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She took a step closer, bringing us standing in each other’s space.

Her proximity kicked my body out of its stasis.

Her hands went to either side of my waist and there was a possessive quality to the move that made me go still. My breathing went shallow, and the scent of her watermelon hair sent warmth to my cheeks.

“Hi.”

“Hey,” I whispered. I wanted her to kiss me so badly, but I also wanted to stand right there, living in the delicious anticipation, for as long as possible. A breeze hit, reminding me that a cold front had blown through earlier that afternoon. The wind lifted Kyle’s hair, giving it a wild quality I didn’t want to forget.

We moved at the same time. She dipped her head just as I went up on my toes, my arms around her neck. Perfection. This. All of it. The cooking class tension had been all the preamble we needed, and the kiss was hot and insistent from the second our lips touched.

“Where did you learn to kiss?” Kyle murmured into my lips.

“No talking,” I said, going back in for more.

“No agreement.” Another long, amazing kiss. “I have to know what you’re thinking.”

I pushed my tongue into her mouth and enjoyed her little hum of satisfaction. I thought what I was thinking was pretty clear. “I likekissing you,” I whispered, prompting us to share a smile before our lips clashed again.

“Oh, whoops. Excuse us.” Another couple from the class had apparently finished their assignment. “Weren’t those the same women Lisa said were kissing at the bar?”

I waited until they’d made it a safe distance away. “We’re getting a reputation.”

“Trust me, there are worse things.” The door opened a second time. “Wanna get outta here? You can see my new place.”

“Your rival Airbnb?”

“Dan and KC’s place on the water.” She hauled me in closer. I loved it. I couldn’t stop smiling. “Seven-minute drive.”

“Is this a sleepover? Because I don’t have any clothes.”

“I’m sure we could figure something out,” she said in my ear, instigating a full-on shiver. “C’mon.” She gave my arm a tug, and hand in hand we walked down the block to her fancy black Audi.

“You realize I drive a very basic used Honda. I’m not glamorous like you.”

She smiled at me. “It’s very on brand for you to warn me how uncool you think you are. I, on the other hand, happen to think the exact opposite of you.”

Well, that shut me up.

“And your car is cute and green and what could be more perfect?”

“I mean, an Audi.”

“I have that part covered. Two would be boring. Don’t you think? We have chemistry for a reason, and it’s not because we’re alike.”

“I think you make me see a lot of things through a different lens.”

She kissed the back of my hand. “To more of that.”

We drove to the ocean and hung a left until we came to a row of white cottages just set back from the beach. I’d heard about KC and Dr. Dan’s little getaway place but had never seen it in person. It was dark and windy when we drove into the small carport, but I could see the blue paint and the white shutters. Adorable. Quaint. Kyle killed the engine, which silenced the music she’d played much louder than I would have guessed.

“I realize how loud that was now that it’s quiet in here.” Her eyes were wide. “I always play it loud to pump myself up for the ER, and it’s just become habit.” She exhaled slowly. “And now, I’m a little embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. I’m getting a little glimpse behind the curtain right now.”

The dome light above our heads allowed me to see the color enter Kyle’s cheeks. I had to admit, it was so much easier to give in to the attraction, even if it did feel like the scariest free fall possible. There were no guarantees, but I was willing to give this thing a shot while simultaneously praying to the heavens that my heart survived whatever this might turn into. “I might be a little afraid of you.”

Her face shifted and her smile dissolved, which told me she knew exactly what I was talking about. “Would it surprise you to hear that I feel the same way?”