Journal of the Undead (Book 1): Littleville Uprising by S.G. Lee

quick pit stop to fill the gas tank, Emma grabbed some drinks and attempted to pay for the gas.
    “Seriously? What part of ‘you’re not paying when you’re out with me’ did you not understand?”
    Emma made a dramatic show of hiding her hands behind her back, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. For the rest of the ride, their conversation was lighthearted and punctuated with laughter.
    It was well before Emma’s curfew when they pulled into the Wexleys’ driveway. Evan took her hand as they walked to the front door, his eyes fixated on Emma’s cherry-red lips. The Slushie Emma drank in the car had turned her lips a deliciously vibrant shade. Evan couldn’t help but wonder if they tasted like cherry too. Longing to find out, Evan leaned in and lightly touched his lips to hers. He paused, waiting for a slap. Since she didn’t object, he pulled her closer. With their bodies pressed tightly together, Evan’s kiss became more demanding. Emma’s head was spinning and her knees felt weak but she didn’t want it to stop. Though her eyes were closed, flashes of light seemed to flicker overhead, reminiscent of old movies where fireworks went off during the lead couple’s kiss, only it lacked the swell of orchestral music. She suddenly realized the flashing was not from imaginary fireworks; someone inside the house was flicking the porch light and Emma suspected it was Matt.
    Still holding Emma, Evan paused to look around after having noticed the lights as well. They flickered again, but this time Emma threw open the front door and hissed through her clenched teeth, “I swear to God I’m going to kill you, Matt!”
    Only it wasn’t Matt standing there …
    “ Dad? What are you doing?”
    “I was waiting for you to get home, honey.”
    Emma knew it was parent-speak for, ‘I wanted to make sure you were home before curfew.’
    “Yeah, well, I’m home so you can go to bed. Good night!”
    Outraged, she slammed the front door. Evan was shocked that Emma would speak to her father so rudely. He had no doubts his father would have planted his size eleven boot in Evan’s rear if he even thought about mouthing off like that.
    As if magnetically attracted, Evan’s lips were drawn to Emma’s and he put everything else out of his mind except her. His hand caressed her cheek and Emma felt deliciously dizzy again. Softly kissing the length of her neck, Evan murmured an invitation.
    “I’m going to take Lucy to the park tomorrow. Do you want to come with us?”
    Unable to verbally respond, Emma nodded her head in agreement.
    “Then it’s a date … until tomorrow.”
    With a final deep kiss Evan said good night and watched her go inside. Emma’s lips tingled as a smile crept across her face.
    Patiently waiting upstairs, Matt was sitting on the edge of Emma’s bed, ready for details. As she shared highlights from her date, Matt silently congratulated himself on his matchmaking prowess. He hadn’t seen Emma that happy in a long time. In return, she listened as her twin rehashed almost everything that happened at the dance, although he kept his intimate details private.
    ***
    The next morning, Matt was raiding the fridge when he heard a knock at the door. He was surprised that Emma had agreed to an early date; she had never been a morning person. Evan seemed disappointed that she was still sleeping.
    “Could you get her for me, Matt?”
    “Even if the house was on fire, I don’t think I’d wake Emma up. You want her, you get her … but if I were you, I’d stay out of arm’s reach.” Noticing the worried look on Evan’s face, he added, “Relax, my dad’s at work and Jillian won’t be home for hours. Go!”
    Reluctantly, Evan climbed the stairs while Matt flippantly hummed Taps . Paying no heed to Matt’s warning, Evan brushed Emma’s hair back and kissed her cheek. With a contented sigh, Emma turned on her side. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open as she bolted upright. She stared wide-eyed at Evan trying to