Page 19 of The Curious Mountain Man

I nod. "This Saturday. We're going for a hike."

"Who suggested it? You or him?"

"He did. I told him I'm dying to see a mountain bluebird, and he mentioned he's got some good viewing spots on his property."

"Hmm." Trevor strokes his chin. "And the kiss on the cheek happenedafteryou revealed you're a birdwatcher?"

"Hey." I jab his side. "No making fun of me. You promised."

Trevor snickers. "I did. I'm sorry. I was just messing around. Look, kiddo, I have no idea what's up with the cheek kiss. You'll just have to ask him when you see him next."

I groan. "Do I have to?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because that's what adults in, or about to be in, or wanting to be in, relationships do. They talk. Like, you know, those words you like to read in your smutty romance novels, but in real life and coming out through your lips. And by lips, I mean—"

"I get it. I get it."

With a heavy sigh, I tap each of my fingers against my thumbs five times. "You're right," I grumble, really wishing he wasn't.

But if I said or did something wrong, or if Branum isn't interested in me that way and just wants to be buddies, I should probably find out now before I get too attached to the guy.

9

Branum

"You didwhat?" Marsh asks.

I drop my head into my hands, let out a loud groan, and repeat, "I kissed him on the cheek."

"And by cheek you mean…?"

I give him the middle finger, and my older brother shuts up.

"Well, I hate to be the one to say it, but you fucked up big-time, bro. What the fuck were you thinking?"

"I don't know. I…" I lift my head. "I wanted to be romantic?"

"By kissing the dude on the cheek? Look I'm hardly Mr. Romance myself, but even I know that move needs to stay in the 1940s where it belongs."

"It wasn't a move. I was… Look, PJ reads romance. You should see his bookcases, man. They're filled with them."

Marsh straightens his legs, resting his boots on my coffee table. "Still not following."

"I wanted our first kiss to be…unforgettable."

"Well, you achieved that. I doubt he'll ever forget that moment."

I growl in frustration. "I wanted to give him something special. When he was in the bathroom, I flicked open one of the books. I'm not sure if I read it properly, but the scene was of two guys having their first kiss on a beach, I think. The sun was setting, the water was lapping at their feet. All that sappy, lovey-dovey stuff… I wanted our first kiss to be the same."

"I've got good news and bad news." Marsh drops his feet to the floor.

"Go on," I say warily.

"The good news is I can see where you're coming from, and it's kinda…sweet. In its own weird way."

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