Page 43 of The Surprise
“What if, in our version, Juliet and Romeo win their families over, and they get married and live happily ever after?”
“It feels unlikely.” I can’t help worrying. It’s like we’re standing on train tracks, watching the huge machine chug along toward us.
“Well, first, your aunt will decide she doesn’t want our ranch.” Ethan plops down on the bench, shivering just a bit.
“I told you to wear a heavy coat.”
“I wasn’t cold earlier,” he says. “But that front is starting to roll in.”
I sigh. “You probably weren’t cold because you were working at Steve’s.” I unwind my thick blue scarf and wrap it around his neck. “Here. This will keep all that heat from escaping around your neck and head.” I’m almost done wrapping it when his eyes catch mine. He shines like the sun, even in the moonlight.
“Yes, this little wad of yarn will fix everything.” The corner of his mouth turns upward, but his eyes drop to my mouth. “Actually, I can think of something that would warm me up.”
My heart leaps in my chest and then it takes off at a gallop. “Wha-what did you have in mind?”
Ethan’s twitching lip transforms into an evil grin. “I think you know.” He leans closer, and I know what he’s going to do.
I want him to do it, but I’m also scared. I throw my finger up, pressing it to his mouth. “This could still end really badly. We haven’t written that part yet.”
“We both see our families’ weaknesses,” Ethan says, leaning closer. He has just a tiny smudge of frosting on the corner of his mouth. I can’t seem to look away from it.
“I definitely see mine,” I say. “But your family’s great.”
“How about this. I vow to be too smart to take poison, and if your family pushes you over the edge, I promise to call Dr. Archer to pump your stomach.” He smiles his cocky grin.
“Maybe.” His lip is so close. I want to reach out and lick the frosting off.
Ethan’s eyes follow mine, and his voice is barely a murmur. “The bad news is that we’re about to be stuck in our respective homes, thanks to a blizzard.”
I think about all the time I’m about to spend withjust my dad,and I want to cry. I can’t stop looking at that delicious smudge on his very delicious looking mouth. Without really thinking about it, I lean closer, my eyes still intent.
“I really,reallywant to kiss you,” Ethan says. “But my family has some kind of terrible stomach bug.” He sighs melodramatically. “I wouldn’t be a very good boyfriend if I exposed you to it.” He scoots over about four inches, his exhalation dramatic.
Boyfriend.
The word explodes through my heart, and I practically shudder.
I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want that word to be true.
“I’m willing to risk it,” I whisper.
Ethan’s grayish blue eyes stare into mine intently, and then he slides back over, his head dropping, his mouth closing over mine. He’s not fumbly or unsure, and my body curves toward him instinctively, one of my hands lifting and sliding into his thick blond hair.
He makes a little sound then—a little sigh—and for the first time in my entire life, Iswoon.
Sitting down.
I never understood that word until this very moment, but now? I get it. It’s not about passing out, or falling over, or even being caught by the guy. No, it’s when the very soul in your body moves toward another person and a little thrill of joy runs through you from head to toe all at the same time. It’s when your yearning meets his and they curl against one another, perfectly fitting together.
I shift upward, pressing closer against Ethan, who’s quite warm up close, and he shifts too, pressing his hand against my cheek.
But then there’s a big crash.
And I realize the stupid cake has, once again, hit the floor. Only, this time, it’s face down on a big muddy spot.
“Well, that’s too bad,” Ethan says.
“Are you really that hungry?”
