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Alarm bells blared in my head as Ethan’s lips moved overtop ofIt was totally weird, like when you took a sip of your drink, expecting it to be so else entirely, and the surprise of it—the reality of it—hit you in a single instant of recognition and you cringe inside

My palms made contact with his chest, ready to shove him off of me when he pulled away

A thud outside his door drew our attention, lanced to the sound, his door swung softly on its hinge, like soed it open I swore I saw ot up and ran to check, but found it empty

The house was eerily quiet as I turned back to him “Um” I started, stupidly, because how did you tell your best friend in the whole world that kissing hi a paper sack?

“Ugh That was gross,” Ethan blurted He grirandma”

A giggle escaped my lips, and I had to slap a hand over my mouth to prevent full-on hysteria because the relief I felt was so monumental “Seriously? My hand kisses better than you”

Ethan pulled a face “Doubtful, but as I thinking?”

“You tell me”

Ethan grinned, looking sheepish “Sorry”

“Did you get that out of your system?”

“Totally Please forget I ever said anything I was so wrong”

“Thank heavens”

We laughed, and then it grew silent again

Ethan picked at a loose thread on his bedspread when he said, “Sorry I think I was just jealous when I saw you and Carson together Not because I like you That kiss cleared that up” He shuddered, and I whipped his pillow off the bed and threw it at his face After he caught it, he laughed and added, “We haven’t been hanging as uess when I saw you guys getting along, I freaked Call it temporary insanity”

I shook my head “You’re such an idiot, but I’m sure Beth will be relieved because I think she really likes you, and you till be super cute together if you’d get your crap together and finally, officially, ask her out to more than just the dance”