Page 59 of The Friend Situation

“I was given a choice. I chose to do what Easton wanted. He was built for this.”

“And what about you?” she asks.

“I handle it, but I’ve imagined a different life many times,” I say, knowing those thoughts often include her. “Lexi told me about you and Samson.”

“I wondered if you’d mention it,” she replies, her eyes close almost to shield herself from the memories. “It’s embarrassing.”

I offer her a gentle smile. “She said you weren’t the same after that breakup.”

We’ve exchanged countless stories over bourbon, laughing about life and love. She’s glossed over her true heartaches, only sharing snippets of her recent misadventures with online dating.

“We still have a lot to learn about each other. There’s plenty of time for that.” Her lips curl into a thoughtful smile like she can read my thoughts.

“Lex didn’t give me many details because I didn’t want to hear about someone breaking you. I’m happy you healed,” I say, my voice lowering to a whisper, weighed down by concern.

She seems lost in memories, deciding whether to unwrap the layers of her past or keep them tucked away. I can’t bring myself to push her.

“After I graduated, we paused our long-distance relationship.” She finally begins her reluctant confession. “He fell for someone he’d met at work. It started as a fling, and within a month, he told her he loved her, and they moved in together. She replaced me. Slept on my side of the bed. The frames with our pictures held theirs. Three years and a best friendship, thrown away.”

“Ah, that’s why you have thatI love yourule,” I nod, the pieces clicking into place.

“He moved on so quickly that it made me feel like we’d meant nothing. No one can genuinely fallin lovewithin a month. The new girl gave him something new and exciting to do, so he did her. A lot. I couldn’t even get on social media without seeing photos of them everywhere. I avoided going home for years just so I wouldn’t accidentally run into them.”

“I’m sorry he didn’t treasure you,” I say.

“It hurt me for a long time,” she replies. The weight of her words hangs in the air. “But not anymore. I think that’s why I’m ready to see him again.”

I watch her. “To give him another chance?”

“To see if there’s anything left,” she admits, the alcohol loosening her tongue.

I admire her for being unfiltered with me.

“How long does it take someone to sayI love youand mean it? You said thirty days is too soon? What is too long?”

She exhales. “I think it’s personal. But I think I have to be the one to say those three words first because I know I’ll mean them, and I wouldn’t throw them around.”

“What if he lies when he says it back? There are flaws to this master plan.”

“Listen, I don’t need you to be analytical right now.” She laughs. “I wouldn’t be with someone who’d lie aboutI love you. If he says it back, I’ll know it’s real. It just needs to feel right, or it’s wrong.”

Noted.

Tonight, she’s shared too many of her secrets.

“Enlightening,” I say with a smirk and stand. “Come on. Let’s find something to wear.”

She wraps the blanket around her, and then the towel drops to the floor. My hand settles lightly on her back as we ascend the stairs. She glances over her shoulder, and I raise my brows, savoring our unspoken connection. It drives me wild.

We walk down the hallway toward my bedroom, and she gasps as I push the door open. The room is bathed in the glow of the bedside lamp. She looks at the wall of windows that offers a breathtaking three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the park and the surrounding area. Carlee takes in the park that’s covered in white, glowing under the moonlight.

I memorize her, almost reaching out to confirm she’s not a figment of my imagination.

“It’s not quite thediamond in the sky,” I say.

“It’s better. It’s yours,” she breathes, her fingers brushing against the glass.

I glimpse her reflection. That genuine little smile lights up her face, one I’m not supposed to see.

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