The Princess and the Principal (The Rebel Royals 5)

"Yes, Ron?"

“I’m going to kiss you."

He watched her response carefully. She didn’t pull away from him. She didn’t stand and demand he leave. She didn’t shove him into the friend zone. Instead, she nodded.

"I suspected it might come to this,” she said.

“You did?”

“Yes, there’s something…” She waved her hand between their chests. “… between us.”

“Yes,” Ron grinned. “There is.”

“So, I came prepared. I brushed my teeth and put on lip gloss.”

“That was very considerate of you, Ace. I had gum on the way over."

“Smart,” she nodded approvingly. “Because you had onions in your tacos? I flossed, too.”

“Wow. You are way more prepared than me.”

She made a tsking sound with her tongue. “I always was.”

“Yeah,” he agreed.

“Yeah,” she parroted.

They were sitting just inches away from each other. The dream-Ron would’ve had her in his arms by now. The real-Ron was so focused on how to begin.

Should he reach for her? With which arm? His right arm which was on the back of the couch? Or maybe his left arm? But that would box her in, and he didn’t want her to feel trapped. He wanted her to want him.

He decided to just go for it and leaned in.

Kylee blinked, as though she were coming to the realization that this was really about to happen. She took a deep breath and leaned in as well.

Within a half inch of her lips, Ron pulled back. “Isn’t this strange?”

“Totally,” she agreed, straightening to an upright position. “I mean it’s me and you. Kylee and Ron. We’re best friends and we’re about to kiss. Who would have seen this coming?”

“Me. I saw it coming.”

“Really?”

Ron nodded. “I’ve been dreaming about this for years.”

“Years?”

“Since watching Saved by the Bell on Saturday mornings.”

“I used to love that show.”

“I know,” he said. “When Zach kissed Kelly I realized I wanted to do the same to you.”

“You had feelings for me all the way back then?”

“I’ve had feelings for you my whole life, Ky. When we were in elementary school, I knew I wanted to share all my snacks with you. When we were in middle school, I knew I wanted to kiss you. When we got to high school, I knew I wanted you to be my girlfriend.”

“I didn’t know. How didn’t I know this about you? I know everything about you.”