One Last Time(32)

Kristin





Once I’ve calmed myself, I go back to cleaning the house. Danni is sitting at the island, watching me as I scrub the counter with so much effort, I might wear a hole in it.

“Kris?” she calls my name as she laughs. “I’m pretty sure it’s clean.”

I stop and sigh. There’s so much I want to tell her. The fact is, Danielle has always been the one I run to when something happens. I share everything, and I’m dying inside to tell her about last night. It’s killing me, but I worry about saying anything.

Not because she might not approve but because if this comes to some battle in court, I don’t know if telling her is right.

She moves over beside me, placing her hand on my shoulder. “It’s going to be okay.”

I look up, opening then closing my mouth.

“You’ve got that look . . .”

“What look?” I play dumb.

“The I’ve-got-a-secret-and-it’s-killing-me look. Spill it.”

I drop the sponge in the sink and face her. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

“Because?”

“How opposed are you to perjury?” I test her.

Danielle throws her hands in the air before they fall to her legs, making a loud slap. “Oh, dear God!”

“I’m asking hypothetically here.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Hypothetically?”

If we speak in the abstract, maybe I can share. “Yes, hypothetically, what would happen if someone kissed someone?”

Danielle’s eyes widen. “Would that someone be asking because that someone is worried about a possible issue with a divorce?”

I shrug. “Maybe. I mean, this someone could just be asking because she’s curious if that’s considered cheating in the eyes of the law . . .”

Her smile grows, and she tilts her head to the side. “From what Peter says about the law, it’s only intercourse that is considered adultery.”

I nod. Well, at least I’m good there. I’m slightly glad that my life-altering kiss can’t be used against me, but then again, I’m glad Scott is even stupider than I thought. There’s nothing I’ve done wrong. “Good to know. What if she went out for . . . say . . . a dinner with a client?”

“Dinner is not adultery. Did your friend attend this dinner recently?” Danielle pushes.

“She did.”

“Did she happen to see someone she knew?” She grins.

“She might have.”

Her jaw drops. “Is your friend trying to kill me? Your friend has done nothing wrong by what you’ve shared so far.”

“My friend appreciates the advice.”

Danielle laughs. “Your friend is welcome. Your friend should also know that it’s only during the marriage and if the friend used joint finances to facilitate her affair. At least that’s my understanding.”

“Well, my friend is totally in the clear.” I bite my lip and wait. “She’s not having any intercourse with anyone.”

Danielle is ready to burst out of her skin, dying to know more. “Please tell me your friend kissed Noah Frazier, and that’s who we’re talking about!”

And there she blows.

“She did!”

“Holy shit! How? How does this happen to Heather and then yo—ur friend? Did I miss the hooking up with celebrity course in high school? Does Heather know? Oh, God, was it amazing? It looks like it would be amazing. Those freaking lips, man.”

I pull her to the table and fill her in on the whole thing. Clearly, she knows it’s me, and I’m almost giddy while I tell her the events leading to the amazing kiss. Her head falls to her fist as I tell her about the dance on the beach. She laughs when I explain the night at Heather’s and then my random singing in the car.

My body feels as if I’m floating when I go into details about the kiss itself. Seriously, normal men don’t kiss like that, and if they do, I’ve been missing out.

“You know what I hear through this whole thing?” Danielle asks.

“What?”

“My friend is back.”

I run my hands through my hair. “I don’t know what you mean . . .”

Or at least I don’t want to admit what I think she’s saying.

Danielle leans forward and touches my leg. “You’ve been a shell of the girl I’ve known my whole life. I don’t think I knew it until now. When was the last time you were silly? When was the last time you sang in the car? Drank and danced? Were allowed to choose something you wanted and actually got it?”

I close my eyes with my head dropping down. “I don’t want to think about this.”

“I know you don’t. I just want you to hear yourself. You may not see it, but I do. In the last ten minutes, you came to life. My best friend was finally here.”

Tears begin to pool. “I never left.”

“Scott took you away.”

“No—” I start to deny.

“Listen to me, you were the happy one out of the four of us. Nicole is crazy. Heather is dependable. I’m the cynic. You were the one who smiled. Captain of the cheerleaders, homecoming committee, and . . . I forget all the other crap you did. It doesn’t matter. It was you that kept us grounded, but he put you in a box, Kris. He made you smaller until you fit into what he wanted, and I’m so sorry I let that happen.”