Page 4 of Waiting For Fate

“Come on, I need someone to dance with. Lauren is a little handsy tonight.”

Lucky her.

“I don’t know, Dove. I’m not sure I’m up for it tonight.” She turns around to face me with a pout. She says nothing. She simply pleads with her plump lips jutted out sadly.

God, what I would give to know what they would feel like against mine.

“Fine.” A devilishly sweet smile spreads across her face when I agree, and she turns to lead me over to where people are still dancing. The moment her hands land on my shoulders and she starts moving her hips back and forth, I’m done for.

I want my sister’s best friend in the most sinful ways, and I can’t do a damn thing about it.

Morning comes faster than I wish it had, and I’ve fought myself every hour over whether or not I should be going to breakfast with Leah and whoever the hell else is supposed to be there. But of course, if it’s for Leah, I’m going to show up. Throwing on a plain black hoodie and a pair of blue jeans I head out the door so I’m not late.

The entire drive to Flapjack’s I try to convince myself that what I was feeling last night was a fluke, making up any and every excuse I could for why I was looking at her like…like I shouldn’t have been looking at her.

I’ve all but convinced myself that it was a one-time thing when I pull into the parking lot, but as soon as I catch a glimpse of her through the diner window that foundation crumbles. Because my breath catches when she tosses her curly brown hair over her shoulder, and I find myself wondering if she still smells like vanilla.

It definitely wasn’t a fluke. Of course it wasn’t, she’s been the only thing on my mind since she landed in my arms—and for much longer before that if I were just freaking honest with myself.

My heart races and my palms begin to sweat as I look down to see a text from her.

Dove

You’re still coming right? I feel mean telling people they can’t sit beside me if you’re not gonna fill the seat. LOL

She’s scanning the diner when I look back up, likely wondering when I’m going to walk through the door. A smile finds its way onto my lips knowing she’s waiting for me. I close my eyes, trying to prepare myself to go in and act platonically with her.

I can do this. Dove and I have been friends for years.

Images of me pulling her chair closer to mine, wrapping my arm around her, and whispering in her ear that I’ve been haunted by the feeling of her hands on me last night flood my mind, making my eyes fly back open.

Yeah, I can’t do this.

There’s no way I’m walking into that diner without it being painfully obvious that I want her in all the ways I shouldn’t.

One night. One simple moment changed everything and decided my fate.

I have to put some distance between us before I do something I’ll regret and fuck everything up. Not only between me and Leah, but potentially Taylor and Leah as well.

Fuck.

I can always blame my not showing up on needing to head back early for training. That gives me at least until the holidays to see if distance will help me shake the feeling of wanting more with her. Maybe then we can continue on like normal and I can put all of this behind me.

Me

Sorry Dove, not gonna make it. Maybe next time.

Oh, how terribly wrong I was… About all of it.

CHAPTER 1

LEAH

“Ms. Gates. What are you going to be for Halloween?” Liliana asks from her desk. I’ve taught kindergarten since I graduated college and I have loved every sticky, slimy, chaotic moment of it. However, after five years of teaching I am convinced all six-year-olds are the same—unfiltered little humans who lose their ever loving shit over some fruit snacks.

“Well, I thought about going as a teacher, what do you think?” I bend to her level, smirking at her playfully.

“That’s definitely a scary costume,” Deaton yells from a few seats over.

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