Page 38 of Heartless Pucker in Love

“Then why are you panicking?”

“Because, like I said, I’ve been sexually awakened. Being with Julian last night felt like too much, Lucy. Spending time with him has led me to the discovery that he’s a decent guy and not at all the asshole I thought he was.” And that was dangerous because I didn’t want to start developing deeper feelings for him. Although, deep down, I feared it was too late.

“Wait, what? What am I missing here? I thought you and Julian were friends. You went to prom together and you said you had a great time. Where does the asshole part come in?”

I went still, my eyes locked with Lucy’s. For ten years, I carried the secret of what really happened on prom night and I just inadvertently spilled the secret. “Er... about prom night…”

Lucy’s eyes narrowed. “It appears somebody has been keeping secrets for a decade. Go on.”

Heat rose in my cheeks. I was just too embarrassed to share what happened even with my sisters. “Fine,” I huffed. “I think we should be talking about something important like your upcoming wedding instead of my insane enemies to sort of friends to lovers to...I don’t know what relationship with Julian but whatever.”

“Sweetie, your story sounds so much juicer than my wedding plans.”

I rolled my eyes and with a resigned sigh. Then, I told her everything—the prank Julian and his friends put together, how Julian tried to thwart the whole thing and kind of succeeded but failed because I was gutted emotionally that night anyway, and finally, how I ran and hid out at the park before walking to Margaret’s house to cry my eyes out.

Margaret had been pissed and offered to go to school to beat manners into those “hooligans” with her cane. That had made me laugh so hard that night when I thought I’d never laugh again. I stayed with Margaret for hours and she fed me comfort food?freshly baked chocolate chip brownies and chamomile tea. She then taught me how to play poker as she regaled me with tales of her days as a “young lass” working in a Vegas casino. After that, I walked home, snuck inside without Mom seeing me, and told everyone I had a magical night.

Lucy sighed. “So you mean to tell me you spent prom night with your surrogate grandmother instead of having the amazing time I was so happy you got to experience?”

“Yup.”

“Oh, my gosh. I’m going to drag Julian by his ear when I see him. I’m going to borrow Margaret’s cane and beat him with it just like she wanted to ten years ago. I’m going to?”

“Lucy.” I held my stomach as I laughed heartily. My sister’s claws came out when it came to protecting her younger siblings. “Don’t get worked up. It was ten years ago, and I’m over it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Julian and I had a heart to heart, and he apologized.”

She huffed. “I guess I won’t attack him at the wedding then. Nic invited him.”

“I heard, and I’m glad you won’t launch an attack,” I giggled, “because I kinda like him now.”

“Kinda?” Her eyes twinkled.

“Alright, I do. I like him. We’re friends. We still have our squabbling moments, but he’s alright. Last night rattled me so hard. The way he made me feel,” I sighed, “I’ve never felt that with anyone.” I glanced over my shoulder at the door, as if Julian might appear at any minute. “That’s why I snuck out of his room this morning.”

I would have been super embarrassed to admit that if Lucy’s gentle smile didn’t put me at ease. “I get it.”

“You do?”

She nodded. “You tried to fight your attraction to him and when you finally gave in, it was better than you expected. Too amazing for words. The intense emotions have you reeling, and you are already picking apart a relationship you haven’t even established yet. Things are too good to be true, and you should jump ship before it leads to heartbreak. I get it.”

“Exactly.” With narrowed eyes, I peered at my sister. How did she hit the nail on the head? She must have mind-reading powers or something. “How on earth did you guess so accurately what I’m feeling?”

She grinned. “Because I’ve been there, little sis. I’ve had my fair share of running after intense moments.”

Sagging against the arm of the sofa, I groaned. “I felt too much, Luce, and I’m not used to it.” I wanted more with Julian. I wanted to feel the fire he ignited inside me all the time. “It’s more than just the great sex with him,” I added. “You know how I get flustered sometimes and say the most embarrassing things?”

“Uh-huh.” Lucy smiles.

“With him, I don’t feel like a complete idiot who struggles to communicate with people when I get awkward and stutter out half-sentences. Julian always seems to get what I want to say, and he just eases around my awkwardness like a pro. No other guy has ever done that. With my very limited dating experiences, the guys always looked at me as if I’m a weirdo.” Hence, the non-dating streak I’ve been on for a while. It was just too hard.

I shoved my hand through my hair, and my fingers shaking with agitation. “This is dangerous. Julian is wrong for me. Even if I did want to try my hand at dating or a relationship?and I’m not implying that I do?he’s the worst person to choose.”

“Why would you say that?” Lucy asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

“He lives in another country for one. And he doesn’t want anything serious,” I say, choosing to ignore the smile on her face.

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