9781250209153

But it’s not enough for Honey-Belle.
“Oh come on, Irene, put some feeling into it!” she chides. “Your
girlfriend destroyed that game! Doesn’t she deserve a kiss?”
Irene looks blindsided. My heart beats harder than it did on the court.
The crowd agrees with Honey-Belle. They’re shouting at Irene to let
loose, to show me some love. Danielle is frozen between laughter and
shock. Charlotte Pascal looks poisonous.
“For fuck’s sake, Irene!” Honey-Belle screams. “Seize the damn
moment!”
Irene turns to me. There’s a challenge in her eyes, but a question, too.
It’s like we’re having a wordless conversation, and when I see her eyes flit
to my mouth, I know what’s going to happen before it does.
And I don’t stop it.
Irene presses against me, wraps her hand along my neck. I feel it like
I’ve never felt anyone’s touch before. All I can see are her dark, blazing
eyes, sure and steady, almost defiant.
She pulls me in and kisses me.
Something sparks in my belly, in my chest. Her kiss is gentler than I
would have expected, but so firm, too. Her mouth is warm and soft. She
tastes slightly of salt.
Irene pulls away and says something to the crowd, but I’m in a daze. My
whole body is warm and buzzing.
The only thing my eyes can find is Danielle, standing there with her jaw
hanging, and I know she can read the honesty in my face. I look away
before she can see it too clearly.
Honey-Belle squeals with delight. She wrangles Irene into a hug that
Irene tries to resist. I’m aware of people watching me, and I remember I’m
supposed to look happy and in love. I force a smile and pretend like Irene
has kissed me like this a hundred times before. Just the thought of that
makes my head spin.
When Irene finally catches my eye, there’s something in her expression
I haven’t seen before. I want to hold it and turn away from it at the same
time. I overemphasize my smile and manage to say I’m getting another
drink, but when I turn away I feel her eyes following me.