Page 40 of The Summer We Played Pretend

Her shoulders drop and a small smile inches across her lips. “You’re fine,” she repeats.

I grin slightly. “I’m fine.” I thrust a thumb behind me. “Why don’t you come in?”

She glances around then nods. “Okay.”

Once inside, I lead her to the living room. The house feels eerily quiet without my dad's usual presence. "Sorry about the mess," I say, hastily moving a stack of car magazines from the couch. "Dad's cleaning up after the fire. I’m under orders to rest.”

I settle onto the sofa, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. The space between us feels charged. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever comes next.

She lowers herself next to me, the old couch sinking slightly, and she fixes me with a stern look. “And have you been?”

“Resting?” I grab the remote and turn off the TV. “Trying to.”

“I got so worried when you didn’t text. Then Dad said he heard about the fire and—”

“It was a small fire,” I promise. “I put it out quick.”

“But you still got burned.”

“I’m fine, really. Dad took me to the ER. We waited most of the day to be seen.”

It’s a crap excuse for not texting her back, really, but I need to figure out what I’m going to say to her.

Need to figure out why she kissed me like I was the only man on Earth.

“God, I’m sorry, Jackson. If I’d have known—”

“It was just a stupid accident. I didn’t want to worry you.”

“Well, you did worry me.” She leans forward. “You did worry me and—”

"I have feelings for you," I blurt out, the words tumbling from my lips before I can stop them. I can’t help it. I can’t keep this feeling in anymore and the way she kissed me…I can’t be making this shit up can I?

"Strong feelings,” I tell her. “And I know this might complicate things, with you being Ethan’s little sister and all, but I can't keep pretending.”

My heart's pounding so hard I'm sure Chloe can hear it. I hold my breath, waiting for her response, hoping I haven't just ruined everything. Praying she doesn’t run away and never speak to me again.

The silence that follows feels like an eternity. I watch Chloe's face, trying to decipher her expression. Her eyes are wide, her lips—still puffy from our kiss—are parted.

"Jackson—” Her throat bobs "I-I feel the same way."

The tension drains from me. I want to grab her and kiss her again and never let her go. Somehow I resist.

"Really?" I ask, unable to keep the grin off my face.

Chloe nods, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "Really. I've been trying to figure out how to tell you. I guess you beat me to it."

I reach out, taking her hand in mine. It feels right, like it belongs there.

"I’m not stupid.”

Her brows furrow. “I know you’re not, Jackson. You’re—”

“I know it’s not ideal. I mean you’re Ethan’s sister—”

“This has nothing to do with Ethan.”

“And you're heading off to college soon, and I don't want to hold you back. Your dreams, your passion for history, your future—it’s important."

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