Page 46 of Stops Along the Way
“Yeah, Declan.” I cross my arms and lean back. “Go ahead.”
He takes a deep breath and relents. “Earlier, when I asked you about that text—I said it’s awkward,” Declan says, eyes wide and vulnerable, holding up a hand since he senses my need to interrupt, and I bite my lip, impatiently waiting to counter whatever he might have to add about the circumstances, when he says, “but it’s awkward because I realized thatImight have a crush onyou.”
“Oh.” My head tilts and lips part.
His blue eyes stare into mine. “Yeah.”
“Oh?” I repeat.
“Yeah?” he asks this time.
I’m not even trying to play coy; I’m baffled. “Since when?”
Declan winces, squeezing one eye shut, before raising his eyebrows almost hopefully. “I’m not sure. I think it sort of crept up on me.”
He looks so cute I can’t stand it. My own sentiments come roaring back with a vengeance, stronger than ever. I scramble to reconsider all our previous interactions, but the only thing I can think of right now is him here, in front of me, waiting for me to respond.
Declan notices my hesitation. “Or I’m kidding because we said we’re friends and that’s one of many reasons why I didn’t want to say anything right now.” He floats a few inches back. “The chlorine must be going to my head.” When he doesn’t think he’s got a winning hand, he reaches for a joke to suggest he’s indifferent to the outcome. He must find one more moment of bravery, however. “But I kind of thought maybe you were also starting to like me too.”
I smile wide, unable to play it cool. “Maybe I am?”
He leans back. “Like, I assumed your sister’s text was a joke. But later my brother was asking what I thought about you because I kept mentioning that we’re going to the same college, and I just really wasn’t sure whatyouwere thinking, and that would kind of impact whatIwas thinking, right? We’ve been spending more time together, and it’s sort of getting confusing.”
I reach my hand through the water and grab onto his arm. I can’t find the words, but my body leads the way. I pull him closer, lessening the distance between us to whisper this revelation. “I thought I was beingsoobvious.”
Declan takes a deep breath, relief spreading across his face. “I would not sayobvious.”
“If you say so.” I hold on tight.
Declan stares at me. “Iris, nothing about you is obvious.”
I look at the water, unable to meet his gaze as I say, “You’re one to talk. You should have told me.”
“I just did.”
“You did.” I smile. “Youlikeme.”
He inches closer. “And you like me too?”
“I think we’ve established that,” I tease.
Declan reaches out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear in a way that feels surprisingly confident, contrary to the affirmation he asks for again. “Want to spell it out for me?”
“I like you too.” There’s barely any space left between us and a sort of moment of inevitability as I sense our lips are close enough to almost touch. “Now what?” I whisper, adding with a slight giggle, “I think we’re about to kiss.”
Our mouths find contact, yet my thoughts are struggling to compute.
It’s…well, it’s something.
Declan’s lips are pressed against mine, firm in a way that feels hesitant, unsure, and awkward. Before I can contemplate how my own lips are contributing to this, he’s already withdrawn from me, a confused smile dawning on his face.
“What?” I ask, second-guessing everything, left feeling likereally, that’s it?Did he think that was a good kiss? Orwas ita good kiss and I’ve forgotten how kissing works? Maybe we’re just nervous.
“I did not think that was something you and I would ever do.” He looks equally mystified by the circumstances.
I’m relieved to address this, hoping that might help unpackhow this kiss didn’t feel cinematic in the slightest, with no immediate fireworks or butterflies in my stomach. Even right now I feel like I’m already debriefing with friends rather than sitting with a crush in a hot tub gearing up to kiss again. “Kind of weird, isn’t it?”
Declan laughs, and glances over his shoulder to the hallway window. “I kept wanting to make sure there wasn’t someone watching us or something.”
