Page 20 of Text Me Baby One More Time

I’ve missed that fire.

It’s the same look she’d give me all throughout college anytime our paths would cross. It’d burn especially hot whenever I’d have another girl on my arm.

I always did like playing with fire.

“It’s not happening, Shep,” she says with a false finality.

“Like hell it isn’t, Andrews. Better get moving or the rest of your ice cream is going to melt.”

She stares down at her paper bags, mouth agape. “How did you know I have more ice cream?”

I lean toward her until our faces are inches apart and regret it immediately.

She smells like mint chocolate chip and I want to press my lips against hers to get a taste. Her green eyes—which remind me of that green mint color I love—are bright and clear as she stares up at my six-foot-two frame.

“Because I know you better than anyone else in this entire world, Denver.”

My eyes drift to her lips again as they part on a gasp.

She inches closer.

Lips nearly touching now.

Eyes locked in an intense stare.

The urge to press my lips against hers swells, but I know I shouldn’t. I’d be pushing things way too far.

Besides, I don’t deserve her kisses.

Not anymore.

“Did.”

I can hardly hear her over the drumming of blood pumping through my veins. Her tongue darts out and she wets her lips.

“Youdidknow me, Shep, but a lot has changed in the last six years. I’m not the same starry-eyed girl who fell for all your lines. I won’t fall into that trap again.”

She stands tall and takes a step away from me.

The pounding in my ears begins to subside as she puts distance between us.

I miss the pounding.

“Thanks for the ride. Goodbye.”

Goodbye, not goodnight—so permanent.

So certain.

So…not going to fucking happen.

I lost Denver once before. It’s not going to happen again.

Five

Denver

“No way!”

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