Page 56 of The Friend Situation

“Be reckless with me,” he says, a seriousness creeping into his tone.

I laugh, the sound a mix of disbelief and exhilaration. I want to.

“Go all in with LuxLeaks.” Challenge flickers in his bright eyes.

The temptation to capture his lips is nearly overwhelming.

“I have to be responsible,” I say.

“Easton paid your rent for a year because he had been an asshole to Lexi,” he reminds me. “I also know your blog pays you well, so you don’t have to keep working at the hotel.”

“And my blog thrives on fresh content,” I remind him, a reluctant grin tugging at my lips.

“You haven’t posted in over three months because the information you got at the W was no longer relevant after you leveled up. If you quit, you’ll have the time and freedom to be my plus-one to every social event I’m invited to.”

I shoot him a glare. “That will only feed the girlfriend rumors. Everyone will think we’re together.”

“And?” he asks.

The thought leaves me speechless.

9

WESTON

“My publicist suggested a relationship PR stunt. I thought it was a ridiculous idea. Now I’m wondering if there is weight to it.”

Carlee laughs nervously, her voice fluttering like a butterfly caught in a breeze. “Explain how it would work.”

I let the words hang in the air, allowing silence to wrap around us like a cozy blanket while I think through this. It’s territory I’ve never navigated before, yet it worked like a charm for Easton, who’s now blissfully married to the love of his life.

“I don’t know,” I finally admit. Conversations like this are a gamble, especially given our current frazzled minds. “I think you’ll need to become my plus-one toeverysocial event. If people ask what we are, we tell the truth and say we’re just friends. Once we’re spotted together several times, the assumptions and rumors will follow.”

“They’ll think I’m your secret girlfriend,” she says, raising an eyebrow, disbelief etched across her face.

“So be her.”

She shakes her head. “People will dig into every detail of my life.”

“They’ll find nothing,” I confirm, holding her gaze with unwavering confidence.

Her suspicion flares. “Because you’ve already done your homework?”

I can’t help but chuckle. “Yes.”

“Weston, seriously?”

“Look, I had to verify I wasn’t befriending someone who was a problem,” I explain. “I did a background check on you and Lexi. You passed with flying colors. I mean, you’re here, right?”

She sits up straighter. “What did you learn?”

“Nothing of concern, I assure you. I already knew you were smart. Your record is clean, and your credit is healthy.”

“Wifey material?” she teases.

I tilt my head, a smile creeping across my lips. “You’re too sharp-tongued for that.”

“Ah, you prefer those who listen and obey then?”

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