Page 30 of The Friend Situation

Quietly, she tiptoes over to Easton and Lexi, then kneels down until she’s face-to-face with Lexi.

“Lex, I’m gonna go,” Carlee whispers, shaking her.

“Huh?Oh.Shit. Okay. Why are you so close to me?” Lexi backs away, and Easton tightens his grip on her.

“I love you,” Carlee tells her, squeezing her tightly. “Let’s have lunch soon and catch up.”

“Deal,” Lexi says, sitting upright. Her hair is a mess. “Have fun on your date.”

“I will,” Carlee tells her, standing.

“Good night,” Easton says, but there’s something more behind his sleepy gaze as it flicks between us. He’s trying to read me again.

“Night.”

I turn to Carlee, sliding on my suit jacket. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Thanks,” she offers.

In the elevator, neither of us speaks. We don’t descend to the ground floor, but to the garage my brother and I share. I turn on the lights, and her eyes widen.

“You own these?” she asks, her fingers gliding over the sleek vintage cars.

She glances admiringly at the white Mustang parked nearby, and memories of when I stole this car during our matchmaking days flood me. I pretended to be Easton then cleverly delivered Lexi to him.

“Most are Easton’s, but I have access to everything,” I reply as I move toward the locker, placing my fingerprint on the pad. It clicks open.

I remove the keys from the hook, but Carlee hesitates.

“It’s too risky to leave together.”

I smirk. “It’s midnight. We’re safe.”

I open the gear cabinet, replacing my suit jacket with a riding coat. I pull Lexi’s gear from the closet and hand it to Carlee, along with a plain helmet. They’re the same size.

“This should fit.”

“Weston,” she whispers, but she takes the items from me.

“Do you trust me?” I ask, moving to the motorcycle.

I climb onto it, start the engine, and then lower my helmet over my head.

“If we’re caught together, it could spark more rumors. That’s the last thing you need,” she urges, her voice laced with concern.

I flip the visor upward to meet her eyes. She hasn’t moved an inch.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes, but?—”

“But nothing.” I point to the bathroom door. “Change in there, then join me.”

She sighs dramatically. “If I get labeled as your secret girlfriend, I’llneverforgive you.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

Carlee steps into the bathroom, and my phone buzzes with a text.

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