Page 64 of Only You

Seventeen

The next two weeks were blessedly busy. It was December, and Kayla and Jack were swamped with end-of-the-year work duties. Most mornings, they’d meet briefly in the kitchen to grab a quick coffee and breakfast. Depending on their schedules, they’d had dinner together, watched a little TV, and retired to their separate bedrooms. During this time, they also managed to meet Jack’s parents for dinner a few times.

“My mom noticed we aren’t very affectionate with each other,” Jack said one night on the way home from a local steak place.

Kayla’s eyes widened. “When did she say that?”

“When you went to the bathroom at the restaurant.”

Kayla shifted uncomfortably. It was true. Ever since the drunken incident, she’d been avoiding physical contact with Jack. Sleeping in his bed half naked and cuddling with him had been risky. Good thing he hadn’t made a move on her, because in her intoxicated state, they might have done a lot more. “We held hands going in and out of the restaurant,” she pointed out.

“It’s not enough. She’s worried something’s wrong between us.”

“Other than the fact we’re faking this?” Kayla said dryly.

Jack tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “I’m just telling you what she said.”

Kayla sighed. “What should we do about it?”

“I guess we need to show more affection.”

Kayla stared at his handsome profile. Ever since she’d moved in she noticed every little thing about him, and right now, he had a crease between his thick, dark, eyebrows. “What are we supposed to do, make out in front of your parents?”

“Of course not, but we could kiss once in a while.”

Kiss? Her face heated, and she turned her attention out the window.

“It wouldn’t have to be a passionate kiss … Just a quick peck.”

“On the cheek?”

Jack chuckled. “No. On the lips.”

Kayla swallowed hard. Hand-holding and casual touching were one thing, but kissing was different. She didn’t dole out kisses like candy, especially in front of an audience.

“What are you thinking?” Jack asked as he pulled onto his street.

“I guess we can try it,” she said.

“You sound so enthused,” he chided her.

Once inside, Kayla strode into the living room and plunked down on the couch. Their discussion had thrown her into a tailspin, and she needed to sit down.

Jack sat beside her but left some space between them. “I promise I won’t give you cooties.”

She scowled at him. “It’s not that.”

“What’s the problem, then?”

“Kissing someone requires a level of intimacy that we don’t have.”

Jack looked stricken, but quickly recovered. “We need to act like a real couple, and real couples kiss.”

“I know what real couples do,” she huffed.

Jack shifted sideways and faced her. “What if we practiced?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Practiced kissing?”