"Emma!"
Stella let out a startled cry. Even though she was wearing her seatbelt, the sudden swerve of the bus sent her tumbling right into Cedric Clarke's side-
Cedric's reflexes kicked in, and his hand shot out to steady Stella. In that instant, he felt something soft brush against his cheek.
Stella had accidentally kissed Cedric on the face...
"Sorry!"
She jerked back immediately, about to stammer out an explanation when the bus lurched again.
Thrown backward by the motion, Stella's eyes widened in alarm!
"Watch out!"
Cedric reached for her just in time, but the bus swayed again—
Stella landed right back in Cedric's arms!
And then, before either of them could react, their lips met-firmly, unmistakably.
Their eyes locked, both of them staring in disbelief, each more stunned than the other.
Stella: "..."
Cedric: ""
Honk, honk-
The bus's horn echoed through the winding mountain roads.
everyone was tossed about, struggling to stay
turned, forcing the driver
seatback in front of her, not daring to
kept rocking, and more than once she found herself leaning helplessly toward him. This time, though, she was smarter-she turned her head to the window, so even if
ended up very close to Cedric. Strands of her hair, carrying a faint
but Cedric couldn't ignore the
seen the famously composed Dr. Clarke, cheeks flushed for no
in Silveridge at
and pleasant, the air
spotted Carney and
"Professor, Mrs. Winslow!"

and Gwendolyn hurried
Gwendolyn said, taking Briony's
the luggage
with a smile, then asked, "You've both had dinner already,
before coming to pick you up," Gwendolyn said cheerfully. "But I had the
her arm through
immediately, his attention caught by Stewart standing nearby. James had called
Stewart was dragging his
needed the papers signed so she could move to Silveridge and
have a tough time fighting back
sway to make Stewart budge, but as Briony's
he saw Carney lingering
"Professor Winslow."
"Mr. Wentworth."
They shook hands.
ahead before turning back to Carney, lips curving into a faint, unreadable smile.
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