Free Accidental Love (Accidental Crush #2) by Adrienne Torrisi

collide before he pulls back, returning my smile as he bends down.
    " What are you doing?" I ask with a curious laugh.
    " I'm taking off my shoes. You're not the only one who wants 'to feel a million rose petals on your toes,'" he mimics my earlier tone.
    I can 't help but laugh as we both stand barefoot in the middle of the most amazing rose petal heart I've ever seen with sparkling, pink lights surrounding us.
    I feel his hands make their way back up to my face as our lips crash into one another. The room is spinning in a blur of twinkle lights and soft lips as I let myself fall into him. We're enveloped in a Valentine Wonderland. Then he picks me up, and the next thing I know, my legs are wrapped around him and I'm on a shelf next to twenty bottles of bleach.
    I love his taste . I love his smell. I love him. Wait. Did I just think that? I start to freak myself out for a second before I fall back into the moment and enjoy the bliss of this perfect Valentine's Day.
    And to think , I spent the day doubting him. I make a silent promise to myself to never doubt him again. Then I just enjoy the moment without over thinking it for once in my life.

 
     
     
    Chapter 7: March—Happy Birthday to Me
     
    I'm so excited! Today is my fifteenth birthday and Todd has a surprise planned. He hasn't said a word, but luckily, Sid can't keep a secret to save her life. My parents are in on it, too, and I'm getting a little annoyed that everyone seems to know except me.
    From my bed room, I hear the doorbell ring and my dad open the door downstairs. "Todd, come on in." Even when my dad says his name, my heart flutters.
    " Hey, Todd," I hear Ryan say, walking into the living room—he must have been in the kitchen. As they move farther into the house, their voices get more muffled, so I can't make out what they are saying. I can tell they are talking lower than normal, though.
    My heart is pounding and my stomach feels like it's on a roller coaster. I have a love-hate relationship with surprises. I can't wait to find out what Todd has planned, but I hate that everyone else knows and I don't; and I really, really want to know.
    " Ashley, Todd's here," I hear Dad shout upstairs.
    " Thanks. I'll be right down." I've actually been ready for thirty minutes, which isn't like me. I'm usually always at least ten minutes late for everything. However, I've been sitting here dressed and fully ready, running through a million scenarios in my head.
    What could we be doing? I 'm going crazy! Ever since Sid let it slip that Todd was doing something special for my birthday, I've been trying to read everyone for clues, yet they've all been too good at hiding it, even Sid. After her first slip, she hasn't said a word. She's also been avoiding me as much as possible out of fear she will give something away.
    Another thing I hate about not knowing what we 're doing is that I have no idea what to wear. But it's my birthday, so I've decided to dress up. I'm wearing a new seafoam green floral dress with a leather belt and heels. I've been practicing walking in the heels all week and finally have it mastered, sort of.
    As I make my way downstairs, I take each step with caution in order to keep from falling down the stairs and dying before I find out what Todd has planned. I didn't practice the stairs in heels, damn! Internally, I keep telling myself to calm down so I don't look like a crazy person when I see Todd, although since technically I'm having a conversation with myself, I guess I am a crazy person.
    The living room is empty , but I hear voices coming from the kitchen. When I walk in, my dad, mom, Ryan, and Todd all instantly stop talking. Todd gives me that smile that I love so much while my Dad looks like he might be in shock. Ryan is the first person to actually speak,
    " Wow, Ash. You look so grown up. You're awfully dressed up for McDonald's and a movie." A sarcastic smile spreads across Ryan's face as Todd pushes him in the arm.
    " Shut up, Ryan." Then