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bother you that your friend drags you here and then leaves you for a quick fuck?” I broach the subject with her.
    “Um, if you call three hours quick, I feel sorry or elated for you girlfriend, and why should I care? You seem to forget I don’t have training wheels on my bicycle anymore . . . I graduated to a vehicle with an actual engine, and by law I am allowed to drive it. What Krista and Chad do is their business . . . neither are virgins, and it doesn’t concern me, so I don’t involve myself. Unless he hurts her, then I will involve myself, but you have to care to be hurt and she won’t allow herself to care . . . so I am not too worried. Why are you all up in their business?”
    “I just hope she doesn’t do this often to you, leaves you alone in strange places.” In fact, that makes my blood boil to think of her being put in dangerous situations.
    “Holy shit! Buy a clue you idiot. I am not alone, I am not frightened, and for the last time . . . I AM NOT A CHILD.”
    “Then maybe you need to quit shouting like one.” Probably not the smartest move on my part seeing the steam practically pouring out of her.
    “Maybe you need to worry about yourself. I don’t know why you have appointed yourself keeper of Paisley, but I promise you, I don’t need a keeper. But, if I do I will let all other applicants know the job is filled . . . by a fucking Neanderthal.”
    “Don’t say fuck; it isn’t attractive.”
    “Again, that is what you got out of that conversation? You are clueless, and your apparent obsession with me is getting old. Shit or get off the pot.” She threw down the gauntlet. I knew she was feeling the tension, attraction, and connection simmering all night, but I never thought she would challenge me to act on it.
    The entire time I inch my mouth closer to hers, I know it is wrong. The voice in the back of my head is telling me to stop, but damn if I do. I kiss her, not soft or sweet either. It is full of passion, branding, control, and fuck if it isn’t perfect from the moment my lips capture hers until the second I pull apart.
    “Is that what you had in mind?” I challenge her to tell me I am wrong. She doesn’t, but she does grab me by the front of my shirt and pull me back down to her. Our lips collide, our minds quiet, and we begin the dance of our hearts taking over. Perfection. Complete and utter perfection. I don’t question if this is right, how it will work, or where we go from here. I stay in this moment, and for the first time in a long time, I feel I am where I am supposed to be. The only word that comes to mind . . . consummation.
    She pulls away from me but doesn’t let go. I stare into her face, looking for any sign of regret. I see the opposite, her eyes mirror mine, and I let the tension leave my body and smile at her.
    “Wow,” she mutters.
    “I thought I had rendered you speechless.”
    “You wish,” she mutters before reclaiming my lips. I hate to do it, but I put the brakes on.
    “What is happening?”
    “I thought it was pretty obvious, but if you need an explanation I am wondering who the high school student should be.”
    “That, right there. How is this going to work?”
    She shrugs, “It may not, but don’t you want to at least find out?” I mull it over, but answer the only way I can.
    “Hell yes.” The smile I am rewarded with makes all the confusion and questions worth it. I would repeat those two words daily to see the happiness in her eyes.
    The night ends too soon with me walking her out to the car and kissing her goodnight. We may not have all the answers tonight, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. We make plans to see each other tomorrow, and I thank the heavens that it is summer break so she can keep her later curfew seven nights a week. Briefly I think how wrong this situation is, but I let that thought fade away when I feel her lips on mine once again.

Chapter 5
    Paisley
    Love is a friendship set to music.
    Joseph Campbell
     
    I no sooner