Sinking Sand Paperback

“I’m eighteen.” I squared my shoulders. “It’s 1994. Last I checked, there’s no crime against visiting a friend.” What would it be like to be kissed by him? My heart thundered in my ears.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

I took a step toward him, close enough to see the brown flecks in his eyes. “Why not? We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Of-of course. I said…” Norman took a step back.

He obviously wanted to get away from me. Like he had for the past four years. He’d been with a ton of girls, not one of them good enough for him.

“You’re mine,” I said, grabbing the front of his shirt. “In my dreams you are, anyway, and no one touches you!”

Whatever he was about to say was cut off when I reached up and pulled his head down to mine, his lips on mine.

He stiffened, grabbed both my arms to push me back, and I held on, kissing him like it was the last time, knowing it was.

He pulled away, visibly shaken. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I thought…”

Anger flared in his icy gray gaze. “You didn’t think at all.”

“What’s wrong with me?” I set my hands on my hips. There’s no way he knew about Jason. Was there?

He doesn’t have to know to see the stain of filth on you.

“Nothing,” he bit out.

“There must be something. You’ve dated everything that moves since we’ve been fifteen years old.” His rejection stung like a salt lick in a gaping wound. I drew a deep breath. “Except me.”

“We’re,” he waved a wild hand between us, “not like that. We’ve never been like that.”

“I’d like to be.”

Shock registered in his face, he said, “I’ve never…Your brother is my best friend.”

“I thought I was too.” Each word, a flaming arrow to my heart.

“Yes, a friend!” he shouted.

Humiliation made me shrink back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” My voice sounded small, agony tearing me up inside. “You mean, all that I felt, that I hoped…I didn’t see at all?” The anguish must have been in my eyes.

He winced. “I didn’t come here for this.”

“What did you come here for?” I demanded, hurt turning to swift anger.

He ran a shaky hand down the back of his head. “I came to say goodbye.”

My heart was a lump in my throat. “What?”

“I’m leaving Friday. I’m going to work in Alexandria for the summer. If you were my friend, you’d be happy for me.”

“Why would I be happy for you?” I clenched both fists at my sides.

“Do me a favor until then, Florence.” He pulled his cap down. “Don’t pay me a visit at my apartment. Not after the way you kiss.” He turned and made his way down the stairs.

“Wait a minute,” I called. Hopping on one foot, I peeled my boot off and threw it at his head.