Page 51 of Becoming Cinderella

Outside my car Liam leans in and gives me a hug goodbye. I can’t be entirely disappointed it’s not a goodbye kiss though, because I press my head against his racing heart and somehow he still smells like mint, even after all the dancing we’ve done. It’s not a kiss, but I’ll take any physical contact right now.

The hug lingers, but not long enough for my satisfaction.

“See you soon.” His voice is husky and low, like just maybe me being near him is sending his own body into an overdrive.

Liam doesn’t phrase our goodbye like a question, but as a statement. A promise.

One that I’ve already begun a countdown to which confirms one thing; I am in deep.

Chapter Fifteen

I drop Rylee off at home and drive straight to Penn’s house. I nearly run to her front door before I rapidly start to knock, rocking back and forth on my heels while I wait for someone to answer. Not being patient enough I start to ring the doorbell a couple of times, trying to peek in through the small window at the top of their door.

I go to knock once more when Penn’s dad answers the door.

“Hi, Mr. Reyes. Is Penn here?” It comes out rushed, like the information I’m keeping is in a pressured pot about to explode.

“I think she’s in her room.” He takes a step to the side as he looks up the stairs towards Penn’s room.

I take the small opening from where he stepped to the side and sprint towards the stairs. “Thank you, Mr. Reyes,” I call as I take the stairs two at a time.

I skid to a stop outside Penn’s bedroom, knocking on her closed door as I open it. Her back is to me as she sits in her corner desk typing something on her computer. I cross the room and pull out her left earbud to get her attention, making her jump.

Penn throws out an arm in a show of self-defense, ready to fight whoever has disturbed her.

“Carter!” She lowers her arm, placing her hand over her beating chest. “You scared me! What are you doing here?”

“You were right.”

“I usually am.” Penn gives me a smug smile. “But what are you referring to this time?”

I drop down on the edge of her bed. “We almost kissed. Liam and I, we almost kissed!”

Her eyes go wide as she scoots forward on her chair. “You what?”

“I like him, Penn. I really, really, like him.” I lay back on her bed, throwing my arm over my eyes.

She comes over and pulls my arm away. “I’m going to need every little detail. No arm touch or stolen glance can be left out, got it?”

Finally being able to confess my feelings and put them out in the open feels freeing. Saying it out loud seems to confirm that I am over Jared. My stomach twists in excitement as I talk about Liam, like it’s preparing to see him. I feel like I’m seven and this is my first crush all over again.

I worry what will happen when Liam leaves though. Not that I think I will fall back into liking Jared as a default. I think I’m officially over him, I just don’t know how I’m going to adjust to a world of not liking Jared.

“I can’t believe you almost kissed Liam!” Penn leans off her bed to grab a couple sheets of paper from her desk. “I did more research. Did you know Katie Holmes-”

I pluck the papers from her hand which makes her stop as I skim more articles she’s printed.

“Is this silly?” I look up at her over the paper. “To start liking a boy who is about to move back to LA in a couple of weeks?”

To start liking a boy who is famous? Who has paparazzi following him? Who my parents have forbidden me from seeing?

“Yes, it’s silly! But it’s love! Who are we to try to stop it?”

I sigh and flop back down on my back, staring up at the glow in the dark stars she’s placed on her ceiling.

“What am I going to do?” I groan.

“Tell him?”

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