Page 47 of Never Not Friends

I giggle, pulling back. “Can you just lick it off your chin?”

“How long do you think my tongue is? Try again.”

“Okay, incoming.” My hand moves toward him, slower. More careful. But before I can find my target, his fingers cup my wrist. Soft and so lovely.

“I’m guiding you in.” His voice is low and husky, making me see why Lucille said this process is romantic. I’m feeling it. Regrettably.

“Hmm…chocolate.” There’s a smile behind his chewing. “You would’ve loved that one. I’ll try to find it for you next time.”

Oh my gosh, there’s a next time.

How long do we have to keep doing this?

“Looks like you two couldn’t wait to get started.” Lucille is suddenly back in the picture. And honestly, I’m grateful for her presence. It’s like a referee for my heart.

We go back and forth, feeding each other cake. Lucille keeps us on track so we’re both tasting the same flavors at the same time, then she announces which one we just had. Carrot. Red velvet. Mixed vanilla and chocolate. She sets our favorites aside on another table somewhere. It’s not scientific, but we have a system.

I laugh when a huge glob of frosting gets stuck on the side of my cheek. “Oh, that was a bad one.”

“Hold on.” His voice changes. Quieter. Closer. “I got it.”

And then I feel it.

Not cake.

Not a fork.

His hand.

Bare.

Vinny’s finger brushes the side of my mouth, slow, deliberate, wiping away the frosting neither of us can see.

Everything in me stills.

My breath catches at the small touch.

It’s warm.

Gentle in a way that feels instinctive, like he’s not even thinking about it. Like this is natural.

My heart stutters then starts racing, loud and uneven.

“I think I got it,” he says.

My voice is wobbly, giving away my pounding heart. “I think we’ve tasted enough to make a decision.” I tear my blindfold off and immediately freeze.

Vinny’s face is inches from mine.

His mouth quirks in the cutest way, showing off his dimple. “You know what you want?”

My eyes sweep across his handsome face, every inch memorized years before. “Yes.” My answer is soft but loaded.

“Well, that was easy,” Lucille says, and thank goodness for her presence. “You two are so adorable and natural with each other.”

Her words cause me to sit back.

“Hear that? We’re adorable together.” Vinny’s blindfold comes off. He rakes his hand through his hair as a teasing smile stretches across his mouth. “You still have frosting on your cheek.” His fingers reach for me, swiping away the last remnants.