Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
I swallow down the last of my food and wipe my hands. “Okay, no problem,” I reply hesitantly.
“I’m not sure I’m ready,” she blurts out. “I mean, I’ve thought about kissing you since I was fifteen, and it was definitely a…kiss to remember.”
“But?” I arch a brow because I know there’s more.
“But I’m still upset with you for pushing me out of your life. Also, I don’t know how to feel about this. Learning you’ve had feelings for me and the guilt I have because of Gabe leaves me very confused. Honestly, it’s a lot to process.” She pauses briefly, and her features soften. “More than anything, I want you to be safe, so you can stay here as long as needed. However, I think we should stay within the friendship boundaries.”
Nodding, I pinch my lips together because as much as it hurts to hear, I’ll respect her decision. “I understand, Katie. It’s a lot for me to process too. I don’t want you to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, especially if you’re unsure. But I would like the opportunity to explain why I acted the way I did.”
“I-I’m not sure I’m ready for that conversation yet,” she confesses. “Eventually.”
“Of course.” I stand and walk to her with open arms. “Is it okay to hug you?” I smirk.
“Yeah.” She beams.
Wrapping my arms around her, I feel her warmth and don’t ever want to let go. When I finally release her, I kiss the top of her head. “You being shorter than me was always an advantage.”
She chuckles and looks up at me. “Why’s that?”
“Because anytime I hugged you, I felt like your protector. Plus, getting to kiss your forehead was the highlight of my teenage life.”
Katie snickers and playfully pushes me away. “Now you’re just laying it on thick.”
Laughing, I shrug. “Apparently not thick enough. I’m shocked you had no idea.”
“Well, Gemma and Everleigh always said you did, but I never believed them.”
“Gemma kept pushing me too, but…” I swallow hard. “By the time I actually hyped myself up to say something, I was too late.”
“If I had any inkling that you felt the same, I wouldn’t have dated Gabe,” she admits earnestly. “You weren’t fazed when he asked me out. I thought my best friends were just messing with me, or they just didn’t want me to date Gabe.”
“I was a coward,” I admit. “I acted like it didn’t bother me because I thought Gabe was purposely trying to get a reaction out of me. We’d always compete with each other, and I didn’t want to give him one more thing to beat me at. Plus, you seemed happy. I realized I couldn’t stay hung up on you, so I started dating what’s-her-face.”
“Claudia,” she answers. “I thought you liked her?”
My shoulders rise and fall as I pinch my lips together. “Liked her enough to use her, I guess.”
“Noah!” she scolds.
“I needed someone to join me for our double dates!” I defend. “Otherwise, I was the awkward third wheel, and there was no way I could do that. Not to mention, Gemma kept trying to set me up with her other friends too. So it was a win-win…at the time.”
“I’m learning so many new things about our teenage years.”
“It feels like a lifetime ago,” I say.
“It was a lifetime ago,” she reiterates. “Now I’m a widow, have a ten-year-old son, a half-demolished house, and a career to focus on.”
“You have your shit together more than you realize,” I tell her.
“Kinda, maybe. But adulting sucks. Zero out of ten, would not recommend.” She bursts out laughing, which causes me to do the same.
Moments later, I help Katie clean up, and we say our goodbyes. Once she’s gone, I go back to looking at all the paper she has scattered on the counter and try to make sense of her scribbles.
“Noah!” Owen shouts my name as soon as he barges through the front door.
“Hey, buddy,” I greet him with a high five as soon as he sees me. “What’re you up to?”
“We brought dinner,” he tells me, then I see Katie rushing forward with her hands full. “And dessert!”
“Hey, let me help.” Quickly, I grab the slow cooker and carry it into the kitchen.
“Thanks,” she says breathlessly, setting down a bag from Belinda’s deli.
“I didn’t know you guys were coming tonight. You know you’re not responsible for feeding me. Gemma or my dad can bring me something.” I pause, then lower my voice so only Katie hears me. “Though I do enjoy seeing you.” I wink, and I swear she blushes.
“Well, it’s hard to cook for only two, then the leftovers usually go to waste. Plus, Owen wanted to see you, so…” She shrugs.
“It smells delicious. Can’t wait to try it.”
After we’re seated at the table and start eating, I mention the pieces of paper I read today. “So you haven’t told me a whole lot about your plans for the house. I tried to read your chicken scratch, but I think I need a detailed list.”