Page 44 of After All This Time

“Secrets aren’t secret once they’re revealed.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, that didn’t come out like you thought it would, did it?”

“It didn’t.” She giggles and gets up. “Do you want anything? I’m buying.”

“Bella, you’re not buying.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Fine. Can I have an unsweetened iced black tea?”

She nods and walks up to the employee working the register. When she finishes ordering our drinks, she walks over to the pickup area.

Since it’s late in the day, Kailani’s isn’t as busy as it would be in the mornings. There are a few people here and there, sitting in the corner of the shop.

“Bella, I have your unsweetened black iced tea and your tropical mango iced tea,” a voice shouts a few minutes later.

Bella grabs our drinks and thanks the barista before sitting back down at the table.

“Thank you for getting me caffeine,” I say, grabbing the drink from her

“Always.”

We sip some of our iced teas and exchange awkward glances at each other.

I squint my eyes, grinning. “I have something else to tell you.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“My mom is forcing Noah to stay at the house with me.”

She blinks, her eyes widening. “I’m sorry. What?”

“My mom doesn’t like the idea of me staying in the house alone, so she thinks having Noah stay with me is a good idea.”

She smiles. “So, what you’re telling me is you two are stuck in your house together? Just the two of you? Alone?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes.”

“Interesting.” She leans her chin on her hands, resting her elbows on the table. “I think your mom is onto something.”

“Elaborate,” I say.

“I may not be a romance expert, but I have heard a lot of people say how hate sex is some of the best sex you can have.”

I’m sorry, what?

My mouth hangs open before I start laughing hard. “That’s funny because it sounds like you’re suggesting that I should have sex with Noah.”

“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.”

“Is there something in your iced tea that they didn’t put in mine?”

She leans back, crossing one leg over the other. “Dani, can you imagine how hot that would be?”

“I’m imagining myself throwing up right now.” I roll my eyes, pretending to gag.

“You’re so dramatic.” She gently shakes her head. “Imagine you guys are arguing and he keeps staring at your lips.”

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