Page 79 of Pucking Your Best Friend

“I see. And do you want…more? A relationship?”

“I don’t know,” he said hoarsely.

“Well, you better find out.”

“I don’t knowhow. The risk is too great, Nell.”

“What risk?”

“Of losing her. My friendship with her is safe. But if we decide to start something together…”

“I don’t understand. Didn’t you already decide to start something? By jumping into bed together?”

“It was a one-time thing. We both agreed on that.”

“Before or after?”

He blinked, confused. “What?”

“Did you decide it was a one-time thing before the act, or after?”

“Before, but…”

“Then it means nothing at all.” She shook her head. “You have to ask her again.”

He opened his mouth, puzzled. “What?”

“Matty, sex changes everything. At least, when you know each other. When you’re friends. And, honestly, Maddie doesn’t sleep with just anyone! She told me herself that she wouldn’t want to have sex again until she was ready for something serious with the guy.”

He released a gasp and rubbed his face feverishly. Of course, he knew that. Just as he knew that Nell was right – that he and Maddie had, of course, already started something.

But, if he had to choose between a hot affair with her or a lifelong friendship, he would always choose friendship.

What if you can have both? If you just tell her you want to try it with her? Something long-term?

But if she said no, he would lose her completely. She wouldn’t be able to stay friends with him, considering his feelings towards her.

The risk was too great!

But what if she says yes?

“Uh, Matty,” Nell interrupted his thoughts.

“What?” he snapped.

“I don’t want to interfere in your life…”

He snorted. “Since when?”

“Okay, true. So, let me interfere in your life: I may have told Barry over there that Maddie is longing for a hot night of no strings attached so that he’ll get a little more involved with her and you’ll finally realize that you want more than just friendship from her. And…somehow, I have the feeling that Maddie isn’t too opposed. My goodness, she’s even sharing her wine. You don’t do that with everyone. Is she trying to prove something to you, or what? She’s constantly glancing over before she touches his arm or whatever. So, if you don’t want her to…”

Shit.Prove.

Matt stood abruptly. It was obvious. She wanted to demonstrate to him how relaxed everything was between them. Because that was what she wanted: for things to becomerelaxedagain. She wanted to prove their night had meant nothing, that they were only friends.

Well, Matt wasn’trelaxed.

“Excuse me,” he said darkly.

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