Page 33 of Don’t Be A Stranger

“Okay.” He nods. “Best friends with benefits.”

I groan, throwing my head back. “Oh god, don’t say it like that.”

“I really don’t think there’s any other way to phrase that, Pretty Girl.”

“And none of that!” I immediately scold him.

“Why not?” he argues. “You didn’t seem to have a problem with it when—”

I interrupt him because that name is dangerous and admitting that is just as risky. “Yeah, well…” I get heart eyes whenever I hear it. “I don’t like it. So no cutesy nicknames. I’m Summer. You’re River.”

“Fine, then I have a rule too.”

“Okay, shoot,” I challenge him.

“This stays between me and you. No one knows. Not our families or friends. And definitely not Lily.”

For some reason that makes my heart sink, even though I completely agree and understand, but hearing him say that he wants to keep me a secret kind of stings. I decide that in order to get rid of this uncomfortable ache in my chest, I’m going to need to set more rules here.

Order and control.

That’s how I’m going to survive this.

“Okay, deal,” I agree. “One more thing.”

“Of course there is.” He playfully rolls his eyes.

“No sleeping with anyone else.” It comes out before I can even register the thought.

River opens his mouth and I wait for him to say something, but instead he chews on his bottom lip and nods.

“If someone else does come along, we need to talk to each other about it beforehand,” I finish.

We’re trying to avoid drama between us. Communication is key.

“Is that all the rules for our secret summer love affair?” River grins, causing me to groan yet again.

“Don’t make it weird.”

“I mean this is a little weird, Summer.”

“Well, are you in or not?” I sigh.

He hums. “Just for the summer you say?”

“Just for the summer.”

“Alright,” River says and it feels like something tight loosens in my chest. My mood for the next few months definitely wasn’t riding on his answer. “I accept your proposal and I’ll be your summer fling.”

“I will literally punch you in the balls,” I say, my voice deadpan but I’ll admit that it’s hard to try and hide my smile.

“Damn, Summer, you already want to get started?”

“Never mind, I take it all back.”

Yeah no, I’m not actually doing that. Not a chance.

River calls my bluff. “No you don’t.”