Keeley's laughter made Aaron wonder if she was okay. Her amusement at his self-deprecation, while ego-bruising, was a relief.

"Will continuing to insult myself make you feel better?" he asked seriously. He'd do it if it helped.

She smiled and shook her head. "Better save it for special occasions. The surprise got me. It's not every day you hear a cocky person insult himself."

"I prefer 'confident.'"

Aaron wasn't confident anymore. He had been, once, but that was before he'd thoroughly messed up his life and the life of the person who mattered most. His only remaining confidence lay in business, thanks to decades of experience.

Keeley rolled her eyes, took another sip of water, and offered no retort. Her hiccups had stopped, but her eyes were still puffy.

"Do you feel better now?" he asked.

"Yeah. Thanks."

She leaned to kiss his cheek, but as he turned to find tissues, she kissed his lips instead.

His eyes widened; she coughed, embarrassed. "I didn't mean to."

"I know."

He wasn't oblivious; he knew she wasn't romantically interested. He'd learned to take a hint.

Unexpectedly, Keeley remarked, "You know you're the only person I've ever kissed?"

Startled, he could only manage, "Really?" Someone so sociablehe'd expected her to date in college. She was clearly over him.

"Yep. Never been in love, either. Middle school crushes don't count. Maybe that's why I seem stuck with you, no matter what I do." She sighed, her brow furrowing. "I really don't get it."

"Get what?" He was confused.

She looked at him seriously. "Why we were both reborn. I understand my traumatic, early deathbut why you? And why wasn't I reborn sooner to save my family? They died traumatically, too!"

She had a point. Why had he been reborn? Before learning about Keeley's rebirth, he'd assumed it was to fix their past mistakes, a second chance at happiness.

Clearly, that wasn't the case. She remembered everything and resented him. So what was the point? Besides a few good years before Alistair and Lacy interfered, his life had sucked, but he'd died naturally. Many lead unsatisfying lives without reincarnation. He'd never heard of anyone getting a second chance like theirs.

"I assumed I was given a second chance to do right by you," Aaron said honestly. "Obviously, that didn't work."

A weary expression crossed her face. "I thought I had a chance to redo my lifewithout you. No offense."

"None taken."

It was odd to have this blunt conversation while she sat in his lap.

"But it isn't working," Keeley continued. "It's like some divine intervention keeps pushing us together. Is it fair that whatever force reincarnated us expected it to work when I remember everything?"

Another excellent point. Her memories were far more traumatic than his. If she'd forgotten, their relationship would have recovered easily.

"Maybe it wanted you to know the truth," Aaron said slowly.

She frowned. "I've wondered thatbut still. This is ridiculous. I'm tired, Aaron. I want to be normal."

It was strange, yet not, that they discussed this so openly. Keeley couldn't tell anyone else; he was the only one who understood. For better or worse, they were in this together.

"I think you're normal. College, good friends, researching your passion. How is that not normal?"

She twisted her hands, avoiding his eyes. This was the most uncomfortable she'd seemed, even more so than the accidental kiss.

"no matter what I do, you're always in my head, like an annoying commercial jingle."

"Wow, thanks," Aaron said dryly. He couldn't be angry; he'd made his bed.

"That was harshI mean, I don't think that mystical force will LET me live peacefully without you. I'm wondering if fighting it is worth it."

Keeley took a deep breath.

"Things are different this time. I could live my dream, have friends, and avoid snobby socialites. But is it fair to either of us? I could give in, hoping for peace, but I don't love you. Would you even be okay with that?"

He had to re-check his hearing. She was considering a relationship? Even bluntly, that couldn't be right.

(The final sentence about hearing needs no correction, as it serves to end the cleaned passage at the end of a thought and before the addition of the website plug.)