Page 58 of Champagne Fizz

Olivia laughs and Kendall’s eyes catch mine, laced with confusion. My return gaze softens, trying to communicate that my best friend isn’t an angry dragon all the time. She knows when to be human. She’s far more loving than Kendall would think.

“Connor,” Arie says, stepping out of the hug and snapping her fingers. “I’m exhausted. You can stay here with the minions and help clean up”—Arie’s fingers flick to me and Kendall—“or you can follow me to the lift.” Arie squeezes Olivia’s arm before instructing. “Take pictures of the one you pick and email them to Simon. I’ll design all the food and drinks to match.”

“Thank you,” Olivia says, brushing the tears from her face.

“That’s my cue,” Connor says, nodding to Arie who’s stalking toward the exit. But he places a hand on my shoulder firmly, before turning to go. “Don’t poke the dragon, Simon. She’s got limited reserves of what you just saw, and banging the wedding planner isn’t going to help.”

“I—” but Connor squeezes my shoulder again to keep me from saying any more.

“You can wait a few weeks, can’t you? For Olivia and Ned?” Connor says, releasing me and tossing the extra greenery on the table. “Of course, you can, mate. Of course, you can.”

Connor trots out after Arie and I awkwardly get up. Kendall’s talking a mile a minute to Olivia and looking like a million bucks. She’s in her element and completely vibrant.

I head for the restroom and leave them to talk, not sure what I’m feeling about Kendall. This is bigger than pressing her buttons and a passing flirtation. I don’t know exactly what it is—I just … I want more.

* * *

The dining room smells of sulfur and smoke as Kendall extinguishes all the tiny candles and gets to work dismantling her masterpieces. Everyone’s left and Olivia’s made her decisions, but I still need to be here to lock up once Kendall’s done.

The awkwardness from earlier is still between us, so I keep my head down and help. The two of us work side-by-side in silence, removing all the decorations and plates, filling boxes, and putting all the tables back in their normal places. When all of her items are bubble-wrapped and packaged, we go outside for a breather, standing under the moonless sky as we look out at the ocean.

“This is the phone number for the courier that will pick up my boxes in the morning,” Kendall says, breaking our silence and handing me a business card. She lets out a tiny noise when our fingers brush, and I want to devour it. I’m hungry to tangle my fingers in her hair again—to kiss her. God, I want to kiss her until she’s gasping and trembling and coming against this rooftop railing.

I don’t touch her.

I tuck the business card into my pocket and nod. There are a hundred things I need to ask. Being a virgin complicates things, and I don’t want to push her too fast.

“Kendall, I—”

But she turns and presses a finger against my mouth. My gut tightens with the pressure of it.

“There are so many things that have been perfect about this night, Simon,” Kendall says quietly. “Including you.”

I try not to smile against that fingertip, but fail miserably.

That one finger is a match burning.

“Kenda—”

“Please,” she whispers, moving her finger across my lip with a blazing caress I can feel in my abdomen. “I’m exhausted,” she says, “both emotionally and physically.”

Her eyes flick to me with a heat I want to drown in.

“I need to sleep,” she continues. “I need …” Her eyes shine like stones of onyx despite the lack of moonlight, and for all her normal flustered cuteness, right now, she looks calm and confident—positively radiant. “Can I meet you in the morning?” she asks. “I’ll text you a place where we can have breakfast and … we can finish our conversation.”

I want to kiss her, but I understand. Even the sky has begun to lighten. It must be four in the morning.

“Brunch maybe,” I say, indicating the time.

“Brunch.” She nods, looking at her phone. “I’ll text you.” She licks her lips. Those perfect plump lips.

“Okay.” I agree.

Then, to my surprise, she leans forward and kisses my cheek. It’s just a quick brush of her mouth near the side of my chin, but it comes with a palpable shiver in her body that is absolutely exquisite.

“Good night, Simon.”

16

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