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. “Yes, you are.”

getting up from her seat. “I want to make it

a klutz

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fingers.

want to help you.”

don’t want another

to visit

fighting it!

stone when

to stand beside me. She is much shorter than me, head

adorable, and my heart flutters at the sight of

It’s frustrating.

can’t. I shouldn’t. I try to turn the other way, but I’m

  1. Have there ever been a more tortured

man?

mad at someone who makes your heart sing oudly in your chest. Simply looking

4/12

hair is a mess around her head, and I sigh when she grabs a

she survived this far? Those bangs make her half-blind, and if Winnie doesn’t put up her hair, the chances

scrunchie around your arm or something?”

clenches, but I

drawer to take out a rubber band.

Klutz?” She blinks up at me.

just this once. “It’s what you are,”

Winnie and mash down the

pick her up. I’m mad at her, damn

made it

life.”

not that

ran into a pole

year of high school

so excited showing around

her ears turns red, and she

“That was a one-time

shit happens…’

also fell on your ass like once a week on your way to school in the past. Pretty sure that’s why you started to hold on to my arm. ” I 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

emergency.”

are

6/12

things?!”

and Winnie turns tense when I

hair in my

like fruity shampoo, and I have to fight every instinct telling me to hug the shit out of her. I’m not a cuddler, but

me whenever I’m next to Winnie.

you slipped and fell on your ass earlier today

Winnie exclaims. “I didn’t think anyone saw me! I was on my way to the vending machine!”

laugh. “I was heading there too and saw the whole spectacle.

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

Chapter 48

I have to look away by force.

I find more things to admire about her appearance, which

count the freckles on

Winnie hands me a shy smile. “I’ve

for me before.”

and

“You can cut up the salad and put it

in a bowl.”

“Yes, sir!”

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