It’s here where I nearly lost my fight with depression and self-sabotage, and it’s here where I pulled myself from destruction with the help of the Shepherd siblings. It’s also where I fell in love, in more ways than one.
We have a long day ahead of us with the twins’ graduation in a matter of hours, and it seems a miracle that I managed to get Sabin out here with me. He somehow looks awake though, and we’re going to run one of my old routes.
“Only three miles, right?” Sabin asks nervously as he bends to stretch his hamstrings. “I haven’t run in over a year—or done much of anything, for that matter.”
“I disagree. You’ve done a lot in a year.”
He laughs. “I mean, exercise. My shrink is going to be impressed.”
“So, you’ll start now, andyouare going to be impressed. I know this route. I know how to pace you and get you through it.”
He blows out a long breath. “Okay.”
“Have you asked out Mollie yet?”
“Are you trying to distract me by changing the subject from this dreadful running thing we’re about to do?”
“Maybe. So, have you?”
He grins. “Maybe. And maybe she said yes.”
“Of course she did. She’s been nuts about you for months.”
He shakes his head. “Or she’s just nuts.” But he looks happy.
“It’s going to be a good year for you—and for you and me,” I say. “I believe that.”
“It can’t be worse than this past year. That’s for sure. I wish things hadn’t gotten so messy between us, but I’m glad we made it through.”
I face him and set my hands on his shoulders. “We made it through beautifully. Look how strong we are now.”
“We’re solid. I know that now.” He gives me a hint of a smile. “You know, there is one thing that’s been bothering me.”
“What’s that?”
He looks aside for a moment and then clears his throat. He speaks slowly, “We’ve had tworeallybad kisses, you and me. Thanksgiving and then on the beach.”
I smile back. “And we can’t go out like that.”
“We’re better than that,” he says.
“We need one good one.”
“We need one good one,” he agrees.
I step in. “I am madly and platonically in love with you, Sabin Shepherd.”
“And I am madly and platonically in love with you, Blythe McGuire.” His expression is tender and caring. “I do adore you. This friendship…it gives me strength.”
I put a hand on his face and look into his eyes. “This kiss will stay between us. It’s just ours.” I lift up and press my mouth against his.
It’s a soft kiss but one with feeling and gratitude, and it’s one that speaks to the reciprocity of our friendship. We kiss long enough to undo our other kisses and long enough to make this one hold us forever. His lips move over mine, gently and sweetly, and I feel his hand move to my lower back as he dips me backward.
Sabin lifts from me now and smiles. “That was much better.” For the last time, he kisses me again, just for a few seconds. “Now, I’ve kissed a girl I feel something for. And it was beautiful.”
“It was beautiful. I love you, Sabe.” When he rights me to a stand, I face us in the direction of our run. “Definitely much better.”
“Did you notice there was no tongue?” he asks proudly.
