Page 33 of Dear Rosie

NATE

She’s such a pretty little liar.

I wrap my fingers around her upper arms and keep her steady as I walk into her, making her walk back.

“W-what are we doing?” There’s a lace of panic in her voice, but it’s muted by desire.

And I don’t miss the way she saidwe. Because she already knows whatwe’reabout to do.

“We’re going into the pantry.” I reach around her side to pull the door open.

She steps back, entering the tiny room. “Why?”

“Because, Ms. Rosalyn.” I move her farther into the room until the door swings shut behind me. “I need to taste you.”

THIRTEEN

ROSALYN

My lips part on a gasp.

And Nathan moves. Claiming his taste.

Our lips meet.

My body leans into his.

My neck arches.

And I kiss him back.

I kisshim.

My Nathan.

The man who’s held my broken pieces together for so long.

Who’s been both my best friend and a figment of my imagination.

The man I haven’t seen in twenty-five years.

The man who’s lived an entire life since walking away from me that day in the woods.

My heart squeezes painfully.

I want this and hate this. Because I want him to know it’s me.

I want him to desireme.

But maybe that’s not supposed to happen.

Maybe I’m supposed to have this experience with him this way. With anonymity.

Maybe I need to experience this, with him, just this once.

Because he’s here.

And he’s kissing me.

---