Page 30 of Last First Kiss

Jordan jots as they talk. He stares down at his checklist. It’s… long. A year-in-the-making long. Like,three monthsmightbe a stretchlong.

“Whatever you can do,” Amy says softly, “would mean the world to us.”

Jordan’s gaze lifts. He studies the gentleness outlining her face. The pale pink blush on her cheeks. Sam’s hand tightens around hers. A giant diamond engagement ring twinkles under the conference room’s lights.

That’s all it takes. Jordan sees the vision:

Amy and Sam on the cover ofSouthern Bride. A spread inPeople. Their first kiss and first dance and every moment in between splashed all over social media. 24 Carter Gold mentioned in every write-up. The company on top again.

Jordan, the star behind the scenes.

Then his eyes drift to Amy’s left.

ToJamie. Suddenly, Jordan sees something different:

Laughter lines etched around a grinning pink mouth as they sit shoulder to shoulder at an NBA game. Jordan explaining the rules to a confused Jamie.

Next, a sticky bar separating them. Jordan watching as Jamie messes up cocktail after cocktail, breathless from cackling.

Late night, a cozy diner in the middle of February, their knees bumping.

Fireworks on the Fourth of July, their eyes meeting.

December, cold biting at their ears. Jamie’s pink nose and cheeks. Jordan huddled close for warmth, hot chocolate between his hands.

His mouth inches from Jamie’s.

I don’t want to ruin our friendship.

You’re still figuring yourself out and I—I don’t think I’m the right person for that.

All those visions of Sam and Amy’s wedding fade like smoke. A bonfire snuffed out. In their place, Jamie pulls away right before Jordan can kiss him.

Jamie rejects him with a frown and a pleading stare.

Jamie, Jamie, Jamie.

“We’ll get right on top of everything,” Kami says.

Jordan blinks. Back in the conference room.

When Kami stands, the others join her. Jordan does too, eventually. His knees are wobbly, and that earlier nausea has returned.

Throwing up on a brand-new, high-profile clientprobablywouldn’t go over well.

“I’m sure Jordan can’t wait to share his ideas with you,” Kami tells the McClintocks.

He nods robotically.

“Thank you so much,” Amy says with more enthusiasm than Jordan’s prepared for.

“No. Thankyoufor choosing us,” Kami says. “We won’t disappoint you.”

“I know you won’t,” Jamie announces. He gives Jordan another indecipherable look. Like he wants to say something else.

Luckily, he doesn’t.

“We look forward to hearing more of your ideas, Mr. Carter,” Lydia says. She grabs Tom’s hand, leading him out the door.