How to Kiss Your Enemy

by Amanda Ashby

  Hope?

  She blinked it away. Whatever he was talking about was a question for another day. Right now she only had room to concentrate on her misery.

  Her misery of being alone forever.

  “I can’t do it.” Her voice wavered. “If one photo can wipe me out for a day…what would happen when we’re back at school? It wouldn’t be fair on him.”

  “Is that what he said?”

  She shook her head and closed her eyes. “No.”

  Zac let out another whistle. “Whoa. You dumped him?”

  She flinched. “I didn’t dump him. It wasn’t like that.”

  “Seems exactly like that. Anyway, I figured you would want to know his folks arrived in camp. He’s going back to Cricket Bay with them.”

  “What?” She turned, and the branch wobbled. Zac’s hand shot out to steady her. He was leaving? Her heart thudded, and a wave of hypocrisy washed over her. She was hiding from him but still upset he was going?

  “That’s all I know.” Zac shrugged, his eyes narrowing in on her. “Via, do you really want it to be over?”

  There was a question.

  A week ago, if anyone had told her she’d even have a conversation with Hudson, she would have laughed. Loudly. But now she’d kissed him, told him she was his girlfriend, had a fight with him, and spent the last hour crying about it.

  It had been a busy eight days.

  And she was still avoiding the question.

  She swallowed. “I really like him, Zac.”

  “I like him too. He’s the only guy I’ve met who is as smart as you are.”

  “I don’t feel very smart right now.”

  “That’s because you’re sitting up a tree. Not normally considered your best work environment. Go find a library.”

  “According to Hudson, the thing I do best is avoid life.”

  “Ha. Good one.” He burst out laughing. Via blinked at him.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You’re not avoiding life. This is life. You breathe. You live. It’s not rocket science, Vee. And I’m speaking from experience here. Go fix it while there’s still something to fix.”

  She shut her eyes and leaned against the trunk. “The panic attacks keep coming back. It’s like I’m six years old again. On the stage, unable to move as everyone looks at me. I can still hear their voices.”

  Zac was silent. It was unusual, and she studied his face. Finally he spoke. “Here’s what I don’t get. If that’s happening, then why can’t you remind yourself you’re not six anymore?”

  “It’s not that simple. The brain is complex and automatically uses neural pathways to—” She broke off as Zac’s eyes glazed over. “Trust me on this.”

  “Hey, I never question your smarts,” Zac assured her. “But I still don’t get it. Why can’t you remind yourself you’re not six anymore? Because, news flash. It’s true. You’re sixteen. Why should some lousy six-year-old be in charge? No offense. I was there and you had some nasty habits. Peanut butter and raisins?”

  “That was a valid life choice,” she protested, then sighed as he raised an eyebrow. “Okay, it was gross. But you don’t understand. It happens every—”

  She broke off.

  It didn’t happen every time.

  At the waterfall with Hudson she’d gone swimming. Something she hadn’t done for years. But with him by her side it seemed easy. And it was. Because he didn’t think she was weird.

  When she was with him, she was herself.

  It was the same with Zac.

  And with Frankie.

  None of them let her sink back into six-year-old Via.

  She caught her breath as her mind began to spin. Had she been working on a false premise all this time? Problem was, there was only one way to test out her theory. And if she was wrong…

  But if I’m right.

  She sat up, the branch wobbling underneath her. She hardly noticed. Because if she was right, then she could still be with Hudson. And she’d always been a fast learner.

  “Zac, you’re brilliant.”

  “Really? Can I get that in writing?”

  “Sure. But first you need to help me down from this tree. There’s something I need to do.”

  She just hoped she wasn’t too late.

  xxxx

  “See you, Hudson.” Lulu wrapped her arms around one leg while Theo did the same on his other.

  “You bet you will. I’m babysitting you monsters next week when you come home from camp. Water and bread rations,” he said, forcing his voice to be light and happy. After all, practice made perfect.

  “Come on Lulu and Theo, they want to leave.” Ruth masterfully detached both kids in under a minute. Then she hugged him. “Will you call me when you get home?”

  “I promise. And thanks for a great summer.”

  “I’m sorry it didn’t quite work out the way you wanted.”

  He’d never mentioned Via to her, but he was guessing she’d seen the damn photograph.

  “Can’t have everything, I guess.”

  Hudson hugged his uncle and turned to his parents. They were leaning against the rental car they’d driven up in. Turned out they’d both met at the airport and hadn’t killed each other.

  He should be happy.

  He sighed and limped over to them.

  “All ready?” his dad said as he opened the car door.

  “I guess,” he said, and took one last look around.

  The white cabins were buzzing with people wandering in and out of them. The lake glittered a thousand shades of blue…and Via Mackenzie was running across the dried grass toward him.

  His whole body stiffened.

  It was definitely her.

  Long dark curls were flying out behind her, and her cheeks were bright from the exercise. She was panting by the time she reached him, and there was a light layer of sweat on her brow, which made her curls spring even tighter.

  “Via, what are you—”

  But the rest of his words were cut off as she stepped right up to him and slid her arms around his waist. Heat burned his skin as she stood up on her toes and found his mouth. Her lips were soft as her body pressed against him. Then she stepped away, and her hands dropped from his waist.

