My body is tense, and my stomach is nothing but a ball of anxiety. I take a couple of deep breaths, trying to keep from freaking out.
Everything will be fine. It just has to be.
There’s a knock on my door then Forest comes in. His eyes sweep over me, and a smile forms around his mouth.
My gaze drifts over him, and I try to find my best friend, but all I see is the man I’ve fallen in love with.
“I love that shirt,” he says as he walks toward me. He must see something on my face because a frown forms on his brow, and lifting a hand to my cheek, he asks, “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “Nothing.”
“Sure?” His eyes lock on mine.
“Yeah.”
He stares at me for a moment longer, and not knowing if this will be my last chance, I push up on my tip-toes and crush my mouth to his. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him with everything I feel. All my doubts, my insecurities, my hopes… my love.
Forest is the one to break the kiss, and breathless, he asks, “What was that for?”
I tighten my hold around his neck and hug him as hard as I can, and then I whisper, “You’re my world, Forest.”
He rubs a hand up and down the length of my back. “I can feel something’s wrong. Just tell me.”
I shake my head again, not ready to tell him about what Eli did to me. “PMS. You know how emotional I get.”
He pulls back and lifts an eyebrow at me. “Then I need to get chocolate in you.”
I let out a chuckle, relieved he fell for the lie. “Now, you’re talking.”
Aunt Flo isn’t due for another two days, but I’ll gladly throw her under the bus, so I don’t have to tell Forest that Kennedy is back, and I’m scared to death he’ll go back to her.
Chapter 12
FOREST
Sitting at lunch, my eyes are locked on Aria. I know what she’s like during PMS, and this is not it. Something is bothering her, and I’m determined to find out what it is.
She shoves the half-eaten cake away, and when she catches me staring, an overly bright smile forms around her lips.
Carla plops down in a chair next to Aria, and sounding like Scar from the Lion King, she mutters, “I’m surrounded by idiots.”
Aria lets out a chuckle. “What happened?”
Carla rolls her eyes, then mutters, “Noah.” Her gaze settles on someone behind me and thinking it’s Noah, I glance over my shoulder.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
I rise to my feet as the shock of Kennedy standing right here ripples through me.
“Hi, Forest,” she says, a warm smile on her face. I take in that she’s gotten taller, and her blonde hair is longer.
“Hey… hi,” I reply, still shocked out of my mind. I move forward, and we hug. “Damn, this is a surprise.”
As I begin to pull back, she presses a kiss to my cheek, then she says, “It’s good to see you. It’s been too long.”
“Yeah, It’s been a little over a year.” I gesture to the table. “Sit with us.”
Kennedy moves closer to Aria and leans down to hug her. “Gosh, you’re still so pretty. How have you been?”
I can see Aria’s just as shocked as me, but she smiles at Kennedy. “I’m good. When did you get back?”
Kennedy sits down next to Aria, and I don’t want to stand around like an idiot, so I take the next available chair next to Kennedy.
My gaze goes to Kennedy, and I have to admit it’s good to see her again.
“On Friday. I’m still a bit jet lagged.” Kennedy glances at Carla. “I actually moved into the dorm last night and ran into Carla, but now I have time to catch up.” She places her hand on Aria’s arm. “Tell me everything I’ve missed out on.”
Carla lets out a chuckle, and leaning into Aria, so she’s closer to the girls, she lowers her voice as she says, “Prepare yourself for this. Forest and Aria are in a fake relationship.”
Fuck. We never told Carla we’re trying for real.
Kennedy lets out a burst of laughter. “Yeah? Why?”
Aria leans back in her chair, where she’s stuck between Carla and Kennedy.
“Forest didn’t date after you left, and rumors started going around that there’s something wrong with him,” Carla fills Kennedy in.
Kennedy’s eyes widen, and she turns her head to me. “Oh, my gosh! Really?”
I nod, letting out an awkward chuckle.
I need to talk to Aria so we can come clean to our friends and family about us.
“Oh, that sucks…” She turns her attention back to Aria. “And you being the best friend, had to step in and save his butt, right?”
“Something like that,” Aria murmurs, her smile wavering. She pushes her chair back and rises to her feet. “I have to get to class. We should catch up later.”