Page 16 of The Kissing Challenge

"I'd have to agree," Liam said.

"Me, too," Knight said.

I wondered if the blush I was sporting would ever go away. At this rate, I didn't think so.

"So, you guys are really friends?" Dorothy asked.

"Yeah, Anne's my best friend," Captain said. His eyes were bright as they settled on me. "And I'm hers."

Wow, those words paired with the way he was looking at me… It was an irresistible combination. I was surprised I didn't faint on the spot.

"So awesome and romantic," Dorothy said.

"Yep, our Anne here initiated it," Knight said and gave me a smile. "Threw Captain for a loop."

"Thanks, Knight," Cap said through clenched teeth.

"Oh, that makes sense then." It was Gwen who had spoken, and all of our eyes went to her. "I didn't mean anything bad by it," she went on. "It's just…kissing your best friend. How hot can that be?"

Very, I thought but didn't say. So hot I could still feel the press of Captain's lips against mine days later.

"It was supernova hot," Knight said.

"Yeah," Dorothy put in. "I immediately saved it to my favorites—which sounds weird now that I'm saying it to you guys. But it's true. I'm sure I wasn't the only one. The video has like over 20K views already."

Gwen looked less than impressed, but Dorothy wasn't done.

"Any chance we could get the kiss part two?" she asked with a wink.

Knight held up his hand. "I second that."

"Come on," I said, trying to laugh it off. "I don't think—"

"Third," Liam said, and my eyes shot to his. They were intense as usual, but I thought I could see a bit of amusement there. "Why don't you remind us what made it so hot?"

Gwen, who'd only known us for like five seconds, said, "I don't need proof. And I don't believe it. Kissing your friend sounds lame to me."

She threw a smile my way.

"No offense," she said.

"None taken," I muttered.

"I bet you ten dollars that you're wrong," Liam said to Gwen.

"About what?" she asked.

"Whether it can be hot or not. Kissing your best friend."

She laughed, but Liam didn't seem like he was joking.

"I'll put another ten on top of that," Knight piped up.

"Guys," I said, "come on. This is silly."

But Jake said, "I've got a ten, too."

Why, oh why were we even having this discussion? It wasn't like Captain and I could just kiss again in front of all these people. That would take a miracle. Plus, everyone who'd followed the band over now seemed to be listening in on the conversation. A few of them were with Gwen and cheered her on, saying not to back down, to take the bet.

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