Page 49 of Friends Don't Kiss

I force a chuckle. “Just thought you should know why…” My stomach feels knotted as I try to push the words out my mouth. I free my hand from Colton’s and stare out the window. Without physical contact with him, if feels easier to express myself. “…why I’m broken in a lot of ways.”Why I’m still a virgin at twenty-six years old.“And why having you as a friend is more important than anything else to me.”

He laces his arm around my neck and brings me softly to him. Eyes still on the road, he kisses the crown of my head. “I’ll always be your friend, no matter what.” Then he releases me, and I’m left wondering what thiswhatcould possibly be.

“When you break a bone,” he says after a while, “it grows back stronger. To protect you from another break. I never thought you were broken…” he starts with a glance my way, the shadow of a smile playing on his lips, “but I always wondered why you were trying to protect yourself so hard.” Eyes back on the road, he adds, “Now I know.”

And his smile spreads out, warming my own core, making me feel incredibly light and carefree.

I should have told him all this so much earlier.

eighteen

Kiara

Afterlastweekend’sdebacle,I’m ready for some quality time with the Bitch Brigade. Thankfully, it’s already Thursday, which means Game Night in Emerald Creek. It should really be called Girls’ Night In, but nobody asked me. They started it way before my time, so there’s that.

All the women get together in the back of Cassandra’s lingerie boutique, supposedly to play games. In reality, we chat, drink, and eat. Basically, we have a good time—without any men around. The whole Bitch Brigade is in attendance.

“Hey, boss,” Willow greets me as I leave my boots in the mudroom. “Haley made some sumac wine. Wanna taste?”

Sumac wine? “Just a drop.” I glance inside the large room, decorated in tones of white and gold and pink, with bean bags and couches and a few tables to play games. Haley is busy behind the mirror-paneled bar that reflects the glimmer of the fireplace. Thick throw rugs and flickering candles add an extra touch of comfort to a space that’s exactly what women need, especially now the long winter season is upon us.

I place my contribution on the bar—almond tuiles with a pistachio dip. “Hey, rebel,” I say to Haley as I arrange my dish. “Any chance of us getting grape wine anytime soon?”

“Try this,” is her answer.

The tart, citrus flavor hits my tastebuds in a surprisingly good way. I take a moment to smell the small glass she’s poured me. “Nice herbal notes,” I compliment her.

Willow wraps her arm around my shoulders. “Told ya, this is great. You should sell that through the general store, Haley! Kiara sells her chocolates there. Right?”

“Yeah, I might,” Haley answers.

“I could talk to Noah for you!” Willow offers, her cheeks coloring at the mention of the owner of the general store.

“Yeah, next time you take his refill order for us?” I suggest.

“Or like, tomorrow,” Willow counters.

“I should go myself,” Haley says. “I should talk to him, bring him a sample bottle.”

“Or I can go,” Willow repeats with a bright smile.

Haley narrows her eyes on Willow. “Still holding a torch for Noah, huh?” she says. “You go, girl. I’ll set a couple of bottles aside for you to bring to him. But don’t hold your hopes up, okay? I don’t want to be responsible for your broken heart.”

Willow does a small fist bump that makes me chuckle. She’s been trying to get the moody guy’s attention for years now, but he’s clearly not interested. I’d have given up a long time ago.

“Bonne chance!” I tell her in a vague attempt to practice my fledgling French on actual people.

“Oooh fancy,” Grace says. “Are you trying to attract the French Canadian clientele? You should start a partnership with Cassandra. ‘Buy a bra, get a macaron!’”

Cassandra lifts her glass to me with a side smile. “Now there’s an idea. And get a massage,” she adds for Grace.

“How d’you say massage in French?” Grace asks me.

I shrug. “I don’t know. The course didn’t get to that point yet.”

“Isn’t massage a French word already?” Willow asks.

“Wait—you’re taking a class?” Grace asks. “That’s awesome!”

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