Page 349 of One More Kiss

“Bullshit!” Deac shouts through his laughter. “You two were like a forest fire, man. Anyone with eyes could tell you were in love. The whole town knew it.”

His words pull me back in time, making me remember the exact look in Jules’ eyes when she told me she loved me for the first time. I can remember the way my stomach had dipped and my heart had jumped into overdrive. I also remember the way she’d looked when she’d told me she was leaving.

“That was a long time ago,” I say, voice harsh. “We’re not kids anymore.”

“Exactly,” Deac says, his voice full of hope and optimism. “That’s why things could be different this time.”

“Just drop it, Deac,” I say. “Let the past stay buried. This is the last time I’m going to ask you.”

Something in my tone or my expression must reach him, because he lets out a disappointed sigh and his shoulders slump a little.

“Fine,” he says. “I just want to see my best friend happy again.”

“I am happy,” I lie. “Stop worrying so much about me.”

He gives me a sad smile. “Someone has to.”

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