I can’t help but see Eli standing off to the side out of the corner of my eye. He’s talking to Sherry, but his eyes are on me. I give him a small smile before turning back to talk to everyone.

  I pass through the room, talking to people and saying hi. I’m thankful for the flats Alice gave me, knowing I would have never made it in my heels this long.

  My dad comes up beside me and pulls me in for a hug. “You ready for your cake and presents?”

  “I’m always ready for cake and gifts, Dad.”

  “Come on.” He keeps his arm around me as he leads me through the living room. We pass by Eli, and I want to reach out and touch him. I clench my hand to keep from doing it.

  “I know Eli has been working hard to teach you how to drive, so I got you a little something.” He opens the front door, and parked in the middle of the yard is a white jeep with a giant red bow on it.

  “Happy birthday, bug,” he says in my ear. I burst into tears and turn to hug him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He lifts me off my feet like he used to do when I was a kid and I got excited when he’d pick me up from school. He gives me a kiss on my cheek and places me back on my feet.

  “I’m sure Eli will take you out to test it after the party if you like.” I glance over at Eli, who nods in agreement. Sherry places her hand on his arm, mumbling something about them having plans.

  I feel the ground fall out from beneath me, but I try to hide it by yelling, “Who’s ready for cake?”

  Chapter 8

  Eli

  “You want to take it for a drive?”

  I nod to the jeep as Maggie stands there staring at it, her eyes wide with excitement. The last of the guests have left and she came outside to look at her new ride.

  “Let me get my wallet,” she says, bouncing inside.

  It’s not two seconds later she’s got her stuff and she’s practically jumping into the driver’s seat. I climb in the passenger side, and she spends a few minutes playing with all the buttons and adjusting them to her satisfaction. She looks so freaking adorable, like a kid on Christmas morning.

  “Where to, cupcake?” she asks, bouncing in her seat.

  “Why don’t we go to the lake? The sun is about to set, and the drive will be nice.”

  “Oh, perfect,” she says, and we take off.

  The whole way over she’s talking about the party and who showed up. How she was surprised so many people came, but I wasn’t. She’s truly a ball of sunshine, and people are attracted to that.

  Too many people, if you ask me.

  I think about the guys from her school who were at the party. All of them wanted to get a good look at her in that dress that showed way too much skin for my taste. I had to grit my teeth and make a conscious effort to not remove limbs from bodies. I’d been cornered by Sherry, and I was only half listening to her when she asked me about going to dinner tonight, and I guess I must have said something to make her think I agreed. I was too busy being distracted by Maggie and how fucking beautiful she looked. I would have agreed to drink a bottle of vodka and move to Russia if someone had asked me. It annoyed me even more because while I was busy looking at how happy she was after getting her Jeep, Sherry piped up and wiped that smile off her face. Maggie tried to hide it, but I’d seen it. The thought of me going on a date made her mad. And a dark place in me loved it. That she was jealous did all kinds of things to my ego.

  I tried to be as polite as I could to Sherry when telling her that she was mistaken about dinner and that I wouldn’t be able to make it. She seemed let down, but she also kept looking between me and Maggie, as if she suddenly realized there was something there. Maggie and I are almost always together when I’m at the clinic, but it’s never more than playful sibling-like banter. I don’t know what Sherry got in her head, but she was really cold to me the rest of the afternoon.

  “Do you need to be back at a certain time?”

  Maggie is trying to ask an innocent question, but there is more there. Especially after the hurt I saw in her eyes when she thought I was going to dinner with Sherry.

  “Nope. I’m all yours, sunshine.”

  She bites her lip to keep from smiling. But it’s not enough of an answer, I guess. “You sure? I thought maybe you had a date.”

  “Not that I’m aware of. Do you? Seemed to be a lot of boys sniffing around you today.” I can’t keep the irritation out of my voice.

  “Awww, you jealous?”

  “Nah. I know you love me. No need to worry.”

