Page 146 of The Friend Situation

I tilt my head sideways, a teasing glint sparking in my eyes. “Deny it. I’m waiting.”

“You know I can’t,” she whispers, her confession almost a plea.

“Exactly. So, we’ll keep playing this game untilyoudecideyou’redone. I’ll pretend I don’t want you, and you’ll pretend you don’t want me. We’ll have the most incredible, mind-blowing sex while living in delulu land.”

“But—”

I place my finger over her mouth.

“Gorgeous, you’ve got me, but know I’m not always going to give you what you want. And I will be atotal dickabout it too. Because, for some reason, you fucking love that, so we’ll continue this untilyousurrender. And just know, I don’t tire, Carlee. Fucking ever. We’re playing a brutal game of capture the flag, butyou’rethe flag.”

She studies me, remaining silent.

“Oh my God. I’m the problem. I’m agiantred flag,” she says, realization dawning on her like sunrise.

“If you’re a red flag, you’re the highest thread count there is,” I say, grinning.

“Weston, you can do better than me. You’re settling. And you’re going to grow bored or exhausted of me. One day, you’re going to wake up and see that.”

I brush my thumb delicately across her bottom lip, feeling herbreath catch. “Now you’re changing tactics to try to convince me not to play the game. Sorry, babe. It’s not happening.”

“I’m abrat,” she admits, a hint of defiance coloring her tone.

I tug on her hair, enjoying her feistiness. “And I fucking love brats.”

“Clearly!” She shakes her head. “What are we doing?”

“Whatever you want. Look, everything doesn’t have to be so serious. Live a little. Have some fun. The only decision that has to be made is what we’re doing right now because the future doesn’t exist. It’s not guaranteed. Choose to live in the moment with me … if you want,” I tell her, my voice inviting as I crawl out of bed to grab my boxers.

I pull my phone from my suit pants and set it on the bedside table to wirelessly charge. I feel the weight of her gaze lingering on me as I slide back between the sheets and pull the blankets over my body.

“Want some snuggles?” I ask, lifting the comforter, my tone casual but laced with something deeper, something both of us understand.

Carlee hesitates. “So, that’s it?”

“What else do you want me to say? You’re not pushing me away, even if you try.”

“And if you get tired of me?” she asks.

“Not possible. I want to spend every second with you.”

She crawls toward me, sliding her body next to mine. I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close, feeling her warmth pressed against me. Her presence is familiar and electrifying, and I feel a sense of comfort wash over me.

“You’re the best big spoon,” she admits, molding against me.

I inhale her hair and close my eyes. Exhaustion from the night—fuck, the entire weekend—crashes over me like a tidal wave. It washes away the chaos, and Carlee leaves a soothing calm in its wake.

“No contracts. No rules,” she whispers. “I desperately want to live in the moment with you, whatever that is.”

“Deal,” I say, nuzzling into her, interlocking my finger with hers, feeling the cool metal of the ring.

Carlee ditching her rules is music to my fucking ears. The chains she keeps locked around her heart are breaking away.

“One rule still stands.”

“Yes?” she breathes out. I can almost hear her heart racing.

“You’re mine. Andonlymine.”

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