Page 2 of The Friend Situation

“How long have you known Trever? Where are you meeting him?”

She leans back on the plush couch, running her fingers through her dark hair. Her wedding ring sparkles like a star, reflecting the overhead light of her luxurious penthouse. It has the most incredible view of Central Park.

The sun sets behind her, and the sky is golden, but it’s not just the fading light that gives her that glow. My best friend is madly in love with her husband, Easton Calloway, who also happens to be one of the wealthiest men on the planet. She wears her happiness like a badge of honor while trying to hide her pregnancy from the media.

It’sbeautiful.And if I’m honest, I’m just atadjealous.

Weston Calloway, her husband’s identical twin brother and my coconspirator, secretly played matchmaker. For months, we worked together and meticulously planned. While Lexi and Easton’s first encounter was a disaster, it still worked out. We were given the honor of watching them fall deeply in love.

Weston and I swore never to share what we’d done, and thatsecret sits next to our friendship, which we’ve kept hidden for nearly a year.

Secrets.When it comes to Weston, I have a chamber of them.

Lexi clears her throat, pulling me from my runaway thoughts ofhim.

“Are you gonna give me details about this date, or do I need to call Brody to do surveillance?” she asks.

“I don’t need a bodyguard, Lex. Trever would be scared shitless with Brody around. However, he is a fine piece of man candy. Is he still single?”

Lexi nods. “He’s a robot. He’ll be single forever.”

Brody looms larger than life in my mind. He’s Easton and Weston’s cousin, but also their bodyguard. That man is covered with ink and wears a glare that screams,Don’t fuck with me. It’s a Calloway trait though.

“Lex,I don’t need a babysitter.”

She can make it happen with one phone call.

“It comes from a good place in my heart, I promise. I worry when you meet these strange men from these apps. There are too many pervs out there who only want one thing from you because you’re drop-dead gorgeous, and?—”

“Thanks for gassing me up, but what if I only want one thing from them? You sound like my brothers.” I shake my head, the corners of my mouth twisting into a smirk. “God forbid I use men for theonlygood thing they have to offer me right now.”

“No, no, no. Iwantyou to have tons of raunchy, mind-blowing sex—but with therightperson, even if it’s only temporary. You deserve to have fun. I’ve just watched too much true crime lately.”

Her expression softens, revealing her genuine concern. I appreciate how much she cares.

“Lex, you know I’ve taken tons of self-defense classes. Not to mention, I grew up fighting my asshole cousins and brothers. I can put a man two times bigger than me on his back in eight seconds flat.”

“I know, but I still worry about you,” she explains, resting her hand on her belly.

Lexi is more like a sister to me than myactualsister has ever been. She’s the family I chose, and she wants the best for me.

“I’ll be fine, I promise. Thank you. It means a lot.” I grab some pearl earrings and a silver tennis bracelet I bought for my birthday. It’s my lucky charm. Something amazingalwayshappens when I wear it.

“If this doesn’t work out, I have someone you can date. How do you feel about previously married men?” she asks teasingly.

It’s a question I’ve avoided answering because I know why she’s asking.

“Stop trying to hook me up with Weston,” I say sternly, my heart thumping harder at the mere mention of his name. Anytime he crosses my thoughts, my pulse quickens in a way that both excites and terrifies me.

“Youbrought him up, not me,” she singsongs. “But speaking of Weston, you two would be great together. He’s kind. Funny. Outgoing. Plus, he’s always been your hall pass.”

“Lexi!” My eyes widen. Not many people know that. “I’ve since replaced him with Jensen Ackles. And I don’t care if he’s close to fifty. He’sfine.”

“He’s married. Weston, on the other hand …” She’s not even being subtle with what she’s doing.

“Technically, he’s married too,” I say, knowing his divorce hasn’t been finalized yet.

“It will be over any day now. You know that.”

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