Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Oliver smirks. “Just your sister, huh?”
“Fuck off, Van Doren.” He nods toward me with a smirk. “I’m just hoping Cap finally breaks the dry spell. I’d hate for him to forget how it’s done.”
They have no idea that the streak is already over.
And I have no plans of ever looking back.
35
LILAH
We’re all stretched out in Steele’s living room, surrounded by fuzzy blankets, half-eaten charcuterie, and a few empty bottles. The view outside the massive windows is nothing short of stunning.
It feels like the perfect backdrop for a cozy night in.
“So,” Rina says, sipping her cabernet and narrowing her eyes at me over the rim of her glass, “I think we’re all due for an update.”
I arch a brow, playing innocent. “About what?”
Callie snorts. “Um, hello? The friends-with-benefits offer Steele oh-so-casually tossed out. I’m dying to know what you decided. The sparks flying between you two at the Railers event last week were enough to singe our eyebrows.”
“I’m still recovering,” Rina adds dryly, swirling her wine. “You could cut the tension with a butter knife.”
I laugh, but the moment my gaze flicks to the coffee table—the very one I’d been sprawled across not that long ago—heat floods my cheeks.
“I decided to take him up on the offer,” I murmur, taking a long sip of wine to hide the rising flush in my cheeks.
There’s a collective inhale from around me.
Callie leans in, her eyes wide with curiosity. “As in… you two are sleeping together now?”
I shake my head. “I’m not giving details, but yeah, we are.”
Rina lets out a satisfied hum as she sinks deeper into the couch, looking entirely too smug. “I knew it. That man looks at you like you’re the only woman on the planet.”
“He does,” Callie agrees, nudging my knee with hers. “And he always has.”
I offer a small, slightly dazed smile. “The difference between him and Devon is like night and day. There’s no comparison.”
That earns a chorus of nods and a few muttered “obviouslys” from around the room.
Sloane, who’s been sipping her wine, sets her glass down with a decisive clink. “Okay, real talk. Friends with benefits can certainly work. But only if both people are clear about what they want.”
“And really honest,” Rina adds, tapping her nails against her wine glass. “Because otherwise? It gets messy fast.”
Callie’s brows knit together. “But this is Steele. He’s not some random hookup. He’s your best friend. That makes it even riskier.”
I chew my bottom lip, feeling their eyes on me. “I know. Trust me, I know. It’s just being with him feels different. It’s not just about sex. It’s easy. Comfortable. Almost like our friendship has always been leading to this place.”
“Maybe it has been,” Callie says gently.
“You deserve easy,” Sloane adds firmly. “You deserve to be worshipped and adored.”
“Desired,” Rina chimes in. “And don’t even try to deny it. That man desires you. You can see it every time he looks at you.”
Warmth blooms in my chest at their words, at how fiercely they rally around me without hesitation.
“It’s scary, though,” I admit. “What if I screw it up and lose him?”
“You won’t,” Callie says, reaching for my hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “If it’s real, and it looks pretty damn real from where I’m sitting, you’re not going to lose him.”
“And if you do,” Sloane says, shrugging with a mischievous glint, “we’ll key his Lamborghini.”
I laugh as the knot of fear inside me loosens just a little.
“Whatever happens,” Rina says, raising her drink, “you’re not alone. You have us.”
I clink my glass against theirs, feeling lighter, steadier than I have in weeks.
The conversation dips for a moment, all of us lost in our own thoughts. I shift on the couch and glance at Sloane, who’s stretched out in the armchair with her wine glass balanced on one knee.
“Sooo…” I begin, drawing out the word with a teasing lilt. “What did you think of Jax?”
Her reaction is immediate. She lets out a snort and then takes a long sip of her wine, like she needs the strength before answering.
“Not much.”
I laugh. “Seriously?”
She raises one unimpressed brow. “He strikes me as your typical hockey player. All swagger and charm, like he’s never heard the word ‘no’ in his life.”
Callie grins. “Well, your assessment isn’t wrong.”
Sloane continues dryly, “From what I’ve read on the Railers gossip site, he’s a headline waiting to happen.” She glances at Rina. “Someone she’ll have to clean up after.”
Callie leans in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “He wanted to take you out, though. No interest?”
“Absolutely none.” Sloane shakes her head without hesitation. “I have way too much going on to throw in the complication of a man. Especially one who collects women like trading cards.”
Rina chuckles from her spot across the room. “Remind me never to let you near my dating app profile. You’d murder half my matches.”