Page 56 of Chasing Hope

My god, if she were mine, I’d kiss her all the time.

I’d make up for all the times I couldn’t, for all the moments my body desperately wanted to lean forward and capture her lips.

Evie pops my fantasy bubble as she says, “I’ve literally seen you eat bugs in Thailand.”

“Don’t remind me. I had no idea it had—” My words cut off as my gag reflex is triggered. “I still have nightmares about it.”

A shiver wracks her body. “That was disgusting.”

“The worst.”

“You know Caleb knew it had bugs in it, right?”

My jaw drops. “No, he fucking didn’t.”

Evie simply nods. “Oh yes, he did.”

Shaking my head, I reach forward and grab the pasta we need. “What a fucker.”

“He bet me twenty bucks he could get you to eat it. You walked right into his trap.”

My eyes narrow. “I’d be pissed you made the bet but I feel pretty good knowing you lost twenty dollars.”

Evie’s lips twitch. “Worth it to watch you eat a?—”

“Don’t even say it.”

Her lips part anyway. Before she can utter the word, I quickly step forward, placing my hand over her mouth.

“Don’t you even dare,” I whisper teasingly, savoring her scent infiltrating my space.

Her lips spread, stretching into a smile behind my hand. She begins to mumble, one word over and over, and suddenly I have the overwhelming urge to silence her with a kiss.

My body thrums with a need for her that takes my breath away, a demand that only ever begs for Evie. My tongue darts out, wetting my dry lips, and at the slow movement, Evie’s eyes drop, heating as she watches.

“You just love pushing my buttons, don’t you, Dove?” My voice is hoarse, like broken gravel.

At the sound, her pupils expand, her chest syncing with my rapid breathing. I know she isn’t aware she’s doing it, but just like me, we lean forward, the magnet between us pulling and pulling and pulling?—

Her chest brushes against mine.

Sucking in a hiss of air, I rip my hand away from her mouth and take a much-needed step back.

My body screams at me, hounding and thrashing, bellowing its demise and pleading to go back to her. She seemsequally affected, half-heartedly teasing, “It’s my favorite pastime.”

Forcing my legs to move, to take one step after another, requires sheer will. Up and down the aisles, I’m wholly aware of Evie. I’ve never been so aware of anyone outside of myself.

We stumble upon the personal care aisle and Evie turns down it, scanning the labels.

“What are you looking for?”

“A face mask.”

“Any in particular?”

She shakes her head, nose scrunching. It’s my favorite sight.

She’s so fucking adorable.