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Of course I did. He’s good-looking and funny and we’re together All. The. Time. And he takes care of me, makes me feel safe, all of that. So yeah, I kissed him one time. But it was just kind of…misplaced affection. Hero worship or something. Don’t worry. It will be like kissing your brother.
I read her message three times.
Oh…wow.
First, she kissed Miles once.
I had no idea.
But it wasn’t good. Or at least, it wasn’t anything that turned into anything.
Okay, so that’s…good.
Yeah, that’s probably good. She’s right. If she felt that way about Miles, then it’s no big deal that I feelaffectionfor Jonah.
And it’s fine that I made him cookies.
We’ve been meeting in the kitchen for late-night snacks every time I’m at the palace overnight. We talk, we laugh, we share stories about silly things from our childhood to serious things like how we feel about politics.
So tonight I did something a little more because it’s his birthday. No big deal.
If Torin had ever met me in the kitchen for a late-night snack, maybe I would have made him cookies for his birthday too.
Hey, you okay?
Yes. Thanks for telling me about you and Miles. You made me feel like I’m not crazy.
I’m glad I can help you for a change. You know everything and are perfect at everything.
I feel the pang of missing her squeeze my heart. Then I turn my phone to snap a photo of my worst cookie decorating attempts. I send it to her.
Not perfect at everything.
Oh my god…okay, I love knowing that there is actually one thing you clearly suck at.
I laugh.
I need to finish horribly frosting these cookies.
Fine. I’m leaving you alone now, before I say anything inappropriate about how nice Jonah’s cookies probably are, because Miles is here and he’ll tell me to stop being a brat. Because he’s got nice cookies too, but I’m telling you, I’m glad I never slept with him because he’s annoying as fuck.
I laugh, and then I shake my head. God bless Miles Stafford.
I love you.
Love you too.
I pull up Miles’ number and text him.
She’s extra sassy today. She probably needs extra laps or reps or whatever.
His response comes within a minute.
Miles: An extra five miles on the run, you say? Well, okay.
I laugh. Then laugh harder when I get Astrid’s next text.
Astrid: Traitor. I hope your vibrator runs out of charge right before you get there.