The Kissing Challenge - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,12

finally filtered through my brain. But it took Knight touching Captain's shoulder to break us up. We pulled back at the same time, Cap still looking at me as he backed away.

"Job well done," Knight said.

Liam nodded and grasped Captain's hand, exchanging what I saw was a wad of money.

"That Gwen girl didn't even try to argue," he said. "Just handed over the cash."

Dorothy smiled and gave us a nod. "That show was almost as good as the concert. I wish you a ton of happiness, but I better go find my best friend," she said. "Gwen hates to lose."

I could've called that one.

"It was nice meeting you," I said once Captain had turned away to talk to his bandmates, and I could form a coherent sentence. "Sorry about all that. I don't know what happened."

She shrugged. "No need to apologize. You were just claiming your man."

I opened my mouth to correct her, but she talked over me.

"I really should go," she said. "Nice meeting you, Anne."

"You, too," I said.

My mind was still reeling when Captain came over a minute later.

"Me and the boys are going to pack up and leave," he said.

"So soon?" I asked. But what I really meant was: You're leaving now? After that kiss we just shared?

Cap ran a hand through his hair and lifted his shoulder in a half-shrug. "I'm pretty tired. Plus, my head kind of hurts. Thought maybe I could use some sleep."

He had a headache after kissing me? And here I was still daydreaming about how awesome it had been. Gah, I guess I'd read that wrong after all.

"Oh yeah go," I said. "I hope you feel better."

"Do you need a lift?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine. My car's parked out front."

He nodded but avoided my eyes.

As he turned, I said, "Hey Cap?"

"Yeah?" he said.

"You were wonderful tonight." Hastily, I tacked on, "You know, you and the rest of the guys from Hero Complex."

The last thing I needed was for him to think I was commenting on what an awesome kisser he was—which yeah, I kind of had been, but there was no need to make this even more awkward.

Cap met my eyes. "Thanks, Anne. I'm glad you were here."

Was he? Or did his quick departure mean he already regretted the kiss?

"Make sure to take some Advil, and drink plenty of water," I said.

His brows pinched.

"For your head."

"Ah yeah, I'll do that," he said. "See you later, Anne."

"Night, Captain," I said, but he had already turned away.

On a scale of one to ten, that kiss had been a freaking one hundred plus, plus. But if it was so good, I wondered, why did it leave me feeling this off-kilter? I'd never thought we would kiss again. I couldn't believe Captain had agreed to a repeat tonight. Though, I guess, maybe he didn't want to back down from the bet and look bad in front of his boys. That was entirely possible. It could've all been a show just to win.

But he'd kissed me with such emotion and heat. I hadn't known my best friend was capable of that—at least not with me. It had felt real.

The thing was…I couldn't decide whether that was the truth or wishful thinking.

CHAPTER 5

"Where were you last night, Anne?" Lady asked.

My father looked like he couldn't care less as he spread a thin layer of strawberry jelly onto his biscuit and then savored the first bite. My younger sister Beth just rolled her eyes.

"Who cares?" she said under her breath.

But Lady wouldn't be deterred.

"I tried to call," she said, "but you didn't pick up your phone. I was a bit worried since we were supposed to watch that documentary on Princess Diana."

I winced. Lady had been a close family friend for the longest time. She'd helped all of us after my mom passed away, and I hated letting her down.

"Oh I'm sorry," I said. "It totally slipped my mind."

Mary, my youngest sister, who up until this point had only been interested in her crepes and the copy of Vogue she was perusing, finally looked up.

"It was lovely, Anne. The princess had such wonderful gowns."

"You watched it together then?" I asked.

"We did," Mary said. "It wasn't like I didn't have other things to do. But Lady asked me to watch since I have such refined taste."

Beth snorted at that.

"You?" she said. "Refined? You should become a comedian, Mar."

Mary just rolled her eyes. "As if your fashion sense is better?"

Beth sniffed. "It is absolutely one hundred percent more sophisticated than