Page 67 of Let’s Be Real

“Never.” Her mouth curved into a pleased, devious grin. “Now, jump, Natey. For the sake of our sex life.”

Telling her no was impossible, especially when she’d gone to the trouble of picking out this mattress and ordering all new bedding to go along with it. Not to mention the blackout curtains, the soothing color on my walls, and the brand-new lamps on my bedside tables.

If I were honest with myself, though, I’d have done it without all those things. All she had to do was ask.

“Fine,” I huffed, taking her hands. “Let’s get this over with.”

It was stupid. Childish. Would probably ruin the mattress.

But with Samantha giggling like a maniac, I wasn’t thinking of any of those things. I laughed along like a fool as we jumped in a circle, our heads grazing the ceiling more than once.

I was thinking how pretty happiness looked on her.

How long it’d been since I’d felt this much.

And I was beginning to think I really wanted to keep this.

Chapter Twenty-four

Samantha

My legs were slung over Nate’s lap, and he was absently stroking along my calf with the tips of his fingers. We were being lazy together, something that wasn’t typical for either of us. But the last few weeks had been go, go, go, and for once, we had nothing on the agenda.

We were both fed and fucked and…well, there was no other “f” word to go along with that. We’d migrated from my bed to the couch to watch a movie neither of us was paying much attention to. My eyes kept wandering to check him out, and he kept catching me, flashing the sweetest, amused smile.

I should have kicked him out because this was awfully cozy, but he knew what the deal was. Anyway, I was almost certain I was capable of being friends with the man I was having sex with and not falling madly in love.

I’d never done it before. I was a relationship girl, through and through.

But look at how that had turned out for me. Again. And again.

This was something new—amazing, incredible sex plus friendship without all the other obligations and complications that always wormed their way in when there was a future at stake. Nate and I had no future. We didn’t have to worry about the nitty-gritty of what made relationships work. I didn’t have to be on my best behavior and bend over backward to keep my man happy. I didn’t have to swallow back complaints or pretend to like what he liked.

No, for now, this was perfect. I could be me, Nate could be him, and we could enjoy one another’s company until we were ready to move on.

My doorbell rang, and I sat upright. Nate and I exchanged glances, then he lifted my legs off his lap and got up.

“I can get it,” I said.

He gave me a long look that made me feel crazy for even thinking about getting off the couch. “It’s late. You’re not opening the door.”

And that was that. When he used that voice—smooth and steely—I was physically unable to argue.

He headed for the entry without another word, but I was a few paces behind him, so when he swung it open, I saw Kelly sobbing on my porch.

Nate pulled her into the house then he backed away, his eyes wide with panic.

Kelly’s arms were limp at her sides. Her face was flushed and shiny with tears and snot. And she was swaying like standing was too heavy a burden.

I was just as panicked as Nate. I didn’t know what to do. Kelly was my sister, but we didn’t have the kind of relationship where I’d gather her in my arms and whisper comforting words. I hadn’t even seen or heard from her since Ben and Roman’s birthday party. I’d sort of thought we were going back to how things were before—distant relatives who only saw each other out of obligation.

I’d been a little disappointed but not surprised.

The last thing I’d expected was for her to show up on my doorstep, looking as wrecked as she had on her wedding day.

“Um…what’s going on?” I asked, stepping closer. “Was it Josh? Did he—?”

“Yes!” She threw her head back and sobbed to the ceiling. “Yes, it’s Josh. He cheated on me. Cheated on me! And I’m all alone, Sammie. I’m not married because he cheated on me!”