The Pass (Smart Jocks #5) - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,24

jumped into bed with them. You and I hung out a ton, way more than five dates. I came over in my cutest dresses to play video games for crying out loud. I figured you thought I was too high maintenance or crazy.”

“I completely forgot about the five-date rule. I was waiting for you to give me the go-ahead that you were ready and then it felt like the moment had passed.” Five dates or five hundred, if I’d known that was what was stopping her, I’d have given them to her to prove how much I wanted her.

“Strange to think about how it might have been different if I’d kept my mouth shut that night.”

“Well, I would have tried to get you naked and probably made you feel like I was another Will, so it was probably for the best.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Even knowing I potentially missed out on seeing you naked…” Jesus, just thinking about having sex with her, my voice goes gruff and my dick stiffens. “I think I got a pretty good deal having you as a best friend instead.”

“Do you think it’s possible we would have hooked up and still been friends like we are now?”

I really wish the answer to that was yes. It’d make entertaining the idea of doing something about it now to make up for two years ago a lot easier. “Probably not, but part of me wishes we had anyway.”

Her grin lights up the room. “Same. I think it would have been good.”

My face feels warm. Actually my whole body does, straight down to my groin. “No doubt about that, babe.”

No freaking doubt.

10

Sydney

Over the next week, Tanner and I spend most of our days on the water and our nights at home watching movies.

In the days since I kissed him, things have slowly gone back to normal. That kiss. Holy shit, that kiss. My body tingles just thinking about it. Every time I look at him now, I can practically feel his lips on mine.

Our first kiss was fun and exciting and sure it was sexy, but our second kiss was full of two years of frustration. We could have powered a city with the sparks from that kiss.

And it was good to finally talk about the kiss two years ago. Everything is out in the open now and we can go back to being just friends. I convince myself of that several times a day, but when I walk out onto the deck where Tanner is kicked back staring at the water—my good intentions speed by with the boats.

I like him. No, I love him. Some of those feelings are purely because he’s my best friend and favorite person, but not all of them. If my emotions were a pie chart, there’s a little sliver of the pie that’s uncategorized and confusing the shit out of me.

I’m busy gawking at my handsome best friend, head spinning around those feelings, when Tanner turns to face me. His lips part into a big smile. “Hey.”

I take a seat beside him but then stand again. Sitting still is not in the cards today. I have too many thoughts in my head to be idle. “I think I’m going to go for a run.”

His feet come off the railing and he stands. “That sounds good, actually. Let me put on my shoes.”

We take off at a jog on the path. It’s hot and humid and whose idea was this anyway? Truth be told, when I said I was going for a run I meant alone, and that I’d run until I was out of sight and then walk.

“Datson is coming tomorrow.” Tanner keeps at my slower pace. “His parents don’t live too far from here, so he’s driving up for the night.”

“Oh yeah? Do I need to make myself scarce for a big, blowout party?”

He grins and gives me a weird look. Probably because he’s never, not once, hung out with a friend or had a party that didn’t include me.

“Thought we could take him out on the boat and Jonah mentioned having a party at his place.”

“Sounds good.”

I lengthen my stride and push us a little harder. Thanks to volleyball, I’m in good shape and my competitive spirit makes me want to impress Tanner even though I know he’s probably only giving seventy-five percent.

We run in silence for a half hour. Our breathing syncs, as do our footsteps. The path curves along the water’s edge and we come to a more secluded