Page 77 of The Jack*ss in Class

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “It’s not that big a deal.”

“Um, Flynn Kingman, campus heartbreaker and your nemesis-turned-crush, kissed you, and you’re saying it’s not a big deal?” She raised an eyebrow. “Either it was the worst kiss in history, or you’re lying.”

Before I could respond, there was a rapid knock at our door. Parker bounded over to open it, revealing Hannah, Alice, and Bettie, all wide-eyed and expectant.

“That was fast,” I muttered.

“We were already in the common room,” Alice explained, rushing in. “Is it true? Did the Flynn Kingman kiss happen?”

I sighed, knowing resistance was futile. “Yes, okay? We kissed. It was nice. End of story.”

Except in my romance novels, it was just the beginning and I hoped this held true in real life.

“‘Nice’ she says.” Bettie shook her head, closing the door behind them. “Honey, men like Flynn Kingman don’t do ‘nice’ kisses. They do earth-shattering, life-altering, panty-melting kisses.”

“Bettie,” I covered my face, which was on fire.

“What? It’s true.” She sat at my desk chair. “Now give us details. And don’t leave anything out.”

Surrounded and outnumbered, I surrendered. “It was... my first.”

Four pairs of eyes widened in perfect synchronization. The words hung in the air between us. It was one thing to admit I’d never had a relationship, but confessing I’d never been kissed felt embarrassingly juvenile.

“Your first kiss?” Hannah asked gently. “Ever?”

I nodded, suddenly self-conscious. At twenty-two, I was practically ancient to just be having my first kiss. “I know it’s?—”

“It’s sweet,” Alice said firmly.

To my surprise, no one laughed. Instead, Hannah squeezed my hand. “That’s okay,” she said softly. “We’ve all been there.”

“So, how was it?” Parker prompted.

I thought about Flynn’s lips on mine, the way his hand had cradled my face, how safe and wanted I’d felt in his arms. “It was perfect,” I admitted quietly. “Better than I imagined.”

“See? Earth-shattering.” Bettie nodded sagely. “The point is,” she continued, “we’re here for you. Whatever you need. Advice, pep talks, someone to help you pick out date outfits?—”

“Or first-time lingerie,” Alice added with a wink.

“Oh my god, we are not there yet.” I covered my face again.

“But you’re thinking about it,” Parker teased. When I didn’t immediately deny it, she crowed triumphantly. “I knew it.”

“I don’t know what I’m thinking,” I admitted. “This is all so complicated. And terrifying.”

“Oh, sweetie.” Hannah patted my hand. “It doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.”

“What Hannah means,” Bettie interjected, “is that Flynn Kingman has a certain... reputation.”

The two-week rule. I remembered hearing about it at the party, though the details were fuzzy thanks to the vodka. "I know he doesn’t do serious relationships. I’m sure this is just another fling for him.”

Of course it was. That was why I needed to dissect this with my girls. They’d set me straight.

“Usually,” Alice agreed. “But he’s been chasing you for months. And I’ve never seen him look at any girl the way he looks at you.”

How exactly did he look at me?

“And he’s not usually a first kiss kind of guy,” Parker added. “Word is he usually skips to the main event pretty quickly. Is that what you want?”

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