“So it’s fate then?” I asked with him so close my lips brushed the line of his jaw with each word, “Us being together?”“Absolutely,” Calvin said with a low growl. Then he lifted my chin, tilting my head back, and kissed me deeply.Who was I to argue with Fate?”

“Yuki?” Calvin asked.“Yeah?” I asked turning back to him.“Thanks for giving me a chance,” he said and smiling his toothy grin he started walking back to his truck.Who else is going to dig through a compost heap with me? It must be love.”

“Yuki, you have plans after school tomorrow?” Calvin turned to me and asked.How does he raise one brow like that? Does he practice in the mirror?“Nope, no plans yet,” I said flipping my hair as I looked at him over my shoulder. I can use cool poses too Calvin Miller.”

“My heart, always so strong in the past, was like the fishnet stockings that clung to my legs—torn, shredded, and full of gaping holes.”

“I’m trying to decide whether to tell you two to get a room or go barf in the trash can,” Emma said. “I’m leaning toward the second choice. You are both getting way too weird. And gross.”Cal barked out a laugh and slid his fingers down my arm to entwine with mine. His touch, and Emma’s comments, only made me blush more. Looks like Emma saw Cal lick my face after all. Now that wasn’t awkward or anything.”

“My research methods were extremely advanced. I Googled vinegar.”

“Not so long ago we were all a tightly knit group of friends. Too bad someone had ripped apart the stitches that held us together, unraveling the cozy blanket of our friendship and leaving just enough strands to hang ourselves with.”