Kissing Her Crush by Ophelia London Page A

like a plan.”
    It really was a one-person job, but Luke appreciated how Natalie allowed him to help. They used a small mixer, bigger than the kind sold at any kitchen store, but not as massive as the industrial sized ones he’d seen around. Those were used for mass production. A tiny headache stabbed at his temple, knowing those machines would never be used for Natalie’s product.
    But that wasn’t his problem.
    Only a few times did he catch himself watching her in a way that wasn’t even close to being appropriate for co-worker conditions, let alone since she had a boyfriend.
    “About the other day in the tunnel,” he broached, oh so smoothly, while adding five cups of sugar to the bowl, “I hope that didn’t make life difficult for you.”
    She lifted her chin, her safety glasses balancing on the tip of her nose. “Didn’t we agree to never bring it up?”
    “I know. But that whole YouTube thing—”
    “The video wasn’t posted, Luke. You don’t have to worry about your precious reputation.”
    He had worried about that—a lot. But he wasn’t now. “I’m worried about yours.”
    She crossed her arms. “Ah, you’re saying a woman has to be concerned about protecting her reputation when a man doesn’t, for the exact same thing?”
    He covered his laugh with a fist. “That came out wrong. And no, that’s not my opinion at all.” He paused, searching for an indirect way to bring up the subject. When he couldn’t think of one, he considered just dropping the whole thing. But the rock in his gut wouldn’t let him.
    “I goaded you into it. I’m not saying you didn’t goad me back, but I started it.” He took a beat, thinking carefully about how to articulate the next part. “After I left you at the park gate, I waited.”
    “I know you did.”
    “I know you know. And I saw.”
    “Saw what?”
    He groaned. Why was nothing easy with this woman? Except wanting to kiss her.
    “Believe me,” he said, “I wouldn’t have started anything or asked you out that first night at Hershey Lounge if I’d known. I have experience with the short end of that stick, the bad end, and things like that can begin so easily—an innocent email, a friendly dinner, at least that’s what my ex said, and I guess I believe her.”
    He stopped speaking after he realized he was rambling. He’d never been a rambler until Natalie.
    “I’m still not sure what you mean.”
    He turned and faced her straight on. “I’m deeply sorry I kissed you.”
    Her expression went slack. “Deeply…?”
    “Not that it wasn’t good—it was. It was a great kiss, the way you…” He forced himself to stop talking and take a breath. “I read the whole situation wrong from the beginning.”
    “Am I that unkissable?”
    “No! You were amazing.” He slapped a hand over his heart. “I just…I’m usually better at reading people. I didn’t realize you had a boyfriend until I saw you get in his car.” He let his hand drop. Saying the words made him feel sick.
    “You mean the silver Honda with the Hershey High bumper sticker?”
    Luke rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah.”
    “The one that belongs to my brother ?”
    His hand froze. “Brother? So you’re…”
    “I am, or I’m not—whichever.”
    “Oh.” Suddenly, he was at a loss. The sickness over potentially—though unknowingly—helping Natalie cheat on her significant other was gone, leaving behind one singular desire. To kiss her.
    She must’ve read that in his expression because she held up both hands. “Stop.”
    “Stop what?”
    “Stop whatever you’re about to do. I see it in your eyes. I feel”—she pressed a hand at the base of her throat—“I feel it in the air. But it can’t happen.”
    “You’re single.”
    “I might be single, but we talked about this. A lot. Way too much.”
    Before his sails had fully hoisted, the wind died.
    Of course she was right. How many times would he have to be reminded? What was it about this woman that made him a