Page 43 of The Friend Situation

“Thank you,” she says, a blush meeting her cheeks. “This dress fits like a glove. How’d you know?”

I don’t dare tell her I could draw her from memory. “Lucky guess.”

This morning, I called Harper Alexander—my sister’s business partner at their fashion company—and asked several questions about styles. Based on Carlee’s body type, she helped me pick it out. Right now, she owes me a fuck ton of favors for all the helpI’ve offered over the years, so she’s now my personal industry expert. I could never ask my sister. She’d pry for details, and I can’t explain what’s happening between Carlee and me. Maybe, one day, I’ll be able to articulate it.

Carlee picks up her martini. Anytime our conversation teeters on the edge of us, she avoids it. “I’m still processing that date. Wait, was it a date?”

“It was, but it felt forced. I refuse to waste time when things go off the rails. I don’t have the patience you had withDouble-E.”

“Do you know her from Oxford?” she asks, well aware of my educational background. She must’ve quickly searched out Naomi and saw the link.

I meet her gaze. “No. We attended at different times. A-plus on the quick research because I knew you didn’t recognize her when we entered.”

“Guilty.” Her shoulders relax. “I just don’t understand.”

“What?”

“You didn’t try.” Carlee’s voice is low. “It’s theonlyreason I believed you were Easton. She made every advance, and you skillfully blocked each one. That’s out of character.”

“Is it? How would you know?” I question.

“Your reputation precedes you,” she says.

“Oh, okay,” I tell her. “You assumed how tonight would go, and I proved you wrong.”

She drinks her martini and empties it. The server drops another one.

“I just expected more from Mr. Playboy.”

“Hmm.” I replay the hundreds of dates I’ve had over the last year. “No one has made it past myone drinkrule. Exceptyou.”

“I’venevergone on a date with you,” she confirms.

“What’s this?” I ask, glancing around at the couples in the room.

“Two friends having dinner,” she says flirtingly. “I’m disappointed because I thought I could tell the difference betweenyou and Easton if we were in person. It’ssoconvincing. Lexi is good.”

I watch her over the rim of my glass. “It’s love. My touch is cold compared to Easton’s, completely void of emotions. She feels the difference. It’s not based on sight, just feeling.”

“Oh. That makes sense,” she says.

Carlee doesn’t stop watching me. Ilikebeing under her gaze.

“Just be careful because Easton can snap me on just aseasilyand is extremely convincing. He’s smart and a professional at avoiding questions and changing the subject. After he saw us together last night, he’sveryinterested inus, and he’s convinced you’re my secret girlfriend.”

“How do you know?” She almost looks worried.

“Brody told me Easton cornered him and asked a lot of question about us.” I lean forward, and my eyes flick down to her lips. “Now, it’s time to tell me what you’ve been telling my brother about me. Why do you believe I’m undateable?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” she asks.

“Clearly, it’s not.”

Her brows crease. “Look at me, Wes.”

“Iam. I seeyou.”

Her face softens as my eyes slide from hers down to her mouth, following the diamond necklace that rests above her breasts. Her skin glows under this light, and she’s pure perfection. I take a mental snapshot of her, never wanting to forget her just like this. The candle flickers as shadows dance around us. I could stay here with her until morning.

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