Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

knew. Never again would Vannah be able to rollher eyes at the description of the most unbelievable, most unforgettableand knee weakening kisses. In fact, she’d have to go back and find some of herromance novels where they described the kind of kisses she’d just experiencedbecause she was sure they weren’t doing them justice.

Her mind was still in a daze over it all. Vannah had even lostcount of how many times she’d breathed in deeply all the way to school. She wascertain of it now; it was his age. Vannah had never been kissed by a man.Only boys, and despite Byron technically being just in his mid-twenties, thosekisses alone were proof positive that he was a man in every sense of theword. The kisses, God almighty. There was another thing about them shewas certain of now too. He’d ruined it for every guy that might kiss her forthe rest of her life.

Rushing into the library to retrieve the textbook was the only timesince it’d happened that Vannah had been momentarily distracted from herthoughts of Byron. But as soon as she was out of there and on her way back tothe parking lot she was breathing in deeply again. How in the world was sheever going to get any sleep now? How in the world would she be able toconcentrate on anything now when all she could think of was him? She’dalways imagined getting involved with any guy would be a distraction. It’s whyshe’d been so adamant about not doing so until she was done with school. But, holysmokes, she’d never imagined all this. And this after just a few kisses.

As she drove back to her dorm, Vannah played out the entire experienceagain in her head. Almost home, she yelped when her phone rang. She’d been solost in thought it startled her and it had her giggling now. Glad it was Xochitlshe answered quickly.

“What took you so long?”

“I was in class when you text me and you know—”

“He kissed me.”

There was a moment of silence as Vannah covered her mouth feelingstrangely emotional suddenly.

“He did?”

“Uh, huh.” Swallowing back the unexplainable emotion, she shookher head, feeling her brows pinch as she drove into her parking space at thedorms.

“Oh my God! I knew he was into you! Tell me everything anddon’t you dare leave anything out.”

Clearing her throat, Vannah smiled willing back the same feelingsof utter enchantment she’d been feeling earlier. She didn’t like this emotionalstuff. So, she shook it off and began from the beginning giving Xochitl all thedetails she’d demanded.

“And then he kissed me.” She paused when she felt the goosebumpsall over her arms just remembering the moment, and closed her eyes to take itin.

“And then what? What did he say after? Are you gonna see him again?”

“Well, at first he didn’t say anything. He just stared into myeyes as I completely melted and then he did it again only not as long. He knewI had to be somewhere soon, so after the second time he walked me out to mycar.”

Remembering the way his friends or co-workers smirked knowinglyas they walked out of his apartment and down the stairs, Vannah realized wherethe confusing emotion was coming from. Telling someone about the magical kissmade it even more real but it also made the second part just as real. She’dbegun to feel a knot in her belly when she’d seen the way his co-workers eyedher and Byron. They’d even snickered under their breaths. This was probably thenorm for Byron. Vannah had even begun to wonder when the last time was, they’dseen him walk someone up or down from his apartment. Was it the day before?That very morning? The feelings of humiliation that she could be so takenby a few kisses, and she very likely was far from the only one he’d kissed thatway, had just begun to sink in. Then they reached her car and he kissed heragain and she’d melted all over again. It was pathetic but it’d washed all the otherfeelings away and she’d driven off in mind-bending bliss.

Leaving the part that had her stomach knotting up again, she answeredXochitl’s other questions. “I don’t know. He held my hand all the way to thecar, in front of all his co-workers but that could mean nothing. Then when wereached my car before I could say anything, he kissed me again and JesusChrist, Xochitl, if kissing were sex, I’d be so pregnant right now.”

Glad for Xochitl’s giggling, Vannah allowed herself to enjoy themoment again and chuckled too.

“I’m serious. I wish I could explain it, but it’s indescribable.All I know is I’ve never been kissed like that.”

Not that she’d been kissed all that many times still, her gut andbursting insides were already telling her she never would be kissed that way byanyone else again.

“So, what did he say? Don’t tell me he just kissed you and didn’tsay anything else.”

“After the last kiss by my car, he just told me to be careful.”She explained about the OfferUp book exchange. “He leaned his forehead againstmine looking into my eyes and you know how intense that man is. And I knowyou’re going to call me cheesy, but it felt like he was looking deep into mysoul. It went on for so long my heart nearly exploded. Then he just told me I’dbe hearing from him. Whatever that means. I was in such a daze I think I justnodded and got in my car.” She laughed nervously, willing the emotion awayagain. “I’m surprised I didn’t crash I was in such a stupor.”

She heard Xochitl laugh under her breath. “Yeah, cheese. Butsometimes cheese is good. Well, we knew he was interested and now this. He’llbe calling you for sure, girl.”

Quiet for a moment as the confusing fear knotted up her stomach,Vannah sighed. “I guess.”

“What do you mean? You don’t want him too?”

“No,” Vannah practically scoffed. “Of course I do, but I’m justsaying. If he doesn’t, that’s okay too. I don’t wanna get my hopes up, youknow. You’ve seen the guy, Soch. Kissing a girl is likely a harmless and commonpractice for