  “Yeah, and I’m not looking for a boy.”

  I glance over at her and see the serious look on her face. A moment passes, and it’s different than before. Normally she’d laugh off me saying she loves me, or we’d cover it with a joke. But this time she doesn’t. And it just sits there between us.

  We pull into the parking lot of the lake, and she drives down toward the boat ramp. There are spaces off to the side that have the best view, but normally they are full. Luck is on our side and the place is empty, so she’s able to pull right in and we’ve got a perfect view of the water and where the sun sets.

  “Guess I should give you your birthday present now,” I say, reaching into my back pocket and pulling out the small box.

  Maggie puts cuts the Jeep off and unbuckles, turning to me with both of her hands out. Never let it be said this girl doesn’t love getting presents.

  When I place the box in her open hand, she grabs it and pulls it to her chest.

  “Oh my God! I love it, thank you.”

  “You haven’t even opened it yet,” I say, leaning back in the seat.

  “It’s a blue Tiffany box. Are you shitting me? I love it based on the wrapping.”

  I laugh and nudge her hand. “Open it.”

  She unties the white ribbon and removes the lid. Her delicate fingers reach in and pull out the small linked bracelet decorated with three charms.

  “Eli, this is beautiful.” She looks up at me with watery eyes, but her smile is so big.

  It makes my chest ache knowing that I’m the one to do that. To make her so happy that she may shed a tear.

  “I thought I could add to it as time goes on. The first one is pretty obvious.” I reach out and touch the sunshine. “The second one is pretty obvious, too.” I move over and touch the cupcake charm. “And the third is one that I wanted you to have.”

  She looks down at it and back to me. “A heart?”

  “Yeah,” I say, and pat my hand on my chest. “Thought since it was yours you should get to look at it every day.”

  Suddenly she puts her face in her hands and she’s sobbing. “Oh shit. What did I do?”

  I don’t know what happened. One minute she was happy, and the next she’s crying hysterically. This was not the reaction I had anticipated.

  Unsure of how to handle this, I open the dash to see if there’s a tissue inside. But it’s a brand-new car, so there’s nothing but the owner’s manual. Reaching down, I grab her purse and look to see if there’s anything sticking out of it I can use. I don’t want to go through her things, but I feel helpless.

  When I see a picture of a half-naked man in her bag, I can’t help myself and pull it out. “What the fuck is this?” I think for a second it’s a photo, but then I see it’s a card, and some of my irritation goes away. But only a bit. She shouldn’t be looking at stuff like this. But Maggie is still sobbing so loud she doesn’t hear my question. Without thinking, I flip it open and read what it says. “Who are you planning on having sex with?”

  The growl in my voice must be enough to get through her cries, because she lifts her head and looks at me. Her eyes are bloodshot, and tears streak down both of her cheeks. It makes my heart ache, and I want to pull her into my arms to comfort her. But I’m so mad at this card that I can’t think about it.

  “It’s just a joke,” she says, reaching out for the card. But I hold it out of her reach. “Eli, give me that back.”

  “Why would she say this? Are you planning on having sex? Was it that fucker with the curly hair?”

  “What? Who? No, it’s just a dumb card. I don’t want to have sex.” She shakes her head and then tries again. “No, I want to have sex. I just…haven’t. Jesus, I haven’t even had a stupid kiss. It’s a joke!”

  “You kissed someone the day I met you. You don’t have to lie to me, Maggie.”

  “I’m not lying. I didn’t kiss Nick. He tried to kiss me. I’ve never had a real one.” She’s getting louder, and I can see her breathing pick up. She’s pissed. “It’s not like there’s a line of decent guys showing up to do it either. The one guy I was going to let do it was a jerk and you kicked his ass.”

  “Like I should have,” I agree, getting mad, too. I don’t know why, but all of a sudden we’re both pissed off and shouting.

