” I answered. “I was with someone, but we split up.”
Adele made a face, putting her hand back on my arm. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not,” I said, gazing into her eyes. “Or I wouldn’t be standing here with you.”
The air between us crackled with electricity, and I fought the urge to kiss her.
She barely knew me.
“I’m glad,” Adele murmured, her hand moving back from my arm.
“Why?” I couldn’t help but grin at her, our eyes meeting as we both laughed, knowing there was something special between us. It was in the air; it was all over our faces. I yearned to kiss her, but I didn’t want to overstep.
“Oh, come on,” Adele said, pointing at me. “Like you don’t know! You’re gorgeous.”
“Are you flirting with me?”
“Maybe,” Adele replied, shrugging her shoulders.
“You know, I’ve had a shit day so far. Until I met you.”
Adele’s eyes sparkled as she smiled, revealing Hollywood white teeth. “Aren’t you the lucky one?”
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Adele laughed, giving me a puzzled expression.
“Because I want to kiss you right now, but I’m not drunk enough or brave enough,” I confessed.
“Oh!” Adele flushed. “Me neither. Shall we get drunk then?”
I beamed at her, loving her honesty. “Yeah, fuck it.”
4
TED
Once we collected our drinks—two cans of lager that fizzed and foamed over the edges—I took a step back to absorb the atmosphere. The music thrummed through the air, infectious and wild like a pulse of life, as festival-goers bobbed their heads, danced clumsily, and lost themselves in the chaotic freedom around us.
