Everybody knew you liked eli. even eil. When he speaks, his rough voice sets my goosebumps on edge. “What’s the purpose behind this?” “You knew Aunt Elsa wasn’t here.” “Partly because I saw her drinking with Aunt Kim on the way here.” I wince but hide it with a smile. “Aren’t you going to wish me a happy birthday?” “Happy Birthday. Mum brought you whatever gift she thinks kids your age would like.” “I’m not a kid. I’m seventeen.” “The teen there proves you wrong.” “Age of consent is sixteen.” “Thanks for the info. If that’s why you brought me here…” He starts to sidestep me, but I stand in front of him and open my arms. “I have something to say.” “Not interested in hearing it.” His cold, dispassionate tone feels like a piece of glass wedging itself beneath my skin. But I came this far. I can’t back down now. “Just give me ten minutes.” “No.” “Five minutes. Just five.” He looks at me for the first time, like really looks at me, instead of looking through me and categorizing me as invisible. His stare sears a hole through my heated skin and my breaths shatter and my lungs burn. “The answer is no, Ava. Save yourself the hassle and go back to celebrate with kids your own age.” I am not a kid. Stop saying that I’m a kid. Just stop it. I lunge at him, ready to prove just how much I’m not a kid. His hard chest glues to mine as I grab his hair, run my fingers through it like I’ve always dreamed, and seal my lips to his. His lips taste of strong mint and a hint of alcohol. He tastes like my forever, the man who’ll make me forget I’m mentally damaged. A fiery explosion starts where we connect and spreads all over my body, dipping to my stomach, shaking my fingers, lips—my entire being. I can’t breathe, and for a fraction of a second, I don’t want to breathe. At first, his lips don’t move, and I keep brushing my mouth against his, licking and stroking. I have no idea what the hell I’m doing, but I let instinct guide me.