“It’s no secret that I’m in love with you. I’m willing to wait while this thing with Zeke plays out. I have a divorce and work pressures. The Deep Echo team switches out next week. It’s always a tough transition.”

“This thing with Zeke isn’t going to play out, Peter. At least not the way you’re hoping. I love you, but it’s different than what it was. I care about you. I want you to be happy. But I’m happy with Zeke. We love each other. It’s the real deal.”

“C’mon, Naomi. Matt was the real deal. I was the real deal. This guy, he’s an invalid.”

Before I could stop myself, my fist connected with Peter’s jaw.

He bent over, holding his face. He stomped his foot a couple of times then sat up. “What the fuck, Naomi?” he yelled.

I kept my face smooth. “That’s for a lot of things.”

His jaw moved from side to side while he held it in his fingers. “I shouldn’t be adoring the fact that I know you pulled that punch. What is wrong with me?”

I frowned. “Peter, I don’t want to hurt you, but my love for you will never be anything more than loving you as an old friend.”

He pressed his lips together to suppress a smile. “You never get over your first love.”

“We were kids. I’ve learned love is very different than that.”

“Is it? Love is love, Naomi.”

“You’re not listening to me. Whatever you think we had is over. It was over when I fell in love with Matt. It’s not coming back because you’re getting a divorce, because you might lose your seat, or because we work together. It’s over.”

Peter paled. “You can’t know that.”

“I know it.”

He stood, shaking his head. Splotches of red were forming on his face where I’d hit him. “Remember our first kiss?” he asked.

My face screwed into disgust. “Yes. You slobbered all over me.”

“That kiss was your idea. I was terrified.”

“I would be too, if I kissed like that.”

“Do you remember what you said to me?”

I thought about it then narrowed my eyes at him.

He continued, quoting my fourteen-year-old self, “How will we know anything until you kiss me?”

“I’m not kissing you, Peter.”

“Then how will you know? You said it yourself…”

“I know, Peter, because I’m an adult. And I don’t need to talk you into kissing me.”

He sighed and rubbed his temples. “Fine. Fine, I’m calling in my favor.”

“What,” I seethed.

“I’m calling in my favor. You kiss me, and if you don’t feel anything, I’ll let it go.”

I could feel my nostrils flaring. My blood boiling. My face on fire. “You unbelievable bastard.”