Page 64 of Last First Kiss
“I didn’t know you guys werethatcommitted to your fake relationship.”
I gently slap her shoulder, but she raises her eyebrows at me, waiting.
“Let it go,” I mutter.
She leans in, her grin widening. “No, I don’t think I will, I think I’ll have some payback, thank you very much.”
“Payback?” I laugh.
“Yeah, you were being little Miss Nosy when I was figuring things out with Lily, and now it’s my turn,” she says resolutely, folding her arms and tilting her head. “So spill.”
“There are no details,” I say quickly.
She just stares . . . waiting.
“Therearen’t!” I insist.
Of course there are, but I don’t know how much to say. Clara telling my mom about us dating is one thing, but me telling Isabella, who will for sure tell Lily, and who will then tell Valeria—well, I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on something so new. So, I decide to address her question directly.
“It was one kiss. Clara and I had a moment.”
I wasn’t really planning on talking about this, but it feels good to tell someone, even if I don’t end up laying out everything that happened after that kiss.
“And how do you feel about that?” Isabella asks.
I shrug, feigning nonchalance.
“Oh, don’t give me that.”
“Fine, I felt great,” I say honestly.
“And now you don’t?” she asks, her eyebrows knitting together.
“What? No, of course I still do.”
“Ah, okay, you said ‘felt,’ so I thought maybe you’d changed your mind.”
“No, I just don’t know how to explain it. But it felt so right, like something I wasn’t expecting, but which somehow also made perfect sense. I think I’m still wrapping my head around how natural it all was.”
“Yeah, it’s normal that you’re still processing it. It’s not like people go around kissing their best friend all the time.”
“You do,” I joke.
Isabella laughs and runs a hand through her hair. “Yeah, I guessIdo.”
“How did you know it was the right thing with Lily?” I study my drink and run my finger along the rim of my cup.
I’m not doubting things with Clara—not at all. I’m just ... curious. This is all so new. And even though I wish it didn’t, my mind drifts to Mia, and how perfect I thoughtthatwas, too. Maybe I’m searching for some confirmation that this is as right as it feels, and Isabella’s been in my shoes before. If anyone would know, she would.
“I didn’t. Not when we were teens and not when it happened again a couple of years ago. I just knew I had to try.”
“Even if you lost Lily again?”
“I guess I never thought I would,” Isabella says thoughtfully. “Or, I knew I could lose her, but I didn’t think I would, even if we didn’t work out. I was determined to make our friendship survive the second time around.”
I nod.
“If that’s what you’re worried about, don’t be. You and Clara are solid. Your communication is amazing, and the way you care about each other will never let anything come between you. That stuff matters. Even if you try it and it doesn’t turn out as you expected, I honestly believe you two will be okay. You’ll figure it out together.”
