Page 9 of Make No Mistake

I broke away, and my hand fluttered to my lips. I didn’t know what was more surprising, the fact that I had just kissed a guy that wasn’t Sean or the fact that I felt nothing. A gorgeous, successful, talented guy that on paper was perfect. He was everything a girl could hope for, but it felt like I’d just kissed my cousin. So very, very wrong.

My hand did little to cover up my smile and absolutely nothing to hide my chuckles. Now that I’d started, there was no end in sight. “Oh my gosh! I’m sorry!”

I clutched my sides and turned around as my giggles turned to full-blown, gut-wrenching laughter.

“This is not the reaction I usually get.”

I bit my bottom lip and turned to face him. He looked bemused while he waited for me to calm down.

“I’m so sorry.” I wiped under my eyes while taking a deep breath. After holding it to the count of three, I exhaled and fought for composure. “It’s just … did you feel anything?”

He looked down at his feet that were burrowing into the sand, then back at me. “Honestly?” I nodded. “Nothing.”

“Right?” He laughed at my enthusiasm. “It’s just so weird! I’m definitely attracted to you, and I’ve had so much fun today but …”

“But we’re just friends.” He smirked. “Well, at least we got that out of the way right off the bat. No awkward tension or confusion. We can actually be friends.”

I considered that for a moment while staring at his brilliant blue eyes. “You’re probably the hottest friend I’ve ever had.”

An immediate blush darkened his cheeks. “Thank you?”

I laughed and pulled him toward me. “Hey! No awkwardness or embarrassment between us! We’ve got the best situation in the world.”

“All the fun of hanging out without the wondering.” He looked down at me with a growing smile.

“An invaluable resource into the minds of the opposite sex.”

“By golly, Mckayla! We have the potential to take over the world.”

I slipped my arm around his waist and led him back to our boards. “Austin, this feels like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

He pulled away from me and stopped. “That’s not the line.”

I turned and punched him on the arm. “Rule one: I’m always right.”

He rolled his eyes and rubbed his bicep. “Now this feels like a normal relationship.”