Page 57 of Meet Me on Love Street
Miles shakes his head, a look of confusion on his face. He gets up from his chair and walks around the desk so he’s standing in front of me. He exhales. “So that’s why you’re mad. Ididgo out with Sarina on Sunday. But it wasn’t a date. At least not with me.”
That doesn’t make sense.
“Sarina told me after High Park that she was really into someone,” he says. “And it’s someone I conveniently know. So I invited them both out, hoping sparks would fly.”
My eyes widen. “Seriously? You were setting Sarina up with someone? Like I was doing for you?” That… was not the explanation I expected. Like, at all.
He nods, a tiny smile on his face. Now that I know the truth, I’m allowed to think he’s cute again. Because his tiny smiles are too adorable.
Fighting my blush, I ask, “Who is Sarina into?”
He shakes his head. “She asked me not to tell you. She doesn’t want her parents finding out.”
I almost ask him to tell me anyway, because I wouldn’t tell Dad and Noureen. But if Sarinaaskedhim not to tell me, then I’m not going to force him. It’s probably someone from Vaughan or King City anyway. Or maybe someone in his university program.
And it’s definitely not Miles.
“So, you and Sarinadidn’thit it off when I set you up?”
He smiles, shaking his head. “No, wedidhit it off. She’s cool. We’re friends.”
“But not dating.” I need him to say it clearly.
He takes a step forward so now there’s barely a foot separating us. He takes his book from my hand and drops it back on the desk. “Sana,” he says. His voice is smooth and sure—all his shyness from a few moments ago long gone. He’s right here, and I’m surrounded by the comforting smell of old books. “I kissed you on Saturday,” he says.
I blink. “I remember.”
“I admit that I’m utterly clueless when it comes to relationships,” he says, “which explains the last few days. But do you really think I’d kissyouon Saturday and then go out with someone else the next night? With yoursister?”
“Stepsister.” I don’t break eye contact with him. His eyes are so beautiful. I could stare at them forever. “I don’t know if that kiss, like, reallymeantanything to you… I mean, you said you meant it, but it was just a kiss. And you said it was to make my prom more memorable.”
He smiles. “So you thought I was…”
“I thought you were a player. Kissing me and dating Sarina.”
He chuckles and steps even closer. I can feel his warmth.I can feel his breath. I want to close the gap between us, but I’m still not sure this is really happening.
“I don’t have the foggiest idea how to be a player,” he says softly. “I have no clue how to go after someone I’m into—which is why I can’t seem to do the right thing with you. But Idefinitelymeant that kiss.” He’s still very close, but he’s not moving.
“Do you still mean it?” I ask, and he nods, his eyes watching my mouth. I decide to take matters into my own hands. “Show me,” I say. I put my hands behind his neck, pull him down to my level, and kiss him myself.
His arms immediately go around my waist to hold me close, and it’s just like Saturday night. I go on my tippy-toes, feeling every nerve in my body singing for him. Miles kisses me like he’s starving and I’m a rich slice of black forest cake. It’s like there’s all this explosive passion beneath the surface of him that only erupts for the right person. Me.
We kiss like that for probably longer than we should. He’s crowding me against the bookshelves, and I’m grateful to have something solid behind me holding me up because I doubt my wobbly knees could take my weight. I can hear his heartbeat and feel his smooth skin on my cheek, and his hair feels soft and thick through my fingers. It’s like he’s consuming me, and I never want him to stop.
But eventually he does let me go when his phone vibrates. He picks it up from the desk and smiles.
“Reggie’s heading out. He wants me to lock up when we’re done.”
I laugh, letting my head rest on his shoulder. “I stillcan’t believe your boss and my bossconspiredto get us alone.”
Miles leans down to kiss my neck. “I’m not complaining,” he says, his voice on my skin sending a shiver down my spine. “Do you think I mean this now?”
“Yeah, I think that would be hard to fake.” I pause. “That was the stupidest misunderstanding. Next time let’s just talk to each other.”
He laughs, then pulls me down to the floor. We sit very close, leaning back against the desk. And we’re holding hands. I have no idea what any of this means. Maybe we’re going to talk. Maybe kiss again. I hope so.
He squeezes my hand, then lifts it like he’s going to kiss it gently, but then gives the back of my hand three loud sloppy smooches. I laugh because it tickles and he’s silly.