  “And it’s not like the one guy I want to kiss me is actually going to do it, so I’ll get this stupid card as a joke and go back to not getting anything!”

  “Who do you want to kiss you, Maggie?” I shout back, throwing the card on the floor of the Jeep.

  “You, you big dumb idiot! It’s always been you!”

  Without a second of hesitation, I wrap one hand around the back of her neck and pull her to me. My mouth connects with hers, and a wildfire of heat and passion ignites between us. My other hand cups her cheek, and it’s far more delicate than the kiss. My mouth is hungry for hers, and a gasp allows me to sweep my tongue inside. Her hands go to my shirt, and instead of pushing me away, she grips it in her fists and holds me as tightly to her as possible. It’s like she thinks if she lets go I’ll disappear. Her lips are so fucking soft, and she tastes like sweet, sugary icing. I breathe in her scent and run my hands along her neck and collarbone, feeling her soft, exposed skin. This is the kiss that makes everyone before it disappear. There is not a set of lips on this earth that could be more perfect, and I don’t know that I can stop.

  This has been building for weeks, the knowledge that this is wrong but the inability to stop the urge. I’ve wanted her since before I should have, and though she’s seventeen, this is still wrong. No matter how fucking perfect it feels.

  With all the power I have inside me, I break our connection and press my forehead to hers. “We have to stop.” I say, trying to breathe in much-needed air. But all I’m doing is taking in more of her scent and branding her in my lungs.

  “Eli—” she says, but I cut her off.

  “Let’s go home, Maggie.” I pull away from her touch and watch her bring her hand to her lips. Like she’s trying to feel what I just did to her.

  I should apologize, but I don’t. I’m not sorry. Not one fucking bit. But this can’t happen again. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything. More than I wanted a family when I was in foster care. More than I wanted to survive after the bomb went off. More than every dream I’ve ever had for myself combined. And that is dangerous.

  I lean back in the seat and close my eyes, willing her to drive us from here. Because if she doesn’t, I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t know that I’ll be able to stop.

  I feel both relief and agony when she starts the Jeep and we drive away.

  Chapter 9

  Maggie

  I play with the charms on my bracelet, unable to stop touching them. They make me smile. My fingers always go back to the heart charm. He said it was his heart. I started crying because he’d had my heart all this time and then he gave me his.

  I’m not letting how last night ended ruin this. I know Eli is scared. He’s worried about what my father might think. He’s been a father to him, too, and I know our family means a lot to Eli. He’s worried about hurting the Major, and I love him for that, because my dad means the world to me as well. He may also be worried about what others might think, but it can be our secret for a while if we want. Eli and I could steal away moments until the right time comes for us to come out together. I know the two of us are meant to be. I can feel it to my bones.

  I was disappointed this morning when I woke up and he wasn’t there. I was so used to him taking me to school, but now that I have my own car, it felt silly. I’m guessing because now that I have my Jeep, that’s why he wasn’t there this morning. He knew I’d be driving myself.

  My heart gives a little flutter as I think about the kiss last night. It was so much more than I expected, and I know he felt it too. He had to. It was like I found out I’d only been living as half a person. Then we kissed and that was it. He’s my other half. This has to be what soulmates are all about. This has to be what love is. There was so much in that kiss. So much came pouring out of both of us. My cheeks warm at the memory. It was exactly what a first kiss is supposed to be like, and I’m so happy it was with Eli and that I waited for the one.

  Now I just have to get Eli on the same page. I know others might not like our relationship, but I don’t care. We can keep it on the down low for a while, and no one has to know.

  “Hey, Maggie.” Sam slides into the desk next to mine, drawing my attention away from my charm bracelet. I was once again lost in thoughts of Eli.

  “Hey.” I smile back at him.

  “I had a great time at your party yesterday. I’d be down for hanging out again sometime.” He glances down at his desk, and I see his cheeks turn a little pink.

