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She seemingly pulled herself together, lifting her gaze to meet mine. “I hadn’t anticipated how hard it would be to lie to everyone we love.”
I was pleased that she considered my family to be hers, too. Her family was just her mother as her grandparents died when she was young. She was aware of her estranged father’s home and new family, but as far as I knew, never reached out to him.
“I don’t want to lose them.”
I reached over to cover her hand with mine, my arm brushing against her breast. “You’re not going to lose them. Gran and Wren believed us, and they’ll believe it when we break up. We tried, but we’re better off as friends.”
Everly shifted so that her chest wasn’t touching my arm. “What if I lose you and Wren in the process?”
I shifted so that I was facing her. “Why would you lose us? No one’s going to find out that we weren’t honest.”
Her gaze searched mine. “How do you know that?”
My jaw set. “I just do.”
Everly shook her head. “I don’t know how you can be so confident about this. So relaxed.”
“It will work out. You just have to have faith.” It’s what I told myself since I found out Lola was pregnant with Wren. It prevented me from panicking about the what-ifs on many occasions.
Everly bit her lower lip. “What if one of us catches feelings for the other?”
My heart rate sped up slightly as I chuckled. “Why would we do that?”
Everly gestured around us. “We’re living together, sleeping in the same bed, taking our clothes off in front of each other.”
So, it had bothered her. Interesting. It would be hard, and probably awkward, but we’d get through it. “I’m just keeping my mind on what I want to get out of this—more time with Wren.”
Everly’s eyes softened. “I know you are.”
“And I’m aware you have less to gain from this arrangement.”
Her gaze flicked to mine. “You think I’ll go back to my life as if nothing has changed.”
“Because for us, it won’t.” I pushed away her reaction when I took off my shirt and the way she kept her gaze carefully averted from my chest.
“You’re sure about that?” Everly asked me, her brow furrowed.
“Aren’t you?” Was she saying she felt something for me? She’d never given any indication that was the case. “We’re friends.”
Everly smiled as she stood and moved away from me. “You’re right. I’m overthinking this. I’m going to get ready for bed.”
When she grabbed her clothes and headed to the en suite bathroom, I sat there wondering what I’d missed. Sure, it would be awkward at times, sleeping in the same bed and sharing a bathroom. I was getting to know her in ways I hadn’t before. But it was for a good cause. Plus, at the end of the day,we were friends.
Nothing could come between us. When we were kids and she found out her father had left for good, I vowed never to do anything to hurt her. I’d always be there for her, no matter what. It’s why I never allowed myself to think too hard about the changes her body went through during our teen years. I just kept telling myself we were friends, and our friendship mattered more than my body’s reaction to hers.
Over the years, I’d honed that skill. I didn’t look at Everly any differently than my male friends. I tried hard not to notice the way she looked in a particular dress or outfit. She was off-limits, like a friend’s ex or a friend’s little sister. It had been easier before she was living in my house. But I had to get through this. It felt like a magical chess game, where one wrong move meant my demise instead of just losing a rook.
She came out in a soft, satiny-looking button-down shirt and shorts. Her honey-gold hair was freshly brushed and hung in waves over her shoulders. Was she even wearing a bra underneath? Was this some kind of payback for taking off my shirt?
I wanted to reach for her and see if her skin was as silky soft as I knew the material of her pajamas would be. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to pull myself together, and gruffly asked, “You done in the bathroom?”
“Yep,” Everly said as she settled onto the bed, resting against the pillows, which made her legs look impossibly long.
I escaped to the bathroom, remembering too late that I usually slept in briefs. I didn’t think Everly would appreciate that.
But I couldn’t go back or give in to Everly’s fears. This was too important to screw up. Every time I was tempted by Everly, I’d remember Wren’s voice begging to stay with me. The attorney said this was necessary to get what we wanted. I needed to present the best case. And we weren’t lying. Not really. I did love Everly. She was my best friend, and apparently, if I let myself go there, I was attracted to her.
I washed my face with cold water, wishing it wouldn’t look weird if I jumped in the shower to cool off. Imagining Everly in my bed in the next room was wreaking havoc on my system.
