Page 156 of Never Not Friends

Her thumb rests against the side of my hand, and suddenly, I’m thinking about the kitchen. How close we came to kissing. How badly I’d wanted to.

Emma’s gaze drops to our joined hands then comes back to mine.

“Okay, good.” She finally pulls back.

I definitely didn’t come here to continue my long-standing friendship with Emma.

I’m finally ready to admit I want more.

A lot more.

But friends is where she wants to start.

So friends it is.

For now.

EMMA

I know how to be friends with Vinny Brooks.

I’ve spent the last twelve years perfecting that role.

It’s my specialty.

What’s not my specialty is basically holding hands with him in a parked car while we both try not to stare at each other’s mouths.

That’s a whole different thing that I know nothing about.

I lead the way up the side stairs to my apartment, glancing back at Vinny every few steps.

Yep, he’s still there. This is really happening.

I fumble with my keys as I unlock the door because now Vinny’s leaning against the doorjamb, inches from me. My hands pause when I glance over at him. It’s the shoulder lean that does it for me, one leg crossed over the other, both hands in his pockets. Does he usually have this much swagger? Like, oh my gosh, I might have drool running down my chin.

Just to be sure, I slowly lift my fingers and swipe at my mouth with the back of my hand, eyes never leaving his.

The corner of his mouth lifts. “Do you need help unlocking your door?”

“No.” I tear my eyes back to the doorknob and twist the key. “I got it.”

I walk inside with Vinny following after me.

“Whoa. You weren’t lying about the smell.”

“I meant it when I said it was urgent.”

“What are we supposed to do with Chili while we clean out his cage?”

“Natalie left me with a small carrier.” On my tippy-toes, I open the cupboard above the fridge and try to reach where I threw it, but my fingers keep scraping the plastic box, inching it farther back.

“Let me help.”

And suddenly, Vinny’s beside me, reaching too. My breathing thins as his chest presses against my side, and his arm brushes mine. Once he has the carrier, his gaze falls to me. Slowly, his arm lowers, sliding down mine.

I blink up at him, mouth dry, heart exploding.

And there it is again.