Page 5 of The Friend Situation

Lexi watches us, allowing our stare down to continue. Her expression is already scheming. I wish she’d believe me when I say it won’t work. There are too many boxes on his list, and there are too many reasons why I can’t be the woman to check them.

“Nice seeing you again,Weston,” I mutter, keeping my tone level as warmth floods my cheeks.

“Carlee.” He places his hands in his pockets, leaning closer and chewing on the edge of his pouty plump lip.

Weston’s a flirty bastard, and even his presence—regardless of the screen between us—gives me palpitations.

I’m not special though.

The man has this effect on everyone. Weston’s a professional at holding a gaze and making people feelseen. Combine that with his addictive personality, and it’s obvious why so many women have fallen madly and obsessively in love with him over the years.

The world revolves around Weston and his chaotic, dazzling life, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m just another star caught in his gravitational pull.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’talwayscurious about him, but that comes with being a pop culture reporter. The more I learned about these luxurious lifestyles, the more fascinated I became. It’s why I created LuxLeaks and the pseudonym LadyLux.

Weston’s lore runs deep, and I consider myself an expert on him. It’s both a blessing and a curse.

“Wow. That dress looksincredibleon you,” he says, his gaze sliding up and down the screen, taking in every one of my curves.

The compliment hangs in the air.

I offer him a small smile, aware that politeness is the currency of our interactions when Lexi and Easton are near. “Thanks. It looks incredibleoffof me too.”

The words spill out, and I remind myself we’re not hanging out in Sluggers alone. Sluggers is the dive bar at the bottom of a basement where we’ve been secretly meeting for nearly a year.

“Mmm. I don’t doubt that.”

That is not the response I expected.

For a fleeting moment, I swear his eyes darken with something deeper, something more dangerous. I’malmostimmune to him, but the walls I’ve constructed around our friendship are not impenetrable. Drunk me has attempted to bridge that gap with a kiss, but each time, I was met with a firm rejection.

“You two would be so good together,” she encourages. “I know you both very well. Trust me on this.”

I quickly shift my focus away from Weston and our nuclear chemistry.

“Please tell me he didn’t hear ourentireconversation,” I say between clenched teeth.

“I heardeveryword,” Weston answers, crossing his arms over his broad chest. The corners of his mouth twitch in amusement.

“Don’t you have a date or something tonight? Isn’t it time to switch to your new woman of the week?”

“I’m free tonight. And if you must know, I’m on a cycle of a date every three days,” he explains, just as Easton makes himself comfortable next to Lexi.

“Hi, darling. Sorry that phone call took so long. My dad had a lot to say,” he whispers to her.

She greets him with an eager kiss, pulling her from this conversation.

I glance over at Weston, who’s intently watching me. I can’t help but smile.

“Hey, Carlee,” Easton says as he pulls away.

“Hi,” I tell him as he turns back toward his brother.

“That’s over one hundred and twenty dates in a year. How do you have a life?” Easton asks.

“I make it work.” Weston shrugs, his demeanor lighthearted.

“Your dick must beraw.” Easton casually chuckles, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Lexi’s ear as he admires her. It’s obvious how in love he is with her.

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