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all the way in the living room.”
    Oh, my gosh. I’m such an idiot! Talk about completely ruining a party. I closed my eyes and put my head in my hands so I didn’t have to see him. No wonder everyone hates me—I hate me. They all heard me chew him out—his parents, his sister, Sean—everyone! A massive wave of mortifying grief washed over me as I contemplated the scene I must’ve created for them. Their son was a jerk, but that didn’t mean I had to be one too. All at once, I could feel the tears I tried so hard to hold back begin their annoying descent. Angry at myself, I wiped them away and covered my face again.
    “Lilly, come on. It wasn’t that bad.” I was surprised to hear Sean so close to me. “Believe me, I was there. Harrison’s mom and dad totally reamed him—you have no idea.”
    “What?” It came out a bit muffled, but I raised my head enough to peek into Sean’s eyes. He was kneeling right in front of me.
    “They gave him a hard time, asking what he’d done to you—I’m not kidding. They totally blamed him for it.”
    Are you kidding me? “They did?” I lowered my hands and rested my chin on them, with my elbows on my knees. “Are you serious? Harrison’s in trouble?”
    “Yeah. I think he is. His reaction wasn’t the best. You should’ve seen his face when he came in to the living room—I’d never seen anyone more amused in my life.”
    “What?” I felt a flash of anger course through me. “No way. Harrison was laughing?”
    “Well, as close as you can get without actually doing it—yeah. He looked way guilty.”
    I shook my head and rubbed my face as I tried to comprehend what Sean was saying. “I can’t believe it. Really? He’s such a jerk!”
    He chuckled and crawled up on the bed next to me. “So, are you saying you have no remorse?” he asked as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
    “Urgh. A little.” I sighed. “I wish I hadn’t lost it. That had to have been so embarrassing for you guys—I’m sorry.”
    “For what?” He brushed it off like it was nothing. “For adding a bit of excitement? No way—that party was getting too boring. Who wants to hear about Canada all night, anyway? Just think of it this way—you totally livened it up.”
    I groaned.
    Sean laughed as he tugged me toward his chest and wrapped his other arm around me. “It’s okay, I promise.”
    I could feel his strong, steady heartbeat through his shirt, and it calmed me. After a couple of minutes, he pulled back and brushed my hair away from my forehead. His other hand was still on my shoulder. I grinned as I watched his intent look, determined to make my hair stay out of my face. It kept falling back down. After a couple more tries, I giggled. The sound must’ve surprised Sean because he glanced down and then smiled. “Your hair is as stubborn as you are.”
    “I know.” I giggled again.
    Sean’s dark eyes sparkled quietly into mine as he grinned his crooked grin at me. I loved that grin. I enjoyed the small dimple that only came out when he was truly happy . Yay—he doesn’t hate me. When I glanced back up, beaming, Sean’s smile fell halfway and then froze. What?
    All at once, I became aware of his hand on my shoulder and his other hand as it cupped my face. His gaze captured mine.
    “Lilly?” he whispered.
    The question hung between us.
    I watched as his eyes lowered to my mouth and then I could feel his hands as they slowly tugged me toward him. My lashes unconsciously fluttered closed as I allowed the world to slip away in the new and undiscovered moment. His warm breath splayed across my lips and tingled deliciously. With a slight gasp, I waited and wondered what it would feel like to—
    Sean muttered something and jerked away. Before I could even open my eyes to see what was wrong, I collided with his chest again. His arms wrapped me up tightly.
    “I’m sorry, Lilly! I’m so sorry,” he frantically whispered into my ear while I tried to control the emotions