Page 37 of First Love, Second Draft

“Nope. Worse. And why is my sweater unraveling now?”

Matt followed her gaze down to his waist. “Because your sweater is putting the moves on my belt.”

She gasped. “Don’t talk about my sweater like that. If anything, your belt is seducing my sweater.” She winced. “Okay, my hair. Can we get back to focusing on that? Although I really do like this sweater. Okay, forget the hair. Save the sweater.” She began to unclasp his belt.

“Hey now, tiger.” He chuckled uncomfortably and tried shifting away from her. “Let’s keep our hands off my belt and get back to worrying about your hair. Our new terms can include me buying you a new sweater, okay?”

When Rachel giggled, Matt made the mistake of meeting her eyes. Of smiling back. Leaning in just a little bit closer. Close enough to kiss her if he wanted. But was that what Rachel wanted?She assured me you guys were nothing more than friends.

He could hear Aimee’s voice as if she were standing right in the room.

It took Matt a second to realize shewasstanding right in the room. With possibly more coupons in her hands. He couldn’t tell for sure. “So you breaking up with me had nothing to do with Rachel?”

“This isn’t what it looks like.” He and Rachel started speaking over one another.

“My belt’s caught in her sweater and—”

“Can’t get my hair free and—”

“Such a slippery floor and—”

“I was just on my way to clean the litter boxes!”

Aimee flung the pile of papers in the air—yep, they were more coupons—and slammed the door shut on their words, leaving Matt and Rachel in an awkward tangle of unclasped belt buckles, unraveled sweaters, and now, fluttering coupons.

“Well, glad we got that straightened out,” Rachel deadpanned.

17

Grace:Hey, this is Gracie. Hope you don’t mind that I asked Matt for your number.

Rachel:Of course I don’t mind! What’s up?

Grace:Wondering if I could ask you some random questions for my story.

Rachel:Fire away! (Unless it has to do with jowls)

Grace:Ha! You wish! First question—what’s your favorite scent on a man?

Rachel:Does laundry soap count? Not sure what brand Matt uses, but he always smells good.

Grace:Interesting. Next question—do you think it’s plausible for a woman to recognize a man just by his kiss?

Rachel:Maybe. Does the guy kiss especially weird?

Grace:No. He’s not slobbery or anything. They just have a history of lots of kissing. And now years have gone by, so the woman doesn’t recognize him at first. Maybe she’s blind. Or blindfolded. Or not wearing her glasses. I don’t know why she can’t see him. I don’t even know why they’re kissing in this scene! The question is do you think she’d recognize him just by his kiss?

Rachel:I suppose. Do you think you’d recognize Noah just by his kiss?

Grace:Yes. But only because he’s slobbery.

Rachel:Ha! Somehow I doubt that.

Grace:Is it strange kissing a different guy at first?

Rachel:How would I know? Do I look like some jowl-grabbing serial kisser to you?

Grace:Sorry. Just figured you’ve probably kissed more guys than me. My track record is one.

---