about that. Why hadn't she just said yes when he asked her if Jesse was a f

ught she felt him suck in a breat

But it was in the past, so what did it matter? She turned around, but he never let go of the fence, so s

a few summers ago when I came out to vi

nd?" Angel eyes were

k her he

hang out

sking me out, but I

l said. "He'

w's shot up. "

gone to school together since we were kids, but I've never liked him. He's alway

ter. Sarah felt his protectiveness earlier when he refused to leave her side at the party, but this was different. She could feel something:

you're here with me, you

t, she shook her head

he really just ask her if she had a

waist. With her heart pounding against her chest now, she gulpe

e began to explore her mouth slowly, softly. He tightened his hug around her waist with one arm and brought the other one u

ster, and he pressed against her, suckling her lips and tongue. She'd

inst her thigh, and she panicked. She pulled away

his heavy breathing as she moved her body away from his

it? My feet

wering. "Sure," he glanced down at her shoe

lm tree in the middle. She sat down, and he motioned for her to move further bac

and pulled them on his lap, inche

lanned. She watched him pull off her shoes and was about to pr

ith all the other girls he went out with and if they'd all been treated to such a

et are s

hen she glanced down at his. They were huge. She st

dn't changed. "I

. "Thanks, I like yours too. As a matter of fact, t

t up curiously.

first time I saw you."Now he looked really

ut with Jesse." Damn why d

wning. "You went out with

ed-you

ed across his face. "I'm sorry

't worry. I can be

paused for a moment, and then as if he just remembered somethin

about her circumstances. Since she didn't plan on making any friends, she didn't think she'd

y moved here. It'

y? 'Ti

senior year at my school in Flagstaff." She glanced at him and th

you here for

it again, she'd probably forget and mix everything all up. Even a very short version of the truth was uncomfortabl

ot time,

ow. My best friend's family offered to let me stay with them, so I could finish out my senior year at my own scho

none of them were about her mom. She really didn't feel l

t know you pla

ney's parents are the closest thing I've ever had to family besides my m

watched her when she spoke, as

o when she and my mom finally started speaking to each other again. Even then, it was only once or

thing she wanted was pity, not from anyone, but especially not from him. That's why she was so determined to save money. Even when Sydney's fa

h school? Will you be

dney's parents said I could stay with them as long as I nee

en more intense now, and his lips were

ack abruptly and sat up, startling Angel. She started putting on her shoes. "We

onfused. "What? What

up. He jumped up in front of her. "What's

ot that bad. Oh, sure, compared to

her mouth. "Stop, th

ed at her thoughtfully and put his arm around her waist. "Listen to me. All I meant was it's too bad you'll be leaving. I'

ess and feeling a little st

Wow, but you tu

she whispered

s and then forced herself to wrap it up before things got too heated again. It was get

e a lot of other kids there from school. Valerie and her friends were standing

t out of the car and walked her over to Valerie and her friends, holding her hand the whole way. When he s