My hand drifts from her cheek to her chin, lifting her head until our eyes meet. I want a taste of her so damn bad, but only if she wants it too. “Okay, fair enough,” I whisper. She looks at my mouth as she bites her lip. “I can wait for you. But I think you should know…” I dip down close enough that the tip of our noses touch. “I have every intention of falling for you this summer.”
She inhales sharply, eyes widening as she lowers her head toward the ground. Feeling satisfied, I drop my hands and walk backward to my cabin. “Night, Kayla.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
KAYLA
“Girl…” Ashlie starts as soon as she walks into the diner. “I need help.” She slides onto a stool, curls bouncing when she plops down.
I grab her a cup of water and prop my elbows on the cool counter. “It’s just lunch, Ash. We can figure this out,” I deadpan. It’s Saturday, the rush is about to start, and I really don’t want to get into some drawn-out story with a bunch of customers coming in.
“Stop playin’. This is serious!” Her eyes grow wide as she slumps on the stool.
“Are you going to tell me or…?”
“Bryan wants to come visit,” she says dramatically.
I cackle at the anguish on her face. “You need my help because yourboyfriendwants to come see you?”
“With his parents!” she whisper-screams.
I gasp, clutching my heart with wide eyes. “The horror!” She glares at me and sucks her teeth before rolling her eyes over a sip of water. “Look. No guy is worth all of this. If you’re not happy, break up with him.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You don’t care if you end up alone. Your great-granny did it. Your mom’s doing it. You havestrong examples of how to do it. Besides, I want the things he wants. I just don’t want themyet.”
Her words cut a little. She’s right. I do knowhowto be alone. I’ve been on my own since I was little, but I wouldn’t say I’m indifferent. It’s not something I strive for, and I don’t necessarily want to end up alone. I just don’t have time to deal with the inevitable drama that comes with relationships, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared of getting hurt again. Being alone is easy—safe.
“Girl, if you don’t want those things with Bryan, then what are you doing? Maybe just tell him how you feel.” The bell over the door jingles.
In walks Hunter, phone in his face, and behind him, Chase. I drop my eyes to the counter, breathing in sharply as my heart pounds in my chest. I didn’t have to see him yesterday, after our way too intimate night by the fire, and I was not prepared for the parade of elephants barreling through my belly at the sight of his shaggy hair.
Ashlie looks from me to the door and back again. “Maybeyoushould take your own advice…” she whispers, side-eyeing me as she sips her water. I haven’t told her about anything that happened at camp, and I don’t know if I want to. Talking about it would be the opposite of pushing it down and acting like nothing happened, and that’s all I want to do. Act like nothing happened.
“Hi,” Chase says, a smile sliding across his lips.
“Hi,” I say, biting my own growing smile. “Hi.” I wave a hand at Hunter.
“Hi.” Chase nods toward Ashlie. She looks at Hunter, and they both laugh.
“You two sound ridiculous.” Hunter shakes with laughter as he slides onto the stool next to Ashlie.
“Just like those seagulls in that fish movie.” Ashlie giggles. They mimic the exchange together, varying intonations with everyhi.
I roll my eyes at their two-person comedy show and turn to fill more water cups.
“You left early yesterday morning,” Chase says when I return.
“Had to work.” I shrug, passing menus to Hunter and Ashlie while they chatter away. “Are you going to sit, or did you want something to go?” He takes the seat next to Hunter and drums his fingers on the countertop.
“Did you ask her?” Hunter asks Chase.
“Hey, Kayla, do you think I could ride back with you at the end of the week? Hunter needs my car to get back each night, and it doesn’t really make sense for him to come up on Friday just to pick me up…”
Alone in a car, for an hour, with a guy who has not only tried to kiss me twice but also shared his sole intention to fall for me by the end of the summer?Thatwouldn’t be dangerous at all. I should tell him no. Nip this in the bud right here and now and be done with it.
“Uh, sure, that makes sense,” I hear myself say.Why?Beats the hell out of me. I’m just as surprised at my answer as the three people shooting shocked looks back at me.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
