Page 10 of Last First Kiss

Jordan’s nostrils flare. “Fuck no.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Jamie raises both hands, palms out. “Sorry. Wrong word choice.” His voice slips into something smooth, like velvet. Deep like the middle of the ocean. “Are younervousabout going on a date?”

Jordan doesn’t know how to answer that.

Correction: He doesn’twantto answer that.

Jamie bumps his shoulder. “You can tell me. We’re friends.”

They are.

When Denz introduced them two summers ago, Jordan saw Jamie as the hyper-friendly classmate Denz let hang around. Now, Jordan looks forward to Jamie joining their sleepovers. And not just because Jordan can kick his ass at video games.

Because Jamie’s funny. Nice. Thoughtful in ways Jordan’s not used to from anyone who isn’t family.

Jordan clears his throat. “I’ve never been on a date.”

“That’s nothing,” Jamie assures. “Most guys your age have no clue what a real date is anyway.”

“Jamie, you’re eleven months older than me.”

“Which still makes meolder.”

“Barely.”

“Technicalities exist for a reason, my young apprentice.”

Jamie beams at him. The intensity is almost too much.Jordan’s tempted to look away, but he forces his gaze to remain steady.

“So, that’s your only problem?” Jamie asks. “Lack of dating experience?”

Jordan bristles. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Make me sound like some pathetic loser.”

“Whoa, whoa.” Again, Jamie’s hands go up. He settles one on Jordan’s shoulder. His long fingers rest on the edge of Jordan’s worn-soft T-shirt collar. “I’d never call you pathetic.”

“You would,” Jordan counters.

“Okay, but onlyafterI whooped your ass onMario Kart.”

Jordan rolls his eyes. Like that’d ever happen.

“Jordan,” Jamie says, serious, “you’re fucking amazing.”

Warmth licks across Jordan’s skin. He tries to wiggle away from it without dislodging Jamie’s hand. Why does he like Jamie’s fingers there? Right on his trapezius? So close to his neck?

Behind them, Denz tosses. His feet kick and, for a second, Jordan thinks he’s awake.

Jordan’s heart thuds a little too loudly. Like he’s been caught doing something illegal. But he’s not. He’s just talking to Jamie. Joking around, like they always do.

There’s no reason for him to feel this anxious.

Eventually, Denz’s breaths even out.

Jordan relaxes again.