She chuckles. “I was sad last night. You were right about Derek. He didn’t kiss me, and I was feeling really low. I clung to you in all the wrong ways. I should’ve just talked to you like I’m talking to you now.”
I hold my arm out and, to my relief, she moves into my grasp, resting her head on my chest while I hug her closely. “You didn’t have a chance to talk to me. I provoked you right away. In all honesty, I was sad you weren’t at the Mayor’s Ball with me, and I took it out on you. I shouldn’t have.”
She lifts up. “You were sad about that?”
I nod. “Yeah, I’d had fun the previous two nights and, I don’t know, I didn’t want to go alone. I forgot about your date, though.”
“You should’ve said something, I would’ve rescheduled.”
I wish you hadn’t gone on the date at all.
“Nah, you were excited about it. I should’ve acted more respectfully, but that’s sort of hard for me. I don’t make the right choices sometimes, and last night it showed. I’m really sorry, Kelsey.”
“Don’t be,” she says, resting back on my chest. I hold her close, wishing this is what we were normally like, that this was a typical Saturday morning for us. “I think we both treated each other unfairly. I used you because I was feeling empty after that date, and I never should have.”
“It really didn’t go well?” I ask her, hoping she’ll say yes.
“I thought it did.”
Damn.
“But it ended...” She pauses and buries her head farther into my chest. “God, this is so embarrassing and I can’t believe I’m even considering telling you.”
I gently drag my fingers through the long strands as I say, “No judgment here.”
She groans and then says, “God, he gave me a handshake last night as a goodbye.”
“A handshake?” I ask. Jesus, dude, way to fucking blow it with the most irresistible woman.
“Yes, I was mentally preparing for a kiss, followed up by an ‘I’ll call you,’ or ‘let’s do this again,’ maybe even a possible ‘I can’t wait to see you again.’ But I got a thank you and a handshake, and then I was on my way. It was such a letdown because I thought there was chemistry.” She shakes her head. “I was so sad when I came home. All I can think about iswhat’s wrong with me? What’s so horrible about me that I’d pull a handshake out of a man? I mean, not even a hug?”
“Nothing is wrong with you, Kelsey. Trust me, nothing is fucking wrong with you. You’re perfect.”
She shakes her head again. “I’m not.”
I lean away and lift her chin so our eyes connect. “Kelsey, you’re fucking perfect,” I say again, trying to convey to her how goddamn right I am about this. “Derek is a fool for not kissing you last night. And I’m sorry that he left you feeling anything less than what you truly are. Fuck. I’m so sorry for how I treated you last night.”
She shakes her head. “In that moment, I needed it. I needed to feel wanted and beautiful. I’m just sorry I used you.”
“You didn’t use me, Kelsey. I wanted that just as much as you did. There was no using involved.”
She softly smiles. “Well, I guess, thank you.” She shrugs and it causes me to laugh. “I know you said we’re short-term companions and you will probably deny it until you’re blue in the face, but your friendship means a lot to me.”
Like a goddamn dagger to the heart. I’ve been friend-zoned.
After everything we’ve been through, after last night, after the dates, I’m stuck right there, as her friend.
Fuck.
I continue to stroke her hair, disappointment passing through me. “Yeah, same, babe.”
And because he has the WORST timing ever, Huxley calls. Kelsey lifts from my chest, adjusts herself, and then reaches out to the propped-up iPad and accepts the call.
Huxley and Lottie come onscreen and Kelsey quickly waves. “Hi.”
“Hey, good morning,” Lottie says. “Hope this wasn’t too early. I know you had a date last night.” Lottie wiggles her eyebrows.
“No, this is fine. Is everything okay?” Kelsey asks.
