Page 65 of The Friendly Fall

None of this was real, but I don’t want it to be … do I?

“I’ll walk you to your truck,” I say quickly, opening the front door. A sharp breeze blows through the door, and Nick grabs my coat for me. “Thank you.” I slide it on and follow him out, not missing the raised eyebrow from Granny.

It’s strikingly dark outside, the warmth of the holidays dissipating into the cold black cover. Our feet crunch across the leaves, and Nick doesn’t say anything. However, he does stop just outside of the driver’s side of his truck, turning to face me.

“Thank you again for tonight.” I gaze up at him, his blue eyes soft as they peer into mine. “You were amazing.”

“Your family is great, Eliza.” He chuckles. Something about the way he’s looking at me, has me taking a step toward him.

“I…” My voice trails off as my heart begins to pound with anticipation.

Nick reaches out and grabs my hand, pulling me into his chest. I breathe in his cologne and then lean my head back, the tension palpable between us. “Happy Thanksgiving, Nick.”

His lips curl upward and a mischievous glint dances in his eyes, drawing me closer. The world around us seems to freeze for a moment as we lock gazes, both feeling the pull of an unspoken desire between us.

With slow and deliberate movements, he leans in, leaving our lips mere inches apart. As his warm breath tickles my skin and his nose brushes against mine, all my senses come alive.

My heart is now thrumming in my chest as I wait for his next move.

And then, in one swift and exhilarating moment, Nick’s lips capture mine in a tender kiss. It’s soft and supple at first before growing bolder with each passing second. I taste the sweetness of apple pieand warmth of cinnamon on his lips, a delicious combination that has me melting into his embrace.

He grazes my bottom lip teasingly with his tongue, coaxing me to open up to him.

And I do.

His tongue slips into my mouth, igniting a passionate dance that sets every nerve ending on fire. I let out a soft moan into his mouth as his hands grip my waist tightly, pulling me closer as the intensity of the kiss grows. It’s heavy and heady with raw desire.

Suddenly, it feels like I’ve been brought back to life from the dead.

And IwantNick.

My hands wrap around his muscular neck, and I tangle my fingers into his hair, pulling him impossibly closer as he lets out a low groan into my mouth. The sound only fuels the fire burning within me. I can feel the heat of his body pressed against mine as the kiss deepens, our connection growing stronger with every passing second.

This kiss is unlike any other I’ve experienced before.

It’s intoxicating and addicting.

But just as quickly as it began, it’s over.

And I’m left breathless and craving more of him, my lips swollen and my heart thudding.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Eliza. I’ll see ya around.”

My brows furrow with confusion, and then he points to the window, and the audience we have peering through the blinds.

Sothatis whyhe kissed me.

My heart plummets as I back away a few steps, giving him an awkward wave as he climbs into the driver’s seat of his truck.

It’s all pretend—even the mind-blowing kiss. And that’s for the best. Right?

I just got caught up in the moment.

We’re better off as friends.

“You’re a good friend, Nick,” I blurt out, and he stops, his hand on the door.

He says nothing, only nodding as he slams it shut.

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