Page 31 of Love Me

His lips brush across my forehead. An involuntary groan pushes out of me.

Another kiss to my forehead brings out a sigh. Affection between us has always been a natural part of our friendship. It’s never been awkward or weird.

But something about this feels different.

Warmth spreads through my body suddenly, and it takes me a second to realize that it’s because Diego has placed his hand on the back of my neck. The move prompts me to turn my head up to meet his gaze.

His eyes burn in a way that I’ve never seen before.

I swallow and look away because I can’t quite form words.

But he does the last thing I expect him to do.

He places his hand underneath my chin, returning my face to his. I don’t have time to ask what he’s doing or thinking before he dips his head. His lips brush against mine in a similar way he kissed my forehead.

Tiny sparks of electricity flow throughout my body. A shiver courses through me when he brushes against my lips again. In the back of my head, my subconscious screams that this shouldn’t be happening for some reason.

However, I can’t deny that this feels like the most natural thing in the world.

I part my lips slightly. A small smile breaks out on Diego’s handsome face. He moves in closer, lowering his head once again to meet mine.

Right before our lips touch, for real, my ringing phone startles the shit out of me.

“What was that?”

“Your phone is ringing.” His voice is so calm and steady, just like he’s always been in my life.

I dive for my phone, which is sitting on my coffee table.

“Avery?” I answer, seeing my sister’s name on the screen.

“Nique, hey. It’s me,” she replies like I didn’t just answer her by name. “I have a show coming up in a couple of weeks, and I wanted to make sure you’re still coming.”

Avery has a fantastic singing voice. She’s in a local chorus group and performs in school musicals.

“I-I remember.” Closing my eyes, I turn away from the couch, knowing I sound flustered. “I have it in my calendar.”

“Okay, good. Because we haven’t seen you often and I was hoping you didn’t forget about me.”

“I would never forget about you.” My heart sinks because the truth is I haven’t been over to visit my family as much as I know they would want me to. I keep telling myself it’s because I’m busy setting up my art gallery, finding artists to feature, applying for grants and loans, and looking for a location.

While all of that is true, I could visit more than I do.

Sometimes, a piece of me feels like an outsider in my family. It’s not their fault, and no one has ever treated me this way. However, it’s a result of knowing how my life began. My siblings will never have to contend with that reality, and I’m grateful for that.

“Good,” Avery replies. “It’d be cool if you came to one of my practices, or maybe we could get lunch together?” The hope in her voice tugs at my heartstrings. “Mommy says she’d love to grab lunch with you, too, but you’re always busy.”

I swallow the lump in my throat.

“I know. I’m sorry. Starting a business is a lot of work.” It feels like a lie as I say it, but I hope she buys it.

My sister isn’t a fool, though. “Daddy runs his own company, and he has time to have lunch with Mom at least once a week. Uncle Joshua and Daddy also make time to have lunch with each other, and they both run their own companies.”

Diego’s hand lands on my arm. “I’m going to give you time to talk with your sister.”

I whip around and almost trip over my feet at the sound of Diego’s deep baritone behind me.

“Shit,” he whispers at the same time his hands wrap around my waist to keep me from falling. “Be careful, babe.”

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