Page 205 of The Friend Situation

“After being friends, you just one day randomly decided to date each other?” Claire asks.

“Yeah, basically. I went on a handful of horrible dates and realized I was searching for what I had with Weston,” Carlee says.

I wrap my arms around her.

“It was just easy being with you,” Carlee says, leaning in for a kiss.

Everyone looks at us with awe, even her brothers.

“Make my little cousin cry, and we’ll all fuck you up,” Lucas warns, narrowing his gaze.

“Count us in on that too,” Easton adds, grinning.

“Okay, I’m feeling ganged up on,” I say, biting Carlee’s arm.

Goose bumps trail up her skin—something I’ve always been able to trigger since the beginning.

I hope we never change.

“Everyone is Team Carlee,” she teases.

“So am I,” I admit. “What will you do about it?”

Suddenly, Carlee’s phone buzzes, and she pulls it from her pocket to answer. Clearing her throat, she raises her hand. “Mawmaw confirmed we’re getting married at two!” She brings it back to her ear, laughing. “Love you too. Bye!”

Her stomach growls loudly, and Claire hears it.

“Are you hungry? We have plenty of food,” Claire offers, standing.

“I’ll be right back,” she says, kissing my hand before following Claire.

Once we’re alone, the guys glare at me.

“Ah.” I smirk. “This is what I was waiting for.”

Lucas stands, crossing his broad arms over his chest. “You’re coming with us.”

“Are we fighting?” I ask, glancing around.

“No,” Matteo states firmly. “We’re not animals.”

Easton snickers and everyone turns to him. “Sorry. Lexi’s brothers made me fistfight them.”

Dean lifts his sleeves. “We can arrange for that.”

“I kinda beat the fuck out of her brother and gave him a concussion,” Easton explains. “I’d probablynotdo that. Weston has more pent-up anger in his pinkie than I do in my entire body.”

“Thanks,” I say. “Always honest.”

Easton laughs.

Carlee walks onto the porch, noticing her cousins and brothers surrounding me. “Excuse me? What’s going on?”

The screen door slams behind her.

“Weston’s gonna be busy the rest of the night,” JJ says with a sly grin.

“No, he’snot,” Carlee insists, taking deliberate steps toward us. I think she might fight them all. “He’s coming home with me.”

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