Page 41 of One Last Time
My finger hooks under her chin, and I force her to look at me. “Because?”
I know all the reasons, but I need to be reminded so I don’t kiss heragain.
“I’m writing an article on you and your lovelife.”
Is she serious? She thinks I give a fuck about that? She can write whatever she wants, they all do anyway. If that’s her big reason, she has a whole new fight on her hands. One I’llwin.
“It doesn’tmatter.”
“I can’t do this.” Kristin slips out from between the car and me and starts to walkoff.
I rush after her, not wanting this to be how our night ends. “I’m sorry,” I say as I grab her arm. “I didn’t mean to pushyou.”
She lets out a deep breath. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s been a really long time since I’ve felt anything like this, and it’s confusing and exciting and scary as hell. The truth is, we would never work.” Kristin’s hand rests on my chest. “I’m not ready, and I promise you don’t want to even dip your toes into my crazylife.”
If she only knew that I’d dive inheadfirst.
I release her arm, knowing that I have to take a step back. Heather’s words of warning ring in my head about the piece of shit her husband is and all the damage he’s done to her that she doesn’t evensee.
“Can we be friends?” I ask, because I have a feeling it’s the only way she’ll agree to see meagain.
“Really?” There is a cute little hint of surprise in her voice. “You want to be friends? I’m starting to question yoursanity.”
“Are you not ready to be friends? I figured we crossed over to that when I didn’t let youdrown.”
She looks at the sky and mutters. “I’m never going to live that down, amI?”
“Probably not. Plus, it’s my insurance policy if you write some crap about me that isn’t true. It’s all aboutleverage.”
“Good to know.” She slaps my arm. “I’m pretty sure my reporting that you stripped an unconscious drunk girl wouldn’t bode well for your reputation,either.”
I lean in, inhaling the scent of her citrus perfume. “That’s not how I rememberit.”
“Well, Mr. Frazier, we’ll just have to keep our aces in our pockets, now won’twe?”
I rock back with a grin. “I guess we will. I look forward to reading thearticle.”
Kristin grins. “I appreciate the exclusive, and tonight. I’m reallysor—”
“Don’t say it.” I lift my hand. “It’s me who needs to apologize. Can we startover?”
She nods. “I’d likethat.”
I reach into my pocket and pull out two sticks of gum. I hand her one. “No magic pill, but I have gum that helps youforget.”
Kristin’s smile is wide as she accepts my offering. “Magic gum,huh?”
“I hear it helps when you want to erase the past and startover.”
I’m being the cheesiest fucking guy ever, but it’sworking.
“Well, then.” She unwraps the stick and pops it into her mouth, and I do the same. “Workingyet?”
I am an actor, time to do what I know. “I’m Noah Frazier, Eli’s friend.” I extend myhand.
“Nice to meet you, Noah,” she says as she shakes. “I’m Kristin McGee, Heather has told me so much about you. I’m hoping to talk sometime soon for an article I’mwriting.”
“I look forward to seeing you for aninterview.”
