Page 230 of Before We Were

"Uh, sorry to interrupt." Nick's voice cuts through the fog of desire, and I jerk away from Nate, my heart thundering against my ribs. "But the crowd's asking for more, Nate."

Nate steps back reluctantly, his lips curving into a knowing, almost smug smile.

"One day, we’re not going to be getting interrupted. But right now, duty calls," he says, throwing me a wink before turning toward the door.

I lean against the wall, trying to catch my breath, my cheeks burning, but the door doesn't close. When I look up, Nate's walking back to me with purposeful strides, his eyes dark and intense. Before I can speak, his hands cup my face, touch firm but tender, and his lips crash into mine once more.

This kiss is different. It's not just desire—it's everything. It's every unspoken word, every lingering look, every moment we've held back suddenly breaking free. His lips move against mine like they've been waiting lifetimes for this moment, and I feel myself unraveling, melting into him.

A soft laugh vibrates through his chest, and he presses the lightest kiss to the tip of my nose.

"I'm glad I found you again."

I blink up at him, still dazed. "What do you mean again?"

His thumb strokes the curve of my cheek, and though his expression is unreadable, his voice—his voice is low and certain, sending shivers down my spine.

"I don't just mean in this lifetime, Leni."

My breath catches in my throat. He looks at me like he sees beyond skin and bone, like he's glimpsing something eternal.

"I mean in every single one before this one."

It's in these unguarded moments, the ones he doesn't even realize he's giving me, that I fall deeper than I ever thought possible.

He pulls me into his arms, holding me against his chest, and the world beyond this closet ceases to exist. Warmth blooms in my chest, steady and sure, like a truth I've always known but am only now understanding. I know with bone-deep certainty, we are two souls who have been finding each other through time and space, lifetime after lifetime.

"I never want to forget this moment," I whisper, my fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the rough scratch of his stubble keeping me tethered to reality.

He stares at me, his perfect lips curving into the kind of smile that will haunt my dreams.

God, I am so in love with you.

It's as if he hears the unspoken thought, because he leans in, his lips brushing mine, our breath mingling, his voice barely above a whisper—raw and reverent.

"I could never forget the second time I fell in love with the first girl I ever loved."

CHAPTER67

DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?

NATE

I’ve been buzzingall day from last night's grand opening of Sonder. Things are slowly starting to feel as if they're looking up. That brief surge of optimism fades when I spot Jake at the dock, his back to me, looking out onto the water just like when we were kids. Back then, we'd sit for hours watching the sunset while the sky changed colour, sharing secrets and plans for impossible adventures. Now the ten feet between us might as well be miles.

The dock creaks under my feet. Each step I take now feels like crossing a minefield of memories. His silhouette cuts against the water like shattered glass, all rigid angles in the golden afternoon light. He doesn't turn when I call his name, but I catch the tension rippling through him—shoulders locking, hands curling into fists at his sides. My chest aches with the wrongness of it.

"Jake." I keep my voice steady even as the air between us crackles with unspoken accusations. "Can we talk?"

He turns just enough to show his profile, jaw clenched like he's fighting back venom. I search for traces of my little brother in that hardened face—the kid who used to climb into my bed during thunderstorms, who wore my old football jersey’s like badges of honor.

"What's there to talk about?" His words slice through the space between us.

I close the distance between us, shoving my hands deep in my pockets. There's nothing but ice in his tone where warmth used to live.

"A lot, actually."

A bitter laugh tears from his throat. "Fine. Let's talk, Nate."

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