Page 32 of Scoring with my Bestie's Ex

My heart hammers. Is she saying what I think she’s saying?

“I’d like to get to know you, too,” I say.

“And since it’s clear Ellen and Mike are happy together, I hope Ellen won’t think it’s weird.”

She releases my arm and turns her face to the night sky. She gasps.

I look up as well to see waves of green. All around us, people start murmuring. Soon, the music softens and the lights dim.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like we have a show from the northern lights,” an announcer says over the speakers. “Let’s take a moment to enjoy the natural beauty, shall we?”

Ribbons of blue weave through the lights.

“It’s so beautiful,” Bella whispers.

“It really is.” Warmth sweeps through me as we gaze at the sky.

At this moment, I feel connected with everything around me. The beauty of the lights, the warmth of the fire. Bella.

My gaze breaks from the northern lights to her.

She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

Her strength and determination show through. Even when she is in distress, I can see how wonderful she really is.

She’s been in survival mode for so long. Now, she’ll be free to blossom, and I can’t wait to see how much more beautiful she will become.

Ellen and Mike are still off on the dance floor.

Even if they weren’t, it wouldn’t stop me.

She’s magnetic. I can’t keep myself away.

And when she looks at me, her gaze warm, her mouth oh so tempting, I can’t stop myself.

I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her in closer.

She tilts her face toward mine.

We both lean in together; I brush my lips against hers and wait. Her lips part with a soft sigh.

And she kisses me back.

Her hands tangle into my hair, pulling me closer. She lets out a soft moan as I tease her lips apart. I tug her closer.

Then she draws back.

Overhead, the north lights dance on. But as Bella stares at me, a myriad of emotions flash across her face.

Ending with one I hate to see: guilt.

“We can’t,” she says, carefully disengaging from me. “This is a mistake.”

Though I want to keep holding her, I release her.

I search her face, hoping to find some sign that guilt will go away.

“Bella—”

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