Page 52 of Shatter

His eyes drop to my mouth and back up to my eyes.

He’s going to kiss me again…

God, do I want him to.

Every part of me burns for him.

But he doesn’t move.

“What are we even doing, Ty?” I whisper, my voice shaky. “We can’t just be friends.”

“We have to,” Tyler whispers back as he leans his forehead against mine. Our lips are so close. If I close my eyes, it’ll feel like they really are touching mine. “Because if I can’t have you the way I want you, then I’ll take whatever I can get. But I refuse not to have you in my life. You’re too important to me, Goody.”

His words sink into me, and my head spins from their intensity. He’s right. We make each other better. Our days are brighter. When he’s not around, I miss him. I missed him so much when I was in California. And as much as I tried to ignore it, a dull ache followed me everywhere I went.

Even just as friends, my life is richer with him in it. And I agree with him. I’d rather him be in my life than out of it, even if it is only as friends.

In less than a month, I’ll be back in Sierra Cove and living with Madison. Which means a relationship would never work. It’ll be like a repeat of last summer. And that’s not fair to either of us.

So just friends, it is.

It has to be.

My heart won’t survive another ending like last year.

So why can’t I resist the urge to kiss him?

My brain and heart know the damage, yet it’s like I couldn’t care less.

One more inch and…

Boom!Boom! Boom!

We jump apart, but as soon as I see the colors fill the sky, I realize it’s the fireworks and start laughing.

Tyler laughs too. “The fireworks have started. Want to watch the show with me?”

“Yes. But I’m kinda liking it up here. Can we watch from the balcony?” I point at the French doors leading out to a patio sitting area.

“Even better.” Ty grins, and for some reason, in the low light of the room and the brightness of the fireworks lighting up all around us, that grin is one of the sexiest I’ve ever seen. It makes me tingle all over, and I shiver as a chill runs down my back as I lead Tyler out onto the patio.

I walk over to the edge and lean against the rail, a perfect view of the show. Tyler stands beside me. He looks down at my hand like he wants to take it, but he doesn’t.

A part of me wishes he would.

An enormous part.

* * *

We’re sitting on the balcony after the fireworks ended, the party still in full swing down below.

The small table between us is littered with drinks and food, compliments of Tyler. He went back down and gathered goodies, including a deck of cards. He then challenged me to a game of war.

I mean, who can turn that down?

“I passed by Cat when I was downstairs. She looked pretty comfy on the couch with Colby and told me to tell you not to wait up,” Tyler says as he shuffles the deck of cards.

I bite my bottom lip, and Tyler notices right away, his eyes darkening. “Did she now, hmm?”

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