Page 21 of The Friend Situation

“No,” I say, my tone firm. “It’sadmiration.”

“Oh.” She pauses, trying to hold back a smile, but ultimatelyfails. “Carry on then. I kind of like the thought of you being my secret admirer.”

If she only knew.

I lick my lips, and warmth spreads through me. This woman has no idea how deep my feelings run. She’s completely immune to my charm unless she’s had a drink or two, and even then, I wonder if it truly counts. My buried emotions keep me tethered, and yet here she is, blissfully unaware of what she does to me.

Carlee finishes her glass and hiccups with a grin. “Sorry it was so expensive.”

She’s already tipsy.

“Expensive?” I chuckle, genuinely relaxed when she’s close. “If I had known it would end your shittydatesooner, I’d have sent two bottles over as soon as you arrived.”

“Wait, when I arrived? You were already here?” Her mouth falls open in surprise, and it’s adorable.

I nod. “I had to witness this monstrosity for myself. You know, for research.”

“Ah. And how would you feel if I showed up and watched one of your dates like a stalker?”

I chew on the corner of my lip, the idea enticing. “What are you doing tomorrow night? I’ll get you a reservation.”

She’s full of skepticism. “You’re serious?”

“Maybe you can determine my relationship issues?”

“Okay,” she says with a hint of mischief in her gaze. “I’ll call your bluff. I’m free.”

I smirk. “Mmm. This will be fun.”

She laughs, a melodic sound that dances between us. My heart pounds just a little harder.

“You realize I could write the Weston Calloway dating manual before sunrise, right? I already know why you suck.”

“Oh, really?” I enjoy the banter. “Enlighten me.”

“Yourushthings with every woman you’ve ever been with. I don’t know if it’s fuckboy behavior or if you’re just a hopelessromantic, but it’s definitely a dating cycle. You have to give it longer than two months. I’m not sure you’ve ever been in love. It all seems like lust to me.”

“Hilarious.” I lean back, the weight of her words sinking in. “Itmightbe a cycle, but I know what it’s like to fall madly and deeply in love with someone. It’s obsessive. Dangerous. Addictive.”

“Where’s the proof?” Her head tilts as she challenges me.

I glance down at her mouth, and her breath catches. Together, we’re electrifying. There’s a magnetic pull between us that I can’t keep ignoring. I wonder what she’d do if I slid my lips across hers. Would that be enough evidence for her?

“Youchoosenot to see what’s right in front of you,” I say, lowering my voice.

She doesn’t get it—not even with the millions of hints I’ve dropped or the moments we’ve shared that linger like stardust across the summer sky. Not even with the blind items posted that areclearlyabout us.

Somehow, I’m still hiding in plain sight.

Carlee’s approach to finding love is calculated. She knows exactly what she wants in a partner, but runs when she finds it. I’ve witnessed it a lot this year.

But I’m not perfect either.

I struggle to trust my decision-making skills after the mistake of marrying someone as awful as Lena. The memory of that toxic relationship still looms like a dark cloud over me. That’s why I’m so hesitant to seriously date again.

“I’ve predicted every one of your major breakups since I was eighteen years old,” Carlee says with a serious glint in her eyes.

“Maybe you should pick my next girlfriend then,” I offer, half joking.

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