Page 30 of Break Out

I run a hand through my hair, mentally going through my clothes. “I don’t think so. But thanks.” What can I do to make her feel better, maybe not about what her mother has said to her, but about our fake relationship?

She unplugs the steamer and sets it on the counter. “I was thinking,” she says, spinning back around to face me.

“I think we should practice kissing.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. I might regret saying this, given what happened the last time we kissed, but I can’t help myself.

Chapter fourteen

Aubrey

“I think we should practice kissing.”

My mouth falls open, and my brain short circuits at his words. “Wh-what?” I finally sputter, searching his face for hints that he’s joking or just saying something to get a reaction out of me. But there’s none. Because of course there isn’t. Brody doesn’t say anything he doesn’t mean.

“I think we should practice kissing,” he repeats, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom.

I blink at him a couple of times, sucking in deep breaths. His signature scent floods my senses.

“Why?” I rasp out.

“We’re going to have to kiss at some point in front of your family. If it’s awkward, they’ll know something is up. Maybe not all of them, but some of them will. Brielle already saw through us yesterday. If you want this fake relationship to be believable, we need to practice.”

I consider his explanation for a moment. He’s got a valid point. One I can’t argue with. Not that I want to at this point. The last thing I need is for Clara or, heaven forbid, my mother to figure out the truth. I’d never hear the end of it.

“Fine. But not in here.”

Brody pushes off the doorframe and walks out into the bedroom. “Where do you prefer?”

My palms start sweating as I follow him.

Am I really about to finally kiss my best friend?

He sits on the edge of the bed and gestures for me to come closer. I walk over but stand just out of reach, shifting from foot to foot. I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff. One from which I can’t see what’s below me. Will I hit the ground? Hit water?

“Aubrey. How do you expect me to kiss you if you’re that far away?” Brody asks softly as he stands up, reaches over and pulls me closer.

“I’m going to kiss you now. Is that okay?” he whispers, staring down at me, his hands gripping my waist.

I suck in a deep breath.

This is fine.

It’s only a kiss.

It’s fine.

Everything is fine.

I nod because it’s all I can manage.

He leans down and ghosts his lips over mine. A barely there kiss. His lips on mine feel divine. He goes to pull away, but I tug him closer, kissing him harder. Might as well go all in. He kisses me back, and déjà vu washes over me.

“It was you!” I push against his chest, pulling back, and he lets me go. I stumble back a step, staring at him, my chest heaving as realization sinks in. The mystery man I kissed on New Year’s wasn’t a mystery man at all.

It was him.

It was Brody.

All this time. How did I not realize? Better yet, why didn’t he say something?