I break the kiss. Tanner’s eyes are shining, and a pink tinge heats his blonde stubble.
“Wow, um… Wasn’t expecting that,” he says.
“Me neither.” My voice sounds all gravelly and breathy, but it’s not because I’m hot and bothered. I’m panicking. How am I supposed to make this work if there is zero chemistry between us?
“I… should go inside,” I stutter.
Tanner nods, bright-eyed and blushing. “G’night, Kate.” He bestows another shy kiss to my lips before leaving.
Pressing my shoulder blades against the inside of my door, I take in my silent living area. The dim kitchen light spills into the room, and everything looks exactly as I left it.
I don’t think Liza came home today at all.
twenty
PRESENT DAY
KATE
“What time is it?” Amantha pulls at the knitted scarf piled high around her neck. “I’m excited to finally meet Julia!” I watch the movement and try to figure out how many times her massive scarf wraps around her neck. It’s got to be well over ten feet long.
It’s Saturday morning, and we stand obstructing a portion of the sidewalk. A steady stream of irritated passersby give us side-eye as they skirt around us.
“It’s only a few minutes past nine,” I say. “Julia will be here any minute. Okay, I have to ask: howlongis that scarf?”
Amantha puffs out a frigid laugh. “I know right? Mom made it for me for Christmas, and I think she lost track of the pattern. Or the concept of time itself. But I love it and I love her, so…” She shrugs, and the puddle of knitted scarf rises and falls.
I grin. “I should have placed an order with Susan when I came to Anthony’s basketball game last week.” My heavy cream overcoat does great at keeping my body warm but offers little protection for my face and neck. My sleek ponytail today was a bad idea tied in a cute orange ribbon.
“I’ll tell her.” Amantha bounces on her toes, trying to keep warm. “There was a great turnout at the scavenger hunt last night, don’t youthink? A lot of guests left donations. That’s gotta make a dent in what the museum needs.”
“I hope so,” I say.
Amantha doesn’t know about Brandon goading me into acting like a complete fool, or about my subpar kiss with Tanner. I wish I could forget about both.
Amantha uses her creepy telepathy skills and shoots me a wry smile. “Tanner seemed nice.”
I nod, maybe a bit too hard. “Yes! He’s really great. It was fun.”
Amantha cocks her head. “Are you trying to convince me to buy this story? Or yourself?”
She chuckles, and I sigh. “Fine. The chemistry is sorta slow, but?—”
“I’m here!” Julia’s red bob bounces through the swarm of people.
Amantha turns her entire body, clearly unwilling to disturb her knitted burrow. Julia breaks into an endearing smile as her long, graceful strides come to a stop. She’s wearing a knee-length white puffy coat, and her nose is tinged ballet pink.
“Sorry I’m late,” she pants. “My friend Hannah needed me to re-shoot a few items for Autumn & June’s website.” Julia timidly smiles at Amantha, who returns the smile above her pool of knitted yarn. “I promise I’m almostneverlate. Hope you don’t regret taking a chance on me.” Her smile slips.
Amantha coughs a laugh. “If being late means someone isn’t worth a shot, I’msoscrewed.”
We all give a collective laugh, and Julia looks relieved, if not still a bit flustered.
“It’s so great to meet you,” Amantha says. “Thank you so much for helping us.”
“Same! Brandon’s told me so many great things about you.”
A shiver possesses my friend’s body. “Let’s get this ball rolling, shall we?”
