Page 46 of Last First Kiss

When that smooth, hairless chin bumped against Jordan’s while they—

He clears his throat roughly. “Better?”

Jamie doesn’t comment about the way Jordan’s lookingpasthim now, notathim. “You’re making this awkward,” he tells Jordan.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do,” Jamie accuses. His wide smile crinkles his nose. “This is the most we’ve talked inmonths. Since—”

He stops short.

Jordan tips his chin up, challenging. “Since—?”

Jamie shoves his hands into his pockets. His expression crumples. Like he’s fighting with himself. With what heshouldsay. Finally, he whispers, “I didn’t want it to be like this, Jordan.”

His voice is dripping with sincerity.

Fuck, Jordan hates it. Hates how he knows that’s just Jamie. Always.

“It was never my intention to—”

“How do you know Amy?” Jordan cuts in. He’s not ready to have that conversation. Relive that night.

Wrinkles ripple across Jamie’s forehead. “From school. You already know that.”

“I know whatAmysaid.” Jordan taps his iPad awake. “I want your version. For research.”

“Research,” Jamie parrots.

Jordan sighs, annoyed he has to explain this part. “To design their wedding, I need to know as much as possible about Amy and Sam. The couple. The individuals.” He swipes to the profile sheet he created. “Things like their connection to friends and family.”

In his periphery, Jamie nods.

“This day needs to bepersonal,” Jordan continues. “A moment they’ll never forget. That’s the 24 Carter Gold experience.”

When he lifts his gaze, Jamie’s grinning.

“Is that experience exclusive to the company? Or is that included in the Jordan Carter Spec—”

“So, you two went to high school together?” Jordan cuts in again.

Jamie rocks on his heels. “Yeah. Denz, Amy, and me.” Sheepishly, he adds, “Brighton Academy.”

Jordan maintains a blank face. He didn’t go to private school. His mom considered the idea. They certainly had the money for it. But Tevin suggested public school. He wanted Jordan to have anormalhigh school experience. Which he did, for the most part.

None of his teammates ever cared that his uncle Kenny was onGood Day Atlanta. That he was seen laughing with the likes of Idris Elba. They were more interested in which rapper’s album Tevin was producing next. If he could get Future to perform at their prom.

(He didn’t. Tevin tried.)

Denz used to tell Jordan horror stories from Brighton all the time. What the other kids were like. The pretentious energy. What it was like to be one of a handful of Black students there. Jordan never felt as if he was missing out.

Except…

He could’ve been around Jamie more. Maybe they could’ve been better friends. Maybe Jordan would’ve figured out more about himself instead of being confused by whatever he’s feeling lately. Or maybe not. Nothing in life has ever been fixed by dwelling on themaybes.

“You never talked about Amy,” he mentions offhandedly. “You know, in the summer. When we were at Denz’s house.”

“When I’d whoop your ass onMario Kart?” Jamie says.