More Than Maybe - Erin Hahn Page 0,84

will be having a stern talk with myself about that.

Too soon, he pulls back, grinning like an idiot. His mouth is red-stained, and a thrill of pride rushes straight to my toes because I did that. I’m sure my mouth matches, idiot grin and all. We stand there, inches apart, on a chilly, darkened street, smiling at each other, me dressed like a country music ballerina and he like the skater boy he is and then there’s applause?

Luke’s head slowly turns, his smile freezing as he takes in our audience.

“Shite,” he murmurs, and the cuss has my mouth watering all over again. What is wrong with me? My entire body is buzzing with awareness, and I’m so baffled and in love with the feeling.

I lick my lips surreptitiously in the hope that there is enough of his taste lingering to cool my jets.

There’s not.

His eyes are wide, but he must read something in my expression, because his mouth quirks in an adorably proud way. “Vada,” he says, his eyes laughing. “God, you’re beautiful. We need to get off this street, though.”

I follow his gaze to the crowd gathered in front of the trendy collegiate bar called 21 across the street. “We’ve been caught by the smokers,” I say.

“I’m afraid we have a bit of a walk of not-quite-shame, but—”

I take his hand impulsively and throw it in the air like we’re on final curtain call. “On three,” I say. “One, two…” Together we bow, to wild enthusiasm. Some smarty yells, “Encore!” and I’m not gonna lie, I’m tempted, but Luke shakes his head.

“Let’s go, you little exhibitionist.”

The nickname pulls me up short. “Oh God,” I say. “I didn’t even think. I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to…”

There’s a wrinkle between his eyes as he tries to follow, but when it finally dawns, he shakes his head. “Ah. No, not the same. You didn’t post that on Instagram. You weren’t half attending to your social media while kissing me. Were you?” He lifts a single blond brow.

“Please, I couldn’t have told you my name if you’d asked me while you were kissing me.”

That was clearly the correct response. He wraps my hand in his and keeps walking. “Excellent.”

After a bit, I confess. “I could almost understand, though.” Luke looks curious, and I plow on. “I mean, that was literally the best moment of my entire life. I wouldn’t mind the memento.”

His smile is relaxed and happy, and he brings my hand up to his mouth, pressing softly. “Best moment of my life, too. But you don’t need the memento. We’ll be repeating that, and often.”

LUKE

Hey, girl, are you a parking ticket?

VADA

Wut.

LUKE

’Cause you’ve got fine written all over you.

VADA

Oh em gee.

LUKE

Kiss me if I’m wrong, but dinosaurs still exist, right?

VADA

Luke.

LUKE

Hold on, hold on. I have one more. Pretend we’re in class for this next one, though, okay?

VADA

Okay. Important question. What class?

LUKE

U.S. history. Obviously.

VADA

Obviously.

LUKE

Do you have a pencil?

VADA

Y-yes?

LUKE

’Cause I want to erase your past and write our future.

VADA

Why are you the way you are?

LUKE

You like me, though?

VADA

I do. YouTube: Taylor Swift feat. Ed Sheeran “End Game”

LUKE

YouTube: Taylor Swift “You Belong with Me”

VADA

Hot damn. Just when you thought he couldn’t get any cuter, the Brit sends you country music–Taylor Swift. *heart eyes*

29

LUKE

The next morning, I’m woken by my brother banging on my bedroom door. I’m only given half a second before he bursts in, shit-eating grin in place.

“And how was your night? Took you an awful long time to drive Vada home.”

I sit up, rubbing my face. “What time is it?”

“Nearly noon. Mum wouldn’t let me in to steamroll you. Said it was ‘uncouth.’”

“I’m surprised you’re awake, honestly.”

Cullen sits down, uninvited. “Zack’s on his way. We’re going to head downtown and do all the classic post-prom stuff. Dinner and a show.”

I snort. “Yeah, because most seniors are heading out to the theater to see something off-Broadway after the prom.”

He nudges me halfheartedly. “Sorry about the other night. With the partners. I tried to warn you, but…”

I shrug. “Eh, it wouldn’t have mattered. They would have tracked us down eventually. And Dad was right. I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”

“Dad said that?”

“Among other things.”

“What kind of other things?”

I reassure him. “Not those things. He hasn’t mentioned the club or advertising since. Maybe they got the point.”

“Hopefully. Anyway, not to ruin your day, but I thought you ought to know … someone caught you and Vada making out in front of Dad’s club last night. It’s all over Instagram.”

My stomach lurches, remembering the standing ovation we’d gotten