Party Princess (The Princess Diaries 7)

“I know,” I said, giving his hand a squeeze. “That’s why I kissed you.”

Then I jumped into the car.

Where Lilly was immediately all over me with questions, since we were dropping her off on our way to the loft:

Lilly:

What was that about?

Me:

He said I didn’t have to kiss him.

Lilly:

Then why did you? Kiss him, I mean?

Me:

Because I thought he was sweet.

Lilly:

Oh my God. You like him.

Me:

Just as a friend.

Lilly:

Since when do you kiss your guy friends? You’ve never kissed Boris.

Me:

Ew. Did you hear what he said that one time about being an over–saliva secreter, or whatever it was? I don’t know how Tina stands it.

Lilly:

What is going on with you two, Mia? You and J.P.?

Me:

Nothing. I told you, we’re just friends.

And the thing is, even though I knew I shouldn’t go there, because Lilly is about to receive the worst news she’s ever had, in the form of her parents breaking up—I mean, when someone finally gets around to telling her, and all—I totally went there. Because I was just so mad.

Me:

The real question is, what’s going on with YOU and J.P.?

Lilly:

ME? I’m not the one who kissed him. Or sexy danced with him. I just like him as a friend, like you CLAIM you do.

Me:

Then why won’t you pull the story I wrote about him from your ’zine? I mean, you know it’s just going to hurt his feelings. If you really like him as a friend, why would you want to hurt him?