Be the Girl(46)

“Are you sure that was a sponge?” I grimace, wiping furiously at my cheek with my hand.

His chest shakes with laughter. “They’re not allowed to lick people’s faces. Trust me, it’s a sponge. That’s what they use at these things. Someone hides in the corner. I looked it up after last year’s disaster.”

Oh God, they did that to Cassie? “It felt like a tongue.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Is this over? I’m ready for it to be over.”

“Yeah. They’ll turn on the lights in a sec.”

I haven’t pulled away and Emmett hasn’t released me yet, and now that I’m over the shock of the face-licking, I’m acutely aware of how close we are.

I peer into the darkness, imagining where his mouth might be. A good six inches away, at least. Still … so close. Would he hold a female friend so protectively? “How did they know where I was anyway?” I ask softly.

“There’s a second person hiding in the corner behind us, wearing night vision goggles.” Emmett’s voice has dropped to a low, gravelly timbre, and I can feel his breath skating against my skin.

As if he’s peering down into the darkness at me.

He still hasn’t let go.

“That’s so creepy.”

“Right? Imagine having that on your résumé?”

“Carnival face-licker, 2002 to present.”

Our laughter mingles, the sound a sudden blend of nervousness.

“Are you sure they’re going to turn the light on?”

“Yeah.” His hard swallow fills the eerie quiet.

And I feel his heart hammering in his chest, pressed against mine. I sense his body leaning toward me, his head tipping forward.

His lips brushing ever so faintly past mine, almost as if by accident …

The strobe light flashes nonstop then, filling the room with—

I shriek as I look into Pennywise’s face directly over Emmett’s shoulder.

“Shit!” Emmett senses him and jumps a touch. Laughing, he grabs my hand and we both run for the black curtain now visible. In seconds, we’re outside and rounding the far end of the haunted house, laughing in between our ragged breaths.

“You knew he was going to be there, didn’t you!” I jab at Emmett’s chest.

“I didn’t. I swear.” Emmett holds both hands up in the air, but then he doubles over with laughter.

“I hate you right now.”

With a devastating grin, he seizes my hand and pulls me into him. “No, you don’t.”

It takes me a moment to gather my courage and tip my head up to meet his eyes. “I do, though. A little bit.”

His gaze flitters to my mouth, making my heart race all over again for him. He shakes his head. “Not even a little bit.”

“No,” I finally whisper, swallowing against my rash of nerves, aching for him to kiss me. To really kiss me.

“Did he lick you?” Cassie yells from behind me, loud enough for plenty of nearby carnivalgoers to hear, misinterpret, and laugh.

Emmett chuckles as his eyes shift to his sister. But then his smile drops off and his hands release mine.

When I turn around, I see why.

Holly is standing a few feet away from Cassie and Zach, a candy apple in her grip.

A mixture of pain and fury in her blue eyes as she regards us.

And a wave of guilt overwhelms me, though I remind myself that they’re no longer together, that she caused their breakup. And nothing has happened between Emmett and me.

Not really.

Not yet.

Still, it would be a kick to the stomach to come to the Fall Fair and see your ex standing so close to another girl.

As if remembering herself, Holly lifts her chin and strolls forward. “Hey.”

Emmett’s attention wanders around the crowd before finally settling on her with a reluctant sigh. “Hey.”

“Can we talk? Please?” She’s practically mewling, she’s made herself sound so docile.

He shakes his head but then mutters, “I guess. They’re shutting down now, though.”

“I drove.”

Of course you did.

He chews the inside of his mouth, seemingly in thought, before nodding at Zach, who nods back—an unspoken understanding passing between them.

He turns to me. “Cassie should probably get home, anyway. You mind going with her and Zach?”

“Of course not.” I force a smile as my gut clenches. “Thanks for letting me tag along. It was fun.” I hesitate. “Except for the clown and the face-licking thing. That was not cool. I will get you back for that.”

A devilish spark flashes in his brown eyes. “Can’t wait to see you try.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath and stroll past Holly, unable to avoid meeting her eyes. Her contrite act disappears just long enough to offer me a scathing look.

Yeah, I don’t feel so guilty about that near-kiss anymore.

I want to scream at Emmett, to beg him not to fall for whatever lies and tricks Satan has planned to win him back.

But instead, I follow Cassie and Zach out of the fairgrounds.

Mourning the loss of an otherwise perfect night.





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