Page 61 of Friends Don't Kiss

“Where would you want to take her to make her see… everything you said before?”

I don’t know that that will happen right away. But I do know where I want to take Kiara on our first date. And our second. And our third. After that, I’ll let my inspiration take over. “Tell her you’d like to go snowboarding together.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

twenty-two

Kiara / Colton

Kiara

“So…wereyouevermarried or-or in a serious relationship?” I say into the phone, then tuck my feet under my butt and try to relax in my couch. Willow is sitting cross-legged on the floor, eating popcorn. This is the night the guy on the app and me are having our first phone call. I asked for back up, and she seemed excited to help.

When the guy—Nigel is his name—answered the phone, she kneeled up to listen briefly, but after a few seconds she gave me privacy and now she’s back on the floor, her glances alternating between me and her phone.

“Y—not really serious,” he answers. “You know how it is. Trying to find the right shoe.”

“Lotsa fitting sessions?” I blurt out, then catch myself. “Sorry, that was… huh… Forget I asked. Can we rewind the conversation?”

He chuckles. “Sure, how far back?”

Until I ruined it just now, this conversation was going well. First off, the guy has a sexy-as-hell voice, with a hint of an accent I can’t quite place. When I asked him about it, he answered, “I don’t have an accent. Where’s yours from?” and you could tell he was joking. I liked it. Humor? Check.

When I said I was a pastry chef (which, it was already on my profile, but whatever) and I pointed out his profile mentionedFoodie, he simply said he liked to eat. And then he laughed again.

Objectively, he has a good, hearty laugh. Honest. The fact that it doesn’t affect me doesn’t mean anything at this point.

And he doesn’t seem taken aback by my nosiness. Now that’s a plus.

“Your answer to whether you were married or in a serious relationship. I sensed hesitation.”

“Oh, I see. Depends what you define as serious. At some point, I’m going to want to settle down, but right now, I’m in Prattsville for only a month or so. I’m not looking to plant my roots here.”

Prattsville? Perfect. Close enough to get together, far enough not to run into each other.

He clears his throat, and there’s some background sound, like he’s with someone else. Is it weird or not? I mean,I’mwith someone else. But that’s different. “What-what were you looking for?” he asks.

I frown. “Like my profile says, casual. Same as you, except I get to stay here.”

“Ouch, sorry about that.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. I love it here.” The answer comes out defensive, and without any thought. I can’t help but have a flashback of what I’d told Colton about needing to maybe leave, and how he seemed hurt, and how I’m sort of in his camp now.

“Are you from around here, then?” he asks, the inflection in his tone really cute.

“Not originally, but I call Emerald Creek home.”

“Emerald Creek?! Love that place.”

I perk up in surprise. “You know it?”

“Been through it once. Actually had an oil change at this garage… What’s it called again?”

“Wait! You went to Harper’s? Colton’s my best friend. He’s the reason this is home to me now.” I sit up, excited to be talking about Colton.

“Really? Colton Harper is the reason Emerald Creek is home?” He chuckles lightly. “Is he your ex?”

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