Christina Lauren

“Favorite word?” he whispers.

I don’t even hesitate: “You.”

I was the right hand that most days wanted to slap the damn face.

If only he would keep his mouth shut, he’d be perfect. A piece of duct tape would do the trick. I had some in my desk that I’d occasionally pull out and fondle, hoping someday I could put it to good use.

Angela I got to see every day at work, but Alice, whom I’d been best friends with since Jr. High, had

He’s engaged to Chloe’s friend, Alice, the one that works for Gucci

you’d dusted Evie for my fingerprints, she would’ve looked like a powdered doughnut.

“Jesus Christ.” Brian bursts from his tiny chair, dropping his fists onto the table. “The answer is obvious, isn’t it? Just have Holland marry the guy. They’ve been dating for months in her head, anyway. Two birds, one stone.”

But you’re nicer.”

That guy over there… It’s Elliot.”

This time, her “Oh” is meaningful

I exhaled, giving him a begrudging smile. “If we buy this house you can come over and read if you want.”

He grinned, so wide I could count his teeth. “Maybe all this time I was just getting it warmed up for you.”