Page 57 of The Friend Situation

“I only like my women to be submissive in the bedroom. Everywhere else, she needs to be a tiger. It’s a requirement.” I lift the bourbon to my mouth, taking a long pull. My head swims with possibility as our conversation morphs into something else.

She grabs the bottle, taking a long swig. We’re teetering on the precipice, both of us daring the other to step closer to the edge. This is a recipe for disaster, but neither of us stops.

“Wouldn’t it be fun?” I ask. “You could writeanythingaboutuson your blog, and the public would devour it. LadyLux could have them eating out of the palm of her dainty hand.”

Skepticism is etched across her pretty face. “I don’t lie on my blog.”

“I’d never ask you to do that. Write the truth.”

She shakes her head, and her damp hair bounces defiantly. “No one would care that we’re sipping drinks in a dingy bar, swapping stories about our failed dates.”

“I think your assumption is wrong,” I counter. “You don’t believe women everywhere wouldn’t want to know what it’s like tobe besties with me? I’m not asking you to lie. Just write about our friendship as if you were being interviewed by LadyLux herself.”

Her gaze roams over my body like she’s suddenly aware that we’re still wrapped in towels and sitting too close for comfort.

“It would boost your blog traffic, translating into real gains.”

The intrigue in her eyes betrays her skepticism. “Always with the numbers.”

“Babe, I’m the chief operating officer of a multibillion-dollar company. Numbers are my life,” I reply, giving her a cocky grin.

She hiccups, amusement flickering over her features. “Are we conspiring again?”

“My partner in crime,” I say with a brow lifted as electricity crackles between us.

The stakes are high, but the thrill of the chase is intoxicating. It warms me from the inside out.

“I don’t know about this.”

She’s intrigued by the thought of teaming up with me. Damn, I am too.

“Pros and cons,” I say. “Pros:youcould steal Lena’s crown, rendering her irrelevant; elevate your blog; and become America’s sweetheart—without ever having to pretend to be in a relationship with me. No more hiding our friendship. We can simply be.”

A mischievous expression lights her lovely face. “Okay, but that still doesn’t solve the problem of everyone assuming we’re dating.”

“That’s the fun part. They can assume whatever they want. Life continues as normal. It’s just that we get to have dinner together and be seen in public. Also, it stops me from attending social events alone now that Easton ditches me to hang out with Lexi. Imagine what you’d hear.”

“LuxLeaks isn’t your friend, Weston. Some might say you’re making a deal with the devil.”

I smirk and shrug.

“What if I expose people close to you?” She studies me intentlyas if searching my face for clues. “I don’t want you to be upset with me. These people are your friends.”

“Itrustyou,” I say, letting the truth settle between us like a promise. “If you hear something you believe needs to be written about, do it. I don’t concern myself with what others are doing, and I know I’m not involved in anything problematic other than my ex.”

Her voice drops to a whisper, almost trembling. “I’m so afraid of losing what we have.” Her words are raw and achingly honest.

“Please don’t be. I can’t imagine my life without you. You’ve been my Firefly through this divorce, lighting my way when everything was so fucking dark. Not many people make me feel seen. I just want to have fun with you.”

Her expression softens, vulnerability dancing in her eyes. “We’d have to make rules. This is dangerous territory.”

“Of course.” The corners of my mouth twitch into a half smile. “A contract.”

She laughs. “Calloways and their damn contracts.”

“You shouldn’t expect anything less. I’ll also need you to sign an NDA.”

I see that look in her eye that tells me she wants to ask me something she probably shouldn’t.

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