Page 173 of The Friend Situation

I study him, taking in the sight of him standing in my grandma’s house, looking like a daydream.

“This doesn’t feel real,” I say, still half asleep.

“It is, I promise.”

“I think that’s exactly what someone in a dream would say.” I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously.

“Woulddream medo this?” He pushes me against the door, his leg parting my thighs, adding a slight pressure.

“Actually, yes,” I admit with a gasp. “Fantasy Weston isn’t tame.”

“I’m not either.” He lightly kisses me, pulling away as I lean in for more. “If you don’t go now, we won’t leave this room until lunch.”

“So tempting.” I force myself to step away. “I want a rain check.”

“You fucking got it.”

Once in the hallway, I take a deep breath, checking my pulse. My heart races, and I try to calm myself. Mawmaw doesn’t know. I just have to pretend he didn’t sleep against me all night long.

Weston drives me wild and makes me want to risk it all.

When I enter the kitchen, Mawmaw pours me a mug of coffee. She removes a container of vanilla creamer from the fridge and sets it on the counter. I move closer to her.

“How’d you sleep?” she asks, brows raised as she watches me.

“Fantastic,” I say, remembering Weston was snuggled against me.

I brace myself for the onslaught of questions I’ve been waiting for.

Before she can speak, I hear the front door open and close as I pour and then stir in the cream.

“Are you expecting someone?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder as light footsteps echo down the hallway.

Whoever it is, I owe them a thank-you later. Mawmaw wanted to discuss something, but she won’t forget. She never does.

A red-haired woman appears, wearing a big grin as she entersthe kitchen, bright-eyed. It’s just past six in the morning, and in her hand is a basket of fresh eggs. With her voice and pretty looks, I’m convinced she’s a real-life Disney princess.

“Morning, Mawmaw,” she says, setting the basket down on the counter. “The chicks have been busy.”

“Hi, sweetie. Thank you,” Mawmaw replies. “Oh, this is Carlee, my granddaughter. But we call her Leelee.”

“Hello. I’ve heard about you in passing,” the woman says, immediately pulling me into a warm hug. She’s a natural beauty with high cheekbones. Her brown eyes sparkle. “I’m?—”

“Emma?” Weston’s voice rings out behind us.

“Weston?” she asks, puzzled.

“You know each other?” I glance between them, witnessing a flood of memories flash through their eyes.

Emma chuckles nervously. “Uh, yeah.Thisis strange. What are you doing here?”

They exchange friendly side hugs, both clearly surprised.

“What areyoudoing here?” he asks, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“I live here.” Her eyes study us with a curious wonder. “Are you two?—”

Mawmaw hands her a cup of coffee just as my jealousy flares like crazy. Every insecurity I have boils to the surface. I have nothing to worry about, right?

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