He narrows his eyes. “Ilove you,” he repeats pointedly.
“You’re my number one guy.”
“I love youso much,” he insists.
“Couldn’t survive without you.”
He groans. “One of these days, I’ll make you say it.”
I smile. It’s a running joke between us that I never say that I love him. It’s not personal; I never sayI love youto anyone. I haven’t since I made the decision to stop dating a few years ago.
I know it’s stupid. But I have a ninety-nine-percent track record of people I love leaving me. Parents. Grandparents. Foster parents. Boyfriends. Friends. Benny is the only person I have left. I don’t want to jinx it.
He nods to Jack. “Nice to meet you, man. See you around.”
“Bye, man,” Jack says, his voice bright and fake-sounding. I wave as Benny leaves, then turn back to the dregs of my hot chocolate, smiling slightly.
“I’ve seen him with you in the lobby,” Jack says casually.
I nod, trying to spoon up a mini marshmallow. “He stays over sometimes.”
“Oh.” There’s a brief pause. “So, are you two...”
It takes me a second to work out what he’s asking. I burst out laughing. “Oh my God,no. He’s my brother.”
He blinks. “Brother?” I can see the disbelief on his face. “You looknothingalike. Was he adopted?”
My smile drops slightly. “Yeah, actually. He was. But, no, he’s my foster brother.”
“You’readopted?”
“Nope,” I say lightly. “Just him.”
Jack doesn’t say anything, staring at me. The silence stretches out awkwardly as he puts together the pieces. He obviously doesn’t know what to say.
My cheeks burn. This, right here, is why I don’t like telling people about my childhood. It always makes things weird.
I clear my throat, standing. “Um, can you watch Cami for a sec? I need to go to the loo—”
Jack’s hand shoots out and wraps around my wrist, keeping me in place. “I have a crush on you,” he blurts out.
Sixteen
Jack
It’s possibly the least smooth come-on ever, but I don’t care. My thoughts are racing. He’s not her boyfriend. She’s single. Which means…
Beth stares at me, frozen in place. I tug her hand gently, pulling her to sit back down next to me.
“I have for a while,” I say quietly. “Shit. Pretty much ever since I first saw you in the lobby.”
Her lips part. “Youhave?” She croaks.
I nod. My blood beats through me as I remember the soft, longing look she gave me earlier in the shop. I thought I was just imagining it, but maybe, just maybe—
Slowly, watching her face, I reach over and push some hair behind her ear. She quivers, but doesn’t pull away. If anything, she presses into my touch. My heartbeat pounding in my head, I curve my hand around the back of her neck and slant my mouth over hers.
Fireworks burst behind my eyes. Her lips are unbelievably soft. She tastes like chocolate and whipped cream, and I find myself leaning forward, deepening the kiss, licking that sweet taste right out of her. She sighs against my lips, twisting her hand in my jumper and kissing me back deeply. It’s a slow kiss, gentle and tentative and sweet. Her soft body trembles against mine. Heat shimmers under my skin. I press closer, hungry for more.