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Something similar to a chuckle and a huff leaves my mouth. “Something like that.”

“I’m so sorry.” She shakes her head as she searches for her next words. “I had a lot on my mind, and I kind of just shut down.”

I squeeze her hand. “If something is wrong or bothering you, you could just tell me, you know.”

“I know that,” she confirms. “I was really looking forward to that weekend with you, and I don’t really want to go to Seattle.”

“I wish I could go with you,” I say honestly, hating that my need to be a good friend is intruding on my ability to be a good girlfriend. “You know that, right? If I could, I would.”

She nods. “I do. And knowing that is enough.”

Leaning forward, I cup her cheek and press my mouth to hers. “I hated the way we said goodbye.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers against my lips.

With my hand still on her face, I use my free one to guide her up and onto my lap. Straddling me, she wraps her arms around my neck and deepens the kiss, repeating her apology over and over again. With every swipe of her tongue, it feels like there is a seismic shift between us, like the bump in the road only highlighted just how deep into this we both are.

“Let me make it up to you,” she says in between kisses.

Pulling back, I raise a brow. “In here?”

Zara rolls her eyes. “Not like that. Well, like that, but not here.”

“I’m not following,” I say, thoroughly confused.

“A weekend away,” she clarifies. “Before I go to Seattle.”

“And Raine?” I question.

“I could get us a hotel room,” she suggests.

I shake my head, but she puts her index finger against my mouth, silencing me. “I’m apologizing, am I not?”

“But do you have to spend copious amounts of money to do so?” I half heartedly argue.

“I don’t, but until we tell Raine, this is how it’s got to be if we want to spend more than a few fleeting hours together,” she explains. “And I feel like accepting the apology is the only way you’ll let me pay for it.”

“You have a point.” I kiss her again. “So we’re still on the same page about telling her? You’ll tell me when it’s the right time?”

“I will,” she promises.

“Is she okay?”

“She will be.” Zara brushes her fingers along my cheek. “And I’m sure she’ll let you know if she’s not.”

“In that case, I don’t think I can do a whole weekend,” I say. “But I could finish early on a Saturday night and start late on Sunday.”

“That works for me.” She kisses my nose. “Now, how much longer do you have left of your lunch break?”

“I don’t know.” I press a finger to my chin thoughtfully. “I think I might need a few more of those apology kisses.”

27

ZARA

“Wake up, sleepy head.” Clementine’s voice is a soft whisper against my skin as she slips under the covers and curls her body around mine. I’m in nothing but my underwear and a t-shirt, not wanting to sleep in my jeans and bra.

“You’re here,” I say groggily.