Page 87 of Best Friends for Never

“So does that mean you’re coming to the event?”

“I said I’m here to help fundraise, and I meant it.”

“I know, but . . .”

“But?” I ask, bumping my shoulder against hers. “What’s on your mind?”

“Well, you’re leaving.” She shrugs, looking down at where her legs are bouncing off the stage. “I know you’re only here for six weeks, and I don’t want to monopolize your time.”

She can’t be serious.

“Hey,” I say softly, reaching over and tipping her chin up toward me so she’s forced to look into my eyes. “I’m here for you, Parker. You know that, right? I’m staying for you.”

“I thought you were staying for the theater. Because you believe in it.”

“I believe inyou.”

Her eyes widen, and I feel her swallow sharply. “Oh.”

“Is that really such a surprise?” I ask, dragging my thumb across her soft bottom lip, unable to stop myself from touching her.

“Well, no. I mean, maybe. You’ve always believed in me. I just ...” She shrugs again. “I don’t know. It just feels different now.”

“Because of yesterday?” She nods. “I don’t know about you, Parker, but yesterday didn’t change anything for me. Not when it comes to you. I still have all the same feelings about you I’ve always had. What we did ... It didn’t change any of that. Wait. No. That’s not true.”

Her brows crush together. “It’s not?”

“No. It made me want you more. And I already really, really wanted you,” I say, leaning in closer and pressing my lips to her cheek.

Her breath hitches, and I grin against her, kissing her again, all the way to her ear so only she can hear what I’m about to say next.

“You have no idea how badly I want to fuck you on this stage, Parker,” I whisper. “I wanted to do it ten years ago, and I want it even more badly now that I know what you taste like.”

She lets out a small gasp.

“If we were alone right now, I’d do just that. I’d roll you over and slide between your legs. I’d eat your pussy until you begged me to let you come, then I’d fuck you until my name echoed around these walls. Then I’d do it all over again just because I could.”

She gulps, and the sound is so audible that a few crew members look over to see what’s happening.

Parker waves at them, and I laugh, then pull away. Her chest is heaving, her pupils are dilated, and a tiny bead of sweat sits just at her hairline.

“Something wrong, Peter?” I ask her innocently.

She squeezes her eyes shut, shaking her head. “I hate you.”

I laugh. “You do not.”

“I don’t. I really don’t. Though sometimes, I think it would make things easier.”

I’m not sure what that means, but I don’t want to get into it now—not with Axel barreling into the room.

He stops just a few feet from the stage, his eyes locked only on Parker, pretending I’m not even here.

“We’ve got a problem,” he tells her.

Gone is the playfulness. Parker’s hackles are now raised. “What’s wrong?”

“Come look.”

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