Playing Hooky with the Hottie - Maggie Dallen Page 0,34

himself.

“Because,” I said, smoothing my hands over his T-shirt just because I could. “I’d realized that what I felt for Justin wasn’t like what I felt for you.”

His dark eyes glowed with happiness and burned me with their heat. “And what’s that?”

His smile was only slightly taunting. It was also totally sweet.

He was so proud of himself, and truth be told—I was proud of him, too.

I had a feeling that admission hadn’t been easy for him, but he’d put himself on the line and risked rejection...for me.

“I think maybe I like you,” I said, my voice stilted.

His brows shot up, and his smile faded. “Really? That’s the best you got? You think that maybe you like me?”

I had to laugh at his exaggerated anger. Especially, because even as he spoke, he started grinning all over again.

“I barely know you,” I said in my defense.

“But you like kissing me,” he said.

I nodded as my cheeks burned. “I do.”

“And you have fun when you’re with me,” he said.

“I do,” I said again.

He leaned down and kissed me—just because he could.

“I can’t believe you picked me over Justin,” he said. His eyes glinted with laughter. “I don’t know that I would pick me over that handsome young gentleman. He’s like a living, breathing Ken doll.”

I leaned in closer. “That’s the thing. He was easy to like from afar but…” I shrugged. “If I’d said yes to a date...it wouldn’t have been real.”

He dipped his head down. The more we talked, the closer we seemed to be getting, like neither of us could get close enough. He made his voice a conspiratorial whisper. “You think he’s really made of plastic?”

I choked on a laugh and smacked his shoulder. “No, you idiot. I meant…” I licked my lips and forced myself to meet his gaze. Being honest and open wasn’t as easy as it looked.

It was freakin’ hard.

But he’d done it for me. So now it was my turn. I moved my arms, which had been trapped between our upper bodies, and wrapped them around his neck. “It wouldn’t have been real, because he didn’t like me when I was just...me.”

Will’s brows drew together. “You’ve never been just anything, Hazey May.”

I nodded because I knew what he meant, and it was sweet. And still… “Yeah, but the thing is, he only asked me because those photos worked. You made me look...fun.”

His lips curved up on one side. “And that’s a lie?”

I nodded. “A misrepresentation, at best.”

He shifted his arms and lowered his voice. My heart was already beating erratically in my chest, because I knew any second now he would give in to temptation and kiss me.

“I disagree, Haze,” he said slowly. “I was there, remember? You were having fun. Hazel Daly has a secret fun side.”

I laughed, but the sound was breathy with anticipation. “Maybe. But I only had fun because I was with you.”

He finally kissed me again, and this time, the kiss lasted way longer and turned far too heated for a public space.

He seemed to realize the same thing because he pulled back when some giggling underclassmen from my team passed by us on their way to the lockers.

“I should go,” he said.

I nodded. “I should shower.”

“But tomorrow,” he said, a silly grin taking over his face as he walked backwards toward the exit. “I’ll pick you up for the dance?”

I nodded, a dopey grin of my own making my cheeks hurt as I watched him go.

I turned and looked at Emma, Lulu, and Charlotte, who were lined up on my bed, watching me get ready for the dance.

My first dance.

And yes, I was a senior. Maybe it was weird that I’d never gone to a dance before, but dances had just never seemed to matter. “Are you sure I don’t look ridiculous?”

“You look amazing,” Emma gushed. But then again, she’d picked out this aquamarine slinky dress, so she’d better like it.

Lulu nodded. “Stunning, Hazel.”

“You look like a mermaid,” Charlotte said in a voice that was little more than a whisper.

“A mermaid, huh?” I hitched my lips to the side as I studied my image critically. I saw where she was coming from. The color, plus the shiny material and the way it came in at the bottom…

“Is it too mermaidy?” I asked.

“Words I never thought I’d hear.” Will’s voice in my doorway had me spinning around with a gasp.

His smile was all warmth and affection, and it made everything inside me melt all at once.

“You look amazing,” he said.

The other