Page 43 of Doctor Hot Mess

“And it was—” I shake my head, searching for the right words. “It was different. Like, it wasn’t just a kiss. It was... everything.”

Lila stares at me for a moment before bursting into laughter. “Jonah Savage Bellinger, the man, the myth, the eternal bachelor... losing his mind over a kiss?”

I glare at her. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you.”

She waves me off, still grinning. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Go on. Tell me more about this life-changing smooch.”

I roll my eyes, but the words tumble out anyway. “She pulled back. Said we shouldn’t, that she didn’t want to make the same mistake again. And she’s right. It would be a mistake. She’s put up these boundaries, and I know I should respect them. But... I can’t stop thinking about her. It’s like she's become an obsession.”

Lila leans her elbows on the counter, her grin fading. “Jonah, you’re not obsessed. You’re finally catching feelings.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I snap. “I don’t catch feelings. I don’t do relationships. I’m the fun guy, the guy everyone likes to be around. No one expects me to settle down, and I’m fine with that.”

“Are you?” she asks, her voice quieter now. “Fine with that?”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words don’t come. Am I fine with it? I’ve always thought so. But now...

“I think this is about more than Harper setting boundaries,” Lila continues. “She’s not like anyone else, is she? She makes you think, makes you feel things you’re not used to feeling. That’s scary, sure, but maybe it’s not a bad thing.”

“You don’t get it,” I say, my voice low. “I’ve spent my whole life keeping people at arm’s length. It’s easier that way. No mess, no risk, no heartbreak.”

“Sometimes the best things in life are messy,” Lila says, her voice almost wistful now. She looks down at her coffee, her fingers tracing the rim of the mug. “And sometimes they sneak up on you when you least expect it.”

I narrow my eyes, sensing a shift in her tone. “What about you? You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”

She shrugs, a small, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe I am. But we’re not talking about me, are we?”

Before I can press her, she takes a sip of her coffee and nods toward me. “Anyway, you’ve got two options: keep running in circles and driving yourself insane, or grow a pair and talk to her. Just be honest for once. I told you before to communicate with her, and look how that turned out?”

"Yeah, a mess. I need to get out of my head."

"Dude, you were kissing my ass you were so excited about being in her good graces again. Stop being so damn stubborn. Talk to her."

I snort, shaking my head. “I’m not sure honesty’s gonna fix this.”

“Won’t know until you try.” Lila raises her mug in a mock toast. “Here’s to Jonah Bellinger, finally figuring his shit out.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter, but a reluctant smile tugs at my lips. She might be a pain in my ass, but she’s good for me. Maybe it’s time to stop avoiding what’s right in front of me.

SIXTEEN

Harper

Harper’s Pool House

1:01 PM

The afternoon sunwarms my skin while I enjoy my seat by the pool. My legs are tucked under me on a cushioned lounge chair, and I have my book open on my chest, but I haven't read a word.

It’s early March, the time of year when Birmingham can’t decide if it’s winter or spring. The days teeter between brisk and balmy, but today, the universe seems to be throwing me a bone with a warm, golden Sunday on my day off. It's a rare gift, and one I intend to savor—even if my mind refuses to let me fully relax.

The kiss. It's all I can think about.

The delicious, forbidden, all-consuming, goddamned kiss.

I can still feel the press of his lips on mine, the way his hands framed my face like I was something fragile.

For one fleeting moment, it was perfect. Until reality came rushing back, reminding me that Jonah isn’t the guy who settles down or follows through. And I’m not a girl who has meaningless sex.

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