Never Been Kissed by Daisie Sam

Chapter 6

The world seemed to shrink to the space between Amelia and Ethan. The music faded into a distant hum, replaced by the frantic drumming of her heart. His gaze held hers, a silent question hanging in the air. Would she? Could she?

Suddenly, the bell on the pizzeria door chimed, shattering the intimate moment. A young couple walked in, their laughter echoing in the near-empty space. Amelia jumped back, a blush scorching her cheeks.

Ethan chuckled, the tension momentarily broken. “Looks like our private dance party is over,” he said, a touch of disappointment in his voice.

Relief washed over Amelia, quickly followed by a pang of regret. Maybe another song, another moment, and she would have been brave enough. But the interruption, a welcome intrusion in a way, had given her a chance to catch her breath.

The rest of the evening unfolded in a comfortable haze. They finished their pizza, Ethan regaling her with a hilarious story about a disastrous team prank gone wrong. By the time they stepped outside, the cool night air had a touch of autumn chill.

“Ready to head home?” Ethan asked, his voice softer than usual.

Amelia hesitated, a flicker of hope rekindled in her chest. “Maybe,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “But not on the motorcycle.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Walk it is, then?”

They walked side-by-side, the silence this time comfortable, filled with the unspoken possibilities of the near-miss in the pizzeria. As they reached her doorstep, Amelia turned to face him, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

“Thanks for tonight, Ethan,” she said, the words tumbling out in a rush. “It was…fun.”

“Fun,” Ethan echoed, his voice low and husky. “Definitely fun.” He looked at her, his gaze intense. “But I think we both know it could have been more.”

Amelia’s breath hitched. “More?”

Ethan stepped closer, their faces inches apart. “Maybe,” he murmured, his voice a warm rumble against her ear, “we can pick up where we left off next time. No interruptions, I promise.”

Before Amelia could respond, his lips brushed against hers, a feather-light touch that sent a jolt of electricity through her. It was a kiss that held the promise of more, a first taste of something new and exciting.

Then, he pulled away, leaving Amelia breathless and wanting. “Good night, Amelia,” he said, his voice slightly rough with unsated desire. “Sweet dreams.”

He turned and walked away, leaving Amelia standing on her doorstep, a smile blooming on her face and a newfound confidence simmering within her. Maybe she wasn’t “Never Been Kissed” anymore. Maybe this was just the beginning.

As she went inside, Amelia couldn’t help but replay the kiss in her mind, savoring the delicious tingle on her lips. Tonight, for the first time, she felt a thrilling certainty � a second date was coming, and with it, the chance to rewrite her high school story. Maybe, just maybe, this year wouldn’t be about remaining on the sidelines. This year, she was finally ready to step into the spotlight, hand-in-hand with Ethan Walker.