Page 4 of Tempting Bo
“Go crazy, kiddo.” Maggie disappears into another aisle almost immediately, leaving Hailey and I to chuckle together. “I’d say she’s usually more friendly, but she’s kind of a brat these days. Do Boden and Oakley know you’re in town? How long are you here for?”
“I’m actually living here again! Moved into my apartment this morning,” I tell her proudly. “I haven’t had a chance to tell anyone but my parents that I’m back yet.”
“Do you and Bo not keep in touch?” she asks with a slight frown. “You were such good friends in high school.”
I glance away briefly, fighting back the blush that threatens to steal my face at the mention of Bo.
“We do!” I hoped we’d stay in touch more often, but between my college schedule and his work schedule, it’s rare that we catch up these days. “We’re both just so busy, but we always text each other over the holidays.”
He always answers when I text him, and even on the rare occasion that I call, but I don’t reach out often. My crush is obvious enough without me blowing up his phone all the time. Hailey doesn’t seem happy with that answer, and she pats me on the arm consolingly. I’m sure she knows about my feelings forBo, but she’s never said anything. She probably doesn’t want to embarrass me.
“Maybe now that you’re back home, you two can get together more often. I’m sure he misses you. Actually, if you don’t have plans for tonight, we’re doing dinner. I’d love it if you could join us.”
Excuses spring to mind immediately, but the truth is, I don’t have anything to do tonight. My parents are on vacation until next week, and I was planning on eating ramen and unpacking boxes tonight. Seeing the Montgomerys would be a much nicer way to spend the evening.
The thought of seeing Bo again has butterflies swarming in my gut.
“I’d really like that, if you’re sure it’s okay,” I say, hoping I sound excited and not nervous.
“Of course it is! We’re always happy to have you.” Hailey scrunches her nose up in a grin before glancing down toward the end of the aisle. “I do need to go find Maggie before she fills the cart with junk food, though. Is your number still the same?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“I’ll text you the time for dinner,” she promises. “Can’t wait to see you tonight, sweetheart!”
I wave to her as she goes off in search of her daughter, my chest light and full of warmth. She’s always been so welcoming to me, especially when I was new in town. She and my mom hit it off shortly after we moved, and I got close with Bo and Oakley since we all went to the same school.
I never had a best friend before Bo, and it was a cruel twist of fate for me to have such a huge crush on him.
Nothing ever came from it because I was too afraid of rejection and ruining our friendship. He had a few casual girlfriends when we were younger, but it was never anything serious. Still, it seemed like every time I worked up the courageto say something, he had another girl mooning over him. To be fair, even if he didn’t have a gaggle of girls obsessed with him, he’s always beenwayout of my league.
I finish up my grocery shopping and head back toward my apartment, head spinning with memories and long repressed feelings.
It feels like I haven’t seen Bo in forever, even though it’s only been a few years. Maybe the time apart will have changed something. Our families have always been so close, andwe’vealways been so close.
Things could be different now.
I’m definitely different now. I’ve got a college degree tucked under my belt, a real job, an apartment all to myself.
Maybe I should dress up a little. Nothing crazy, but maybe a dress or a skirt. Something that’ll draw his attention to the fact that I’m a woman now. As soon as the idea springs to mind, I shake it off.
As much as I’ve changed, I’m the same person I’ve always been. There’s no point in trying to dress up and be someone I’m not.
Jeans and a sweater it is.
Bo has always liked me for who I am, and if he’s going to like me the way I want him to, I want him to likeme, not some fabricated version of me. It’s probably a pipe dream anyway, but there is one thing I can be certain of.
I’ve never been someone who rushes into things, always too scared to grab hold of opportunities in the past. I’m not the same scared, shy girl I once was, and I’m not going to let a chance at something good fly by without at least trying to reach for it.
Especially if it involves Bo.
Chapter Three
KENZIE
It's beenyears since I've been here, but nothing has changed. Sure, new flowers are in the pots and the walkway leading up to the house has a few new cracks in it, but all the important stuff has stayed the same. The same dark blue curtains hang in Bo’s window. Has he changed anything in his room, or is it the same as it was in high school?
I knock twice on the familiar oak door.
