Page 52 of Marc

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

She tries to keep an annoyed tone, but I know she isn’t as annoyed as she wants to appear. Her matching grin is all the proof I need.

“Maybe just a little. Come on, you’ve seen me nearly naked many times before and we are fake dating, so it was bound to happen.”

Not to mention after two kisses that I had to back away from.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

I wait until we are situated with our plates of food before speaking again. “Plus, they are really nice. Nice and big. Pillowy.”

She swings her arm and smacks mine while letting out a laugh. “Oh, shut up!”

I smile and take a bite of my bacon. “I’m just speaking the truth.”

We eat in silence, each of us consumed with our own thoughts.

When we are finished eating, she stands and asks, “Are you ready to head back home?”

My gaze goes to the windows. “Would it sound girly if I said no?”

I’ve loved this miniature vacation with her. I’ve loved talking with her, eating with her, and sleeping next to her.

“Not at all. It was a very nice and much needed vacation.”

“When was the last time you took a vacation?”

She thinks for a moment. “It’s been forever.”

“Then I will make sure we do this more often.”

Her face lights up. “That sounds perfect. Let’s head home.”

I carry our bags down to the car as she checks out.

The drive back home is quiet. I keep the music low as Staci leans her head back and closes her eyes.

I use this time to think about the past couple of days. Feelings have bubbled to the surface.

The kiss and the blatant ogling from both sides have to mean something. But I have to remember her rules and guidelines for our fake dating.

After this agreement is all said and done, I want to be able to continue to have a friendship with her. That is what we are, aren’t we?

Friends can kiss and ogle one another.

Friends can even share a hotel room and sleep in the same bed.

But friends are always platonic, and my thoughts have been everything but platonic.

I pull in front of Staci’s house and look towards her front door. Anger builds in my chest as I glance at her house.

“Uh, Staci? We’re here. You might want to get your phone and call the police.”

Chapter Thirteen

STACI

Marc’s voiceis full of concern, and I think he said something about calling the police.

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