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I drummed my fingers on the table. “And this is where you think I’m a loser.”

“I don’t think anything other than a mess of exclamation points. What do you mean there weren’t other exes?”

“Jade, no one will ever be you.” I shook my head. “There was never any point in trying.”

Her breath hitched, and I waited for her reply. She could tell me I was an idiot and I would agree with her. Back then, there had been no point in waiting. There had been no point in getting close to anyone else.

I’d resigned myself to a lifetime alone if she wasn’t there.

“Stand up,” she ordered.

“Wh-what?”

“Stand the fuck up.” Her voice was so rough that I did it without thinking.

When she did the same, I closed my eyes in anticipation. She was going to punch me for being stupid. I knew she was.

Instead, she kissed me again.

With the last shred of my sanity, I put my hands on her shoulders and ended it.

“Jade, we said it was one time.”

“Fuck that.” She shook her head, and I realized her eyes were wet. “You waited for me. Like a fucking loser. What kind of guy does that?”

“You don’t owe me anything for that.”

“I don’t owe you for it. I just want you.” She sniffed and her eyes met mine. “Are you tired of fighting this too?”

I had to clench my fists to keep from reaching out to her. “Of course I am. But we’ve had our one time.”

“It wasn’t enough for me,” she said. “And I have a feeling it wasn’t enough for you either.”

Nothing would ever be enough. I could have her for every second of every day, and I’d still miss her.

And I missed her now, even though she was right in front of me.

“Jade,” I said.

“Just think about it,” she pleaded. “We can be better. I hate having to try to be friends.”

“I was gonna say⁠—”

“I know what you’re gonna say. I really do. You’re using logic and reason, and I know it’s a bad idea, but I can’t⁠—”

I had to cut her off. She was rambling and clearly thought I was about to tell her no. The only way to get her out of her own head was to prove it to her.

Grabbing her by the shoulders, I pulled her to me, answering her question with a searing kiss.

39

JADE

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Kerry Winsor: Has anyone seen this chicken? I tried to pet her and she ATTACKED me.

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