Page 42 of That Friendzone Feeling

“Sorry.”Itell the woman. “Imean, is there any chance he could get here a little bit sooner?”

“I’vejust dished up dinner,” she says with the tone of a mother telling their child they can’t have dessert if they won’t eat their brussels sprouts.

Thelast thingIneed is to piss her off so much we don’t get a ride at all. “Okay.Yes.Icompletely understand.Wheneverhe can get here would be great.”

“He’llsee you in an hour,” she says firmly.

“Great.We’rein the first building as you approach the site.We’llkeep a lookout for him.Thanks.”

“He’llsee you in an hour,” she repeats.Andhangs up.

Itake the phone from my ear.It’swet from my hair.

“Anhour?”Emilyrepeats, out loud this time.

I’mabout an inch away from wiping the phone on my pants beforeIremember they’ll only make it wetter.

“She’sjust dished up dinner.”

“Areyou fucking kidding me?”Emilyrubs her upper arms and bounces at the knees. “Mywet clothes are freezing.”

She’sright.Mytoes are like icicles.Iciclessquelching in puddles of melted icicles.

Istep toward her and tug at the front of the windbreaker. “Atleast your top half is dry.”

Eventhough the phone light reflects from the ceiling onto her face like she’s in a horror movie, her hair is plastered to her head, and there are streaks of mascara below her eyes, the woman who told me she loved me, then kissed me, could not be more beautiful.

Sheshudders. “I’mstill cold, though.AndIfeel bad.”Sherests her hand on my upper arm. “You’reso wet becauseIhave your jacket.”

Itug harder on my windbreaker, pulling her a step toward me. “Thenthe least you can do is help keep me warm.”

Shedoesn’t resist.

Ijump and gasp as her chest meets mine.

Shelooks up at me, concerned. “Areyou okay?”

“Youpressed my shirt against my body, and it’s cold.”

“Allthe more reason to warm you up.”Shewraps her hands around my waist and presses against me harder, the cool shirt quickly warming between our body heat.

Idrop my face to the top of her chilly, wet head.Therain’s brought out the sweet aroma of whatever she puts in her hair.

Havingher body against mine is the most natural thing in the world.Likewe’ve both been waiting all these years for just the right moment.Admittedly, stranded, rain-soaked, on a building site at the deserted end of an island is an odd moment, butI’lltake it.

Mymouth waters with desperation to taste her again.

Ibrush my lips against her forehead, then slowly move down her nose untilIreach her mouth.

Mylips are as close to hers as they can be without touching. “Areyou warming up now?”

“Iam.”Herlips graze mine as she speaks.

Ihave the woman of my dreams in my arms.Andthat’s as frightening as it is amazing.

Ihaven’t been so vulnerable since my grandparents came charging into the house that night, sent the babysitter home, and satTomand me down to tell us what had happened to our parents.

Loveis terrifying.