A flutter in my tummy, and my lips curl up at the corners.
His jokes aren’t funny, but everything about him has me fizzy and alive. I want him to keep talking. I want to hear what he has to say.
He points a finger at me, winking. “Gotcha. I knew I could do it.”
“What’s your name?”
“Deacon. What’s yours?”
“Angelica.” I leave off the rest.
“You got a boyfriend, Angel?”
“No.” I only have one friend, but he doesn’t need to know that.
Full lips part with a smile. White teeth, and a satisfied look. “Good.” Lifting my hand, he holds it carefully in his.
The warmth of his touch, the pressure of his grip echoes in my bones. I’ve never been reckless in my life, and yet…
I take a step closer. Our eyes lock, and we’re engulfed in a magnetic field, drawn together. He takes a step forward, causing me to lift my chin. As his face lowers, heat rises in my stomach.
Warm breath ghosts my cheek, mingling with my rapid breathing. Am I going to do this?
Blinking my eyes closed, my heart says Yes…
My head grows light as warm lips cover mine. My fingers curl on the rich material of his blazer. His fingers tighten, holding my arm.
Our lips part, and I feel the lightest touch of his tongue against mine, so delicate. Energy surges in my belly, and a bird is caught there, fluttering and beating its wings.
He lifts his head, and his blue eyes hold mine. A real smile lifts my cheeks, echoed on his face. We both exhale a little laugh at this powerful thing we just shared, so simple, yet so overwhelming.
His voice is low, as he makes me a promise. “I’ll see you again.”
Then he turns and leaves me, walking backwards a few steps before waving, confident and graceful.
I’m still watching, my head spinning, my heart flying, when my cousin Valeria’s voice breaks the spell. “What did he want?”
He’s gone, and I turn to face her. “Nothing.”
But my heart says different. My heart says, Everything. He asked without saying a word, and I said Yes.
“Carmie.” Her voice is sharp, and she grips my arm, giving me a little shake. I meet her eyes, and she’s blinking fast. “You are never to speak to that boy again. You understand?”
No. “Why?”
“Because he’s bad.” She looks up the way he left. “Promise me.”
“Promise you why?” Defiance is in my tone.
Her jaw tightens. “That boy is our enemy.”
“Our enemy?” I actually laugh. “What does that mean?”
“That boy’s grandfather cheated ours. He stole all his land, he sent our grandfather, Papa Luis to prison. He left us beggars in the street.”
She’s right. I don’t understand. “But we’re okay now?”
“You didn’t grow up here, Carmie. You don’t understand these things.”