Page 34 of Touchdowns and Temptations

“Yes,” I reply. “I didn't mean it.” I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a moment, catching myself and becoming aware of my words. “It's complicated.”

“What?” she asks, picking at her salad. “That you're dating the hottest guy in Boston and...”

“I really want to be friends with him.”

Marina sighs and raises her eyebrows.

“What's the problem? Why don't you just fuck him?” She's dead serious and looks at me, completely calm again.

“That's not what you asked, is it?” I reply annoyed. “I don't want anything from Noah. Not like that.”

“I didn't say you should marry him,” she says. “I know your principles, but damn it...” Marina tries to calm down, which makes me giggle. The subject of Noah McCarter is really getting her blood pumping. I chuckle again.

“What does Caleb think about you being so interested in Noah?”

Now she rolls her eyes.

“You're deflecting, Cara,” she replies. “It doesn't matter what Caleb thinks.”

“No?” I ask and she shakes her head.

“No.”

In my opinion, Caleb would go crazy if he knew. I always had hope that she would find a better man, but since she got pregnant, I've buried that hope forever.

“Noah McCarter is so hot. Please sleep with him just once.”

She couldn't have said it any clearer.

“Forget it,” I refuse. “That just makes it unnecessarily complicated. And what makes you think I even want to?”

“Every woman wants him,” she says succinctly. “And there's no better position than yours to end up in the sack with such a hot guy.”

“You're annoying! Can we please talk about something else?”

My phone screen lights up again and I glance over. Marina is grinning across the table. “Noah?” she wants to know sweetly. “You're welcome to answer him.”

“No,” I say. “I'm here with you.”

“So what?” she says, “Will you at least introduce me to him soon?”

“Why?”

“Because I'm your best friend and I want to meet him.”

“You know him,” I correct her request. “And I really hate to remind you how you totally embarrassed me in front of him.”

I still blush when I think of that evening. It was so embarrassing.

“Oh, that!” Marina shakes her head. “I was happy to do it. You should thank me.”

“You're terrible,” I hiss. “And I don't know if your condition makes it worse.”

She laughs and drinks her water.

“I'm your best friend and you love me,” she finishes my sentence.

“That too,” I say conciliatory. “But you're being really mean right now.”

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