anything. Right?"
I swear I nearly swallowed my tongue.
"What makes you say that?" I stuttered.
Captain rolled his shoulders back. "Well, I saw the video, and"—my eyes closed at that. Of course, he had seen it. Captain had been my very first follower, and I'd been his. Gah, I was going to murder Gemma—"it just made me wonder."
He laughed as if to himself.
"Though I doubted it was true," he said.
My answering laugh sounded all wrong. "Why is that?"
"I just think I would've known," Captain said. "I mean, we're best friends. We tell each other everything. Don't we?"
I smiled, but I kind of felt like crying.
"Plus, I have a hard time believing you'd put something like that out on social media. You're a private person, Anne."
Forcing a laugh, I said, "You got me. It was Gemma who posted the video."
Captain nodded. "That makes more sense."
"Yeah," I said, shoving my hands into my pockets. "She just went ahead and shared it, didn't even ask me. She liked the kiss a lot."
"I liked it, too," he said.
"What?" I squeaked.
Captain held out his phone and showed me where he'd hit the heart button. The video. He'd been referring to liking the video, not our kiss. That was good, right? Then nothing had to change between us. He was taking everything, our kiss and the video, in stride. I should've been happy about that…right?
"So, you won the challenge then?" he asked.
"You don't really win anything," I said. "But yeah, I guess so."
"And I helped with that?"
Seeing his grin, I gave him a smile. "Yeah, you did. Thanks, Cap. I owe you one."
"I'm thinking I'm the one who owes you," he said. "Gemma tagged me and the band in that video. You wouldn't believe how many messages I'm getting."
"Oh?" I said.
"Yeah." Captain rolled his eyes. "A lot are from girls asking for my number. One even wanted me to send her a shirtless pic, if you can believe that."
My heart sank. I could believe it. I so could.
"That's…nice," I said.
"Eh, it's whatever. But who knows? Maybe it will bring more people out to our gig this week. You're still coming, right?"
I nodded as Captain pulled me in for a hug.
"Awesome," he said. "I always play better when I know you're there, Anne."
I melted against him, wishing I never had to let him go.
But I knew that was one wish I couldn't make come true.
"I'm sorry for ignoring your messages," I said with my face pressed against his shoulder.
"That's okay. I figured my amazing lips had put you into a kiss coma or something. Wanted to make sure you were okay."
I pinched his side for that. "Jerk."
"But one who can kiss," he said.
"Yeah okay, I admit. It was good."
"Just good?" he said.
"Wonderful, stupendous, I'm so grateful to have had such a soul-searing first kiss. There," I said. "Are you happy?"
"Very," he said, sounding smug.
"Also, thanks for not freaking out," I added. "About the kiss thing."
Captain gave a quiet laugh then pulled back.
"No problem." He met my eyes and tossed me a wink. "If you ever want to do it again, just let me know."
My jaw literally dropped. I could not believe he'd said that. Even if it was a joke—which it had to be—I thought about his last words and that wink in all of my classes. In fact, I was still thinking about it as I got into my car to drive home from school…and as I ate dinner…and when I was getting ready for bed…and when my head hit the pillow.
My phone pinged with a text, and I checked the screen.
Gemma: Saw that Captain liked the video! Yay!!! I guess it all worked out!
She followed that up with a whole bunch of smiling emojis, a thumbs-up, and a heart.
Me: I'm still mad at you for posting.
Her reply came a second later.
Gemma: Ah Anne, I love you. You know I was just doing it for the greater good.
Me: And you couldn't have asked first???
Gemma: But then you would've said no :(
When I didn't respond, she sent another.
Gemma: Plus, I'm impulsive. There's no cure for that. I checked.
I let her sweat it out for a bit.
Gemma: Anne??? I'm sorry! I really am! I should've asked first. You still love me, right?
Me: Of course, I love you. Now, was that so hard?
Gemma: Ugh yes! And I am sorry…but I still say the kiss made me do it!
I shook my head, typed "You're forgiven. Now, get some sleep," and then put my phone aside.
It pinged again a second later.
Wondering what else