“Then let’s not put labels on it. We won’t make it ‘official’—you won’t be my fake girlfriend or my real girlfriend. You’ll just be my Lacey.”
And my heart nearly breaks right now because the way he says it makes it sound infinitely sweeter than any official label.
Sighing in resignation, I lean my head against his shoulder and nod.
Relaxing, he pulls his hand from mine and loops his arm around my shoulders. We continue to watch the fireworks. They light the sky, coming faster now as the finale begins.
He shifts just a little, turning his head so he’s facing me instead of the sky.
“What?” I ask, trying not to smile.
“I’m wondering if I can kiss you. Is that allowed with our new arrangement?”
“No,” I say, being difficult just because I can.
Landon waits, probably trying to figure out if I’m serious.
Laughing under my breath, I turn into him, set my hand on his shoulder to anchor myself so I don’t fall off the roof, and press my lips to his.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Without hesitation,Landon meets me. It’s a sweet kiss—not searing like the one in the kitchen or new and exciting like the one in the barn—sweet. The kind that’s interrupted by smiles.
But through it all, the little voice in the back of my head warns me to think about the consequences of falling for another summer boy.
I shift back after a moment so I can meet Landon’s eyes. “Just this one time, understand?”
“Just this?” he asks, incredulous, raising his voice so I can hear him over the cracks and booms of the last of the firework display.
I nod.
He sets his forehead against mine and closes his eyes, smiling in a way that makes me think he’s wondering how he found such a difficult girl.
After a moment, he opens his eyes and meets my gaze. “Then let’s make it memorable.”
He slides his hand along the base of my neck, bringing me closer, and our mouths meet again. The sky quiets, and the kiss deepens.
When the first car lights shine through the trees, alerting us people will be arriving back at the campground soon, Landon breaks the kiss. “I suppose we should climb down before everyone gets here.”
I nod.
He presses one last soft, short kiss to my lips and then we carefully make our way to the ladder. The only problem is…the ladder’s on the ground.
We stare down at it.
“That’s inconvenient,” Landon finally says, looking at me.
We hold each other’s gaze for several full seconds before laughter bubbles up inside of me, and I can no longer contain it. Landon grins, chuckling himself.
“Might as well sit.” Landon lowers himself to the edge of the roof. I join him, and we dangle our legs over the edge while we wait for Mom and Uncle Mark to show up.
“What’s your mom going to think about us watching the fireworks from the roof?” Landon asks as Uncle Mark’s truck pulls into the drive.
“Honestly? I have no idea.”
“Well, we’re about to find out.”
As soon as they’re out of the truck, we wave our hands and call out to get their attention. Mom looks over, startled.
