“Are you ever going to kiss me?” Slowly, Elian says, “That’s not a favor.” His hand moves from beside mine, and I feel a sudden absence. And then it’s on my cheek, cupping my face, thumb stroking my lip. It feels like the worst thing I’ve ever done and the best thing I could ever do and how strange that the two are suddenly the same. How strange that instead of taking his heart, I’m hoping he takes mine. “Do you remember when we first met?” he asks. “You said I was more charming when I was unconscious.” Elian laughs, and he’s so close that I feel his body shake against mine. I can see every
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