Page 48 of Never Not Friends

I don’t pull away, just sit frozen as his warm fingers skim across my cheek.

“Got it.” He meets my gaze as his hand drops.

His stare changes from something light and playful to something deeper that I can’t fully comprehend but desperately wish I could.

Everything inside me feels charged in a way it hasn’t in years. “Let me guess,” I say, my words barely above a whisper, “you’re choosing the vanilla.”

“And you’re choosing chocolate.” His smile reminds me of old times, of hanging out in my bedroom after school.

Without thinking, I lean closer. “How about we meet in the middle and choose something unexpected?”

He leans closer too. “Unexpected? Like red velvet cake?”

“Mmm.” My smile widens as I nod. “That one was delicious.”

“Let’s just make sure.” Lucille appears between us with one piece of red velvet. “Try that flavor again and see what you think.”

Vinny picks up the sample, and instead of feeding himself, he holds it out in front of me. Our gazes lock. It’s one thing feeding each other when our eyes are closed, but it’s a whole other thing doing it while we’re staring at each other.

Friction and chemistry surge through me as I slowly lean in. The edges of my lips briefly touch his fingers as I take the bite.

That’s when the bell on the bakery door chimes.

Vinny turns and immediately smiles. “Jules! You made it.” His chair scoots back, and he walks to her with open arms.

Instant whiplash takes over.

I snap out of whatever spell I’ve been under the last half hour and watch Vinny kiss Juliet softly before scooping her into his arms like he’s so happy to see her.

Genuinely happy.

“Perfect timing.” His hand gently caresses her hair, stopping on her shoulder. He places a soft kiss on her cheek that sucker-punches me.

I shrink back, eyes falling to the floor, blinking back the sting of tears.

There’s a sharp pull in my chest, the hope that was alive moments ago strangled immediately with anguish and guilt.

“Is your mom okay?” He pulls her close, hugging Juliet to his chest.

“I think so.” She sighs with contentment. “Just a bad scare.”

“Now, who is this?” Lucille asks.

“Oh!” Vinny laughs, looking between me and Lucille. “This is the real bride, Juliet. Emma was just filling in for her, but we thought it would be too confusing to explain all that to you, so we just let you think Emma and I were the ones getting married.”

Too confusing? He just explained it in two seconds.

Lucille’s lips fall into a very warranted frown. “Oh, I see.”

“That had to be your idea.” Juliet laughs, playfully punching Vinny’s shoulder. “Poor Emma.” Her gaze flips to me. “She looks miserable that she had to play along.”

I am miserable.

I don’t move.

I don’t breathe.

I don’t say anything.