Page 100 of The Friend Situation

The car parks outside her apartment. Carlee gets out, and I check our surroundings as I follow her into the building.

Our footsteps and voices echo off the whitewashed walls as we take three flights of stairs. When we reach her door, she punches in the code and the knob clicks.

She looks at me with hooded eyes, wearing a sexy little smile. “Would you like to come in?”

I contemplate the question.

Yes. Fucking yes, I would.

It’s what my heart says.

My brain is more logical.

“Thank you for the invitation, but I think it’s best if I go,” I say.

I lick my lips, remembering how she tasted on my tongue, and I step forward. Her back presses against the cool wood as she looks up into my eyes and grabs my tie.

I grin. It’s a fucking dare, and, oh, how I want to play this dangerous game with her.

I lean in and whisper in her ear, “Tonight, you test-drove the car before you leased it. Two days. You can wait, so stop testing me. Because I know this is exactly what this is.”

She gently sighs. “Fine.You still owe me a gold sticker.” Carlee holds up her phone, which is still off.

I smile. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

“You already did.”

I step away from her, and she removes my suit jacket. I slide it on, buttoning it. Her gaze doesn’t leave me. As my hands fall to my sides, she steps forward and wraps her arms around my neck, and my hands snake around her waist. I hug her untilshelets go, wanting to keep her in my arms for as long as possible. I’ll never break away from her first.

“Good night, Weston,” she says, and I repeat it to her before she pulls away. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Being yourself and not pretending.”

I shove my hands into my pockets, waiting for her to say something else or make a move. She lets out a ragged breath andnods, knowing the night is over. We’re undoubtedly thinking the same thing, based on how she’s perpetually eye-fucking my every move.

I finally smile. “Go inside, or we’ll stare at one another until morning.”

“I’m going inside, butnotbecause you told me to,” she says, opening the door and not looking back before closing it.

I breathe in deeply, my heart racing as I take the stairs two at a time.

My mind reels as I replay the last few hours. So much has happened in such a short amount of time. Our future is spread across the table, waiting for us to place our bets. The odds are stacked against us, but the heart always wins.

Her curiosity is the devil on her shoulder.

Should she start a situationship with me? Absolutely not.

Will she? Yes.

As I walk down the stoop of her apartment, snow falls heavier and sticks to the sidewalk. Before I climb into the car, I hear my name being called from above. I glance up to see Carlee standing at her window. Brown hair blows in the cool breeze, and I smile, grateful for a final glimpse of her.

Damn, she’s so pretty.

“Weston, can you come back? Pretty please? Hurry.” She sounds distraught as she glances over her shoulder.

I don’t hesitate. I rush up the stairs until I see her waiting at her door, worry etched across her face.

---