Page 72 of Feels Like Home

“Fine! I didn’t make out with her, okay? But I did kiss her! Almost on the lips,too.”

“Ha! I knewit.”

“Almost?” I ask, hating to do so but curiosity winningout.

“Well, I sortamissed.”

“Missedwhat?”

“Her mouth! I went to kiss her and stumbled or something. I don’t know! I was nervous, I can’t helpit!”

“So… where did you kiss her?” I askslowly.

“Kind of like herchin?”

I glance at Aidan, whose eyes are as wide as saucers, and give a subtleheadshake.

“What did shedo?”

“Just stood there. What was she supposed to do? She probably hatesme.”

He plops down onto the couch and reaches over to pick up his brother’s bowl of ice cream. The image is so perfectly cliché that I do let out achuckle.

“Ice cream?Really?”

He scrunches his eyebrows at me and looks at the bowl. “Yeah?So?”

I shake my head and murmur, “Nevermind.”

“So, what do Ido?”

“She doesn’t hate you. I was just messing with you. She likesyou.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Aidan rolls his eyes. “Just don’tstumblenext time,” hejokes.

Between the two, even though Reece is far less outspoken and shyer in general, he’s always been more comfortable talking to girls. Aidan has always become a bumbling goof, so I’m sure it threw Reece for a loop a little bit when he botched up things withKelsey.

“Nexttime?”

Reece raises an eyebrow atme.

“Duh, Dad. Did you expect your first kiss with Christine to be yourlast?”

Stone.

That’s how still Isit.

Young man laughterfollows.

Punks.

Like the mature adult I am, I roll my eyes, stand up, and walk to the kitchen to text Christine to let her know her ass is going to be planted in my pickup a bit earlier than expected because I’m tired ofwaiting.

This first date can’t wait anylonger.

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