Magnolia Read Free Page A

seriously. I mean it. You’re really, really pretty.”
    Over his shoulder, I see my mom watching us with a scowl. This is probably a mistake, I realize, but I feel reckless tonight. Bold. Like I want to break some rules or something.
    Which is totally out of character for me. I’ve always played by the rules, performed my role to perfection—dutiful daughter, devoted sister, straight-A student, cocaptain of the cheerleading squad. I do exactly what’s expected of me, live the life my parents have imagined for me. Sometimes I wonder who the real Jemma Cafferty is—if I’ll ever find her.
    If I want to.
    â€œThanks,” I murmur. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
    â€œLet’s go somewhere and talk,” he says, his voice low. Releasing my waist, he reaches for my hand and tugs me toward the edge of the dance floor.
    â€œI don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I say. Still, I follow him. My heart is pounding against my ribs as we weave our way through the crowd, toward the back of the house.
    â€œI meant what I said,” he tells me as soon as we find ourselves alone. “You really do look pretty tonight. I mean, you always do. But especially now.” He sways a little, and I reach out to steady him.
    â€œYou okay?” I ask. He’s definitely a little drunk.
    â€œYeah. I really, really wanna kiss you right now.”
    â€œOh yeah?” I ask.
    He nods. “Yeah.” He reaches for my hand and pulls me into the shadows, pressing me roughly against the trunk of a tree. I don’t resist, not even when his lips find mine.
    His kiss is surprisingly gentle—almost tentative. I want more. Need more. I open my mouth against his, feeling dangerously light-headed as his hands skim up my sides, drawing gooseflesh in their wake.
    I draw him closer, till the entire length of his body is pressed against mine. It’s been so long since I’ve been kissed, I realize with a start. Too long.
    And now Patrick is here, and he smells so good—likecologne and the outdoors. His breath is warm against my skin, his kisses featherlight. I hardly notice it when he hooks his thumbs under my dress straps and slides them down, baring my shoulders.
    â€œDude, there you are!” a voice calls out. Mason. Shit .
    I duck out from under Patrick’s arms.
    â€œOh, hey, Jemma,” Mason says with a knowing grin. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
    â€œGreat timing, man,” Patrick mutters.
    Mason holds both hands up in surrender. “Sorry. I’ll just let you two get back to—”
    â€œNo, we’re done.” My cheeks are flaming as I tug up my straps and brush off my backside, hoping the bark didn’t rip the delicate tulle.
    â€œAww, c’mon, Jem,” Patrick says. “Don’t run off like this.” He looks genuinely hurt, his hazel eyes slightly unfocused.
    I shake my head. “I’ve got to go find Morgan and Lucy. I’ll catch you later, okay?” I add, feeling guilty now. I hurry off, trying to ignore what sounds like the two guys slapping a high five behind me.
    Great. Just great.
    â€œWhat the hell?” Lucy asks, as soon as I find her and Morgan back by the buffet, piling dessert onto their plates. “Did you really just run off to hook up with Patrick? Because that’s what it looked like.”
    â€œWhat’s this in your hair?” Morgan’s fingers brush against the back of my head. She pulls out a prickly twig and holds it up, examining it with drawn brows.
    â€œThere was no hooking up,” I protest, taking the twig and dropping it to the ground. “We . . . kissed, that’s all. And Mason caught us, so give it about five minutes and everyone here will know. Shit.”
    â€œSeriously?” Lucy asks, her voice laced with incredulity. “Why on earth would you kiss Patrick Hughes?”
    â€œI have no idea. I