Page 93 of Unfolding Ethan

No, I was too busy staring at you.

I grinned sheepishly. "Yeah."

She clicked her tongue playfully and crossed her arms. "What did I say then?"

"That. . . I’m looking very handsome right now?"

A soft chuckle bubbled out of her throat. I felt proud of myself because making Kiara laugh and seeing her smile with me because of something I said or did was one of my favorite things in life.

I knew, at that strange moment, after seeing her kiss my ex, standing between the stacks of ancient books, that I was inlove. I was utterly, madly, deeply, passionately and as-many-adverbs-there-are-to-describe-love, in love with an enigmatic beauty named Kiara Sharma.

I snapped out of my strange realization when I felt her arms wrap around me, giving me a hug. I hoped she wouldn't feel my wildly beating heart. "You're weird," Kiara said, her voice muffled by the fabric of my shirt.

I felt like a fool for not realizing this early. I loved her snorts. I loved the fact she could eat as much as me after my swim practice and wasn't self-conscious about the muffin-top (Food Baby). I loved how she secretly used my new razor and told me to feel her baby soft legs when we were at Target—one of the employer, Claire, was gobsmacked. I loved how she talked passionately for hours about her new story idea. I loved how she cut her nails every Sunday because the idea of long and colorful nails scared her. I loved how she sometimes forgot that either I or her family existed and continued to write her story.

I loved how she clung to me like a leech because she forgot to talk to me for a day and then proceeded to kiss my neck and jaw all the time, hiding her face in my neck. I loved the tiny golden specks in her warm brown eyes when they were in the sun, especially when they were staring at me. I loved how she kicked in her sleep and made me fall on the floor, but I never complained because she was adorable. I loved how she was always smiling and a giant bubble of positivity. I wanted to take her away with me and hide her from this world, kissing all her worries away.

I forgot what to reply, so I lamely said, "I know," and whispered softly in her ears. "Kiara? I think I just took a fart on the heart."

My heart was beating like a wild animal and I could feel my blood pounding in my ears when she chuckled. "Of course you did."

She pulled away to grin at me, dimples poking her cheeks. She kissed me, tipping on her toes, and said, "You're a lovable fool."

Sweet Jesus, help me, for I am a lovable fool.

Twenty Four

The Swim Competition

Kiara

Prunh! Prunh! Prunh!

Another horn blared off and the swimmers dived in the water, their parents cheering for them while the coaches marked down the time, making sure which team was winning; Summer High or Winter High.

“So, what will I get if I win the competition?” I looked beside me at Paul, who was just wearing his swimming trunks, his wet, muscled chest on display, and I could see some freshman ogling him.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “You will get nothing from me, Paul. You know I am with Ethan, then why are you so hell-bent on asking me out every single day?”

He blinked and replied, “Because I was an asshole for taking Shaley to the ice cream truck instead of you, and I want to show you that I can treat you better than him. At least give me a chance, Kia.”

I looked over his shoulder to see a tan back with little claw marks while he talked to his swim mates. And flickered my eyes back to Paul.

“I’m sorry,” I said sincerely with a small smile. “But I don’t think anyone can treat me better than him. Hope you’ll find a girl who loves you and treats you better.”

I walked over to Ethan and smiled when he wrapped his arms around me, kissing my cheek. I wished his swim mates good luck and when I turned to Ethan, he was looking at me with his dark hooded eyes.

“What?”

“So, what will I get if I win this competition?” he asked, raising his brow.

So, he did hear my talk with Paul. I smiled mischievously and wrapped my arm around his neck. “You have to find out on your own when you win.”

“Oh, really?” he asked and I nodded, grinning at him. He kissed me, cupping my cheeks, and said, “My wish is to cuddle with you and hold your breast when we fall asleep.”

I laughed and kissed his nose. “Your wish is granted. Now go and stay with your team. I am with Evey.”

I pointed out where his parents were sitting with Eveline looking around at everyone curiously. He waved at them and they waved back, wishing him good luck.

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