Kiss Me Like You Missed Me

Kate 

There was a time I’d have done anything for my brother’s friend Cole.

He was right out of my dreams: hot, charismatic, and talented beyond belief. Maybe I was naïve to think I could, but I had to make him mine. I thought that I was making progress until his talent took him away. Not all dreams come true.

Now Cole is back, and I want him just as much as ever. I’ve grown up enough to be embarrassed by the way I acted back then. Time has taught me some hard lessons. I don’t throw myself after the unattainable dreams—not anymore.

This time, I won’t be the pathetic, starry-eyed girl who gets her heart crushed.

If only I could convince my heart to agree.

Cole 

It all started with a prank gone wrong, but the joke was on me the moment I laid eyes on her. What were the chances my friend Ward would have a little sister like Kate? I didn’t even know he had a sister.

Kate was everything I could ever want, and against all odds, she even wanted me back. Too bad her brother would murder me if he knew.

I spent my college years trying my best to avoid the one girl I wanted. I left, letting her believe I never wanted her.

Now I’ve chosen to retire early from the NFL after four concussions in two years. I needed to quit while I still had two brain cells to rub together, but I may be in for heartbreak instead.

I’ve come home to find that the girl I’ve never been able to forget has forgotten me. I guess I should have told her the truth.

Kate’s convinced it’ll never work, and she’s just as convinced I never wanted her. She’s still stubborn as hell and I don’t deserve her, but I’ve always loved a challenge.

This time, I’m not playing games.