Page 72 of Friend Zone to End Zone

Him knowing how I felt would only make pretending my feelings didn’t exist all the more difficult.

And I’d gotten so good at pretending.

So much so that I’d almost convinced myself that I only ever wanted to be his best friend.

“Did I say anything else that I might need to know about?” I asked cautiously, afraid to know the answer.

He seemed to think my question over, as if deciding if he wanted to answer. And then he said, “You did tell him that we were only on a practice date. So if you’re hoping to give him your number or something, he knows you’re single.”

There was a sadness in his voice that I didn’t miss.

Like the thought of me wanting to date another guy hurt him in some way.

I looked down and tugged on one of the ties in the quilt I knew his grandma Kekoa had made him before he moved here. Then, peeking up at him through my lashes, I said, “I’m not interested in Incognito like that.”

“You’re not?” The words were quiet, almost like he was holding his breath.

I shook my head, my whole body warming as I realized how very much I wanted to kiss someone else who had been with me last night.

I knew Cole and I couldn’t be anything to each other long term. Nothing more than best friends who might also have amazing chemistry.

But that didn’t mean I didn’t want to experience just one moment of what it would be like to be his.

One moment where I forgot about everything else and just let myself get wrapped up in his arms. Pressed against his muscular chest. Lost in his kisses.

That wasn’t too much to ask, was it?

So I slipped my fingers from the quilt and along the cotton fabric of his white V-neck shirt until my hand was resting on the sculpted pectoral muscles of his chest. His heart beat strong and steady but did seem a little faster than normal.

Maybe it was still racing from our mini-wrestling match?

I sighed, trying to get up the courage to do this. Because I only had one chance. And it would be a lot easier to do in the dark before the sun came up over the mountains.

I licked my lips, a sudden surge of nerves filling my limbs. And then, deciding to just bite the bullet and do it, I said, “I know you wanted me to give you a critique after our date ended. And I’m mostly prepared to do that. But there’s one thing I never tested out last night.”

“There is?” he asked.

“Uh-huh.” I nodded. “I think, as your dating coach, it’s my duty to do a thorough job and test everything in order to be sure that you’re fully prepared to find your dream girl.”

“And what’s that?” He swallowed, and his pulse raced beneath my fingertips.

I drew in a ragged breath, feeling more nervous than I’d felt in a long time. Then I made myself meet his gaze and said, “The only thing I don’t think I’ve really tested was whether you were good at giving goodnight kisses.”

His breathing changed, suddenly shallow, and I wondered if he was as nervous as I was.

I continued, “I know we had that moment after your surprise birthday party but…”

“You remember that?” His voice was hoarse when he asked.

I nodded, my cheeks heating.

I remembered.

More details than I probably should have since I went right back to someone else afterward.

“But it’s been a year and a half,” I continued. “And I’m not sure I remember everything right.”

I pressed my lips together and held my breath as I waited for him to respond.

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