Page 70 of The Second Kiss
"I don't know," I say honestly. "She's been known to hold a grudge for, like, years."
He shakes his head. "That's kind of what I thought. Jaz is something special. I really liked her, maybe even loved her. I screwed that one up, didn't I?"
I sigh. "I think it's fair to say we both screwed things up."
"Yep." He stares at the ceiling for a little longer, then rolls over to face me. "Really, there's only one thing left to do."
I give him a skeptical look. "And that would be?"
He slides his hand down my arm. "Drown out our guilt with a sloppy make-out session."
I move away from him and get off the bed. I don't think he was serious, but I can't risk it. Gage was right about being good at physical comfort and I don't want to get too comfortable with him. I've made enough mistakes with the Ricks boys for one lifetime. "Or we could minimize the damage we've both done tonight, shake hands, and part as friends."
"I think I at least deserve a hug," he stands up and opens his arms wide.
I step forward and snuggle into his chest. It feels good to have him wrap his arms around me. Despite everything, Gage has become a good friend. "Try to stay out of trouble, okay?”
“No promises.” He holds me for a minute more, then releases me and steps back. “I gotta get going. Do me a favor and try to keep Jaz out of trouble for me.”
“No promises."
“Good-bye Jess.” He starts to climb into the tree. Then he stops and looks at me. “Listen, Nate was pissed as hell, and wrong about ninety-eight percent of what he said tonight, but there was one thing he got right. Jake has had a lot of girlfriends, and I mean a lot, but I’ve never seen him look at any girl the way he looks at you. Give him time, okay. He’ll figure it out.”
I open my mouth to argue with him, but he’s already gone.
thirty-four
Conversation Hearts
“How is it that we’re the ones sitting alone baking cookies on Valentine’s day while Taryn has a date?” Jasmine leans across the counter, reaches into the mixing bowl, then licks a generous glob of cookie dough off her finger.
“At least New Year’s Eve worked out for one of us.” I reach for the beaters and take a glob for myself.
“Taryn and Ryder Hill, who would have guessed?” Jasmine says.
I lift the beaters off the bowl. “Me. She’s had a thing for him since grade school.”
Jasmine looks offended, or maybe just shocked that she’s not privy to every detail of Taryn’s life. “Really? And you guys never let me in on that secret?”
After everything that’s happened, I can’t tell her that Taryn was worried that Jasmine would have gone after Ryder if she’d known.
Jasmine reaches for the bowl. “Should we just eat it straight out of the bowl?”
I stare at the thick, creamy dough, thinking of the miles and miles it will take to work off that many calories. “Let’s at least roll out a few. I’ll do it while you’re picking out the movie, the sappier the better.”
“Got it.” Jaz starts flipping through our DVD collection while I cover the counter with flour.
The first batch is cooling and I’m up to my elbows in dough when someone knocks.
“Come in Prince Charming,” Jaz yells at the door. “There are a couple of damsels in here who need rescuing.”
“Really?” One word and my heart skips a beat. The voice belongs to Jacob. I haven’t seen him since his brothers left. “Not sure if I fit the job description, but I guess I’m an okay stand in.” He walks in and hands Jasmine a package of Kisses and a bouquet of roses. “A dozen red and one white.” He pulls the white one out of the center and hands it to me. “Gage’s order was pretty specific.”
“What a charmer.” I turn to Jasmine. “When did you start talking to Gage again?”
Jasmine leans in and smells the flowers. A smile plays across her lips. “A couple of weeks ago. We have an understanding.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course.”
