Chapter 13
MELANIE
The morning sunlight is streaming through the one window in my room, but I toss and turn—I’m in the blissful place between sleep and wakefulness, and I don’t want to move.
Memories of Josh and me flood my mind. My heart constricts and warmth floods throughout my body.
I tug a pillow close to my chest, close my eyes, and give in to the memory.
“I don’t want to go to the party,” I whisper to Josh during the last slow song of the prom.
He tugs me closer and twirls me away from his sister and her boyfriend. He dips his head low and murmurs in my ear, “Where do you want to go?” His warm breath lingers on my neck.
In my sleep, my hand finds the spot on my neck where his breath once brushed. A sleepy smile settles across my face as I move deeper into the memory.
“I’m not sure. Not there. My parents are home,” I say, biting my lip and looking up at Josh.
He smiles, dipping his forehead toward mine. “Mine are, too.”
All night we’ve fought the urge to give in to these growing feelings between us. Josh is supposed to be my platonic date set up by Cara, but neither of us wants to ignore the deeper emotions building between us. We’ve kept it a secret for weeks.
“I have an idea,” Josh whispers.
Forty-five minutes later, we’ve changed out of our prom attire and we’re walking up the beach path at Cape May point.
Josh has a blanket tucked under his arm with the idea of looking at the stars from the beach with the lighthouse.
I’m nervous. The lighthouse has been under construction for the past year—there’s no one around.
But I can’t escape the feeling that we’re doing something wrong.
“Don’t be worried. It won’t be too dark.
The lighthouse is lit but no one is around.
We’re safe out here.” Josh assures me as we settle on the high sand by the dunes.
He spreads the blanket out and we sit close together, our legs touching.
Josh drapes an arm over my shoulder, and I lean into him. He smells good.
“I had the best time with you,” I murmur, glancing up at him.
“Think we pulled it off? Or are people going to ask if we’re dating?” Josh quirks an eyebrow with a grin.
“If they do, we’ll just deny it.” I shrug.
Josh’s face falls.
“No, I mean—for Cara’s sake. Of course we’re dating.” I say, cupping his face.
Josh kisses me then. It’s tender at first but then he angles his body toward mine, cupping my face and deepening the kiss.
He gently tips me back until I’m lying on the blanket and he’s hovering over me.
My prom hair is falling out and bobby pins are poking my head, but I don’t care because I’m here with Josh and he’s all I see.
“I’m crazy about you, Melanie,” Josh rasps, gently stroking my cheek.
“I’m crazy about you, too,” I breathe, my voice hitching in my throat.
“I want you,” he murmurs, then quickly, “I mean…if you want to.”
I bite my lip and nod with a shy smile.
“Have you ever…” he pauses, swallowing, “done it before?”
I shake my head earnestly. “No,” I whisper.
“Me neither,” Josh admits.
He moves to my side and lays facing me. I prop myself up on my elbows.
“So, we’d be each other’s firsts,” I say slowly.
“I guess so,” Josh says, pulling my face toward his so our foreheads are touching. “If that’s what you want.”
“I do.” I kiss him, pulling him closer.
“Here?” Josh asks.
“We’re all alone,” I say, smiling into his lips.
Clothes come off slowly then. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Josh this way, and I’m not disappointed. He carefully helps me pull my T-shirt over my head, so it doesn’t get stuck on my updo. Then he tugs off his own. We kiss again, slowly this time, taking care with each moment.
It’s not long after that that we’re finished, lying in each other’s arms and listening to the waves.
“I’ll remember this forever,” Josh breathes into my ear.
“Me too,” I sigh.
A knock sounds at my door, startling me from my blissful dream. I sit up, rubbing my eyes, trying to find reality.
“Mel, you awake?” Josh calls from the other side of the door.
“Just a sec!” I call back, throwing the blankets off me. I glance in the mirror above my dresser, fluffing my hair a bit and wiping the sleep out of my eyes. My cheeks are rosy, and I wonder if it’s because of the dream.
I take note of my satin pajama tank and shorts and, remembering our kiss last night, decide to forgo the robe. I swing open my door, and there he is, leaning in my door frame.
“Hi,” he says quietly, a smile tugging at his lips as he drinks me in.
“Hi.” I bite back a grin, tucking hair behind my ear.
“Liam texted that Miles’s dad wants to meet with us about the concert. Do you want to come?” Josh’s eyes gleam, his expression hopeful, and I wonder if he’s thinking about the kiss. My cheeks warm at the thought.
“Oh…what time?” I ask. “I have work tonight.”
Josh huffs a laugh and looks away. “It’s only ten a.m., Mel.”
“Right,” I say, smoothing a palm over my hair self-consciously.
“It’s at noon. So, do you want to come?” He asks again.
“Sure,” I chirp. “I can do that.”
Josh’s face gives way to a grin. “Good. I’m glad. I’m going to get us some breakfast.”
“Okay.” My lips curl into a swoony smile. He’s going to get us breakfast.
He turns to go but thinks better of it, turning back.
He moves with purpose toward me before tipping my chin and planting a soft, sensual kiss on my mouth.
It’s entirely too short-lived and when he pulls back, he presses his nose into mine.
“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to keep doing this. ” His voice is raspy, sexy.
My breath catches. Josh wants to keep kissing me. “Okay,” I breathe.
And then he’s gone, whistling on his way to the front door.