Page 28 of Pack Plus One

Mason stands, adjusting his cufflinks. “I’ll get the car.”

Caleb’s hand slides from my waist to my lower back as he guides me toward the exit. His touch is warm, steadying, and infuriatingly familiar for someone I’ve known less than 48 hours.

“You’re shaking,” he murmurs.

“Adrenaline,” I lie.

He hums, unconvinced.

The cool night air hits me like a slap as we step outside. Mason’s SUV idles at the curb, Liam already holding the door open.

Jude flops into the backseat with a dramatic sigh. “Best. Wedding. Ever.”

I don’t move.

Caleb stops beside me, his gaze searching. “Leah?”

This is it. The moment I should say thanks for the fun, but this was all pretend, and I’m never seeing you again.

Instead, I blurt out: “You marked me in front of two hundred people.”

His lips twitch. “Technically, Ialmostmarked you.”

“Caleb.”

“You liked it.”

I did.

Oh God, I really did.

My face burns. “That’s not the point.”

“Then what is?” He steps closer, his scent wrapping around me—dark, rich, intoxicating. “Tell me to walk away, and I will.”

I should. This was supposed to be a one-time thing, a convenient arrangement to get me through my ex’s wedding without looking pathetic. Now it’s something else entirely—something that makes my skin hum and my pulse beat too fast.

“I don’t even know you,” I say instead.

“You could,” he replies simply.

Oh fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

“Tell us to walk away, Leah,” he repeats, “and we will.”

I should.

I should.

But the words won’t come.

Jude leans out the car window. “If you two are done eye-fucking, we’ve got beer at home.”

Liam sighs, and I hear his mutter of “Way to be subtle, Jude,” even from here. Mason starts the engine.

And Caleb? He’s still watching me, waiting.

I swallow hard. “One drink.”

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