Chapter 7
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“Lucas, I think they’re about to kiss,” she whispered, eyes wide.
Lucas's gaze followed her finger, eyebrows lifting. Sure enough, Ben and Alex stood inches apart, their body language radiating tension. And then—it happened.
Ben leaned in. Alex met him halfway.
Their lips locked in a soft but eager kiss.
Lucas's eyes widened, his lips parting slightly. “Whoa… are they?”
Zee nodded, covering her face. “Yep, oh my god, they’re kissing.”
Lucas couldn't help but stare, stunned and maybe a little impressed. “Holy…”
He didn’t even finish the word.
Zee turned to him, caught him still staring. “Are you still looking?”
He blinked and snapped out of it. “Uh… yeah. I guess I am.”
Zee giggled behind her palm. “I’m so happy for them,” she whispered. Then, softer, “I’ve never kissed anyone before. Except you, today.”
Lucas’s head snapped around. “Wait—really? You’ve never kissed anyone before?”
Her cheeks flared pink. “Wait, you heard that?”
Lucas flushed a little too. “Uh… yeah. I did.”
Zee looked down, biting her lip. “Hmm, yeah. I haven’t.”
Lucas looked at her like he was seeing her differently now. “Wow…”
They sat in silence for a moment. Ben and Alex were still lost in each other, completely unaware.
“Should we go to them now?” Zee asked.
Lucas nodded slowly. “Uh… yeah. We should.”
But neither moved.
“I don’t wanna interrupt,” she added.
“Yeah, me neither.” Lucas scratched the back of his neck. “Maybe we wait a bit?”
Zee sighed dramatically and sat down by the corner. “How long will it take?” She pouted.
Lucas chuckled, the sound warm. “Hard to say.”
He peered again. “They look pretty into it.”
Zee smirked. “Now tomorrow, do you know what we’re required to do?”
Lucas blinked, still mentally half in the kiss. “Uh… what?”
She nudged him. “Focus. Tomorrow.”
“Oh. Trust exercise,” he said. “Some kind of group bonding thing.”
“I don’t like exercise,” Zee mumbled.
Lucas laughed. “Not that kind of exercise, princess. It’s more like… falling backwards and hoping someone catches you.”
Zee raised a brow. “That sounds worse.”
Lucas shrugged. “At least you’d fall into my arms.”
She blushed and looked away just as Ben and Alex disappeared out of sight.
Lucas noticed. “Looks like they’re done.”
Zee jumped up. “Bennn!”
Ben and Alex paused and turned.
“We’re coming!” she shouted, grabbing Lucas’s hand and pulling him along.
Lucas stumbled but quickly followed, their hands still clasped. The contact made his heart skip.
“So…” Zee said with a grin.
Ben smiled sheepishly, still holding Alex’s hand. “Uh, hey.”
“Wowww,” she dragged out the word.
Alex’s cheeks were flushed. “Uh… hi.”
Zee couldn’t help herself—she broke into song: “Two boys sittin’ in a tree—k-i-s-s-i-n-g.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Very funny.”
Alex chuckled, nudging him playfully.
Ben and Alex both laughed awkwardly.
Alex grinned. “Thanks for not being homophobic.”
Ben chuckled, still holding Alex’s hand.
“So… you guys are a thing now?” Zee asked.
Ben glanced at Alex. “Yeah. I guess we are.”
Alex smiled, giving Ben’s hand a squeeze.
Zee jumped a little in excitement, laughing—and with that, her chest bounced just enough to catch Lucas’s eye.
Lucas's gaze flicked down involuntarily. Then quickly away.
“Uh… congrats,” he muttered, his throat suddenly dry.
Ben and Alex didn’t notice. But Lucas did.
Zee turned to them. “Where you guys heading?”
Alex replied, “Back to our cabin. Ben’s… staying over.”
Zee smirked. “Ohhh. I see.”
Ben waved. “See you guys later.”
Alex added, “Don’t get into trouble.”
They disappeared into the path ahead, still hand in hand.
Zee and Lucas were left alone.
The silence between them lingered.
Lucas shifted. “So… you really never kissed anyone before today?”
Zee nodded.
Lucas turned slightly to face her. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
She blinked. “About what?”
“You.” His voice was low. “You… under me. That hoodie. Your lips.”
Zee blushed deeply, her chest tightening.
He stepped closer.
“I wanted to stop earlier,” he said. “But God, you make it hard.”
He reached up, brushing a stray curl from her face.
“You have no idea what you do to me, do you?”
She opened her mouth to respond—but all that came out was a soft, nervous laugh.
Lucas leaned in, close enough for her to feel the heat of his breath.
His hand brushed her side gently. Then, slowly, his thumb traced just under the swell of her chest.
Her breath hitched.
And he smirked.
“Still shy, princess?”
Her heart pounded in her chest. “Maybe.”
He chuckled darkly. “Good. I like you shy. But I also like it when you forget to be.”
He dipped his head lower. She could smell his cologne. Clean, sharp, addictive.
Then—his lips brushed her neck.
A gasp slipped from her.
Lucas froze, testing her reaction. Then did it again. Slower. Softer.
Her hands gripped the hoodie.
“Tell me to stop,” he whispered.
She didn’t.
He moved lower, kissing down her neck, fingers tracing over the hoodie’s fabric—lingering just at her chest. Her breaths were coming faster now, shaky, shallow.
“Still thinking about Ben and Alex?” he teased, lips brushing her collarbone.
She shook her head, dazed.
Lucas smiled against her skin.
“Thought so.”
