Presently Perfect (Perfect #3) by Alison G. Bailey Read Free Book Online Page B

Pulling away slightly, I rested my forehead against hers, eyes closed, our lips still connected, and whispered, “You’re perfect.”
    We quietly stood in this position for several minutes trying to catch our breath. Simultaneously, her hands loosened their grip on my biceps as mine slid over her shoulders and down her arms, our hands clasping together.
    I didn’t want this to end. Finally, once our breathing returned to normal, I slowly opened my eyes but kept my forehead firmly glued to Tweet’s.
    “Wow,” I whispered. My voice sounded as if I had just woke up.
    “Man,” Tweet said, breathlessly. “Are you sure you haven’t done this before because you have some pretty awesome moves. Where’d you get moves like that?”
    The excitement and pride I felt hearing and feeling how much she enjoyed our first kiss was like winning the Super Bowl, the NBA Championship, the Stanley Cup, and the World Series all at the same time.
    “Wal-Mart,” I answered. A cocky grin crept across my face.
    Tweet’s pink lips slowly curled up to form a smile. “How long did it take you to think that one up?”
    “It just came to me actually. I thought it was pretty good.”
    I wanted to practice some more, lots more in fact, but before I could say anything Tweet stepped away and s cleaned up the trash from dinner. Neither of us said another word while we walked home. An awkward air surrounded us as we stood on the front porch of her house. It didn’t come from me not knowing how to say goodnight. It came from me not wanting to say goodbye. I didn’t have a name for the feelings I was having for Tweet. All I knew for sure was that they were getting stronger and not going away. I didn’t know how to talk to her about what was happening. It was weird because we’d always been able to talk about anything.
    Tweet let out a deep sigh, breaking the silence. “Well, goodnight. It sure was fun practicing with you. Brittani is a lucky girl.”
    Total shock and disbelief appeared across her face as if some force beyond her control spoke those words.
    It pissed me off that she mentioned Brittani. Tonight wasn’t about her. Tonight was just us.
    “Don’t bring her up, not now.” My gaze ran from her lips to her eyes. “Thanks for tonight.”
    I glanced away for a second, trying to decide whether or not to tell her how I’ve been feeling. I looked back and connected with her beautiful teal eyes. They looked sad or scared, I couldn’t figure out which. I also couldn’t figure out the right words to explain what was happening between us.
    “Goodnight, Tweet.”
    “Goodnight, Noah.”
    I walked backward down the steps, keeping my eyes locked on her until I had to turn away. With each step an empty feeling hit my stomach. The dim light from the porch brightened her eyes. They were full of tears. I didn’t know what the deal was. We’d be seeing each other tomorrow. I mean we saw each other every day. But for some reason leaving her tonight was hard.
    Stopping at the bottom of the steps, I said in a low voice, “Tweet.”
    “Yeah?” She tried hard to keep her voice steady but I could hear the shakiness.
    “Tonight was amaz…” I paused. It wasn’t tonight that was amazing, it was her. “You’re amazing.”
    “Noah…” Her voice trailed off.
    “I wish you believed it.”
    Before she could say anything, I turned and walked away.
     

     
    Monday morning I was headed down the hall toward my locker. I hadn’t seen or talked to Tweet the entire weekend since we kissed. I left voicemails and sent texts, but she never returned any of them. She was avoiding me for some reason. Could I have misread our kiss? I thought it was awesome, but what the hell did I know? Maybe it sucked and she didn’t want to hurt my feelings. Maybe the sadness and tears in her eyes Friday night were because she knew I was destined for the priesthood.
    I couldn’t be a priest. Communion wafers made me gag.
    I turned the corner and saw her standing at