Chapter 48

Jake

I’m not a very talkative person… or well. I talk easily to those close to me, and then I act reserved toward newcomers. I’ve always been like this, even from a young age. This made it hard for me to make friends as a kid,

but I was never bothered by that.

Winnie, my childhood friend and old

neighbor, made me feel seen throughout my

childhood.

Instead of ignoring me like everyone else

did, Winnie included me in everything. We were partners in crime, and I fell for her because she always smiled and made my day

better.

This is why Winnie has been on my brain for the past twenty-two years. People claim kids can’t fall in love and don’t know what those

emotions are, but trust me when I say that

I’ve loved Winnie for years. She has always been the one, but I’m starting to believe she doesn’t deserve me.

In the end, I never mattered as much to her

as she did to me…

I try to push that feeling aside and focus on the tacos I’m making. I chop some

vegetables and put some meat on the stove.

Winnie is sitting by the table, glancing at me whenever she thinks I’m not noticing it. Now that I’ve voiced my thoughts to her, she suddenly sees me, but karma is a bitch

because I wasn’t born yesterday. It will take

miracle for me to regain my interest in

Vell…

ou don’t get over someone you’ve liked for ears in a day, but I’m certainly chillier

ward her now. I asked Winnie to do

rands with me because I was too chicken

it to ask her out on a date. And what does

19

Chapter 48

she do? Break my freaking heart.

I’m still hurting….

However, she bought me the cookies we used to steal from the cupboard as kids, so my heart isn’t entirely frozen over. I’m also a nice guy, so it’s not like I won’t be her

friend.

“Jake?” Winnie asks in a low voice.

I don’t look at her from where I’m standing by the counter. My sole focus is on the cucumbers that I’m chopping for our tacos. ” Mhm?”

“I’m an asshole.”

smile. Almost.

seat. “I want to make it up to you, so I will start by helping you chop vegetables. It’s the

klutz and would

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fingers.

want to help you.”

unnecessary.” I don’t want another

to visit the

fighting it! I’m

to stone when Winnie

me. She is much shorter than me, head

She is stinking adorable, and my heart flutters at

It’s frustrating.

to touch Winnie, but I can’t. I shouldn’t. I try to turn the other way, but I’m drawn in by her beautiful eyes.

  1. Have there ever been a more tortured

man?

it’s hard to stay mad at someone who makes your heart sing oudly in your chest. Simply looking at her nakes me start

4/12

her head, and I sigh when she grabs

if Winnie doesn’t put up her hair, the chances of her cutting herself are scarily

a scrunchie around your arm or something?” I

clenches, but I ignore that feeling. “But I don’t

my eyes at her. Winnie is definitely living a dangerous life, and I open a drawer to take out a rubber band. “First off, you need to put up your hair. I don’t want you slicing up your

She blinks up at

once. “It’s what you are,”

Winnie and

up. I’m mad at

surprised you’ve made it

life.”

that

into a pole in

year of high school

showing around the new kid?

ears turns

a

shit happens…’

smile at the memory. It’s a fond one. And you picked me, not Mark, because according to you, I was heavier with a bigger chance of stopping your fall in

emergency.”

are you remembering

6/12

things?!”

Winnie turns tense when

long blonde hair in my hands.

instinct telling me to hug the shit out of her. I’m not a

me whenever I’m

just do… I also remember how you slipped

“I didn’t think anyone saw me! I was on my way to

and saw the whole spectacle. Kinda wish

to touch her all over, see where else she can blush. Just inhaling the scent of her hair

Chapter 48

have to look away

more things to admire about her appearance, which is not good. I’m

count the freckles on her nose.

up my hair,” Winnie hands me a shy smile. “I’ve never had a guy

for me

welcome…” I mutter and nod

up the salad and

in a bowl.”

“Yes, sir!”

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