Page 3 of A Little Secret

My eyes bulge. “You’re ditching me for this guy?”

“I mean, ditching is probably a strong word.”

“It was your word, not mine,” I counter.

“Okay, you make a good point, but regardless, I’m not ditching you. I’m…thinking about taking a rain check on the game.”

“Thinking about it, huh?”

She grimaces, her nose scrunching. “Maybe?”

Maybe.

Maybe means yes. The realization shouldn’t be a hit to my ego, but it is. I know I’m only her brother’s best friend, but I haven’t seen this girl in months, and she’s ditching me for a guy she could see every other day of the week? What am I? Chopped liver?

“What’s his name anyway?” I ask.

“Drew.”

“Drew,” I repeat.

“Yes. Drew,” she volleys. “What, did I stutter?”

No, she didn't. The girl doesn't stumble over anything. Nah, she charges in full force with zero hesitation, wearing her confidence like a second skin and doing nothing half-assed. Including dating, apparently. The idea shouldn't bother me, but it does. And I don't exactly care to witness it firsthand.

“And this…Drew”—my expression sours, and I lean into it, hoping she buys the response as over-the-top sarcasm or some shit—“is better company than me?”

“I mean, I get to kiss Drew without the guise of a bet, so I’m gonna go with…yeah.” She winks. “He’s a lot better company than you.” Her smile stretches. “He’s also a better kisser.” My jaw drops, pulling a laugh from her until she waves me off. “Okay, okay. If it makes you feel any better, I was his first kiss, so I basically taught him all he knows. And in a weird way, I have you to thank for it.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better at all,” I counter, remembering the last time we played Truth or Dare and wound up kissing. It wasn’t much—barely a peck. But I could’ve sworn she lingered, and damn, if the memory hasn’t been taunting me for months.

“Why?” Finley asks. “Because I passed along all theknowledge I gained from our kisses during Truth or Dare to the guy who sits by me in English?”

“You saying I was your first?” I ask.

“Technically, Chad Godfrey in kindergarten was my first, but sure.” She squeezes my forearm and bats her long lashes up at me. “I’ll let you claim the title.”

“Friend and first kiss,” I muse, cocking my head. “Yet here you are, ditching me.”

The girl has the decency to look contrite as her teeth dig into the inside of her bottom lip. “Like I said, ditching’s a strong word.”

“Still doesn’t make me feel any better,” I grumble.

“Of course it doesn’t. Didn’t make Ev feel better, either,” she adds with a laugh. “Don’t worry, though. Between Ev, you, and the rest of the guys, my expectations on how I deserve to be treated are through the roof, and I think you’d approve of him.”

Seriously. What the hell happened while I was away? I stare at the cards, forcing my grip to loosen so I don’t crumple the shit out of them as I clear my throat.

“Him,” I repeat.

“Yeah. Drew.” She rolls her eyes again. “Keep up, Griff.”

“Sorry, I guess I didn’t picture you as someone who’d be interested in dating and shit.”

“I mean, maybe not the shit part yet, but yeah. I guess I am interested.” She scoots closer. “Anyway,”—her lips brush against my cheek—“it’s good seeing you again. I’ve missed you.”

The feel of her mouth against my skin fucks with my head, making my jaw tighten. I shouldn’t crave it. Hell, there’s nothing to crave. She’s a friend. Only a friend. Not even a friend, apparently. Just Everett’s little sister. Turning my head, I take in how close she is. How easy itwould be to capture her mouth with mine. To make her stay. “Missed you, too, Fin.”

“I’ll see you later, okay?”

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