The sentence hung there — for a while — as if either of them believed it would be temporary. As if the Montgomery and Whitmore patriarchs finding out their daughters were involved with the boy who'd just walked on air and possibly maimed three Legacy heirs in a nightclub was something that blew over.
Before Phei could speak, Maddie moved first.
She stepped close — close enough that Emily's body pressed between them — and rose on her toes.
Her hands cupped his face and pulled him down into a fierce, desperate kiss. Deep, hungry, tasting of fear and relief and something fiercer. She kissed him like she might never see him again.
Like she was trying to leave something behind in his mouth — a promise, a claim, proof that she'd been here and chosen this and would choose it again even knowing what was coming.
She tasted like fear of missing him for the next few days.
