Page 139 of Holiday Friend Zones
“I left you and made Tyler my world.”
He says nothing, sipping his soup.“It’s done and over with.The two of us are good, but just don’t worry about my friendship with him, okay?”
“Okay, I won’t mention it again, but…” I place my spoon in the soup and swivel to him.He doesn’t grant me any attention, instead acting like he doesn’t know I’m staring at the side of his gorgeous face.“I’m over him.It’s done and over, and I don’t want to think about it anymore.Yes, I don’t want to see him, but not because it’s going to break my heart, but because it’s uncomfortable and awkward, that’s all.”
He nods into his soup.“Okay, I won’t ask anymore.”
“Good.”
We sit in silence for a few more minutes, and I swivel back around to my plate and start eating.
“You’re really over him?”he asks.
I side-eye him.“I thought we already established that.”
“I just wanted to double-check because if we’re being honest here, you should know something.”
My stomach clenches.“Oh, jeez, what?”
“It’s just—I liked the kiss,” he admits.
A rush of heat flows through my body.“Oh… you mean?—”
“Yeah, Saylor.I liked the kiss.I liked kissing you.I liked holding you.I liked comforting you.I mean, I understand that it didn’t happen because of me, or maybe you confused me with Tyler or someth?—.”
“I didn’t confuse you with Tyler.”
“What?”His eyebrows slash down into straight lines.
“I didn’t confuse you with Tyler.I knew it was you, Luke.And yeah, it was the wrong time to do it.It wasn’t fair to you, and it wasn’t fair to me, and it’s really embarrassing.I mean, I wasn’t over Tyler back then.”
“But you are now?”He swivels towards me, his hand at my hip, turning me so we look into each other’s eyes.
Be brave, Saylor.
I draw in a deep breath.“I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“Me either.”
“But Luke?—”
He shakes his head.“No.No, Saylor.”
“I… I can’t.I mean… I don’t want to ruin everything we’ve always had.”
“What have we had?We haven’t had anything in the last five years.And in the last six months, you’ve been dodging me.”
“I know.But I miss our friendship.And I just came back to town, and I don’t know if I’m gonna stay and?—”
“But… you felt it, right?”
I know what he’s asking.That spark and chemistry, the desire pooling deep in my core, that he is the man I want.
I nod.“I did.”
“That’s all I need to know.”
He leans forward, his hands cradling my cheeks, as he presses his lips to mine.I should push him away, but I think it’s about time I take what I want.
