Page 69 of Choosing You

“That’s your limit. If you can’t make it work, then I don’t want anything.”

He nudges my foot under the table. “You’re impossible. You know that, right?”

“I prefer to say I’m a challenge.” I set my spoon down and push the bowl away. “I’m stuffed. You can have the rest.”

He digs his spoon into the ice cream that remains on the bottom of the bowl. “You ate all the cookies.”

“Because they’re my favorite part. And it’s my birthday.”

“I know. I was just kidding. So you’re 19 today?”

“Yeah. I’m kind of an old freshman.”

“Me too. My birthday’s in August. I guess I already told you that.”

“What did you do foryourbirthday?”

“I went to Cabo for two weeks and learned to surf from this pro-surfer guy. And when I got back we had a big party at the house and I got the car.”

“Is your birthday always like that?”

“They’re all a little over the top. But it’s not just me. Everyone around here has parties like that. Last year for Sierra’s birthday, her parents paid $300,000 for her favorite band to come play a couple songs. That whole party had to have cost a million.” He drops his spoon in the bowl. “I can’t eat any more.”

“It’s getting late. We should go.”

Back at campus, Garret walks me to my room and comes inside. “So I know it wasn’t much, but did you at least have a little fun?”

“Yeah, I had a great time. Thanks for taking me out.”

“I can’t believe you were just going to sit here and do homework. Thank God I stopped by and took control of the situation.”

I punch his arm. “You didn’t take control. I’m the one who decided to go. And I almost told you no until you lured me in with the offer of free birthday food.”

“Well, I was hoping my mere presence would convince you to go. When that didn’t work, I had to pull out the birthday freebies.” He smiles smugly. “I know how to get to you.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”

“Do you want to watch a movie upstairs?”

“No, I think I’ll go to bed. I have class early tomorrow.”

“All right. See ya later.” He gives me a kiss on the cheek and turns to leave.

“That was kind of lame,” I say.

He turns around. “What was lame?”

“That kiss.”

He looks offended. “What’s that supposed to mean? We’re friends, right? Nothing more?”

“Yeah, but it’s my birthday. A birthday kiss has to be better than that. That was like a grandma kiss.”

I’ve challenged him, knowing how much he loves a challenge. I’m sure I’ve confused him with my request, but I want him to kiss me. And I want a real kiss, not a friend kiss. I’m still committed to the friends-only agreement, but sometimes a girl just wants a damn kiss. Is that so wrong?

Garret stands there like he’s unsure what to do. “So you’re saying I can kiss you and you won’t get mad? Even after—”

“Would you just kiss me before my birthday is over?”

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