In His Kiss - Ava Alise Page 0,48

two would end up together.” He laughs.

"Wait. What?"

"Just something she'd say." He nods. "You've been in love with that girl your entire life. Are you finally going to do something about it?” His grin is matter-of-fact and it gives me pause.

“I thought I was hiding it.” I chuckle. “How’d you know?”

“You wouldn’t move without her. Ever since you were a kid, It’s been ‘Me and Xia are doing this,’ ‘Me and Xia are doing that.’ If she was sad, you were sad, and you’d move mountains to make sure she wasn’t.”

“Yeah?” I ask. I’m shocked. I never thought anyone noticed.

“Your mother caught it early on but I didn’t notice until you were a little older. You two were on the porch and she was telling you a story. I don’t know what it was but she thought it was hilarious and could barely get her words out. The look on your face as you watched her laugh… it just reminded me a lot of how I felt when I looked at your mother.” His eyes drop to his hands as he drags a palm across his jeans. “But, that's when I knew,” he says, clearing his throat.

I exhale, thinking about all those moments I had with her growing up, when watching her made it hard to breathe. She has this little dimple that forms above her left cheek when she smiles. She squints so much when she laughs that her eyes almost close, and I adore the brightness that grows in her eyes when she's excited.

"I think I'm going to tell her this weekend,” I say. “I've been torn between the idea of ruining our friendship and my feelings for her but something happened between us recently and I think it might be time. I need to ask her how she feels."

"Go for it," he says. "If it doesn't work out then you two will get past it. You love each other and one awkward moment can't take that away. But you have to stay true to yourself, son. It's the only way to live."

We are quiet a while longer as I mull over his words in all their wisdom. I know he’s right. I just need to man up and lay my cards on the table, see where it gets me. I’m nodding to myself as I press the gas, speeding past a truck on the highway. Glancing at him again, I notice something.

“You’re wearing your glasses,” I deadpan.

“Yup.”

I chuckle, shaking my head as I slow the car to a steady pace in the lane.

“Still on for fishing next week?” he asks.

“Yeah.” I sigh. “I’ll be there.”

King paces the floor wringing his hands.

"Am I crazy? This is crazy, right? It's too much."

Roman, King, and I are all standing in the center of a small gazebo next to a dining table in the middle of Matter Park. He's planning to propose to Cherry tonight, and I have to say, he went all out. The table is elegantly set for two with a single picnic basket in the center atop of a blood red tablecloth. LED lights illuminate the space with soft music playing from a Bluetooth speaker sitting on the floor.

"Nah, what girl wouldn't love this?" I say. I mean seriously. I know if I ever decide to propose to anyone, King’s ass will be helping me plan it.

"A little mushy, but Cherry will eat it up," Roman says. Looking over to the parking lot. "How long until she gets here?"

"She's on the way," King says. "Maybe ten minutes?"

The guy looks like he's going to pass out, so I try to be the voice of reason.

"Relax man, if she says no then you just come live with us after graduation." I wink, patting his shoulder.

"Exactly," Roman chimes in. "We got you, bro. You won't end up alone in the end."

We both smile at King who clearly doesn't think our joke is the least bit funny.

"Okay. So… fuck you both." He points between us. "Now go, before she gets here. I'll text you after."

“All right,” I say, “Just breathe, okay? You did good here.”

King nods and the tension slowly starts to seep from his shoulders. “Go big or stay home, right?”

“Right.”

Roman and I hug him before we walk away, telling him to stay calm and wishing him good luck. Then we head to our cars. We agreed that one of us would stay just in case King needed support. Since Roe has a final in the morning, he heads out and