26 Kisses Read Online Free Page A

doesn’t need to know about it. Especially now.
    Mel grabs my hand as headlights wash over us. “Someone’s here.”
    We watch as a dark pickup truck pulls into the gravel lot, followed quickly by an old white Jeep. We climb out and gather with Killian, Brianna, and Landon.
    Mel gives Brianna and Landon huge hugs, carrying on as if she hasn’t seen them in years rather than just the couple of weeks since school got out. I wave awkwardly and try to think of something to say so they won’t ask me about Mark.
    Killian nudges me. “What are the chances of us getting caught?” he whispers.
    “Slim to none. No one comes down this road at night, and I told Mel we were absolutely not having a bonfire, so I don’t think anyone will see us.”
    “Good. I really don’t want to get fired in my first week.”
    I glance up at him. Mel sure seems to have gotten her claws into him quickly. “So why did you come?”
    “I’m dying to hear you prove that Santa Claus exists. I’ve been thinking about it all day.” He knocks my shoulder lightly with his fist. Alarm bells go off in my head. Is Killian flirting with me?
    I’m saved from having to respond by Brianna shoving a can of bug spray into my hands. I spray myself down—always necessary in the Michigan woods at night—as more cars pull into the parking lot. Vince and Adam arrive only a few seconds apart, as if they coordinated when they would leave, and are wearing comically similar outfits—baggy khaki shorts and tight T-shirts, baseball caps perched on top of carefully gelled hair. Mel introduces us, beaming over me like a proud mother.
    “Nice to meet you,” I say, regretting the words as soon as they’re out of my mouth. We’ve been going to school together for three years—we must have met at some point, and I just didn’t bother to remember.
    Seth is the last to arrive, dressed in his customary outfit of black clothes and outrageous, eye-catching shoes. Tonight he’s wearing his go-to, everyday red high-top Converse. He steps out of his mom’s minivan and jogs over to us, bouncing nervously on the balls of his feet. I’m surprised he actually showed up; he doesn’t go to a lot of parties. Not because people don’t want him there—everyone is fascinated by Seth—but because he finds them boring and predictable, and would rather be home practicing the piano like the antisocial musical genius he is. At least, that’s the explanation he gives.
    “Hey, Vee.” He touches my elbow softly and turns to Mel. “Let’s get this over with.”
    Mel leads us through the woods, past the life jacket shed, and down to the dock. It’s not too hot out, but the nighttime humidity is starting to set in, making my whole body feel sticky. I trip over a tree root, and Adam catches my arm, leaning in close to help me up.
    “Careful,” he says, his teeth flashing white in the dark, his hand hot on my elbow.
    “Thanks.” I pull away as soon as I find my footing.
    Landon and Vince are carrying a big cooler between them, and they start handing out beers as we settle onto the dock. I take one, steeling myself for an hour of pretending to enjoy the foul liquid, and immediately wish I hadn’t when Seth coolly turns his down.
    Brianna and Landon wander off to the end of the dock, hand in hand. Mel leans over to Killian. “Isn’t it gorgeous out here?” The last rays of sun are just visible on the horizon, pink and orange among the clouds. It’s a typical Lake Michigan sunset, the kind I watched a million times while snuggling with Mark. I take a giant swig of my beer.
    “Absolutely.” Killian hands Mel a can. “When do the fireworks start?”
    Mel checks her phone. “Ten minutes.”
    Seth slaps at a mosquito on his arm and scowls. “We’re going to get eaten alive. I don’t think the bug spray is working.”
    Mel lays a hand on his arm. “Poor baby. A little mosquito bite isn’t going to kill you.”
    Seth pulls away and crosses his arms.
    “Okay.” Mel sighs.