Page 51 of Worth the Risk

“Yeah, he wasn’t as quiet as he thought he was when he was saying those little things to you but that is not the point of this.”

The knowing expression on her face makes me laugh.

“I’m sorry, but yeah, he is—” I can feel my face flaming.

“It wasn’t the first kiss,” she says around a bite of donut. “I know that much.”

“It wasn’t the first,” I confirm, “or the second.”

Her eyes widen. “So, then why’d you act so shocked and offended?”

“I wasn’t offended,” I say a touch defensively, but she flashes me a look that says I very much was. “Okay fine, it was because he did it in front of you guys and Miguel. The first time wasn’t even real; it was a video we were making so it doesn’t count.”

“I’m sorry, a video?”

“Notthatkind of video!” I correct her. “Oh God, this is so stupid and hard to explain. I’ll be right back.” I walk to my bedroom and grab my phone, opening up the social media account and handing the phone to her as I explain it.

“Okay, so now I need to see the video of the kiss.”

“Why?” I grab my phone back.

“That’s why,” she says, pointing to my phone now in my lap. She holds out her hand toward me.

“Fine.” I pull up the video, handing it over to her and diving in for a second donut.

“Yeah, that one absolutely counted. Are you kidding me? That makes the one on the pickleball court look like a kiss yougive your first boyfriend.” She reaches for a napkin and pretends to fan herself. “Wait, have you guys?”

“No! And we aren’t going to. That third kiss wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“Taylor, I love you but what the hell is wrong with you? He is clearly obsessed with you and we both know damn well you’ve always wanted to let him bend you over his desk and show you the business end of—how’d you finish it?”

“I told you that in confidence one time when I was wasted!” I lower my voice as if anyone is going to overhear us in my own apartment. “And it was the business end of his stock portfolio.” I cringe a little internally, even though I know if Austin heard me say it, he’d be on the floor rolling.

“Oh, right. I forgot the way you finance nerds flirt.”

“I’m a lawyer who just happens to work in finance. He’s the finance nerd. And while we’re on the subject, don’t act like I forgot that you also made a drunken confession that night, playing nurse and doctor with Hector’s scrubs.”

We both stare at each other over our coffee cups before bursting into laughter.

“Ugh, I know,” I say finally. “It’s complicated and I don’t expect you to understand but…”

“But what?” She sounds so disappointed, like she was hoping we were actually together. “Why can’t you just have fun with it and see what happens?”

“And then what, Bec? What happens if it is justfor funand one of us catches feelings? Or what if we both try and it just plain doesn’t work out. How do we navigate that in our professional life? And do we just say bye to ever being normal friends again?”

Her smile fades and she reaches for my hand. “I just wish you could relax and let things happen. You’re always so in control. Doesn’t it get exhausting?”

“Yes,” I answer truthfully, vulnerable as it is. “But I have taken risks. I took a huge risk when I turned down my firm and pursued things with Austin professionally.”

“Exactly and look how that paid off.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t know what I was risking at the time besides money. Money can be replaced, but you can really ruin a friendship with—whatever it is he and I were doing.”

She drops my hand. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you both already have serious feelings for each other; you just can’t admit it… either to yourself or each other.”

“Of course we care about each other.”

“Please, spare me the bullshit. You know what I mean. You both have romantic feelings for each other. It’s evident in the way you guys interact and look at each other and that kiss. Need I say more?”

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