Page 265 of We Shouldn't Be Together
For someone who has spent weeks scowling at me, I call that huge.
“So, I’ll see you at dance class tomorrow?” Penelope asks with hope.
“Absolutely. I’m so happy to be back.”
“I’m glad you’re back, too. Maybe we can go out afterwards? Hot chocolates, or dare I say, ice-cream?”
I grin at her, my heart steeped in happiness. “I’d love that. I can eat ice-cream any day of the year.”
Penelope chuckles. “Magnificent. We’re going to get along great.”
“I hope so. And I hope you’re feeling better about transferring schools.”
Penelope exhales slowly. “I am. It’ll be tough to adjust, but it’ll be nice to have at least one friend.”
“We could all use one friend,” I agree.
When I’m finally released from the meeting, Kai and I go for a drive. The rain is settling, and Kai takes us out of Victoria Falls. The car winds through the mountains, and over the crest, a rainbow illuminates in the sky.
“Wow,” I gasp. “So freaking pretty.”
Kai pulls the car off to the side and parks. “Yeah, that’s wicked.”
I reach for his hand, and he envelops mine like it’s his natural reaction.
“I saw you talking with Camila’s step-sister,” Kai comments.
“Yep. We’re planning on getting ice-cream after dance practice tomorrow.”
The swirl of green and brown in his eyes light up. “Oh, cool. So, dance class is still a thing?”
I tug on his hand for emphasis. “Thank you for encouraging me to go back. I was so sure I was done with it. That I wasn’t the best at it, so what was the point of even trying?”
“But now you’re trying?”
I bite into my bottom lip and feel the butterflies in my stomach. “I’m having fun trying. I’m not worrying about what everyone else is gonna say, because I have you backing me up.”
Kai lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. “I’ll always be in your corner.”
“My life is so much better with you in it.”
He smirks and his eyebrows bounce. “What about a little more adventure in your life? Imagine the sick drifts and burnouts we could do with the roads being so slippery.”
“Malakai Nelson,” I scold teasingly. “Please don’t do anything stupid while my dad is finally warming up to you.”
He throws his head back in laughter. “Tabby, you’re the only person who makes not chasing an adrenaline high worth it.”
I lean in, tracing my finger under his chin. “Well, I don’t know about that. We could get a little adrenaline by making out until the car fogs up.”
He sneaks a kiss, whispering, “You naughty girl.”
As our kisses increase in speed, I’m panting for breath and whisper against his lips. “I think I love you.”
He kisses me back, hard. “Girl, I know I love you.”
My heart hammers in my chest, feeling the protection and bound between us as I wear his hoodie. “Oh, I’m so in love with you.”
Epilogue
