Page 68 of The Last Kiss

Too scared by nearly dying, I’ve now forgotten to live at all.

“You okay, Jules?” Liv links her hand through my arm, tugging me into her side.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you last month when I saw him again. I just…”

“It didn’t feel real?”

“Can you blame me?” I offer a dry snort of a laugh.

“No, not at all.” She pulls me slightly to one side, but she needn’t worry about us being overheard; Paige is making a terrific amount of noise, and everyone is clapping as she puts on her tiara and declares herself the queen. “But you know this is dangerous territory. Have you even told him?”

Henri’s eyes flash up to mine right at that moment and my stomach dips at the smile he gives me. It’s full of unspoken words that make my pulse race in my veins.

“It’s just fun, that’s all. He’s not interested in anything serious, he’s told me.”

We both watch as Henri concedes to being Paige’s royal pony and crawls around on his hands and knees while she yee-haws—not very royal if you ask me.

“You sure about that, Jules? Forgive me if I’m wrong, but you’ve never brought home a man who’s done that before.”

“I’ve never brought home a man.”

She touches her top lip with the tip of her tongue before laying down her trump card. “My point exactly.”

16

Rain

Liv throws her arms around Henri, Lenny squished between them. “Next time you are in town make sure you come and say hi.” She blushes and tucks her hair behind her ear.

Maybe she can have him when I’m gone.

The thought blasts out of nowhere. What was that?

“I will, if Julia invites me again.” He winds his arm around my waist and kisses the top of my head.

Liv meets my gaze and we both know the unspoken words. I force them away though because I’m absolutely one hundred percent fine and can’t see it changing any time soon.

“Come on, it looks like it’s going to rain.” I cast a glance up at the dark sky. It looks rather like my emotions feel. Like they could burst at any point and just pour down. My throat still feels thick from singing happy birthday to Paige.

So many last things.

I snuggle into Henri’s side as we meander down the road. The familiarity he weaves over me is on the level of being profound.

“You’re quiet, ma petite.” He breaks the silence as the stars start to shine above us. “That sadness has grown today, no?”

I shake my head. “Not sad.”

“I hope not. Otherwise, I would think I’m doing this weekend date wrong.”

“A weekend date? You’re making this shit up now.”

With a low laugh he stops and pulls me around, hungry lips finding mine, his body protecting me from the chill in the air.

I want to freeze frame this. Kisses under starlight.

“I could kiss you as a full-time job.” I breathe out a shuddering breath when he finally returns ownership of my lips; not that they feel like mine, all warm and buzzing.

“You feel it don’t you, Julianna?” He smooths my hair.