"Samar?"

"Yeah?" I dare to peek up at her.

All teasing gone, her brown-gold eyes are intent on no one else but me. "I like you."

My own eyes widen at the admission. Is she saying what I think she's saying?

No, probably not. She just likes hanging out with me. She feels this cozy connection we have. As a friend.

I straighten a little. "Cool," I say lightly, not quite meeting those amazing eyes. "I like you too."

"Samar."

I look at her again.

"I mean, I really like you."

My mouth goes dry. "Oh."

She smiles warmly and reaches over to tuck a curl behind my ear. "You really do have nice hair."

I gulp. My heart is racing past the speed of sound, rocketing me into the mesosphere. I must be up there, because I'm having trouble breathing. Jayla likes me likes me? As in romantically?

"You're overthinking again, aren't you?" Her smile is kind and patient, but still dazzling.

"I kind of am." I drop my gaze to my knees. What am I supposed to say? I do like this girl. I'm attracted to her. She's attracted to me. I kind of want to kiss her, but isn't it too soon to want that?

A conversation I once heard between Dad and one of my brothers comes to mind. "The ball is in your hands," he'd said. Always with the sports metaphors. "Either you run with it or pass it to someone else. Now, passing might be easier, but then someone else gets the points. If you want the points, you gotta make the run. No guts, no glory."

Maybe I'm not supposed to say anything at all.

"It's all good," Jayla says, leaning back to rest on her elbows. "Don't worry about it. Let's—"

No guts, no glory.

I lean over and kiss her.

All thoughts vanish. Her lips are soft. Full. Perfect against mine. Her hand cups my face as she kisses me back, sending thrills up and down my spine.

This. This is glory.

Glory feels awesome.

I want to feel like this all the time.

When we finally pull apart, I can't help grinning like a breathless, happy idiot.

"I knew you had it in you," she says, panting a little.

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah. Call it instinct." She winks at me with those golden, wolf-like eyes.

What are the chances... no. I will not think about wolves today. The past doesn't matter. I just kissed a girl. A smart, charming, radiant girl, and it felt really good. Happy Valentine's Day to me.

I think I'll kiss her again.

If you haven't had a chance to read My Mother Runs with Wolves, the Paid Story where Samar first appears, you can find it on my profile. The first 8 chapters are free! I'll also add an External Link as well as a link in the comments. Samar might be biracial, but her friend Maddie is half shifter and half Wolfstalker. It's a whole other level of complicated.