Page 52 of Fault Lines
“So, things are still good with Jackson?” I asked.
She grinned; cheeks pink. “He’s great. And not just in the bedroom.”
I bit into my Reuben, glad for the distraction.
“He’s actually a sweetheart. At first I thought he’d be a player, but he’s not. Not even a little.”
“Are you official?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. I’m holding back, but he wants it.”
“Have you seen anyone else?”
“No, not since the second week we met.”
“So you’re basically together. You just don’t want the label.”
She shrugged, toying with her sandwich. “It’s easier to walk away if it’s not official.”
I thought about that. “Would it bother you to see him with another woman?”
She smiled, but there was steel underneath. “I’d gouge her eyes out.”
I laughed. “Maybe it’s time you said yes.”
She rolled her eyes, tossing her hair. “You’re probably right—but I don’t know. I’m scared.”
“What’s scary about it?”
She hesitated. “I wish I could put my finger on it.”
We ate quietly, both in thought. Out of nowhere, I blurted, “I kissed Nate.”
Rachel’s jaw dropped. She put her sandwich down slowly.
“When?”
“Last Thursday. I went to his apartment. He made dinner, put on a movie. I dozed off and… when I woke up, we kissed.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh my God, Livi. Why didn’t you say something sooner? How was it?”
I held her gaze. “Amazingly good. Different—but really good.”
I waited for her judgment.
Instead, she just grinned. “You need to go for it. Like, go all the way.”
I nearly choked. “What?”
“I’m serious. I think it would be good for you. You and Cam have history, but he’s out there getting his kicks. Why shouldn’t you? Nate’s a good friend. He clearly cares about you. What’s the harm?”
“It could get messy,” I said. “Nate’s feelings for me go pretty deep. I think it would be more than just sex for him.”
“So?”
“So I don’t want to ruin our friendship. If I can’t give him more, it could all fall apart.”
She shrugged. “Start with sex. See what happens.”
