“Because you thought she’d say no?”
“Because I thought she’d say yes,” he corrected gently. “And if she did, it would mean that I was going to have someone at my side for the rest of my days. I didn’t know if I deserved that. And Mark feels the same way. He’s been waiting for this moment for a long time. He’s… scared.”
I blinked. “Of what? What does that have to do with you and Elizabeth—”
It hit hard.
I said, “Wait.”
I said, “Hold up.”
I said, “Are you saying what I think you’re—”
I said, “What.”
I IGNORED Mark for three days.
Dead animals appeared on the front porch.
Elizabeth laughed at me, swaying with Carter in her arms.
“WHY DIDN’T you tell me?” I shouted at him.
“You’re thirteen,” he growled at me. “I’m three years older than you. It’s illegal.”
“That’s—okay, that’s actually a pretty good argument.”
He looked smug.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
He looked less smug.
“I’m not a child.”
“That’s probably not the best rebuttal since yes, you are.”
“Fine,” I said. “Then maybe I’ll just go kiss someone else.”
He growled.
“I NEED to find someone to kiss,” I demanded.
Rico and Tanner and Chris stared at me with wide eyes.
“Not it,” Tanner said.
“Not it,” Chris said.
“Not—goddammit.” Rico sighed. “I never say it fast enough. Fine. You know what? I don’t even care. Pucker up, lover boy.”
I stared at Rico in horror as he started walking toward me, arms outstretched.
“Not you.”
“Wow. Racist much? Puto.”
“I’m not racist—you’re my—god, I hate this so fucking much!”