Dirty Little Secrets (Hillcrest Prep #1.5) - Trilina Pucci Page 0,9

a little carnival down here for the opening weekend of the lake. It’s super cute. Lots of families come.”

The moment she says it, a smile grows over my face as I see the trouble we’re about to get up to in the distance.

“You trust me?” I say, pulling her faster.

“No.” She laughs but doesn’t resist.

“Perfect. Let’s go.”

Ava

Tonight’s been one unexpected moment after the other. What started as a nervous, awkward conversation in the car turned into the most natural flow. We couldn’t stop talking about music, books, and our favorite memes while we waited for our ice cream.

Jackson asked me question after question, genuinely interested in all things me. I’ve never felt so comfortable around someone. I don’t even know Jackson, and I made a deal to be someone else, but I keep finding that I only really want to be myself.

And currently “myself” is a scaredy-cat.

“Stop it!” I laugh, grabbing for his hoodie. “We’re going to get caught and go to jail.”

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

He boops my nose and winks. “What happened to having the time of your life?”

“All right, dirty dancing. Calm down.”

Jackson jumps the metal barrier set up around the giant Ferris wheel and holds out his hand for me to take so that I can do the same.

I look around, nervous but also excited by the idea. Time of your life, Ava. He just said it to me. Do it. Shit. I glance over my shoulder again. The lights from the docks next to us illuminate the space enough so that we’re not in pitch-black, but still hidden.

Jackson tugs my hand. “You can’t tell me that your best self never wanted to sit in one of these in the dark… Come on, Scarlett. You were way more of a badass in the movie.”

I quietly laugh and blow out a long breath.

“You know you want to… You want to. Come on.”

He lets go of me and grips the railing with both hands, pushing himself off the ground pitching forward, closer to my face.

Oh my God, he’s pouting. His perfect bottom lip is taunting me. I hate him.

“I wish I knew your real name so I could tell you that you suck.”

I smile at the end, knowing that I’m going to do this, but he leans in quickly and presses a quick peck to my lips. Oh. My fingers automatically replace where his lips leave as he stares at me. I’m surprised, shocked—dying of happiness.

Jackson grabs my hand from my lips, motioning with his head, and I nod. How can I say no now? He pulled out the big guns. He kissed me. Oh my God, he kissed me. My lips feel warm as I press them together, trying to hide my smile. I have to stay chill, but if I could dance it out right now, I would.

He helps me over the railing, then leads us to the ride, only letting me go to look up. Pointing to a big metal bucket with bright neon yellow stars painted on the side, Jackson smiles down at me, wagging his brows. It’s two higher than the one we’re standing in front of. What? No way.

“What’s wrong with this one?” I question, placing my free hand on the little door.

“Anyone could see us, girl. We’d get caught. A criminal, you aren’t.” He shakes his head and ducks under the railing.

“And you are?” I push, following close behind him.

“For tonight.”

Jackson’s face turns to mine as I straighten. We’re so close. So agonizingly, body heating up, making me feel squirmy kind of close. We’re kissing close. His eyes dart down to my lips, and prayers begin to chant in my head. Kiss me again, Jackson.

He leans in closer, tilting his head, but stops, growling. Pulling back, he turns around and begins to climb. What the hell? I could pass out. He gets up a few feet and looks down at me. “You coming?”

I narrow my eyes but follow the exact way he climbs until reaching the bucket. His strong hands grip my arms and help to haul me over the top and inside.

“Get in here.” He grunts.

A giggle escapes as I hitch one leg over and then another, and it’s mixed with his own laughter as we gently rock. Looking over the side, I stare down wide-eyed. “Holy crap. I can’t believe we did this.”

He huffs a laugh as I brush the hair away from my face and gather myself into the opposite seat as him. Leaning back against the