Page 69 of Only You

Eighteen

The next day, Jack joined Kayla in the kitchen as she was polishing off a powdered sugar donut. Her lips were dusted with sugar, and he felt an overwhelming urge to lick it off. Instead, he acknowledged her with a nod, and poured himself a cup of coffee. He hadn’t slept well last night and was up until the wee hours of the morning.

Kayla rinsed her mug and plate and put them into the dishwasher. “See you later,” she said.

“Wait.” Jack clasped his hand around her wrist to stop her from leaving.

Scowling, she said, “I have to get to work, Jack.”

“This will only take a minute.”

Kayla pulled her hand away and glanced at her watch. “I’m timing you.”

“I have an idea,” he began.

“If you want to practice kissing again, I think we have a good handle on it.”

“It’s not that.” Jack wanted to kiss her again, and so much more.

“Hurry. Your time is up.”

“Pretending to be a couple has put a lot of strain on us.”

“Agreed.”

“I’d like to remedy that, by getting back to basics.”

“This sounds like school,” Kayla joked.

“We had a lot of fun together before you moved in, right?”

She slowly nodded.

“And we were really good friends.”

“Yes.”

“So let’s get back to that. Jack and Kayla. Best buddies.”

Kayla eyed him suspiciously. “Best buddies don’t swap spit.”

“Charming description,” he teased.

“Your time is up. What is your idea?”

“Do you ice skate?” he asked.

Kayla furrowed her eyebrows. “Yes, and no.”

“What does that mean?”

“The last time I skated, I was a kid. It’s been a long time.”

“Are you opposed to it?”

“Only if I fall on my ass.”

Jack burst out laughing. He always appreciated her sense of humor.