Page 145 of The Friend Situation

“I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine.” A few tears spill down my cheeks.

Had Lena succeeded, we would have never met. The thought chills me to the bone.

“Please don’t. I’m still here,” he says, wiping my tears away with his thumb before pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“After all that, you were still kind to her.”

“You never have to meet someone at their lowest,” Weston exhales. “It’s almost over, and eventually, it will be in the past. My publicist did warn me that things might get worse before they get better. We should prepare for online attacks.”

I watch him closely, absorbing the gravity of his words, but I also understand how this works. “I’ll be ready. So will Lux.”

He studies me. “You don’t need to fight my battles.”

“I always have,” I whisper.I always will.

“Your words are your weapon, Carlee. Choose them wisely,” he mutters, wrapping his strong arms around me.

I listen to his heart thump in his chest as his fingers thread through my hair.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks.

“Us. What are we doing?” I place my hands flat on his chest, meeting his blue eyes.

“Right now, we’re cuddling,” he mutters, smiling, completely relaxed. “What is it? Speak freely.”

“I don’t think I can be friends with benefits with you,” I confess.

Weston sits up and searches my face. “Are you ending this?”

23

WESTON

“Shocking,” I say, narrowing my eyes at her as I reach forward to gently touch her hand.

Turmoil coils tightly behind her green eyes, but beneath it lies undeniable desire.

Which will win?

Can’t fucking wait to find out.

“You know, I thought we’d have at least a week minimum before you did this.” I keep my tone light.

“What does that mean?” Her brows rise. Confusion and curiosity dance across her pretty face.

“The chase is over, and you’re done, right? At least you canofficiallychoose a new hall pass. Might have to call Jensen and warn him about you,” I say, tucking loose strands of her hair behind her ear. My fingers barely graze her skin.

Her nostrils flare with a hint of indignation. “You think I’m running away from you?”

“Yes. It’s what you do, but …”

My smile doesn’t fade as my gaze roams over her, pausing to linger on the light dusting of freckles gracing the bridge of herbutton nose. It’s squished in anticipation as she waits for my next words.

Fucking adorable.

“You’ll never escape me, Carlee. I’ve lived rent-free in your head for over a decade, and I willalwaysbe there. Even if you run.”

Her mouth opens as if she’ll refute my claim, but silence hangs heavily between us. I may have her wrapped around my little finger, but I’m chained to her. Neither of us can escape this. Tonight confirmed that for me. We’re in too deep, and I think she knows that too. This is how she protects herself from heartbreak.

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