Page 15 of Hers to Kiss
Bertie always did have more courage than Keke.
“Uh—”
“’Cause I’m pretty sure that would violate the code.”
“No, it wouldn’t! I’m not with your brother.”
“Yeah, well, it violates the spirit of the code.”
“What? Explain.”
“Well, you’d have romantic physical contact with my brother. The point of the code is to not break his heart.”
Keke wasn’t so sure about the “spirit” being violated. The kiss would be purely mechanical. Nothing romantic about showing him the techniques of a swoon-worthy kiss. He didn’t know how, so she wasn’t in danger of getting “weak in the knees.”
But she did agree with the second part.If—a giant “if” at that—she did happen to be in a romantic relationship with Pete and it didn’t work, Bertie’s and her friendship might not survive. They wanted to avoid all the messiness, which meant little Petey was off limits.
“Stop worrying, Bertie. I’ll talk him through it. No physical contact.”
“Promise?”
Keke looked away. “Uh, sure. Besides, I’m helping him get Lea, who I think already kinda likes him by the way she was trying to take his eyes out by blinding him with her white teeth.”
Bertie had managed to dig another string cheese stick out of the refrigerator. She didn’t bother to peel it. She yanked a piece off with her teeth while laughing. “Couldn’t stop cheesin’, huh?”
“Nonstop. I felt like I was a third wheel, only I had to do all the talking because Petey just stood there.”
“You know he’s always been shy. Can hold a perfectly good conversation with an avatar. Not much good for anything else.”
Keke considered Bertie’s introverted brother and how he would fare in college. Going to Cornell, he would likely be surrounded with other brainiacs, so his shyness wouldn’t necessarily be that big of a problem.
But if he ever wanted to date? Let alone make out. He would have to practice with Lea, or he’d be a laughingstock. He didn’t need the pressure of never having kissed a girl, let alone the reputation.
“Well, when I’m through with him, he’ll have no trouble approaching a girl and pressing her up against a wall,” Keke said in dramatic fashion as she splayed herself against the nearest kitchen wall. Bertie laughed.
“What are you two laughing about—oh, hello, Keke! I barely recognized you. You’re so beautiful!”
Keke peeled herself off the wall and gave Judith Headley a hug. The woman was barely there. All bones. Did she lose weight? “Hi, Mrs. Headley. Thank you.”
Judith looked Keke over, her eyes beaming with pride. “And you’ve graduated, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am. Theatre and dance.”
“Oh! You were always a little performer. Your mother must be so proud.”
Keke held the grin in place. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, stop that, now. You’re making me feel old. Call me Judith. It’s so good to see you, and I’m so proud that you finished. Been trying to get Bertie to go back to school and get her degree. Right, Bertie? The family needs you. Can’t let Peter be the only one using his brain.”
Keke’s eyes shot to her friend, whose gaze dropped to the floor. She didn’t respond to her mother’s prompting.
Bertie hadn’t finished school?
Last Keke heard, Bertie majored in accounting, and she’d be graduating this summer. Half the reason why Keke was here for a week was so Bertie could finish the work for her last class. She was lying about school the whole time? For how long?
Bertie looked everywhere but at Keke. She kept herself occupied by stacking and restacking the same few packages of paper plates and bowls all around the kitchen.
“We never did get to see you at the funeral, Keke. Wanted to tell you how very sorry we were to hear about your father.”
