Page 77 of Don't Fall For Your Best Friend

Just friends.

Something I never want to be with Paxton ever again.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Paxton

I’m lying. Of course, I’m in love with Hartford, but I’m not about to admit it to my brothers before I tell her. No one deserves to know the truth before her. I almost told her yesterday. It was right there, but I got scared and told her I loved her body against mine instead. However, when she said it was time for her to return home, I knew I had to man up and make my move.

I just need to do it now.

When I walk out of the back, Trudi waves me over. She tilts her head toward a bag on the bar as she wipes down a glass. “Hartford left that for you.”

I pick up the bag and peek inside. Pad Thai. My eyes lift to Trudi. “She dropped it off and didn’t want to see me?”

She shrugs. “She went back, but I guess she couldn’t find you.” She slings the bar towel over her shoulder and taps her lip. “Actually, she ran out from the back and dropped the bag like it was on fire, telling me to give it to you. She looked upset, honestly.”

Fuck.

What are the chances she overheard me?

“Fuck,” I curse out, grabbing the bag from the bar. “I’m heading out,” I tell her, rushing out the front entrance.

I hop in my Jeep, and race toward Hartford’s house. It’s time to tell this woman how I feel. No matter what.

If she rejects me, then at least I’ll know.

It’s now or never.

I pull into her driveway, and stare at her house. It looks exactly how it always has. White paint, blue shutters, pink flowers filling the flowerbeds under the windows. It’s so perfectly Hartford.

Unsure how to approach this, I grab the bag and jump out of my Jeep. My heart pounds harder in my chest with each step I take closer to her door. I can’t think of a time in my life I’ve felt this nervous or excited.

I knock on the door, and she opens it. My chest squeezes when I see the sadness in her eyes, but I’m about to fix it all.

“Can I come in?”

She opens the screen door and I step inside.

“What do you want?” she asks, walking over to the couch.

“Hartford Jamison, stop.” She halts her steps and slowly turns to look at me. I hold up the bag of Pad Thai. “Did you drop this off for me?”

She puts her hands on her hips and lifts an eyebrow. “You know I did.”

“Did you go to the back and overhear me talking to Brock and Tripp?” She shrugs, dropping her eyes to the ground. “So you did.”

“Yeah, I heard you confirm we’re friends. And that’s what we are,” she says, trying to act unfazed.

I place the bag of Pad Thai on the coffee table and close the distance between us. “Hartford,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around her. At first, she stiffens, but then she eases into my embrace, her arms encircling my waist. I search her brown eyes, figuring out the perfect words, but there’s only one way to say it. “I’m in love with you, Hartford. I’ve always loved you, but I’m in love with you.”

Her eyes widen slightly as tears glisten in them. “What?”

I press a soft kiss to her lips. “I’m in love with you.” I tighten my hold on her. “I’m desperate, head over heels, smitten, love sick. You’re my favorite person in the world.” I kiss her lips again. “I’m in love with you, Hartford Jamison.”

“What?” she breathes out.

“Stop saying what. You heard me,” I say, rubbing my hands up and down her back.

---