  Crap. I don’t want to hurt his feelings. Sam is always so nice, and I genuinely like talking to him. I don’t want it to get awkward. I don’t have a ton of friends at school after the whole Nick thing. We’re only a little chunk into our junior year, so I don’t want to spend the next months in complete social exile.

  “Sam, I—”

  “Alice is really pretty, and well…” He runs a hand through his short curly hair and finally meets my eyes. I smile brightly at him, and my worry about him liking me as anything more than a friend slips away.

  “She is, isn’t she?” I push, wanting to hear more about his crush. I’m doing a happy-clap inside, but don’t want to seem too excited.

  “You think she’ll think I’m too young? She is a senior and all…”

  “No,” I say with a little too much force. They would look cute together, but I worry about them both being too shy. “You’re only, like, a year apart, right?”

  “A little less than that,” he confirms. His dark brown eyes light up.

  Alice is going to kill me, but I don’t care. I’m already matchmaking in my head and coming up with ideas on how to get them together.

  “Maybe we can all hang out this weekend or something,” I suggest, already putting things in motion.

  “Awesome,” he says as the bell rings and everyone takes their seats. The room goes quiet as the teacher starts her lesson.

  The day drags slower than I want it to. I know the day is going to be even longer because I signed up for an SAT class. I take it on Mondays after school in the library, so I’m not able to go to the center and volunteer tonight. I check my phone a few times throughout the day hoping Eli will text me or something. I get nothing from him. Complete silence.

  I push any doubts from my head, knowing I need to talk to Eli in person. Maybe the day away from each other will do him good. I know I’m missing him like crazy, and he has to be missing me, too. At least, I hope he is. I want to go back to him picking me up and taking me to school. I know it’s childish, but I feel like it’s our thing.

  When I finally get out of my SAT class, I practically run to my Jeep and take off. I head straight for home, and excitement builds in my stomach. But disappointment slides through me when I don’t see Eli’s truck in the driveway. I try to shake it off, thinking maybe he’s working late or something. Alice’s little VW beetle is here, though, and that offers me some comfort.

  I grab my backpack from the backseat and head into the house. When I walk through the door, I see Alice sitting in one of the dining room chairs, and my dad on his knees in front of her. His hand is cupping her face, and I can tell right away something is wrong. They turn to look at me when they hear the door close, and my dad’s hand drops to his side. It’s then I see a bruise below her eye.

  “Oh my God, Alice.” I rush over to her. “What happened?” I look to my dad to explain, but he looks away, like the sight of it is too much to bear. Alice looks at me, then to her hands in her lap.

  “My mom’s new boyfriend. He got a little drunk and…” She trails off. I look over at my dad again, and this time I can see he’s about to explode with rage. All I can feel is sadness welling up inside me. How could anyone lay a hand on Alice? She’s the sweetest person in the whole freaking world.

  I look at my dad, pleading with him to finish her sentence. I’m sure he got it out of her. It looked like they’d been talking when I walked in.

  “The new boyfriend and Alice’s mom were having an argument. I guess he threw a cup he had in his hand right as Alice was walking into the room, and it hit her in the face,” my dad growls.

  “I came to see if maybe that offer was still available. That maybe—”

  “You’re staying,” my dad and I both say at the same time. She looks up at us, a watery smile pulling at her lips.

  “Thank you, Major.”

  “Thomas,” he corrects her.

  “You can stay in my room with me,” I offer. We only have one spare room, and Eli is using it. Plus, I have no problem sharing a room with Alice. Maybe even a little part of me hopes I’ll be sneaking into Eli’s room now.

  “She can have the spare room,” Dad says instead.

  “But Eli—”

  “Moved out,” my dad says before I can finish my statement. His eyes are still on Alice. I can feel the anger rolling off of him. It takes a minute for his words to sink in, and it hits me hard. I stand there, not sure how to respond.

  “I’ll get your stuff, Alice. You two keep your butts planted in this house until I get back.”