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"Josie!"

She twirls a piece of blue hair around her finger "Well, did you?"

I don’t answer and let ives you that glow, I say screw the rest"

I laugh She makes it sound so easy--if only she knew

• • •

Acabár isn’t that far from my apartment In fact, it’s even on Sunset, so I decide to walk The two days since I’ve seen hiain The sign is inhtly faded jeans, black boots, and that sy blond hair is disheveled and h, visions of hi his bike only sendto keep my voice even

His eyes sweep ht through ht hair with a few carefully placed waves "Hi there," he says, and a slight growl follows his greeting

I labored a long time on what to wear--casual, businesslike, or dressy, but in the end decided on sexy

"You didn’t have to meet me outside," I say

Before I can move back, lips land onheat between us and I stare at him, unable to speak

His eyes drop and he shoves his hands in his pockets, but his lips quirk up "Friends wait for friends Friends kiss each other on the cheek"

He’s pushing it, but I secretly don’t mind it at all--not that I’d let him know that

I push his shoulder back "I don’t think friends let their tongue leave their s "So I have a few things to learn"

I nod in the direction of the stretch of sidewalk leading us to the restaurant and sain the gesture sends butterflies bouncing off the walls of my stomach, but I pretend not to react and tuck a piece of hair behind et reservations here? Because I’ve heard it takes lance over at hi for a reply and notice that his profile is just as alluring as the full-on view

His lips twist into a s if he can see the butterflies escapingaround him

"You know, as much as I’d love to say er used his hobnobbing connections to get us a table"

I flinch because there it is, loo over us Smack in my face it hits--reality Lies, half-truths, what he doesn’t know What I’m afraid to tell him--not only because I have no idea how he’ll react but because reliving our past is just too painful It’s the very reason this, him and me, can never work

He bumps my shoulder "Hey, sorry to disappoint you"

I paint a fake s the fact that you don’t always get what you want"

He reaches for the tall brass door and places his other hand on the small of my back "That happens more than you’d think," he whispers inof his words is clear--he wants me I wish I could be honest and tell him that I want him too, but I know I can’t We’re friends I’ll take that until he can’t take it any

"Wow, this place is arees withtransported to another tirand space is very lavish with a bar in the center and a dining roo each side Intricate tile-work, carved plaster colu set the mood perfectly

"I’ve never eaten at a Moroccan restaurant," I say a littlemy skin

"Should I have checked with you first before letting Jagger pick the place?"

I laugh, and my nerves settle as I realize he’s a little nervous too "No, I’m sure I’ll love it"

"There they are" He points to a booth in a dimly lit corner with a bottle of wine on the table and flickering votive candles in the center Jagger has his arm stretched across the back of the brown-leather-upholstered bench with his e ser spots us and rises to his feet, waving us over He’s dressed siray button-down and black jeans He’s h it seems I’ve known hier’s mother is er’s father and allowed his father to raise hier for the first tier decided to move to LA Lucky for all of us and especially for Aerie She captured his heart fro, and after a few bued couple I’m surrounded by adorable couples lately

Aerie stands as well and Ben usherspossessively on er kisseslike the one Ben had placed there earlier Ben’s hand casually drifts upthe same pop into my mind I try to push away the primal response his physical presence elicits froer and says hello to Aerie I notice there’s no kissing between theether, any such physical contact is aard

We all sit down as I try to wrap my mind around this--a double date? No, it’s siether at a very expensive restaurant

"I’ nervous with Ben so close I wasn’t this nervous when he took ain we had just screwed each other’s brains out This is different The sexual tension between us is overwhelreed There would be no screwing afterward Just a friendly good-bye It’s what I said I wanted

"You’re not late," Jagger answers "Aerie insisted ould be late, so she made me pick her up at work a little too early"

"There’s always sointo LA at rush hour," she defends herself

I giggle a little She’s not a fan of LA and she convinced una He doesn’t see and I know he’s caressing his fingers up and down her leg She’s wearing a cute suit I sahen she stood up Short red skirt, black-and-red-checked jacket, and a black silk top with a slight V neck Her jewelry, though, is absolutely fabulous S hearts circle her neck with crystal leaves peeking out here and there She has the randmother