Page 50 of For the Boys
He laughed. “It’s fine. You guys really don’t know me that well. I definitely could’ve been a bad guy.”
“Lucky for me, you aren’t.”
Brent shot her a look, eyebrows raised. “Lucky for you, huh?”
She grinned back at him. “Definitely.”
He pulled into a parking space in front of her building. He could imagine Amelia and Kimber upstairs, waiting for all the details about the date.
“So when am I going to see you again?” he asked when they walked into the lobby.
“Well…” She sucked in a deep breath and continued. “I’m actually going home to Traverse City for winter break.”
“Oh,” Brent said, spirits dropping. “How long will you be gone?”
“Three weeks,” she said, looking sheepish, and he realized she was afraid of his reaction.
“Three weeks? Damn.” He forced the words past the lump in his throat, surprised they didn’t come out strangled. “Well, we’ll talk while you’re gone, right?”
“Of course!” Berkley said, perking up. “I had a great time tonight.”
“Me too,” he said. “Well I’ll let you get inside. I hope you have a safe trip home, and I’ll see you next year?”
I’ll see you next year?God, he really had to stop saying stupid shit in front of this girl.
“Definitely,” she said. “Good night, Brent.”
“Good night, Berkley.” His window of opportunity to kiss her was closing fast. Just as he inched toward her, ready to make his move, she dropped his hand and turned toward the elevator, punching the button for her floor.
Well, that settles that.He spun away from her.
“Hey, Brent?” she said from behind him. His heart leapt as he turned toward her.
“Yes?” he asked.
She smiled and stepped toward him then, standing up on her tippy-toes and placing her hands on his chest for balance. The jasmine, lemon, and cedarwood scent of her perfume enveloped him, and he breathed in deep, committing it to memory.
Her mouth was inches away.
Waiting.
He grinned and closed the distance.
As first kisses went, it wasn’t like in the movies. There was no epic swell of music or pouring rain for ambiance, making the act known to all watching that it was a momentous occasion. It was a light press of their lips, once, twice, three times, sweet and perfect in its simplicity. Berkley pulled away, another one of her shy smiles playing at the corners of her lips. She brought her hand to her mouth, and Brent saw her smile grow bigger as she stepped into the elevator.
Brent had never had a better kiss in his life, and he spent the entire drive home fantasizing about all of the places on his body he’d like Berkley to press those soft lips—and all the places on hers he wanted to put his own.
Chapter Ten
Berkley
Berkley was set to head home to Traverse City early Saturday morning, so she, Kimber, Amelia, and Lexie planned to spend Thursday and Friday together. On the agenda was an at-home spa day, followed by dinner and drinks out, and a sleepover at Lexie’s.
By late Thursday morning it was sleeting outside, so the girls were spread across Berkley’s living room, each in a different state of self-care. Amelia had a deep-green mask slowly drying on her face while she filed her nails in preparation for a dip manicure. Lexie was sitting on the couch, a massager around her neck while she soaked her feet in a pedicure bath. Kimber’s hair, lathered in a keratin mask, sat piled on top of her head under a shower cap while she plucked her eyebrows. Berkley was giving herself a pedicure first, and she had just put the finishing touches on her bright red toenail polish when Amelia squealed.
“Oh my God,” she said, staring down at a page in the magazine she was reading.
“What?” Lexie asked, walking over to peer over Amelia’s shoulder. “Oh, holy shit.”
