Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection (Stark World 2.50)

"It was you. The night of prom."

I cast my mind back. I can still see the lavender dress I'd worn, still smell the lily in my corsage. Wes and I had been talking for a long time out on the deck of the house as we drank some delectable Boone's Farm. I'd shivered, and he'd asked if I wanted to go upstairs with him where it was warm.

We'd made our way to one of the bedrooms. But before any

thing had happened, Wes slipped out to go to the bathroom. When he'd come back, he said he'd changed his mind. He didn't want to do anything with me. That had been that. Embarrassing and confusing.

Now, four years later, I'm learning that Ford may have had something to do with us not getting together.

"Ford, you better start talking now." I feel my blood starting to boil.

He gives me this look where he makes his green eyes go all big and remorseful. It usually makes me give in to him. Tonight might be the exception.

"Now," I say.

His shoulders collapse, and he lets out this long sigh. "My date was in the bathroom and I ... I kinda told Wes not to hook up with you."

"Why?"

"Because he's not a good guy, Lana. He never was."

"You know how I felt about him. How much that night would have meant to me ..."

"He was a bully. He made kids' lives miserable. For fun. Because he was bored."

He takes my shoulders, and I try to shake his grip, but he holds firm. "All these years, Ford. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I pretty much expected, and wanted to avoid, the reaction I'm getting right now."

"You ruined everything."

"I saved you." He steps closer.

"You were jealous of Wes."

"Yeah, Lana, I was jealous of him. I still am. Wanna know why?"

Do I? "Yes."

"Because he has your attention."

"Well, at the moment you have it, you crazy person." I flick him on the chest.

"I am crazy. Crazy to have hoped ..."

"Hoped for what?" I ask. I'm confused but at the same time the hair on my arms is standing up at full attention. Ford's eyes are boring into mine, imploring me to pay attention.

"Hoped that you wanted what I wanted. I mean, that you would come to want what I want."

"What are you even talking about? What do you want?"

He takes a deep breath, like he's about to go under water. Then he leans toward me. "This."

Ford presses his lips against mine, and I'm so shocked that I feel my eyes go wide and a small sound escapes my mouth. As it does, my lips soften and open and Ford frames my face with his hands.

OMG, my BFF is kissing me. But the really crazy thing is, I start to kiss him back. Even as I allow him to run his lips over mine, my heart starts beating harder, and my stomach does a little flip-flop.

Holy hell. Ford is a good kisser. A great kisser.