Page 18 of Maid of Dishonor
“We’re not going to kiss,” Sam says after another second of fake laughter.
Winifred shrugs, and her voice is far too reasonable as she says, “Why not? You’re friends, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Sam says. “And friends don’t kiss.”
Wini’s eyes narrow again. “Friends wouldn’t be bothered by a kiss because it wouldn’t mean anything to them.”
“Winifred,” Sam says, her voice firm now, “we’re not going to—”
“Give that handsome young man a kiss, Samantha, and I’ll stop bugging you about the grandsons and nephews of my friends. Although Boris did say he has that nice boy, the grandson, who’s the dermatologist—”
“Fine,” I say before my brain can catch up to my mouth. But really—Sam doesn’t need to be set up with some dermatologist. What a stupid profession. I can take one for the team. “It’s fine.”
Sam turns to me, her eyes wide. “I—are you serious?”
I shrug. “Yeah, sure. Listen, Sam, it’s not a big deal.”
“Not a big deal,” Sam repeats, looking suddenly miserable.
“I just mean that one kiss isn’t going to ruin things or be weird,” I say quickly, because I hate that look on her face. “If you’re up for it, I’m fine.”
Sam’s eyes suddenly widen, and her gaze slowly breaks away from mine as she stares, dazedly, at the wood floor. “It’s a sign,” she whispers.
My brow furrows. “What?”
She shakes her head quickly. “Nothing. Sorry—nothing.” She clears her throat. “Uh, yeah. That’s fine. One kiss”—she points at Wini, who’s looking smug—“and no more matchmaking after that?”
“No more matchmaking.”
“And,” Sam says. “Andyou’ll go on a date with Boris?” She cocks an eyebrow at Winifred.
Wini turns red and splutters. “I—well—”
“One date with Boris,” Sam says breezily. “Or the deal’s off.”
This girl. She’s somehow wrangled the power away from Wini’s hands and into her own, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. I try to hide my grin, but it’s unsuccessful.
“I—I mean—fine. Yes, all right,” Wini finally says.
My heart is suddenly pounding as the reality of this situation hits me. Am I really going to kiss Sam?
Yes, my body says immediately. My body is not immune to beautiful women. My body is not immune toSam.
My brain is a little slower to agree. But I think it through once more, and it actually isn’t a terrible idea. Because we don’t have feelings for each other. So it will be fine, and Wini will leave Sam alone.
See? I’m doing this for Sam, really. You might even call it my good deed for the day.
“Yes, all right. You kiss that man for five seconds, and I’ll never say another word to you about dating,” Wini confirms. She looks unbearably smug again. What does she have to be smug about?
Nothing, that’s what.
Sam sighs. “Fine.”
I raise one brow as she turns to face me. “Your enthusiasm is flattering.”
“Shut up,” she says, tucking more blonde hair behind her ear. She bites her lower lip—a clear sign of nervousness—and then says, “So…how do we do this?”
I angle my body toward her. “Just go for it, I think. Right?”
