Page 86 of All In
“No. I want to kiss you again.”
A current of heat swept through me and I curled up in my pillows like a burned leaf. “Teddy.”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t say that. But I already fucked up our friendship, so I might as well put it out there.”
“You didn’t fuck anything up, stop. I don’t know what’s happening, either. One minute I’m torn apart by guilt. Next minute I’m angry about being guilty. And in between all that, I want you to kiss me again too.”
“God, Kacey,” he said.“Whatis happening?”
“It’s commiseration, right? No one gets it but us. No one understands what we went through. We’re drawn to each other for comfort. Right?”
“I guess so,” he said.
“Well, isn’t it? Because you and me…together… is crazy.” I exhaled. “Right?”
“Is it?”
I swallowed, a heavy swamp of emotion welling in my chest at those words; a deep warmth that spread out from my heart and a million times more potent than any lust I felt for him. My heart began to pound, for fear or anticipation or…
“We need to talk then,” I said, firming my voice. “In person. At your graduation. And no kissing.”
“My parents are giving a dinner at their house after the ceremony. We can talk afterward.”
“Okay, I’ll see you Saturday morning.”
“See you then. ‘Night, Kace.”
“Goodnight, Teddy.”
I ended the call, and lay flat on my back, a sigh gusting out of me. My eyes found the universe orb again. It absorbed the wan light of my bedside lamp, turned the yellow to brilliant blue-white. Stars winking like diamonds in the depths of space. Or dark eyes lit with a smile.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
Graduation morning was bleak, the sky stretching flat and grey over Vegas. No storms were predicted, but the air felt tight and tense, full of lightning about to strike. My stomach, on the other hand, was a tornado warning. The day stretched out like an ordeal. First the ceremony to get through. Then dinner and small talk at my parents’ place. Andthen…
I scowled at the mirror, tying my tie for the third time. It was amber-colored, to go with my dark gray suit with a vest. I fucking hated suits. What the hell was the point wearing one today, when I’d have the cap and gown over it anyway?
The coil of nerves in my stomach ratcheted up to a full-blown roll when I heard a knock at the front door.
“Don’t look beautiful,” I mumbled. “Don’t look beautiful, don’t look…”
I opened the door.
Beautiful.
She wore a silky maroon dress. High neck, puffy sleeves, draping over her lithe body and stopping mid-thigh to reveal the bottom of the sugar skull tattoo. Black platform sandals with high heels and a t-strap made her legs go up to forever. Her lips were painted red, her hair piled on her head. The black silk flower from Dena’s wedding tucked behind her ear.
Jesus Christ, I’m a dead man.
“Hi to you too,” she said, her eyes sweeping over me. “Wow, Teddy…You look…stunning.”
Fine. Wearing a suit once in a while wasn’t too bad.
She cocked her head. “Can I come in?”
I stepped aside and the sweet scent of her perfume filled my nose, making my eyes fall shut.
