Page 136 of This is a Kissing Book

In Linc’s absence, I have a fierce chocolate craving. I blame the grocery store for putting so much Halloween candy on display. It’s entirely their fault that I buy several bags—candy bar miniatures, a fruity assortment, and more snack-size peanut butter cups than should be legal—covering all my bases. Even though Halloween is still weeks away and I doubt trick-or-treaters will visit Linc’s condo, I tell myself it’s best to be prepared.

Still, doubt plays games in my mind, trying to answer questions that I should just ask the man myself.

What does Linc do when he’s not playing summer intern? Jet off to meetings in New York and DC? Go boating with his friend Bear-something? I can never remember his buddy’s name. Could he actually have a secret wife and family?

The truth is, even though we’ve shared so much, I hardly know him outside of the office.

My internal sky clouds over, hiding the sun as I organize files that don’t need organizing and respond to emails that can wait. I refresh my phone every few minutes, hoping for some sign that I’m more than a convenient summer distraction. An office fling.

It’s all a little pathetic.

Oly and I meet for brunch at our favorite place, even though I’m so far from being able to afford it—what without having massive debt and everything I own wiped out—that I order from the “sides” part of the menu.

“You look like someone stole your favorite Care Bear,” Oly says.

“More like someone set it on fire.”

She winces, recalling that all of my belongings went up in a spectacular blaze that was on the news. “Do you have a stomachache?”

I frown. “No. I just⁠—”

“Are you on a detox or dieting?”

“What? Goodness no.”

Oly flags down the waitress. “Excuse me, could you please add to our order? We’d like the pancakes with chocolate chips and spiced whipped cream, pumpkin bread French toast, and one of those fancy crepes from the specials board.”

The server’s eyes widen at the same time I try to decline, but with a sharp look my way, my best friend isn’t having it.

“Once we get some food in you, you’ll tell me what’s really going on.” She talks to me about Nate’s new job, keeping up a running monologue of married life until the wagon train of plates arrives, barely fitting on our table.

I’ll admit, it all looks delicious, but my heart is back in DC when Linc ordered us room service breakfast.

Oly says the blessing over our meal and then says, “Don’t tell me you’re just tired. I know this has something to do with your handsome nemesis-turned-real-boyfriend.”

There is no use trying to hide anything from her. She’ll smoke me out. Also, the pancakes are phenomenal and instantly boost my blood sugar. I cannot help but say, “He’s been traveling. Business meetings.”

Oly raises an eyebrow. “Ah! So he is your boyfriend.”

I gasp and angle my fork at her. “You snuck that in there.”

She wears a wicked smile. “So you haven’t talked to him in a few days and are now wondering what’s going to happen?” As usual, she’s spot on.

“He’s busy.” The words sound hollow even to me.

She blinks a few times and says, “Juliana Lindley, you are obsessing. I can practically see the tornado coming out of your ears.”

I stuff a bite of the crepe in my mouth because there’s no sense in denying it.

She claps her hands together. “Which is why you need a distraction. Nate got four tickets to the Chicago Breeze hockey game tomorrow night from work. First game of the season. It’s against a team from Canada, I think. You, me, Nate, and a cute guy at his office could be your plus-one … unless you want to save the seat for Linc, you know, if he’s actually your boyfriend.”

I mumble, “He’ll still be out of town.”

“Ah, so you would want him in the seat.”

But does he want me?

She takes a bite of the pumpkin bread French toast and, after emerging from ecstasy, says, “Come on, it’ll be fun. None of us know anything about hockey, but the fans are supposed to be wild—entertaining in their own right.”