“Their little side comments about being a pastor’s daughter, little Miss Goody-Two-shoes, forever virgin, Little Miss Perfect…just anything condescending and rude. I couldn’t ever do anything about it, so I just ignored them.” She shrugs as if she’s embarrassed about it, which I fucking hate.
“Lennon.” I tilt her chin up so she’ll look at me. “Fuck them. Seriously. They’re clearly envious of you, which they fucking should be. You’re amazing.”
She releases a small laugh. “I don’t even know why I still care.”
“You’re human, but don’t waste another thought on them. In fact…” I look over my shoulder and see they’re standing by the picnic tables still eyeing us. “Wanna give them something to really talk about?”
Lennon furrows her brows, tilting her head. “How?”
I smirk, knowing what I’m about to do is half-selfish, half for her benefit. “You trust me?”
“You know I do,” she states matter-of-factly.
Without warning, I spin her body out and then move her back into my chest. Switching hands, I dip her in my arm, and when she chuckles, I lean in and bring my lips centimeters from hers. “You’re so beautiful when you laugh, Lennon.”
She stares at me as if she’s staring into my soul, and before she can speak, I bring us back up and cup her face. Our mouths collide, and this time, it’s one hundred percent selfish.
Fuck it.
My thumb arches over her cheek as I deepen our kiss, sliding my tongue against hers. Her hands are on me, in my hair, fisting my shirt. There’s no way she can’t feel this, can’t see what’s brewing between us, what has been for weeks.
I’m a bastard for even wanting her to feel it.
When her breath hitches, I slow our kiss and reluctantly pull apart. This is a family function after all. Luckily, no one seems to notice in the jam-packed park.
Except the three Barbie dolls.
Gretchen’s arms are crossed over her chest as she shoots daggers, and just as Lennon peeks at them, she huffs and the three of them stomp away.
“Told you,” I say, breaking the silence.
“What?” Lennon asks, her chest rising and falling rapidly as if she still hasn’t caught her breath.
“They’re jealous.” I smirk.
She chuckles, a wide smile splitting her cheeks. “Well, they can shove that up their Botoxed asses and go pout all they want.”
“Botoxed asses?” I question with a smirk. “Is that really a thing?”
Lennon chuckles, then wraps her arms around me in a hug. “Thank you, Hunter. Even if it was on false pretenses, it feels good to finally get under their skin for once.”
“Are you thanking me for kissing you?” I arch a brow. “It wasn’t exactly a hardship.”
That makes her laugh, hard. And if I’m not mistaken, blush too.
“C’mon, let’s get ready to watch the fireworks.” She grabs my hand this time and leads me off the dance floor, purposely walking right past our audience.
Chapter Six
Lennon
I don’t know why kissing Hunter sends butterflies to my stomach every damn time, but I’ve come to the conclusion it’s the hormones and it doesn’t mean anything.
It can’t.
Abort. Abort. Abort.
Sometime over the past three months, he’s become my best friend. More than my best friend, somehow. A person I trust wholeheartedly; someone who I can’t wait to spend time with and ask how his day was.
And every day as we grow closer, I fear the memory of Brandon will fade more and more. We only got two amazing years together, but I know his legacy will live on in our child, and I’ll never forget that.
“Where are you taking me?” Hunter asks after we grab blankets from my parents’ stash.
“To the best spot to see the fireworks,” I tell him, looking over my shoulder at him with a mischievous grin.
It’s still an hour till dusk, but the crowded park will only continue to fill with more people the closer it gets to showtime. There’s a spot on top of the hill that’s blocked off, and as teens, my sisters and I would sneak up there every year for the best view.
“Pretty sure that sign back there said—”
“Yes, I can read,” I tease. “You trust me or not, Manning?”
“Sassy,” he taunts. “I like it.”
Chuckling, I continue leading him to the perfect location. “The fireworks will literally be above us.”
Hunter looks around, realizing how close we are, then scratches his hand over his scruffy chin like he’s actually worried. “This seems like a hazard.”
“Are you pussying out on me?” I raise my brows, fanning out one of the blankets.
He cocks his head. “I’m still here, aren’t I?”
“Good.” I smile, feeling like a rebellious teenager. “Take a seat.”
I use the other blanket and roll it up into a makeshift pillow. We both lean back and look up at the sky.
“This is actually really gorgeous,” he comments, and when I look over, I see his arms resting behind his head. I don’t know why, but it’s really sexy when he does that.