Stunned.

My stomach churning.

He has his hand shoved in her back pocket. I used to do that.

Not that I have a claim to Cate anymore, but Jackson Carter is a jackass.

Why him? What does he have that I don’t?

She laughs and grabs his arm.

Damn.

She’s touching him.

Bile starts to surface, and I swallow it back down.

Great, now she’s caught me staring at her.

I smile.

No, don’t come over here! Don’t bring him this way.

Deep breath. Push hands in pocket. No punching Jack. That wouldn’t impress her. So what would?

“Hey! Wow, you look so great, Connor!” She wraps her arms around my waist and smells all sweet and delicious. I just want to kiss her.

Let go, Connor. You don’t want her to know what kind of affect she has on you. Stop hugging her! Don’t touch her anymore, and watch your hands. Damn, don’t brush her butt. What’s wrong with you?

“You look great,” Cate says as she pulls away from me and takes Jackson’s hand. “So what have you been up to lately? I haven’t seen you around in ages.”

Yeah, because you haven’t looked.

“Yeah, I’ve been staying busy with work and school. You know, with sixteen credits and a working full time at Joe’s, I don’t have much free time.”

“I remember. You never have much time.”

Was that remorse? She sounds sad. Her lip twitched. Is she fighting a frown? Man, I want to kiss her. To touch her again.

“So…Um…Maybe we can get together sometime. You know, for old time’s sake.” She reaches out at takes my hand, swinging it in front of her, like she used to do before she’d kiss me.

Oh, please forget this idiot and kiss me.

“Maybe you can bring whoever you’re dating and we can double.”

Well, hell. “Yeah, that would be fine.” Fine? Who says that? That would be fine. Damn, I’m an idiot.

My hand’s still swinging in hers. I can’t figure out what any of this means.

“So…I guess we should get going.”

We? Oh yeah, Jackson. Forgot about him.

He looks pissed.

I can’t help but smile. Cate is still holding my hand.