Page 52 of Finding Forever

“That isn’t the point,” Laurel said quickly. “We’re friends and this is huge.”

Beth couldn’t stop smiling. The kiss had been slipping into her thoughts at the most inconvenient times ever since it happened. While she’d been brushing her teeth. Driving to work. Standing in the grocery store trying to decide which coffee to buy.

Every time she remembered the feel of Dave’s arms around her, warmth spread through her all over again. “It was nice,” she said.

Laurel stared at her.

Beth’s smile widened. “Fine. It was more than nice.”

“How much more?”

Beth’s eyebrows rose.

“I’m asking as your friend,” Laurel told her.

“You’re being nosy as my friend.”

“That too.”

Beth shook her head, but there was no hiding the happiness bubbling through her. “I told him he was a good kisser.”

Laurel laughed so loudly that the couple at the next table glanced over.

Beth covered her face with her hands. “I can’t believe I just told you that.”

“I can’t believe you told him that.”

Heat scorched Beth’s cheeks. “Neither can I. It just came out.”

“And?”

“And what?”

Laurel leaned closer. “What did Dave say?”

Beth cleared her throat. “He looked pleased with himself.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

Beth smiled at the memory. Then the smile slowly faded. “I don’t know what we’re doing, Laurel.” There it was. The part she hadn’t wanted to think about.

Laurel’s expression softened. “Do you have to know yet?”

“I suppose not.”

“You kissed someone you care about. He kissed you back. You’re attracted to each other. Maybe that’s enough for today.”

Beth wasn’t so sure. For most of her life, she’d wanted to know what came next. A plan. A list. Something she could prepare for. Dave didn’t fit neatly onto any list. Perhaps that was part of what frightened her. And part of what she liked.

“I keep thinking about Jessie,” she admitted.

Laurel’s gaze stayed on hers.

“Not because I think I’m doing anything wrong. I don’t.” Beth paused. “It’s more that I remember what it felt like when everything was new with him. I thought that part of my life was over.”

“And now?”

Beth looked through the window at the sunlight sparkling across Flathead Lake. “Now I’m beginning to think maybe it isn’t.”