Page 7 of Fine, Dork

Kinley shook her head. “No. Uh-uh.” She pointed a finger at my face. “I was out of control, and you centered me. You are calming. That’s not the same as boring.” She drew a palm tree in the sand next. “I’ve never once thought you were boring, J. I have the best talks about life with you, and you’re like my safe place where I don’t have to be on and happy. I’m myself with you, and that is fucking priceless.”

K didn’t think I was boring. How was that possible?

She added a sunset to our picture in the sand and glanced over at me with a frown. “That’s why this last year sucked for me. You weren’t in my life.”

The last year sucked for me, too. I spent the year in the most serious relationship of my adult life, and I was miserable. I put my arm around Kinley. “Well, I’m here now.”

Kinley sighed and rested her head on my shoulder. “Did you think you were going to marry her?” Kinley asked, turning to gaze at me. Her beautiful brown eyes were filled with something that I couldn’t place. Maybe a mix of hope and fear? What did that mean?

I gazed back at her and considered her question. Did I think I was going to marry Savannah? No. I mean, maybe. She was the logical choice, and our lives fit together so easily. I sighed and said, “No, K. I wasn’t going to marry her.”

Relief flooded her face, and Kinley put her head back on my shoulder. Could she feel my heart racing like crazy? Savannah was the logical choice, but my heart always beat for Kinley. “Good,” she whispered. “I never liked Savannah. You need someone that makes you laugh and get excited about shit.”

I glanced sideways at Kinley. It sounded like maybe she was talking about herself, but that would be crazy. “Is that right? And what do you need?”

Kinley sighed and sat up, looking out at the crashing waves. “I need someone that loves me for more than my body, and someone that—” She laughed and shook her head.

“What? Someone that what?”

“Nothing. It’s cheesy and stupid. Let’s go swimming.” Kinley stood and slid out of her dress, letting it fall to the sand. She was wearing a pale pink bikini underneath, and the sight of it erased every other thought in my head. I’d seen Kinley in a bathing suit before. I’d even seen her in underwear when she’d change for parties in my bedroom.

I was no stranger to Kinley’s body, but it took my breath away every time I saw this much of her skin. I fought to clear my head. She’d literally just talked about wanting someone that loved her for more than her body. Fuck. I did love her for more than that. That didn’t mean I couldn’t also love her body, right?

She turned around to smile at me, and I hoped she didn’t notice the way my eyes were traveling over the soft curve of her hips. “Come on! Are you going to make me go in by myself?” Kinley smiled at me and put her hands on her hips. She looked beautiful in the beginnings of pale moonlight.

I sighed and stood to tug my shirt off. Although I’d seen Kinley half-naked countless times, I’d never undressed in front of her, aside from the few times we’d gone swimming together as kids. I hated her seeing me, knowing the type of body she usually saw naked. There was nothing wrong with my body. It was perfectly average.

When I pulled my shirt off, Kinley’s mouth dropped open. “J, you have a secret hot body.”

I burst out laughing and gave her a light shove. “You don’t have to be a dick, K.”

Kinley’s pretty brown eyes still traveled up and down my body. “I’m not!” Suddenly Kinley’s hands were on my bare chest and running down my abdomen. “J, you have a six-pack, baby!”

Kinley’s hands on my body were making it hard to think. “I don’t.” I did, barely, and I was flexing like crazy to make it more visible.

“You do! How long have you been hiding this hot body from me, J?” Kinley grinned at me and took both of my hands in hers. She backed toward the water, pulling me with her.

I laughed and shook my head. “Stop fucking with me, K. I don’t look anything like the guys you hook up with.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe those other guys overdo it. Did you ever think of that?” Kinley bit her lip as the water lapped around our ankles. “Maybe your secret hot body is exactly the kind of hot that most girls want.”

I laughed again and laced my fingers through Kinley’s. I backed her up further into the water. “It’s cold!” she gasped and laughed. We were up to our waists in the ocean now. I could see the goosebumps all over Kinley’s arms and her hardened nipples pressed against the fabric of her bathing suit.

I wrapped my arms around her without thinking. I wanted to keep her warm, but we were half-naked, and Kinley’s skin against mine felt like fire. Fuck, I shouldn’t touch her like this. I was supposed to be not falling in love with her again.

I started to pull away, but Kinley wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me out further until the water reached our chests. She pressed herself into me and gazed into my eyes. “J, I’m sorry Savannah hurt you, but I’m so fucking glad you’re not with her anymore.” Kinley’s eyes settled on my lips.

My heart rate picked up even more. Was K about to kiss me?

Kinley pulled away from me without warning and laughed. “No one is ever going to be good enough for you. I’m going to hate every single girlfriend you have.”

“Why, K?” If my heart started beating any faster, Kinley would probably have to drag my ass to the nearest hospital. I had to know. Why would she hate every girlfriend?

Kinley looked away. “It’s selfish. I want to keep you as my best friend. I want all of your attention. I don’t want to share you with one of your super intimidating genius girls.” She smiled and splashed a little water in my face.

Kinley only wanted to keep me as her best friend. Got it. This friendship was torture.

“Right.” I splashed her back. “Well, I’m not going to stay single my whole life because you want me to be your friend.”

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