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Melody swiped Claire’s hand away from her mouth, still beaming. “Oh, please. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about every one of these things already.”

Claire shook her head, then paused. Alright, maybe she had considered a few of the things Melody had mentioned. How could she not while kissing a dreamy, dark-eyed, swoopy-haired, British boy?

“We just kissed,” she whispered in response. “That’s all.”

“But you like him,” Melody stated matter-of-factly.

Claire hesitated before giving a small nod.

Melody squealed, bouncing up and down on the mattress. “Okay, tell me everything. And I mean everything.”

Finally, she stopped, leaning forward toward Claire like a seal staring at an offered treat.

Claire just shook her head with amusement. Well, she’d been dumb enough to start the conversation. She may as well finish it.

Over the next half hour, she gave all the details Melody desired, sharing how Claire and Liam had first met at the airport—“My mind is seriously being blown right now, Claire”—and how they had grown close to each other over the last couple of days before ending with their kiss that evening.

“A telephone booth? Are you kidding me?” Melody shook her head with a growing smile. “Not even Dean and I have done that.”

“Yeah, it was definitely stupid,” Claire agreed.

“Stupid?” Melody guffawed. “Try romantic as heck! But what happened after the kiss? Did you hold hands on your way home? Did he kiss you goodnight?”

Claire’s smile faltered. “No. We both agreed it was a mistake and that it would only be a one-time thing.”

Melody delivered a deflated sigh. “Seriously?”

“Well, yeah. It would never work between us, so instead of chasing something that wouldn’t amount to anything, we’re just ending it before it can begin.”

“So let me get this straight. You spent the last few days with a guy you’re totally attracted to, yeah?”

Claire nodded.

“A guy who’s totally into you, too—"

“I don’t know that for sure.”

Melody scoffed. “Please. My cousin is as disciplined as you are. Trust me. If he kissed you, he likes you. A lot.”

Claire stamped out the fire blazing in her heart. It wouldn’t do her any good to let it flourish.

“So,” Melody continued, “you like him, he likes you, and you still won’t let yourself be with him? I don’t get you, Claire.”

Claire looked away, her mood falling. “He doesn’t have time for a relationship, Melody.” She stopped, careful to sidestep any mention of Liam’s employment. “And you know my own hang-up with my parents. I already have a long-distance relationship with them. I don’t want another one with a guy.”

Melody’s face fell, and she looked away, deflated. “Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Ugh. What a total mood killer.”

Claire nodded. “I know.”

Melody met her gaze, compassion filling her eyes and reminding Claire why she was friends with her in the first place. “I’m sorry, Claire,” she said, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulder.

They sat in silence, Claire taking a moment to rest in the support from her friend while she could—because there was one thing that still worried her.

How was Claire to live out the next few days—see Liam the next few days—when she was supposed to feel nothing for him, all while she felt everything for him?

* * *

Liam tossed and turned all night, restless and on edge until he rolled out of bed at six o’clock. He might as well work on editing his photos rather than wasting any more time not sleeping.