JENNIE

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I can't believe this is happening. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING.

I'm kissing my best friend. And boy, can she kiss.

Yes, I know I started it. But something about being in her arms while we danced tipped me over the edge. The tension between us rose to new levels, new heights I didn't even realize existed. Lisa's smell, her touch, it all overwhelmed me to the point that I couldn't be near her a second longer unless I gave in to the urge to kiss her chiseled jaw.

And then she looked so shocked—so taken off guard—that I instantly regretted it.

I'd convinced myself that I'd been reading her wrong these past few weeks, that everything we've shared was simply done in the name of friendship and nothing more. Until she dragged me away from the party and kissed me again. Intentionally. Purposefully. Deliciously.

I had no choice but to be honest about my feelings.

Kissing Lisa is an experience unlike any other and I never want it to end. Which is why the need to be alone with her overtook me, and I pounded on the elevator button until the doors finally opened.

Grabbing her leather jacket, I pull her inside, push on the button that closes the doors, and press my lips against hers again. My enthusiasm seems to take her by surprise, but it doesn't take her long to catch up.

Electricity sparks and sizzles between us as her mouth moves over mine. Someone who could hear might try to rein in their heavy breathing during a kiss, but Lisa can't be bothered. Her breaths are erratic and wild, mimicking the desire in her touch.

Once again, my back's against the cool metal wall, but this time, Lisa hauls me up higher by my legs. I squeak in surprise, but instinctively wrap them around her anyway. She doesn't miss a beat as she kisses me again, then whispers her lips gently down my throat.

I run my fingers through her hair, then I'm clinging to her shoulders, her arms, her back, loving the feel of her under my hands.

How could I never have realized that things would be like this between us? How could I have ignored this crackling tension for so long, almost missing it completely?

She meets my mouth again with a deep groan that sends warmth zinging through my entire body. Then the elevator doors open, and I pull back, hoping that's not what I think it is.

But of course, my worst fear is confirmed.

Stefan, Gladys, and Lucas stand at each other's sides, taking in the view with contrasting expressions. Gladys's is mildly impressed, while Stefan's flashes between anger and embarrassment, and Lucas smiles with a maniacal glee that turns my stomach.

Lisa releases me and I adjust my top, pulling the sleeves of the plaid shirt around my waist tight. "Um," I start, then clear the gravel from my throat. "We were just…uh…" Any sort of valid explanation escapes me.

"Sorry to interrupt," Gladys says, changing the subject and saving me from having to say, we were just making out in the elevator. "But it's time to play pass the pumpkin. And you won't want to miss it because I shoved a fifty inside." She wiggles her eyebrows like fifty bucks is akin to winning the lottery.

"Yeah," I say, running a hand over my wig, making sure it's not totally disheveled. "Um. We'll be right there."

"I thought I saw them come this way, Mr. Sanders," Lucas says, his sick smile widening. "Guess I was right." Without another word, he stalks off and leaves us to our fate, whistling while he goes. Clearly, he orchestrated this interruption.

Gladys sends me a knowing smirk with a wink, then saunters off back to the break room while Stefan doesn't so much as budge.

Silence permeates the air, heavy and thick, while his expression gives nothing away. Finally, our boss sighs and says, "We'll need to discuss this in my office on Monday morning." My stomach roils at his pronouncement, and he leaves without another word.

I release a deep exhale and turn to face the girl I'm not sure I can still look in the eyes. I'm so afraid of what I'll read in her expression after what just happened between us. Regret? Shame? Disgust?

But when I meet Lisa's eyes, they sparkle with amusement as she runs a hand over her mouth. "We're in so much trouble," I say with a groan.

She laughs and shakes her head. It'll be alright.

"Are we…OK?" I sign.

Her wide smile nearly blinds me as she hooks an arm around my waist and pecks me on the lips. Never been better, she signs, then tips her head toward where we should be. Ready to pass the pumpkin?

Blinking the kiss-induced haze of the last few minutes away, I nod. Lisa leads me back to the break room like what we just did together wasn't completely unexpected and more than a little bit taboo for a couple of people who insist we're justfriends.

By the end of the night, I'm exhausted. Even with more of my co-workers helping me and Gladys remove the party decorations, it was still tiring. Plus, my emotions have officially been overextended. First with my warring feelings for Lisa, then giving in to them, then being caught with her in the elevator by none other than my boss.

Ugh.

Thankfully, Stefan never said another word to me or Lisa before he left the party early. But that doesn't erase the ball of anxiety that's knotting up my insides even as we speak. All weekend long I'll worry about what our conversation will be like on Monday.

I guess I can kiss that interview with Irene goodbye. Bosses don't take kindly to employees who make out with their co-workers at work parties, I'm sure.

Warm hands press down on my shoulders. Lisa's easy smile works to loosen a bit of the tension eating me up as she motions for us to head out.

I grab my little backpack, promising myself I'll grab the boxes of decorations on Monday when I'm not so tired. I take a deep inhale of the cool evening air once we make it outside. The wind's bite makes me shiver, but Lisa must notice because the next second, she drapes her leather jacket around my shoulders.

She's being so sweet and tender, I almost can't take it. But then again, Lisa's always like this. She's always gentlewomanly and kind. Why couldn't I ever see those things as girlfriend material before now? Why did it take me this long to wake up to her attention?

Then like a light bulb flickering to life, I remember why I refused to see her as more. Kai. All the ugly memories of our breakup float through my mind, unsettling me. What have I done? Did I doom Lisa and me to the same fate by making a move on her?

Before I can question myself too much, we're at my car. I turn to face her and she grips the lapels of her jacket, pulling me closer. She kisses me again, soft and sweet, totally unhurried, as if we have all the time in the world. When I taste the punch and candy from the party on her lips, I smile against her mouth. It breaks the kiss and she pulls back, searching my eyes.

Lifting her hands, she signs, What's so funny?

I shake my head. "Nothing."

She tilts her head, not believing me. Am I a bad kisser?

A laugh erupts from me so forcefully, I double over. When I straighten, Lisa's arms are crossed, her expression unamused. "You are not a bad kisser," I insist, then wrap my hands around her trim waist and bring her back to me. "How could you even think such a thing?"

She pulls her lips into a thin line, then licks her bottom lip like she's mulling over what to say. Finally, she signs, You're my first.

My brow furrows. "Your first what?"

I've never kissed a girl before. Besides a peck.

My mouth parts as I blink up at her. I'm sure my eyes are as big as dinner plates as I take in this bit of information. Lisa's mouth twists to the side as she reads my reaction. I tighten my hands around her. "You're an amazing kisser, Lisa. Like, out-of-this-universe amazing. And that's not why I was smiling."

Her lips tilt into a boyish half-smile as she shrugs like she's waiting for more.

I lift an eyebrow. "I smiled because you unsurprisingly taste like candy."

Laughing, she throws her head back and wraps her arms around me. I nestle into her, joining in, and soon we're both shaking with uncontrollable laughter. I'm thankful we're alone and that no one is around to witness this. Hysterically laughing in a parking lot at close to midnight might look weird to anyone else, but for me and my best friend, it feels as if we were always meant to do this.

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