Page 99 of March

Megan took a deep breath and slowly said, “Bryce, I’ve been in love with my best friend, thinking she’d never, ever feel the same way about me. Then, Kels is sitting on my sofa, telling me that she wants to go out. She wants togoout, nothangout. She told me she loved it when I stayed at her place and we fell asleep together.”

“How did you like falling asleep together?”

“I loved it, Bryce. God, obviously, I loved it. But I didn’t actually allow myself to think she did, too.”

“Okay. And she said she wanted to go out on a date?”

“Yes.”

“What didyousay?”

“I said that I had to think about it because this changes things.”

“And what did Kels say after that?”

“She said she understood. Because, of course, she did. She’s amazing and patient, and I love her, Bryce. I’ve always lovedher.”

Bryce smiled at her sweet friend and asked, “This was last night?”

“Yes. I didn’t sleep at all, but I figured you’d be out with Sophie late and either asleep or having sex, so I waited until right now. You’re not having sex right now, are you?”

“If I were, I’d be one hell of a multi-tasker,” she said, laughing at her own joke. “She’s in the shower.”

“You’re happy?” Megan asked.

“Yeah, I am,” she said with a smile. “But back to you. What are you going to do?”

“I’m askingyouthat. What do I do, Bryce? It’s Kelsey.”

“I know,” Bryce replied. “It probably took a lot for her to tell you, Megs.”

“I know,” Megan said quietly. “She was really cute.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. It took her a few minutes, and she kept rubbing her hands on her jeans. I could tell she was nervous, but I didn’t know why until she told me.”

“What do youwantto do, Megs?”

“Be with her.”

“Okay. Tell her that.”

“No, I mean, I want tobewith her, Bryce. I don’t just want to go out on a date because she thinks she wants to be with me like that. I want her to want to be with me how I want to be with her.”

“Are you afraid that you’ll go out, and she’ll discover she really doesn’t want that?”

“Maybe.”

“Well, I can’t predict the future, but for what it’s worth, Megs, I’ve never seen Kelsey like this. I know she doesn’teverwant to hurt you, so I think if she told you, that means something. She knows she can be with you in the way you want to be with her.”

“But what if we go out and we kiss goodnight, and she’s thinking of the last guy she kissed instead of me?”

“The last guy she kissed was an ex-boyfriend, so I don’t think you need to worry about that. He’s an ex for a reason.”

“What if she doesn’t like my lips on her lips, Bryce?”

“You might not like her lips on your lips. You won’t know until you kiss the girl.”

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