Page 40 of Only You

“I’m no Justin Timberlake,” Jack said.

“So, what happened?”

“Sara agreed on the condition that no matter what happened, we’d still be friends. It worked for three months, until she got a job offer in California, and left.”

“Do you still talk to her?”

“No, but not because we hate each other. Our lives went in different directions, that’s all.”

“Hm.” Kayla didn’t seem convinced.

Jack grabbed a handful of snack mix, thinking that was the end of the discussion. He pointed the remote at the TV, but Kayla reached over and lowered his arm. Her warm hand made his skin tingle, but he didn’t let on.

“Would you ever consider doing it again?” she asked.

He gazed at her curiously.

Kayla interrupted his musing. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“I wasn’t talking about us. I meant hypothetically.”

Jack picked up his water and took a long drink while considering his answer. It felt like a test, and he didn’t want to fail.

“Never mind. Let’s just finish watching the movie,” Kayla said. She snatched the remote out of his hand and pressed the play button.

The conversation was over, but Jack replayed it throughout the rest of the film. Kayla scoffed at the concept of friends with benefits, but she’d seemed very curious about his past relationship with Sara. What did that mean?

In the final scene, Timberlake’s character made a grand gesture, publicly declaring his love for his friend turned lover. Kayla smiled at the screen, and if he wasn’t mistaken, she had tears in her eyes. That cinched it. Kayla was a true romantic. Unlike Sara, she would never settle for a friends with benefits arrangement. She wanted the whole package, and Jack didn’t qualify. He wasn’t interested in romance, marriage, or having children. At least, not now. By the time he was ready, Kayla would be snatched up by someone else.

As the credits rolled, Jack glanced at her again, and this time, tears were rolling down her face. “Kayla? Are you okay?”

She slowly shook her head.

Jack scooted closer to her and opened his arms. Kayla fell into them, and he closed his arms around her. She sobbed against his chest while he gently rubbed her back and rocked her like a baby. While holding her, Jack reminded himself that he was comforting a friend and nothing else. If only his body agreed.