chapter eleven

"What did you just say?" I asked, my fingers nervously tracing the collar of my dress as a sudden wave of heat rushed up my neck.

"I asked if you wanted to be my real girlfriend," Ethan repeated, his dark eyes piercing directly into mine, refusing to let me look away.

"Come on, Ethan, that’s impossible," I told him, trying to ground myself in reality. "Is this because of the kisses? Because we can totally stop. Besides, it only happened in the heat of the moment. I mean, friends kiss all the time under pressure, but I really can't open my heart right now. It's still healing."

The second the words left my mouth, Ethan burst into a deep, hearty laugh, throwing his head back and clutching his stomach.

"You seriously need to see your face right now," he managed to say through his laughter. "I was just playing with you, Kattie. I know you don't like me enough to actually date me."

As much as a massive wave of relief washed over me, a tiny, girly part of my heart secretly wished he had meant every single word.

"Exactly. I don't like you that much at all," I shot back, forcing a bright smile.

Suddenly, Ethan leaned across the steering, his face hovering mere inches from mine, his warm breath fanning across my skin. "For someone who doesn't like me all that much, I seem to have a pretty massive effect on you." His gaze flicked downward. "Your hands."

"What about them?" I asked, desperately trying to maintain my composure.

"They're shaking, Kattie," he murmured, a devastating smirk playing on his lips.

"No, they're not. I'm just... cold."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, love," he chuckled, finally pulling back into his seat. "Good night, Kattie Berry. Thank you for an incredibly eventful evening."

I nodded quickly, escaping the suffocating tension of the car. My heart hammered wildly against my ribs as I rushed up the driveway and slipped into the house. The entire place was pitch black, save for the faint glow from the dining room light reflecting off the living room walls.

"Hey, girl!" a familiar voice hissed from the shadows.

I literally jumped out of my skin, clutching my chest. "Janice!" I gasped as she stepped into the light, wearing a massive, knowing grin. "Why on earth did you scare me like that?"

"Well, I wanted to surprise you! What were you guys doing in that sports car for so long anyway, babes?" she teased as we quietly made our way upstairs to my bedroom.

"Nothing, babes. We were just talking about how the gala went," I lied smoothly, intentionally avoiding her sharp gaze.

The moment we crossed the threshold into my room, I kicked off my heels and sank onto the edge of the bed, while Janice claimed the sofa. "Are my parents asleep?"

"Yes, they got tired of waiting up," she dismissed with a wave of her hand. "So tell me everything! How was the event? Did Cole actually show up with Bella?"

"No, he was surprisingly alone. He actually caught me by the bar and tried to force me into a private conversation, but Ethan cut him off and totally put him in his place," I said, a genuine smile breaking across my face.

"Yebo!" Janice cheered, throwing her hands in the air, using a slang term she had obsessively picked up from South African movies.

"Shhhh... it's late!" I hissed, pressing a frantic finger to my lips.

"Hold on a second," Janice said, her inner detective suddenly taking over. She stood up, marched over to the bed, and gently tilted my chin upward, inspecting my face under the bedroom light. "Did you eat anything at the gala?"

"No, just had a glass of champagne," I replied, completely puzzled.

"Then where did all your lipstick go?" she demanded, crossing her arms. "I distinctly remember applying a very generous, bulletproof layer on those lips before you left."

"Ehhhm..." I stammered, my cheeks growing hot. "I don't know... maybe it just... evaporated?"

"Oh my gosh, bestie! You kissed Ethan fucking Vance, didn't you?" she squealed, giggling like a schoolgirl.

"Yes, but it was just a quick peck after he won his award!" I deflected, suddenly finding my toes incredibly fascinating.

"Lies, bitch, total lies! A peck does not completely wipe out a high-end matte lipstick. Tell me the truth right now!" she pointed a finger at me dramatically.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Okay, fine! We had a massive make-out session on the balcony before the awards started," I whispered frantically.

Janice literally launched herself onto the bed, shaking my shoulders. "Bitch!! Tell me everything! How was it? Is he a good kisser?"

"Well... it was incredible, babes," I confessed, blushing furiously. "His lips are shockingly soft, and the way his hands gripped my waist... it was so intense and hot." I bit my lip, remembering the heavy warmth of his tuxedo jacket slipping off my shoulders.

"You are absolutely rotten, Kat," Janice laughed playfully. "But honestly... maybe he could be the one. You know... the one to finally take the V-card."

She nudged me with a suggestive wink, and I let out a nervous laugh. "I don't know, Janice. We aren't real. For all I know, he's just a playboy having a good time."

Janice shrugged, leaning back with a grin. "Then have some fun right back with him."