Page 70 of Be My Compass

My lips inch up and, for some reason, I feel better. “She wants an autograph or something?”

“No. I mean, yeah. But she’ll have to ask for that one herself.” Ollie shakes his head as if to say can you believe her? “No, she wants me to find out… but it’s none of my business. Or hers. Or any of us.”

I gesture him closer. “What is it?”

He turns his phone around and shows me a picture.

It’s me and Kaelyn.

We’re on the beach.

My arm’s around her waist.

Her hands are around my neck.

She’s got her nose buried in my cheek. Smiling. Glowing.

The wind tugs at her black curls.

The sun glistens on her skin.

I’m grinning at her.

I look like I just won a million bucks.

Like I’ll never run out of happiness.

The picture’s subtle. I guess that’s why she chose it. It’s not me crushing her lips in a kiss. Shoving my tongue in her mouth. Swallowing her whimpers.

It’s not Kaelyn rising on her knees to push me against the wall. Sighing with pleasure. Moaning for me.

It’s subtle.

And it’s innocent.

But I think we’ve lost that.

After the kiss.

After last night.

My heart stops beating for a moment and then it bounces back up and pumps at a crazed—and probably dangerous—speed.

“Don’t answer if you don’t want to,” Ollie says.

“Go ahead.”

He rubs a hand down the back of his shorn hair. “I told Chandra not to bother you.”

“I’m fine.”

He shakes his head. Points at the picture. “Infer, please. I don’t have the guts to ask, but if I don’t, I’m sleeping on the couch tonight.”

“She’s my best friend.”

He dips his chin. “Good. Thanks.”

“We’re dating.”

---