Page 45 of When You Smile

“I’m trying to be. I have these feelings for you that are new and awesome and alarming and not at all in any semblance of order.”

Taryn could sense a but on its way. She braced herself.

“But we’re a little out of order here.”

The world came crashing in. “You have a boyfriend.”

“Right. And we probably shouldn’t have kissed.”

Taryn absorbed the words she knew were true but didn’t want to face. She wasn’t someone who went around knowingly breaking up relationships, or kissing people who were already attached to others, but something felt…meant-to-be in this scenario, and she’d leapt with her eyes closed. “Do you mean ever or…?”

Charlie looked thoughtful. It was clear all of this was weighing on her, and Taryn hated to be any kind of stress in Charlie’s world. “I need to talk to Danny. I need to think some things through. I’m a fish out of water right now and want to make sure I don’t act impulsively.”

She hadn’t said she was ending things with him. If anything, she seemed confused, which was perfectly okay, but also somewhat devastating if you were in Taryn’s shoes. “I can give whatever time you need, but know that I’m steady. I’m here and not going anywhere.”

“But do we make sense, Taryn? I’m about to graduate.”

“And in a year and half, I will, too, and then we’ll both be out of school for the rest of our lives. This is just a blip of time. Not that I’m proposing, or getting ahead of myself.” She held up her hands. “I don’t want to do that.”

“I’m five years older than you.”

“You told me I’m wise beyond my years.”

Charlie smiled and her cheeks dusted with pink. “Do you have an answer for everything?”

“Yes,” Taryn said automatically, fully believing that she did. If nothing else, she was excellent at debate points.

Charlie laughed. “Why are you so cute?”

“I’d love to hear your theory on that.”

“What about Ashley?”

“Who?” Taryn tilted her head.

“Good answer.” Charlie reached for Taryn’s hand and threaded their fingers.

She looked down at them, liking the look, feel, and reality of the physical contact. She would never get used to this. The perfect fit. “Is this a violation?”

“Hard to say, but I just wanted a moment of connection to you before—”

“You kick me out? You’re about to do that, aren’t you?”

Charlie met her gaze. “I don’t trust myself not to kiss you again.”

“You probably shouldn’t trust me either. I’ll go.” She hesitated. “When will I see you again? I don’t want to walk out of here, and we pretend like none of this happened. I don’t think I could take that, Charlie.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Then when?”

“Maybe we can have dinner soon. But I want time to think. To talk to Danny. To work things through.” Her gaze brushed the ceiling. “Taryn, this is all so unexpected, and it’s happening in the midst of my last year when there is already so much on my plate.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“Don’t. I’m just being as honest I can be.”

“I know you are.” She offered a small smile. “And I don’t want to make your life harder than it has to be.”

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