Page 5 of Curves and Waves

Right. Talking. That was why I was here, not to stare at her like an idiot. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to gather my thoughts.

"Yeah, right. Look, Zo, what's going on with us?"

She tensed, crossing her arms. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, you've been avoiding me for months. And now, on this cruise, it's like you can barely stand to be near me. Did I do something wrong?"

Zoe's gaze dropped to the floor. "No, of course not. I told you, I've just been busy."

"Bullshit," I said, more harshly than I intended. She flinched, and I immediately regretted my tone. "Sorry. We used to be soclose, and now it feels like there's this wall between us. I want to know why."

She bit her lip, a habit that never failed to draw my attention to her full mouth. I forced my eyes back to hers, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through me.

"It's complicated," she said finally.

I stepped closer, unable to help myself. "Then explain it to me. Please, Zo. Whatever it is, we can figure it out."

She looked up at me, and the vulnerability in her eyes knocked the breath out of me. "Can we, though? Because I'm pretty sure this will change everything."

My pulse quickened. "What will?"

Zoe took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "The fact that I'm in love with you."

The world stopped.

I stared at her; certain I'd misheard. But Zoe met my gaze steadily, her cheeks flushed but her eyes determined.

"You what?" I managed.

She let out a shaky laugh. "I'm in love with you, Caleb. Have been for years. And I know you don't feel the same, which is why I've been trying to get some distance, to get over it. But being around you, it just makes it harder."

My mind raced, trying to process her words. Zoe loved me? How had I not seen it? And more importantly, why did the thought fill me with such overwhelming joy?

"Zo," I started, but she held up a hand.

"Don't. Please don't try to let me down easy or tell me we can still be friends. I know all that. I just. I needed you to know. And now you do, so I can finally let go of being scared to tell you and go and enjoy my vacation.”

Before I could second-guess myself, I reached out, gently turning her to face me. "Zoe, look at me."

She raised her eyes reluctantly. Without thinking, I cupped her face in my hands.

"You're an idiot," I said softly.

Her brow furrowed. "Excuse me?"

"You're an idiot," I repeated, "if you think for one second that I don't feel the same way."

Zoe's eyes widened. "What?"

Instead of answering, I leaned down and kissed her.

For a moment, she was still against me, and I feared I'd misread everything. Then she melted into the kiss, her arms winding around my neck as she pressed her curves into me, my hand running over her hips, gripping her skin, loving the flesh I could feel move under my hand.

I'd imagined kissing Zoe more times than I cared to admit, but reality blew every fantasy out of the water. She tasted like coconut and sunshine, her lips soft and eager against mine. I slid one hand into her hair, angling her head to deepen the kiss.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless. I rested my forehead against hers, unwilling to let her go.

"Wow," Zoe whispered.

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