Page 34 of Since the Day We Kissed

The summer heat pressed against Kara, making her shirt stick to her back as she swept the sidewalk outside her dad’s pharmacy. Behind her, the door stood propped open, letting the cool air-conditioned breeze occasionally brush against her skin.

As she swept, she caught sight of Ethan walking down the opposite side of the street, his shoulders hunched and hands shoved deep in his pockets. A group of guys passed by him, and Kara heard their snickers carried on the breeze.

“Hey, Bennett! Your old man sleep it off yet?” one of them shouted.

Kara saw Ethan hesitate, his step faltering for a second. He glanced back toward the guys, then quickly dropped his gaze to the ground and kept walking.

Her heart ached for him.

She set her broom against a shelf as she stepped inside the pharmacy. Her dad was behind the counter, sorting through a stack of papers.

“Dad, have you looked at Ethan’s application yet?” Kara asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

Her dad sighed, pulling out a form from the stack. “Kara, we’ve been over this.”

“But look at his qualifications.” Kara insisted, pointing at the paper. “Honor roll, volunteer work at the hospital, and he even did that internship at the lab last summer. You’d hire anyone else with a resume like that in a heartbeat.”

“I’m not hiring old drunk Bennett’s son, Kara,” her dad said, his voice firm. “That family’s no good.”

“But Ethan is nothing like his dad.” Kara moved closer, grabbing her dad’s arm. “He graduated with me. He’s a really good guy, promise. Besides, we need the help. Whoever can help.”

“Kara ... Kara?” Emma’s voice snapped Kara back to the present.

“Sorry, Em. I just—remembered something.” Kara took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. “You’re right. We do need help, and I’m not gonna turn it down.”

Emma smiled. “There’s the Kara I know.”

Kara then looked down at what she was wearing. “Great. Why did I think wearing Charlotte’s high school gym shorts was a good fashion choice this morning? And this t-shirt. It has stains on it!” She groaned. “Never mind, nope, I can’t let him see me like this.”

“Nonsense. You didn’t know he was going to be here,” Emma said. “And you’re working hard—it makes sense to wear comfortable clothes. Also, those shorts make your butt look great!”

Kara couldn’t help but laugh as a layer of blush painted her cheeks. “Thanks, Em. You always know what to say.”

Emma smirked, reaching out to pull her friend into a hug. “I do what I can.”

Kara returned the hug, then stepped back. “Okay, I think I’m ready. I’m gonna talk to him.” She paused, a new thought occurring to her. “Actually, Em, would you mind running into town to pick up a few supplies for the rescue?”

“Sure, I’ll give y’all some alone time.” Emma winked. “Anything specific you need?”

“You know, the usual—dog food, cat litter, and maybe some more cleaning supplies,” Kara replied, reaching into her back pocket. “Use this.” She pulled out the rescue’s credit card and handed it to Emma, her fingers brushing over the raised numbers before letting go.

Emma took the card, tucking it into her pocket with a knowing smile. “You got it. Be back soon.”

Kara watched as her friend slipped out, the door clicking shut behind her.

She glanced down at her clothes, grimacing at the stains on her shirt. She tried to smooth out the wrinkles and brush off some of the dog hair. A humorless chuckle escaped her lips.

What did it matter how she looked?

This was Ethan, after all.

Ethan, who had climbed through her window one night after a huge fight with her dad, just to bring her a pack of Oreos.

Ethan, who had covered for her at the pharmacy during that nightmarish inventory mix-up, shouldering the blame without hesitation when she’d accidentally flooded their stockroom with cough syrup instead of the much-needed allergy medication.

Ethan, who was Charlotte’s father, and neither of them knew.

With another deep breath, she turned around slowly and began to walk toward the doors to the lobby.

---