Page 130 of You Kissed Me First

“So you think the only reason he is with me is because of you? Jesus, Barrett. Why do you think the entire world revolves around you? Newsflash, I don’t want to be with you because you were a shitty ass boyfriend, you told strangers I’m a terrible lay, you cheated on me, and you told our entire group of friends that I am a starfish in bed. You embarrassed me and hurt me over and over again. Now that I’ve moved on and I no longer care about you, now you want me back? Get over yourself. I’m not a toy you can fight over. You didn’t want me. Now you don’t have me. Move the fuck on.”

“Katie, please—”

“No,” I cut him off. “Just no. Leave, Barrett. We can be on friendly terms in a group setting, but I’m over you. I don’t hate you or want anything bad to happen to you, but I don’t want to be with you.”

He swallows hard. “I really am sorry. I mean it. I love you, Katie. I was scared about how fast things were moving, and I made a stupid move.”

“That sounds like ayouproblem. Not ameproblem. You need to go before Dominic comes back. I don’t want to deal with whatever petty bullshit you have planned.”

He looks sad for a moment. “I don’t have anything planned. I wanted to talk to you.”

“And you did,” I remind him. “Now I’m done talking.”

“Everything okay here?”

I startle, not realizing that someone had approached us.

I look up at Dominic and smile. “I’m good. He was just leaving.”

Barrett stands. “Just think about it, okay?”

“There’s nothing to think about. Now, if you could walk away, you’re blocking my sun,” I say as I lean back in the chair, shutting my eyes.

Barrett must leave because the sun is now beaming on my face.

I hear Dominic take a seat next to me. It doesn’t take long for me to feel his eyes on me.

“I got that smoothie for you,” he says, surprising me.

“Not going to ask what that was all about?” I ask as I open my eyes, reaching for the smoothie.

“If you wanted me to know, you would tell me. I won’t drag it out of you. It’s your business, and as long as it’s not affecting us as a couple, I don’t need to know.” He shrugs as I slip the straw between my lips.

“This is delicious.”

“It is,” he says, making me raise a brow. “I might have taste-tested it on my way back. I didn’t want to give you anything disgusting,” he says, slightly blushing.

“How are you still single?”

“I’m not.”

I roll my eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“I figured when it’s right, I’ll know. So far, it hasn’t been.”

“Well, there’s one thing I know for sure.”

“What’s that?”

“You will make some woman extremely happy one day.”

He mumbles something under his breath, making me frown. “What was that?”

“Nothing.” He shakes his head. “What do you want to do today?”

“Well, there’s actually this contest up on deck ten that I think you would do amazing in.” I smile to myself.

“Oh yeah? What time does it start?” He also has a smile on his face.

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