Page 65 of Only You

“Mmm-hmm. That way, it will look authentic instead of awkward.”

She couldn’t argue with his logic.

“Like I said, it doesn’t have to be an all-out, tongue down your throat kind of kiss.”

“You just ruined French kissing for me,” she teased.

Ignoring her, he continued his plea. “It can be a quick kiss on the lips, and it has to look casual, like we do it all the time.” The more he talked about this, the more excited he sounded.

“Okay.” Kayla agreed with less enthusiasm.

“I’ll set up a scenario for us. Ready?”

No. “Yes.”

“Pretend you made dinner and are setting a plate of food in front of me.”

“It’s more likely to be the other way around,” Kayla pointed out. At home, Jack did most of the cooking.

“Okay, fine. Pretend I just made dinner, and you want to thank me with a kiss.”

She tilted her head and considered it. “Is that realistic?”

“Yes!” Jack insisted. “Now play along.”

“Fine.” She steeled herself.

“Here you go, honey. I made your favorite meal.” Jack pretended to set a plate of food before her.

Kayla glanced down at her empty lap. “Yay! Pancakes and bacon!”

Jack frowned at her. “No. It’s pasta and garlic bread.”

“I was hoping you made breakfast for dinner.”

Jack sighed. “You’re being difficult.”

“Sorry. How did I know you made pasta?”

Shaking his head, Jack leaned back and stared at the ceiling. “This isn’t working.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” Kayla joked.

He twisted his head and gazed at her. “Is the thought of kissing me really that terrible?”

Terrible, no. Terrifying, yes. “Of course not. It’s just weird.”

“Why is it weird?”

“Because we’re Kayla and Jack. We’re buddies, not lovers.”

“We could have been lovers the other night.”

Her breath caught at his reference to the drunken cuddling incident. “I thought we agreed not to talk about that.”

“You didn’t mind touching me then,” Jack continued, undeterred.

Kayla swallowed hard. “You mean cuddling?”