Addie focuses on the notebook I’m hugging to my chest. “Were you writing a song?”
“Yeah. Being at this beautiful place has inspired me to write. I actually completed an entire song. I don’t think that’s ever happened to me before.”
“Nice!” Sophie removes her pillow from her face and smiles at me. “Can’t wait to read it, if you’re comfortable sharing it with us.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll be okay with that. Maybe after hogging it to myself for a few days.”
“Why?” Addie asks with a knowing look. “Is it about Kylen?”
My neck heats up. “Um…maybe.”
With a squeal, Addie leaps off her bed and dashes over, dropping down on the second chair. “Really? That’s awesome!”
I motion for her to keep her voice down, even though Kylen can’t possibly hear our conversation. I guess I’d like to keep this under wraps for now. “I feel…I don’t know. Really, really good. We made hot chocolate last night and shared some things, and I guess I feel safe with him.”
Addie gapes at me and then sends an excited smile to Sophie.
I hold up my hands. “But I don’t want to jinx it or anything. I don’t even know if he feels the same way. I’m taking things as they come.”
“As if he doesn’t feel the same way,” Carly mutters.
“You’re awake?” I ask.
She opens her eyes and sits up. “You think I can sleep through a conversation about your love life?”
I laugh softly. “I feel like I’m opening up more to him. Who knows what will happen?” I can’t help the huge smile taking over my face. “I want to spend like every second with him. I think about him all the time. Is that too much?”
“Heck no,” Sophie says. “You think I didn’t obsessively think about Damian as he and I grew closer?”
“You did?”
“Of course! A doctor should have diagnosed me with Obsessed Damian Syndrome.”
“And I would have been diagnosed with Obsessed Ryder Syndrome,” Carly adds.
“And me with Obsessed Caleb Syndrome!” Addie says.
I smile. That makes me feel better. “So I guess I have Obsessed Kylen Syndrome.”
“And the cure?” Addie says. “A kiss.”
My eyes widen. “No way. I doubt we’ll kiss.”
“Why not?” Carly asks. “Do you want to kiss him?”
My face flushes. “Well, yeah. Of course. But…”
“But what?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t have to wait for him to make the first move, you know,” Carly tells me. “I’m sure he would be hesitant to take that first step because of what went down between you guys. Think about it. He probably feels like everything that happened between you guys was his fault. He was the one who rejected you after you declared your love for him. True he immediately regretted it and tried to repair the damage, but it still happened. Maybe he’s scared he might hurt you again.”
“Me make the first move? Yeah, right. I’m not that bold.”
“You’re bolder than you think,” Sophie tells me. “But that’s assuming you actually want to take the next step with him. Only you can determine that.”
As my friends and I get ready, I replay their words in my head. Of course they’re right. It sounds so easy as words, but in reality? It might not be so easy.
