Page 55 of The Fast Lane

But, yelling never solved anything; action did.

“All done.” Theo slid his paperwork across the counter and tugged me under his arm again like I was a powerful amulet standing between him and pure evil. “If you can get us the keys, we’ll get out of your way.”

Two ticks in Tammy’s forehead indicated her annoyance but I had to give her credit; she rallied. She hustled around the counter and in less than a millisecond, had managed to hook an arm around Theo’s and tugged him toward the window. “Let me just point out where you’ll be at.”

Theo hauled me with him. My foot tapped a rapid staccato as she carefully, slowly pointed out the laundry room, the ice machines, the vending machines, and finally the stairs we would need to get to our rooms. The whole while, she leaned into Theo, brushing his arm with her chest in the most calculated move yet. It was impressive, to be honest.

The last straw was when she got on her tippy-toes and stage-whispered her own room number to him.

An idea formed, and before giving it too much thought, I smiled adoringly at Theo. “Honey, I’m going to go check on Mack and Karen. Meet you outside.”

I rose on my tippy-toes. Just to press a kiss to Theo’s cheek. An affectionate little peck to give Tammy the idea we were much more than cousins, siblings, or aunt/nephew. I must have startled Theo because at the same time I went for his cheek, he turned his head and somehow, improbably, my lips landed on his.

TWENTY-THREE

Note to self:

Accidental kisses don’t count, right?

I was kissing Theo Goodnight.

I. Was. Kissing. Theo. Goodnight.

Then something more astounding happened; Theo kissed me back.

That was the last coherent thought I had because what had started as my stupid attempt to make Tammy take a hint turned into what would have been illegal in most states if we were related.

The second our lips touched, I gasped and tried to back away and just as quickly, Theo’s hand slid into my hair, angling my head, and this time he kissed me, his lips soft but firm. The scruff on his face tickled slightly. My eyes slid shut and I let myself fall into it, this dream that was suddenly a reality.

He tasted like bubble gum and black licorice, which instantly became my new favorite flavor combination in the entire world. Every part of my body vibrated, wanting to be closer, wanting more, wanting it to never end.

Like he could read my thoughts, his other hand moved to my lower back and pulled me closer. A tremor raced down my spine. My arms found their way around his neck and somehow, I was practically floating, the tips of my flip-flops skimming the floor as he took all my weight.

Relief settled in my bones, like a strange sort of déjà vu, except instead of being sure I’d done this before, it was a certainty we were meant to do this all along. A satisfied little hum made its way from my throat and Theo redoubled his efforts when he heard it.

I was going to die from this kiss.

That tombstone would read:

Here Lies Alicia Ramos,

Daughter, Sister, Friend

Although she’ll be missed,

She died happy from Theo’s kiss.

(Again, everyone be glad I didn’t decide to make a living as a poet.)

“Get a room, you two.” The voice of my grandfather cut through whatever dreamland I’d landed in.

Theo pulled his head back, his eyes dark and burning. I shivered. Gently, he let me slide back down to my feet, his hands dropping to his sides. Neither of us could seem to look away.

I touched my swollen mouth as though I needed proof that had really happened.

Heat started in my chest and crept up my neck to my cheeks. I took a few shuffling steps back and bumped into a rack of souvenirs. A waterfall of postcards and brochures and keychains rained on me.

“Oh, crap,” I muttered and dropped to my knees. Hastily, I scooped up everything—an armload of flyers about a local chokecherry festival and postcards with panoramic nature shots—and stood. My eyes darted from Mack (grinning) to Tammy (scowling) before landing on Theo (frowning). I dumped everything on the counter, ignored Tammy’s grouse of annoyance, and rushed to the door. “I’ll wait outside.”