Page 44 of Let’s Be Real

“I don’t know. He’s nice. Always nice. But he was…funny. Easy to talk to. And he took his job of protecting me seriously. Having him by my side was a relief. I’m disappointed we didn’t get to dance at the wedding. I bet he’s a great dancer.”

Adrian groaned. “Oh no. You haven’t picked up your old crush, have you? I don’t think I can take you mooning over Nate all over again.”

“No, no.” I laughed. “I told him about that. He was skeeved out about how young I was, but mostly, he thought it was funny.”

“Hmmm.” Adrian narrowed his eyes. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”

“Right. There is…” I tucked my hair behind my ear, considering what to say.

When I didn’t speak fast enough, Adrian picked up his phone. “Should I ask Nate?”

I waved my hands in front of me. “I’ll tell you, just…don’t be mad.”

“Speak, Sam,” Adrian ordered, tossing his phone back on his desk.

“We slept together.” I braced myself.

His head jerked slightly, and he blinked slowly. “Okay. I don’t know why I’m surprised.”

“Hey.” I put my foot down, indignant. “Are you trying to slut shame me?”

“As if I would ever.” He rolled his eyes. “Well…you were two grown people sharing a hotel room. I suppose it was bound to happen.”

“I didn’t go into this weekend expecting it.”

He was silent for a moment, drumming his fingers on his desk. “I don’t want any details. Just tell me he treated you well.”

I bit back a moan as I thought of just how well Nate had treated me. Adrian and I might’ve been open with each other about all things, including sex, but this one, I was keeping all to myself.

“He treated me very well.”

He gave one sharp nod. “So, what next? You’re not dating him, right?”

“I wasn’t planning on it.”

“Good.” He blew out a relieved breath, and I had to admit, I was taken aback.

“Why good?”

That got me a chuckle. “Let’s be real, Sammie. Nate isn’t the kind of guy you date. He’s entirely too sensitive and nice. It would be a disaster for you both.”

“I can’t date a sensitive man?” I hadn’t had any plan of dating Nate Wells, but I didn’t like Adrian telling me he was too good for me.

“You don’t date sensitive men. You like assholes. Since we’ve known each other, you’ve dated exactly one decent guy, and you dumped him.”

“Oh my god, you have to get over Simon! That’s ancient history.”

He fidgeted with his watch, averting his gaze. “Did you know he got married three years ago? They just had a baby.”

“You should have married him, buddy.”

He lifted his gaze to mine, his mouth twitching. “Unfortunately, he’s not my type.”

“Unfortunately,” I muttered. “You know, you’d think, as my best friend, you’d be pushing me toward a nice guy, not warning me away.”

He leveled me with a serious look. “If I thought for one second you were genuinely interested in exploring something real with him, I would give you my blessing. I’d worry it would blow up in all our faces, but I’d set that aside. You’re two of my favorite people, and if you ended up together, it would be rather convenient for me. But we’re being real. Right, Sammie?”

The fight flew out of me in a heavy breath. “Yeah. We’re being real.”