  “I’m sorry to kiss you first without apologizing, but I was too scared I wouldn’t find the words quickly enough. I thought I’d better present my strongest argument first.”

  It was hard to think with her scent still lingering. Which was a problem, because none of this was making sense. He peered at the campers who were milling around, eyes curious.

  “You don’t need to apologize for kissing me. Not ever. But I don’t understand, Via. There are people. Everywhere. Aren’t you freaking out?”

  “No.” She shook her head, then lifted her hand up in the air. It was shaking. “Okay. Yes, I am, but I have a theory.” She looked around and seemed to notice how close they were to his parents. “Could we talk? It won’t take long. I know you have to go.”

  He glanced at his folks. They’d kept him waiting all summer. They owed him ten minutes. As if reading his mind, his dad gave a slight nod and Hudson turned back to Via.

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “The bench is fine,” she said, glancing to a wooden seat overlooking the water. He followed her, still limping. Her arm brushed his, and it took all of his willpower not to hold her hand. He eased himself onto the seat. Via sat down, her knees pointing toward him, and she was leaning forward.

  Like she wanted to be closer.

  “So, what’s this theory?”

  She bowed her head. “When the panic attack came, I couldn’t get past it. I didn’t know how I could get through school like that…every single day. But I had no proof it would actually happen. The data was inconclusive.”

  “False premise,” he said as understanding hit him. It meant she wanted to risk being with him, to see if there was a different result. “Do you think it will work?”

  She swallowe
d and caught his eyes. “It’s working so far.”

  “I still don’t get how you suddenly realized this.”

  “Zac couldn’t understand why I kept letting myself be ruled by six-year-old me, trapped on the stage. I started explaining how neural pathways worked, but then it hit me, he was right,” she said as her voice broke. “Hudson, I’m so sorry I hurt you. Again. You didn’t deserve that. But…if you want to—”

  “Oh, I want to.” He reached for her hand. It was smaller than his and had smudges of dirt from climbing the tree. His chest pounded. “I meant what I said. Whatever way you want to do things is fine by me.”

  “I want to do things right.” She inched toward him until her leg was pressed against his. Her lips brushed his mouth, and fireworks exploded in his mind. “I will get better at being out in public.”

  “Just be you, Via.” He kissed her again and she let out a soft moan and her arms slid around his waist. He pressed his brow to hers. “Thank you.”

  “I should be saying that,” she said, her voice breathy. “You’ve been the best. When I think of how I’ve behaved.”

  “That’s what makes you Via Mackenzie. The last two years…they kind of sucked. I’ve been on my own a lot. I don’t feel like that now.”

  “You’re not alone,” she said as a shadow fell over them. She let out a long groan as her brother appeared. “Actually, when you date a twin, you’re really never alone. What do you want, Zac?”

  “Just to offer my congratulations. I was rooting for you, Hudson.” Zac grinned and sat down next to him. “And now we’re almost related, we need to talk about rowing. That was some show on the lake the other day. We could use you on the squad.”

  Via growled. “This really isn’t a good time.”

  He blinked and gave them both a rueful smile. “Oh, right. More kissing. Don’t let me stop you. And Hudson, it goes without saying, if you mess with my sister—”

  “She can take care of herself and fight her own battles?” Hudson said.

  “You better believe it.” Zac swooped in and messed up Via’s hair. Then he jogged away, leaving them alone once again. They turned to each other and burst out laughing.

  “Like I said, you won’t just be getting me. You’ll be getting my brother,” she said before frowning. “What did you mean about me fighting my own battles?”

  “After the science fair I thought Zac was going to beat me up, but he told me you could take care of yourself.”

  “He can be pretty smart when he wants to be.” Her eyes glistened, but she wiped the tears away. “I hate I ruined the other night for you.”

  “Turns out today’s even better.” Hudson reached for her hand and caught it in his. It was smooth and warm and right. His phone buzzed with a text, quickly followed by another one. He sighed. “I’m being summoned.”

  “I’m going to miss you so much.” She leaned forward and her mouth found his. Electricity filled him and he deepened the kiss. She let out a soft sigh and finally pulled away. “But I’m happy they’re here. You need to talk. Tell them how you really feel.”

  “I’ve been getting some good practice lately,” he said, still holding her hands. “You’ll be back in Cricket Bay in six days.”

  “Don’t rub it in.” She groaned and rolled her eyes. “Six days stuck at Camp Doom while you’re back in the real world? Say hello to coffee from me.”

  “Will do.”

  She gave him a shy smile and stood up. “I’m going to walk you to the car. Say a quick hello to your mom and dad. If that’s okay?”

  His throat went tight. “You sure?”

  She nodded. “I need to practice being sixteen. Now’s a good time to start.”

  His fingers tightened around her hand. In the distance he could see Ruth giving him a thumbs-up, and he grinned.

  Best summer ever.

