Page 101 of The Friend Situation

“Is everything okay?” My heart pounds.

“Someone’s been in my apartment,” she says, shaking her head.

I place my hands on her shoulders. “How do you know?”

“My laptop is missing.” Tears well in her eyes, and it nearly breaks me when they fall down her cheeks. “I kept saying I was going to back up everything, and I didn’t finish doing it.”

I’ve never seen her like this, and it’s upsetting.

“I’m so, so sorry,” I say, hating that this happened to her, especially after she mentioned writing again.

“I’m scared. What if they’re still in there?” she asks, pulling away.

I brush away her tears with my thumbs. “I’ll check for you.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Stay here,” I tell her, entering.

Nothing looks out of place or destroyed. The yellow roses I got her last weekend are on the counter in several vases. Her place is cute and cozy, exactly what I expected. On the wall, a katana hangs, and I pull it from the sheath.

She stands at the doorway, watching me. Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head.

“There are knives,” she whisper-hisses, pointing toward the kitchen.

I put my finger over my mouth. “Shh.”

“Men,” she mutters.

I place both hands on the grip, holding it tight. The silver edge reflects the light. As I stare at the bathroom door, a burst of adrenaline rushes through me. I twist the knob and push it open, seeing the closed curtain. Carefully but quickly, I pull it back, revealing nothing but shampoo bottles and …

I blink a few times.

Are those …tentacles?

“What the fuck?” I mutter.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

I grab the purple dildo and stand in the hallway, holding it in the air, smirking. “This is the only monster I found.”

Laughter escapes her, and her face turns bright red as I set it on the counter.

“Will you pretty please check my room?” she asks.

I nudge the door open with my knee, sword back in place. My father insisted that Easton and I take fencing in boarding school. I can’t wait to tell Easton I actually used those skills.

I move into her bedroom, noticing gorgeous paintings on the walls and sexy lingerie on the floor. I open her closet door and find nothing but clothes.

“You’re clear,” I tell her.

Carlee rushes inside, locking the door behind her. “Thank you.”

I return to the living room and return the sword to its location, laughing that she even has it. “I’m not going to ask.”

“I liked how it was pink,” she admits. “And it came in handy. Can’t wait to rub that in my brother’s face. He told me I was dumb for buying it and that I’d never use it.”

I shove my hands into my pockets. “Please check to make sure nothing else is missing.”

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