Page 82 of The Design of Goodbye
“Or my first kiss,” I said. “I dreamt about how magical it was going to be foryears, but it ended up being the least magical experience of my life.”
“What happened?”
“He tasted like salt and vinegar chips.”
Liam made a face.
“What about you?” I asked.
“Same.”
“Your first kiss involved salt and vinegar chips, too?”
“No.” He chuckled. “I meant I haven’t had many magical high school moments. Quite the opposite, actually.”
“C’mon,” I pleaded when he didn’t explain, “tell me about your first kiss. Why did it lack magic?”
I let myself imagine what it would be like if I kissed Liam right now. With the Christmas lights above us, the holiday music softly playing in the background. How magical wouldthatbe?
His cheeks reddened. Weeks ago, I wouldn’t have noticed. But I kind of knew him by heart now.
“Wait—wait. Was it magical?” I playfully pushed his shoulder. “Don’t be shy.Tell me.”
He hesitated but then rolled out from under the tree, grabbed his backpack, and pulled out—
Our truth book.
My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I watched him write. When he finally handed me our truth book, I quickly turned to the second page.
Haven’t had my first kiss yet.
(Magical properties still pending.)
“There’sno wayyou haven’t kissed someone yet.”
He laughed nervously. “I’m not sure whether I should take your shock as a compliment or not.”
“But you’re so sweet.”
And attractive and amazing, and I’m sitting right here, andIwant to kiss you.
He winced. “I’m not sure that’s what girls look for in a guy.”
“You’d be surprised,” I said. “I—”
“Pizza’s ready!” my dad called from the kitchen. “Liam gets first dibs.”
My dad had theworsttiming.
We both stood, and I hid the truth book underneath a cushion of my couch. I’d get it later. “He’s going to keep bribing you until he gets the banana bread recipe.”
“What I think,” replied Liam, “is you’re jealous I get first dibs on pizza.”
chapter twenty-nine
On Monday, I purposely crashed into Liam on my way tomath class.
As he helped me pick up my stuff, I snuck him our truth book. After, I hid in a tiny alcove nearby and watched him read my truth.
