Page 24 of Double Booked

I could see it too and the realization made me sick to my stomach. I was the other person here. I was in between the two of them. “Now, I’m here coming in between them.”

“No,” Jessica held up a finger at me again, “You’re not coming in between them, they made a choice. A choice not to be together. Lord knows, Jake and I have tried to talk sense into them separately but they were both adamant that this was for the best.”

“But…” I trailed off as I thought of the way they looked at each other and the easy friendship and closeness they had together. They acted like a couple and I didn’t see it till now. “They have all that history together… what I mean is…”

“How could you compare?” Jessica said blankly but I appreciated the bluntness.

I nodded, my throat tight all of a sudden. I liked Colton but I couldn’t compare to the history he had with Justin. And anyone with eyes could see they were perfect for each other.

“Who said you needed to.” Jessica said.

“I don’t want to come between them,” I argued.

“And who said coming between them was a bad thing?” Jessica waggled her eyebrows at me and I barked out a surprised laugh in spite of myself. “I read romance books in addition to true crime, sometimes coming between two hot guys is the best part.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s in books though, not in real life.” But unbidden, images of being stuck between Justin’s intensity and Colton’s steadiness flashed across my mind. Both men were hot, there was no denying that. I shifted in my seat before I shut down that line of thinking.

“See, you’ve thought about it,” Jessica read me too well. “It’s not that different. It’s double the communication that’s for sure but it’s totally doable.”

I shook my head, more in disbelief that we were having this conversation than in protest. “I don’t even think Justin likes me. He hasn’t given me any indication that he more than tolerates me for Colton’s sake.”

Jessica shook her head. “I’m calling bullshit on that. I saw how he looked at you when we were over at the house the other day. He looks at you the same way he looks at Colton. You probably scare him shitless though because he’s scared to lose Colton even if he’ll never admit it.”

“I don’t get it though, he wouldn’t ever lose Colton. Especially not to me.”

“You don’t see it because you aren’t from here but Colton looks at you like you’ve hung the moon. I’ve never seen the man like this. He’s head over heels for you. If there was any person Justin would lose Colton to, it would be you.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want that. I don’t want Justin to lose Colton to me. I can’t compare to the history the two of them have and I don’t want to.”

“Which is the only reason this would work.”

“What would work?”

“The three of you together.”

“I don’t know about that.” A push to get Colton and Justin together was one thing, being a… did they call it a ‘throuple?’ was a totally different beast. But still… I couldn’t believe I was even considering it. “Even if Justin did like me, we don’t know each other well enough for that.”

“Then get to know him.” Jessica shrugged her shoulders. “You’ve had to get to know Colton so do the same with Justin. Look,” Jessica leaned forward, her green eyes serious. “You don’t have to decide today. You don’t even have to decide to do it. But from the small amount of time I’ve gotten to spend around you, I think you would be perfect for Colton and Justin. And I can tell by your eyes you’ve thought about it. Come on, you can admit that. They’re both hot as fuck.”

“Jessica!” I mock-whispered, my indignation broken by my giggles. The words sounded so wrong coming from her southern belle mouth.

Jessica giggled along with me. “What? I’m happily married but I’m not blind.”

After our laughter died down, I took a deep breath. I didn’t really know what to think. What Jessica was proposing sounded like a fairytale, like the best of both worlds but I wasn’t sure that existed outside of romance books. But still, I wasn’t blind, Colton and Justin were both extremely attractive in different ways but moreso, I could see how they looked at each other. Was there enough room for me in the midst of all that history? That, I didn’t know.

“I’ll think about it.” I said finally.

“That’s all I ask. And if you decide it’s a hell no then I’ll be your friend either way.” Jessica promised. “Now, I think I need to introduce you to some of our fabulous boutiques. You’ve got two men to impress now.”

I rolled my eyes at her but followed her up to the counter so we could deposit our mugs. I slid my laptop into my bag and pulled out my sunglasses as we stepped into the bright summer sun. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out to check it.

Want to go out on the boat tomorrow? Are you okay if Justin comes along?

I nudged Jessica to show her the text message. She grinned. “Perfect. Here’s your chance to get to know Justin better. Now, let’s find you the perfect boating outfit.”

Her smile was contagious and I wished her optimism was as well. But how could I compare to a lifetime of friendship and history? Maybe I should just enjoy it while it lasted before inevitably, Colton and Justin got together, leaving me alone like it seemed I was destined to be.

CHAPTER 13

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