Page 166 of Never Not Friends

“Emma,” he says after a moment. “Last night was one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time. How can that be a mistake?”

“I just don’t want to hurt Juliet more than I already have.”

“I don’t either. But she’s allowed to feel hurt and be mad at us. And you’re allowed to care that she’s hurt. I care too. But that doesn’t mean that we’re doing something wrong.”

I don’t say anything because this is the part that I’m still trying to learn and let sink in.

I pull into the elementary school parking lot and shift into park beside Vinny’s car.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

My smile is small, but it’s there. “I mean, I’ll probably drive around the block until they’ve all gone inside and I don’t have to see any of them on my way to my apartment.”

He glances down at his phone, checking the time. “I don’t want to leave if you’re upset.”

“Go!” I push his shoulder. “I’m fine.”

He stares back at me. His eyes drop to my mouth. I feel the shift and the stirring in my stomach.

But I still have morning breath, and we’re still riding the friend train.

“Well, that was fun.” Both hands grab the steering wheel. “I’ll see you around.”

Vinny snickers. “Okay, Emma.”

He opens the door and climbs out.

I watch as he walks around my car and even give him a little wave, but instead of opening his door, he stops in front of mine and points like he wants me to roll my window down.

We both wait as the glass disappears between us.

“Go out with me on a date tonight,” Vinny says. “Like a real date. Not just a friend hangout.”

“Um…” I bite back what I’m sure would be the most ginormous smile. “Sure. Friends can go on dates. That’s fine.”

His hand rests on top of the door, and he leans down so his face is inches from mine. “Emma, you and I both know we’re not going to be friends.”

I feel his stare all the way inside my chest, where my heart races.

“We’re not?”

He leans even closer, eyes dropping to my mouth briefly before returning to meet mine. “Not even close.”

He lingers for two more seconds then pushes off my car and turns to leave.

So I put my car in drive and speed away.

I honestly don’t know how I make it back home, because my mind is still stuck back there on Vinny and “We’re not going to be friends.”

VINNY

“What about this one?”

Emma holds up what might possibly be the ugliest shirt I’ve ever seen in my life. Tiny hot-pink sailboats against a navy geometric backdrop isn’t the vibe I was hoping for.

“What?” Her smile widens. “You said I could pick anything here for you to wear on our next date together.”

“When I said that, I assumed you actually wanted a second date.”