Coldhearted Heir (The Heirs 1)

My eyes dart between my friends as I pull an awkward face.

Hana grins at me. “I can actually picture you ripping the dress off. It’s so like you.”

“And totally explains why Hunter kissed you,” Fallon agrees.

“Hold up,” Mila says, throwing a hand in the air. “Did I miss something? Are you and Hunter a couple now?”

I let out a burst of laughter. “No!”

She throws both her hands in the air. “Well, shit, then I’m lost.”

Fallon looks to Mila and scoots closer to the table. “They kissed twice, but they’re still in denial.”

“That’s for sure,” Hana sighs before she pops an M&M in her mouth.

“We aren’t in denial,” I huff.

“Yeah?” Fallon says, lifting an eyebrow at me. “You sure about that?”

Am I?

I let out a miserable sigh. “No.”

“I swear, this is just getting more confusing by the minute,” Mila grumbles. Pinning me with her eyes, she asks, “Do you and Hunter like each other?”

“Of course, we like each other.” I frown at her. “At least I like him. I’m not so sure where he stands after all the fighting.”

“No! Ugh,” Mila scowls at me. “Are you in love?”

“Oh… ahh…” My mouth snaps shut, and I shrug, not knowing what to answer.

Mila relaxes, and a smile spreads over her face. “Finally, I know what’s going on as well.”

“People don’t just fall in love,” I grumble. “That shit takes time.”

Fallon shakes her head at me. “I’m afraid not. It usually slaps you upside the head. It’s staying in love that takes time and effort.”

“Nah… we just like each other as friends,” I try to stop this conversation from derailing.

“Picture Hunter dressed in just his sweatpants, all sweaty and muscles hard,” Mila says, her voice low.

“Ewww,” Hana pulls a traumatized face where Fallon instantly starts shaking her head.

Me, on the other hand, lights up like a damn Christmas tree. The thought of Hunter’s bare chest on full display sends a burst of heat ricocheting through my body like fireworks.

As the realization settles in my heart, I cover my face with my hands and let out a groan.

Shit, somewhere… somehow… I’ve fallen in love with Hunter.

“How did it happen?” I groan out in misery.

“How did it not happen sooner?” Mila counters my question. I drop my hands and push my bottom lip out, giving her my most pitiful facial expression, but she continues, “Hunter put up with your shit for two years. Honestly, he’s a damn saint if you ask me.”

Fallon nods in agreement.

I just have to face the truth. “Yeah, Hunter’s an amazing person,” I admit.

“And?” Hana spurs me on to continue.

“And…” A smile pulls at the corner of my mouth, “Isn’t it weird that I’ve fallen in love with him? We’ve been friends since forever.”

“Love is love,” Fallon gives her opinion. “You can’t choose who you’re going to love, Jade. You can only hope the person will love you back.”

“Yeah. That will never happen.” I pick up a glass of coke and take a huge sip.

“Don’t be too sure of that,” Hana murmurs as she begins to hand out the facial masks.

“What do you mean?” I ask as I tear mine open.

While I struggle to keep the wet fabric from twisting into a mess, Hana answers, “Hunter doesn’t go around just kissing girls.”

“What she said,” Fallon confirms as she splats her mask onto her face.

Hana chuckles and climbing to her knees, she reaches over to help Fallon straighten the mask out over her skin.

Hunter doesn’t go around just kissing girls.

And he’s kissed me twice. My eyes dart to Mila’s, and she gives me an encouraging smile. “If you love Hunter, then just go for it, Jade.”

“Yep,” Fallon mutters so she won’t wrinkle the mask.

I slide my own mask on and point to the TV. “Press play.”

As the movie starts, my thoughts are consumed with Hunter, and what the new emotions creeping into my heart means.

“Don’t forget, tomorrow is the fun day,” Hana says. “Jase will be at the kissing booth, so make sure to stop by there.”

“I totally forgot,” I admit. “A fun day is just what I need.”

“It starts at eight,” Fallon reminds me. “And wear a bathing suit under your clothes because we’ll probably play some volleyball in the pool.”

“Awesome.” I turn my gaze back to the TV, and we all settle in to watch the movie.HUNTERStanding by the kissing booth, I burst out in laughter when Jase grabs hold of a girl and proceeds to kiss the living hell out of her.

When he lets go of her shoulders, she stumbles backward, totally dazed.

“Slow down, heartbreaker,” I call out to him.

“Jase looks like he's having fun,” Fallon suddenly says behind me.

Glancing over my shoulder, my eyes connect with Jade’s, and a smile instantly spreads over my face.

Fallon comes to stand next to me, glancing over the long line of girls who bought tickets to kiss Jase. “At least Trinity is making a ton of money for charity.”