Page 167 of Castleton Hearts Boxed Set

“Typical,” she said.

Cake was served as Gretchen accepted congratulations from everyone. I gave her a hug and so did Natalie.

I hugged Wyatt, but it was brief and weird.

“I need cake,” I said to Natalie, and we went to fill our plates. The interior of the cake was pink-and-blue tie dye.

“Linley does make a good cake,” I said, and took a picture to show her, one that she could post on the bakery’s social media.

We camped out in the shade to have our cake and I got started on my next drink.

“You’re really going for it today,” Natalie said.

“Why not? I can just walk home if I have to. You’ll have to get a ride, though.”

“That’s fine. I’m probably going to stay and help my mom and Gretchen with everything anyway.”

The cake was perfect and the booze had me feeling soft and tingly inside.

I couldn’t stop looking at Natalie. She was so pretty today. The wind kept catching curls of her hair and tossing them around her face.

I was thinking about the other night. When she’d asked me to kiss her. I was wondering what would happen if I did.

“You’re staring at me,” Natalie said.

“Sorry,” I said, but I didn’t stop staring.

She set her drink down on the grass.

“Want to go for a little walk with me?” She stood up and held out her hand. I took it and she helped me to my feet.

The house was situated on several acres, with woods behind the house, and there was a little nature trail that we strolled down. It led to a fire pit and little gazebo area under the shade of the trees.

“It really is a beautiful day,” I said, looking up.

The shadows danced over our skin, making everything feel mysterious.

We reached the gazebo and walked up the steps to stand under the roof.

Natalie twirled and I couldn’t breathe when she turned around.

“Remember what you asked me to do?” I blurted out. The alcohol had made me bold.

She stopped spinning and faced me.

“Yes,” she said. “I thought we weren’t going to talk about it anymore.”

“I know,” I said. “I know I was against it at the time, but…” I trailed off and took a deep breath for courage. “I think we should try it.”

“You’re going to have to be specific,” she said, stepping closer.

“I think we should try a kiss. Just to see. I haven’t kissed anyone lately either. Friends can kiss friends and not have it be a thing.”

Lots of friends had kissed before and had gone on to still be friends. What was a little kiss going to change?

“Right. Just a kiss between friends,” she said.

I took another step toward her.

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