  Epilogue

  Via didn’t do nature. But apparently that didn’t matter. She stared at the old oak tree growing up the side of Hudson’s house, brushing against his bedroom window. She was back early after her parents, in a surprise to everyone, announced they wanted to go home to some creature comforts. Thank goodness that sanity was returning to them.

  Her first instinct had been to text Hudson, but she’d decided to make it a surprise.

  Climb up to his window, she’d told herself.

  Be all romantic and adorable.

  Except climbing wasn’t adorable. It was hard work.

  But he was worth it.

  She took a deep breath. “Okay, tree. I’m going to climb you, and I’d really appreciate it if you made it easy for me. I’m not great at these things.”

  Unsurprisingly, the tree didn’t answer, but someone else did.

  “Which is probably a good reason to use the front door.”

  She spun around to where Hudson was leaning against the doorframe looking all kinds of gorgeous. Her heart pounded as he walked toward her. No crutches, just a slight limp. He was wearing a white T-shirt that did wicked things to his caramel eyes, and his mouth was in a full smile.

  “I thought it would be cute and fun,” she protested.

  “In my experience that isn’t always the case,” he said and lifted his ankle. Then he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground as his mouth found hers. Butterflies pressed against her chest as she breathed him in.

  “Hey,” she said when they broke away and he lowered her down.

  “Hey, yourself. I thought I was seeing things when I looked out the window.”

  “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Consider it a success,” he murmured, kissing her again. But this time when they broke away, he let go of her waist and fumbled in the back pocket of his shorts. “By the way, I got this for you.”

  “We’re doing presents?” She took the small cardboard box he was holding.

  “I figured we could do whatever we wanted. And I wanted to do this. Is that cool?”

  She pressed her lips together and grinned. “Depends on what it is. Zac once gave me a cockroach for a prank.”

  “No bugs. I swear.”

  Her hands shook as she lifted the lid off. Inside was a silver necklace with a delicate triangle on it. At each point was a tiny star.

  It was a constellation.

  “Vega, Altair, Deneb.” She let out a breathy sigh. “The summer triangle. Hudson, I love it. Thank you.”

  He gave her a shy smile as his eyes held hers. “Summer’s been amazing. I can’t wait to see what fall, winter, and spring are like.”

  “I could show you.” Then she stood up on her toes and kissed him.

  Looking for your next read in the How to Kiss series?

  How to Kiss a Bad Boy READ NOW IN KU

  How to Kiss Your Crush READ NOW IN KU

  Also by Amanda Ashby

  HOW TO KISS A BAD BOY

  A girl with a plan. A guy with a past. And a summer that could change everything.

  Sixteen-year-old Frankie Hargreaves has her summer all figured out. Work at her aunt’s retro food truck, and have her first kiss with the cute guy from the surf shop. It’s foolproof. Until her aunt hires local bad boy, Jackson Lang to help out. Sure he’s cute. Okay, really cute. But Frankie knows what guys like him are like. All she needs to do is ignore him and stick to the plan. How hard can it be?

  Jackson’s always lived in the shadow of his father’s criminal past, and is used to the world judging him. Which is just fine. He’s happy to keep to himself and look out for his mom and kid sister. That way he can’t be disappointed. Problem is the longer he works with the gorgeous Frankie, the more he starts to think perhaps there’s a chance for him to have a different life.

  Jackson isn’t the only one falling hard, but after two dates things get complicated and Frankie soon discovers her first perfect kiss might just lead to her first painful heartbreak.

  READ NOW IN KU

  HOW TO KISS YOUR CRUSH

  He's way out of her league.


  Sixteen-year-old activist, Norah Richmond wants to save the world, one toilet at a time. Problem is it’s hard to get people interested in helping with sanitation in struggling countries, and the fundraising is going badly. Until her crush, Zac Mackenzie literally crashes into her life.

  Everyone knows he’s a serial flirt, but when he offers to help out, she agrees because it’s all about the big picture. There’s just one little hitch. In exchange he needs her to be his fake girlfriend.

  Soccer star, Zac’s having a really bad day. Benched by the coach, he needs to prove he’s reformed. And what better way to do it than with a brand new girlfriend? Plus if it means he can help Norah to save the world, that’s even better.

  He soon discovers there’s more to the unassuming Norah than he knew. Problem is she only sees him as one of her projects. And for the for the first time in his life, Zac realizes he’s playing a game he can’t possibly win.

  READ NOW IN KU

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  Thank you so much for reading How to Kiss Your Enemy. I had so much fun writing this book, and I really hope you enjoyed Via and Hudson’s story.

  If you would like to know more about me, my books and what happens behind the scenes (lots of coffee, snacks and crazy ramblings) then sign up for my newsletter. Oh, and I’m a competition addict so am always running giveaways.

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  I really hope you enjoyed reading Via and Hudson’s story. Reviews are such an important thing for all authors and they go a long way to helping other readers decide whether to pick up my books. I’d really appreciate if you could leave a line or two on Amazon, Goodreads or Bookbub. Thanks so much for your support, I really appreciate it!

  Acknowledgments

  This was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve ever written, so a big thank you to the muse for sending Via and Hudson my way! As always, Sally and Karen are at the top of my list, quite simply because without them books don’t get written!