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“And the coffees?” She smirked, telling me she already knew the answer to that. “What about this? Bungee jumping can’t be cheap?” She motioned her head out the window, toward the bridge.
“No, I paid for this. I had enough to splurge here. I needed you to fly.” I gave her a crooked smirk. It had taken up most of my savings, but it didn’t matter. Ophelia soared this afternoon. “Besides, you seemed to enjoy yourself, and that's all that matters.”
She narrowed her eyes, but her lips formed a tight smile. Would she let me kiss those lips again?
“Give me your phone.” She sighed as she removed a hand from my arm.
“Why?” I asked, leaning over to pull my phone from my pocket.
“Because Madeline can’t keep buying my coffee. I know she’s enjoying the points, but I could use those stars too.”
I watched her open the Starbucks app and log out of Madeline’s account, typing in her own. I chuckled, watching her, and all tension went out the window. I didn’t know why I had kept everything from her; she used to be the one I would tell everything to. The one person who I saw myself with every day, and here she was years later, after everything we had been through, adding money to a Starbucks card so I could still bring her a coffee every morning.
Our eyes met as she handed me my phone back. “Now you can buy me coffee guilt free, and I’ll make sure to keep that card loaded.”
“Phe,” I whispered.
She held up a finger to silence me and shook her head. “Nope, you don’t even have to pay me back. Just come to the studio every day with a coffee and hold my pin cushion.”
I placed my phone in the cup holder and shifted my body, facing her.
“You don’t hate me?”
Narrowing her eyes again, she inhaled. “Believe it or not, Clay, I’ve neverhatedyou. Just. . .” She paused, licking her lips.
“We can be friends, right? I don't need to tiptoe anymore, and you can tell me when I’m being an ass. Things friends do.”
Ophelia let out a long, low breath. Her eyes met mine before she shook her head. “I don't think there is such a thing as beingfriendswith you, Clay. I think jumping off that bridge proved that. Just. . . stop lying to me. . . okay?”
I gently reached up and placed my hand on her neck, my fingers sliding into her curls. I acted on muscle memory as my thumb traced her jaw. I leaned forward and gently touched my lips to hers, feeling the warmth enter my body, my heart racing as she accepted my kiss. I pulled away and looked at her, her eyes heavy. “No more lies. I promise.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
-Ophelia-
Jamie held her arms straight out as I pinned a few more places on the dress. All three girls were in the studio today, taking turns taking photos with our phones, actually enjoying the Carter-free spur-of-the-moment photo shoot. It was almost noon, and Clay hadn’t shown up yet, not that I was watching the clock or anything, but I kept sneaking glances at the door, hoping he would arrive with a coffee as he always did. I had a lunch meeting with JoAnn in a few hours, and a part of me wanted him there for that. As if he was the confidence booster of the century.
Madeline was patiently waiting her turn to get in her dress, using my phone to snap some photos of Jamie in her bridesmaid dress.
“I still can’t believe you kissed him,” Jamie said, a hint of swoon in her voice.
“I can,” Madeline said matter-of-factly. “I can’t believe you actually jumped off a bridge.”
I gave a small laugh. “It was a spur of the moment, adrenaline-induced kiss, and. . . well. . . the one in the truck was just as unexpected.” I turned, thankful that my face was away from Madeline so she wouldn’t see my reaction. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, and even if my darker skin hid the red undertone, Madeline could always tell when I was blushing. I dipped my chin and tightened my lips, narrowing my eyes to try to pull the heat away. With a quick glance at Madeline, I could tell she saw it. Her expression said it all.
“It’s romantic.” Jamie sighed.
It was.
I pursed my lips, focusing yet again on the dress.
“Hold still,” I muttered, hoping they would change the subject.
I had told Madeline everything the night before, literally watching her melt on the couch as I recounted our kisses. I didn’t expect her to tell Jamie, but here we were, and I honestly loved hearing the story for the second time as I tried to focus.
Jamie stiffened her stance and looked forward, her face void of expression.
“Well, you don’t have to be a statue.” I chuckled.
