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Every Kiss(36)

By:Tasha Ivey


Before I can say “I’m ready,” he’s already anticipated it, jumping up from my bed and smoothing the comforter down before holding his hand out for my bag.

“Let’s do it.”

We almost get completely out the front door when I remember something. “Just a sec,” I call out as I run back in to my bathroom, reappearing only seconds later.

“I forgot my face wash,” I announce as I turn the corner. Instead of just Wes, I’m also met with my neighbor across the hall. As always, she’s adorably cute in her short cotton shorts, the lack of length further amplified by the fact that her legs must be twice as long as mine. And I swear her boobs are at least twice as big. I can admit she’s hot, even though I absolutely can’t stand her.

“Well hello, Cal. Looks like there’s a slumber party tonight. Can I be invited?” She trails a finger down Wes’ chest. He silently watches with one eyebrow raised.

“Sorry, no. Maybe another time, Sienna.” No catfights in front of Wes. He’d enjoy that way too much.

She sticks out her bottom lip at him. “Aww. But I really wanted to play Truth or Dare with him. Fifteen minutes, and I’d have him naked. He looks like a lot of fun.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” She doesn’t know what he is to me, and she’s blatantly flirting with him. Just like she did with Tanner. Yeah, so I have a short fuse, but I’m done playing nice. I can’t stop myself from throwing in something for a little added effect. “You should know all about that. You look kind and sweet, but you act like a whore.”

When Wes starts choking, she gapes at me in disgust. “Well, you know what, Callie? You can say whatever you want, but anyone could see you’re not with this guy. He’s way too much man for you.” She turns her attention to him. “So what are you? Brother, babysitter, boss? Or are you just a friend? Tanner fell prey to that one, too, you know, but he got bored with her.”

Wes’ eyes narrow at her before he turns to me. “Chocolate chip pancakes?” The anger coming to a full boil just under the surface of my skin immediately slows to a simmer. He’s not asking what I want to eat. He’s asking if I want to do to her what we did to Makenna. A little ruse to make her think more is going on than what truly is.

“Love some.”

“Me, too.” Wes reaches out to take my hand. “I’d say it was nice meeting you, Sienna, but I’m not a liar. So I can’t lie when I tell you that I could never be bored with Callie. I’m not any of the options you gave me, so I’ll tell you what I am. Hers.”

Before she can say anything, he drags me into him, and for the first time in what feels like an eternity, he kisses me. Deeply. I melt into him, molding my body against his, feeling his grip tighten around me. Until I hear Sienna’s door slam.

Wes lifts his head from mine, his lips still wet. “Seriously,” he jokes, “I could go for some chocolate chip pancakes.”

I roll my eyes. Irritated that he killed the mood, until I realize that there wasn’t ever supposed to be a mood to kill. Friends. No benefits. Crap, this is hard. “Well good, you can make us some. Let’s go.”





MAKENNA WAS RIGHT. Wes’ place is about thirty minutes outside of the city, halfway to his parents’ house. I didn’t know what to expect, but it suits him. Its brick has many shades of brown, which match nicely with the stone accents running the length of each corner. There’s a small concrete porch with a wooden bench that holds some potted plants—his mother’s touch obviously. But it’s not big or showy, as I expected it to be. It’s quite small, actually. Simple. And in the middle of nowhere.

I’m used to the noise of the city, the constant rumble of voices and footsteps of people in my building. But here, I hear the wind tickling the leaves on the trees. Crickets beginning to chirp. A crow cawing in the distant forest edge. I know it’s not the right word to explain it, but for the first time in a long time, I hear what can only be described as silence.

I open the back door of the jeep to get my bag, and Wes has already gotten it from the other side. He has also, I notice, hidden the pink elephant from view. “It’s so nice out here. So quiet and serene.”

“I like it. I bought this place right before I graduated college, not all that long ago. But I’m enjoying it while I can. I’m putting it up for sale.”

I follow him up the narrow concrete path, leading up to the front door. “Why? It’s perfect out here.”

“You know why.” He pauses to lock his gaze onto mine. “She knows where I live, so I’m moving, probably closer to work. Temporarily, I might move back home. I’m not sure.”