A Wicked Kiss by M. S. Parker

any of that. This was different than meeting some random person and asking them to move in after only a few dates. I’d known Jasper as long as I’d known Allen, and the three of us had always been together that first year. It hadn’t been until after they’d graduated that we’d had less time together as a trio.
    I hadn’t told anyone but Mitchell about Jasper moving in, but when Gina Edgars came by to pick me up so the two of us could carpool to work, I didn’t try to hide kissing Jasper goodbye at the door. I knew Gina wouldn’t judge. Of all the other teachers at the school where we worked, she was the only one I considered a true friend. She and her long-time girlfriend, Junie, lived across the road and the two of us often rode together to work.
    “So,” she said as she pulled out onto the road. “Jasper Whitehall.”
    I couldn’t hear any disapproval, but I still didn’t look at her when I answered, “We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks and he moved in this weekend.” I tensed, waiting for her to tell me that I’d moved way too fast, that it was inappropriate. She might not judge me, but she also wouldn’t hold back her opinion of my behavior either.
    “Good for you.”
    I turned towards her, startled at just how supportive she was.
    Her light blue eyes sparkled as she smiled at me. “I saw the way he was with you after Allen died and at the funeral. It was obvious he cared about you and I’d been hoping you’d see it too. Then I heard that the two of you had been seen out together in town.”
    I flushed.
    “You have nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about, Shae.” She reached out a hand and gave my arm a comforting squeeze. “It’s natural for you to want to be with someone again.”
    I looked down at my hands. “I know everyone’s going to think it’s too soon.”
    “Fuck what everyone else thinks.”
    I laughed, relief flooding through me. She was right. Jasper and I hadn’t done anything wrong. It wasn’t like we’d fallen for each other while Allen had been alive and had just been waiting for our opportunity. It had just happened.
    “Can I be nosy about something?”
    I glanced over at her to see a mischievous smile curving her mouth. I was immediately wary, knowing that when she got that look, anything could come out of her mouth. “Okay.”
    “How is he in bed?”
    “Gina!” I stared at her, heat rushing to my face. When she burst out laughing, I smacked her arm. “Are you kidding me?!”
    “Sorry, sweetie, I couldn’t resist. That kiss goodbye? Damn. You could’ve started a fire with that kind of heat.”
    I was fairly sure my face must’ve been glowing by now.
    “Seriously, though.” Her voice sobered. “I’ve always thought Jasper’s had to put up with too much shit around here. He’d been a wild kid, sure, but he’s a good man.” She reached over and took my hand. “You two deserve to be happy.”
    “Thank you.” I swallowed hard around the lump in my throat. After Mitchell’s negative reaction, I’d been bracing myself for similar responses. Having Gina’s support meant a lot to me.
    It took me a few minutes to regain my composure, but when I did, I couldn’t resist trying to lighten the mood before we got to the school.
    “By the way, the answer to your question is: amazing.”
    Gina gave me a puzzled look.
    “How Jasper is in bed.” I grinned. “I could barely walk last Monday.”
    Gina laughed and shook her head. “I’ll make sure I tell Junie that we don’t have to worry about you sitting all alone in that big house with nothing to do.”
    I laughed with her. “No, I’m quite sure he’ll keep me busy.”
    As we continued to joke and tease, I let myself relax and enjoy the moment. While I was determined to move forward, I knew that there were still plenty of things that could make my life difficult in the days and weeks to come. When times like this came along, I was going to do my best to savor them.
    The day went well,