Page 57 of The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad

The memory of which shouldn’t make my chest clench like it was doing right now.

I sighed, tucking my list away, as Tim came back into the room and took a seat.

“Now, that sounds like love to me,” Tim said, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “What’s been going on since I last saw you, Sadie? Don’t be shy. Tell Big Tim all about it.”

“Love?” I scoffed before resting my head against his shoulder. I’d been 11, and he was 12 when we found each other. Though he’d lived an hour away, we had paired up and competed for years before he graduated last year and retired from the sport of competitive ballroom to pursue a degree in computer science. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, but talking to him was easy, a much-needed release. “Yeah, right. You know my situation, Tim. Unrequited love is the name of the game for this girl.”

Tim smoothed my hair until it wasn’t in his face then settled his arm more fully around me.

“So, this is about Kyle?” he asked.

I laughed. “Funnily enough, no. It’s actually about his brother.”

“Brother?” Tim asked, instantly becoming alert. “You never mentioned a brother.”

“A twin actually,” I said.

“So, he’s hot, too?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Hmm,” he said, sounding thoughtful. “I say your unrequited love has lasted long enough. I’ve never actually met Kyle—or his twin—but if he doesn’t appreciate your wonderful self, perhaps it’s time to move on.” Tim bounced his eyebrows. “Maybe to his equally hot brother.”

I shrugged. “I’m not interested in Colton. I love Kyle. Always have.”

Tim gave me a long look, and I lifted my head. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I love Kyle.”

“Why?” he asked.

“What kind of question is that?”

“If you love him, it’s an easy one.”

I blinked, not believing he’d had the audacity to ask me this.

“Well?” Tim said.

“Kyle is…nice and well-mannered,” I said. “He’s loyal, easy to be around, makes me laugh.”

Tim nodded. “Excellent qualities. You could also attribute them to a favorite pet, but who cares, right?”

My jaw dropped. “I can’t believe you. Kyle’s my best friend, not a puppy. Although, puppies are perfect in every way. They literally make people less stressed and happier. It’s a scientifically proven fact.”

“I’m not even going to touch that about the puppies,” he said. “I’ve always said you watch way too many of those dog videos online.”

I crossed my arms. “They’re therapeutic. And you know what, I’ve always said you take way too much time on your hair. I mean, an hour Tim? Really?”

“It needs time to breathe and set up.”

“But an hour?”

“Perfection takes time.” Tim rolled his eyes. “Anyway, back to the point. How does Kyle make you feel?”

“What do you mean?”

“When he looks at you, does your heart feel like it’s about to leap out of your chest?” Tim gripped my shoulders, hands gentle but firm. “When he touches you, do you feel like you’re burning on the inside? Whenever you see him, do you just want to walk up to him and kiss his face off?”

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