Page 25 of Your Love

“That’s for sure,” he agrees before adding with a hint of desperation, “Do you happen to know anyone who’s looking for some extra hours around here? We could really use some help when Kerri leaves.”

I tilt my head to the side as I ponder his question. “I’m not sure, but I’ll ask around.”

“Much appreciated,” he replies with a grateful smile.

Kerri descends the stairs wearing a bright orange tank top underneath her worn overalls. The color accentuates the freckles that dot her pale skin, becoming more evident throughout the warm summer days and making her look both adorable and sexy at the same time. It’s just like Kerri to embody both qualities effortlessly.

“All I’m saying is that if I moved to some island and my best friend screwed me over like that, I’d punch him too,” I grumble.

Kerri chuckles and winds her arm through mine as we walk to the diner.

“Maybe it wasn’t Tom Cruise’s greatest performance,” she admits. “But hanging out with you always makes it worth it.”

“Plus, we’ve both have that ‘Kokomo’ song stuck in our heads,” I chuckle.

Kerri breaks into song as the diner’s neon lights come into view. “Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you— “Her singing is cut off by my laughter, and she playfully punches me in the arm.

The recent summer rain has left a large, muddy puddle right in front of the door of the diner. As she starts to step over it, I quickly reach out my hand to stop her.

“Hop on my back,” I suggest as I crouch down. “I don’t want you to get your shoes wet.”

She hesitates for a moment. “It’s only a little water,” she protests.

I raise an eyebrow, letting her know it’s not up for discussion.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she says as she jumps on my back for a piggyback ride into the diner.

Her arms wrap around my neck, and her warm breath tickles my ear. I smile at the feeling until she starts singing “Kokomo” at a deafening volume and off-key—then I smile wider.

My time with Kerri tonight has been awesome, as always, but we’ve gotten to the point of the evening that I’ve been dreading. We’re almost back to her house, so it’s now or never.

My hands grip the steering wheel tightly, my heart pounding with nerves. The last time I drove down this dirt road and mustered up the courage to tell her how I felt, she shut me down. Now, I’m about to do it again, despite knowing the potential outcome.

“Hey, Ker,” I say, keeping my eyes focused on the road ahead. Her gaze shifts from the trees outside to me.

“Can we talk about something?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly. She turns toward me, her face expectant.

“Of course.”

“I want to talk about the kiss,” I say, trying to sound calm, but my heart races with nerves.

She releases a heavy sigh as if she’s been expecting this conversation.

“I’m sorry for what happened.”

“Don’t apologize, Landry. It was a beautiful moment that we shared.”

I turn the key in the ignition, silencing the growling engine. With a deep breath, I turn to her and meet her gaze. “I’m aware that I overstepped my boundaries. We’re friends,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the knot in my stomach. “Just friends.”

She tilts her head, her eyes searching mine. “We are friends. And I trust you. And that’s not always easy for me.”

As I let out a deep sigh of relief, the tension in my shoulders releases. “Okay, good,” I say, as a sense of reassurance washes over me. “Because I’d never want to do anything that could potentially ruin our friendship.”

She looks at me with a warm smile and replies, “Nothing is in jeopardy.”

“Good,” I repeat, more confident now. “Besides, I know where I stand with you.”

There’s a moment of silence before she speaks up again, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “And where is that?” she prompts.