Page 88 of The Best Friend Power Play

Man bun or not, my instincts tell me there could be something there.

Bear stubbornly refuses our attempts for him to join Summer for a duet, and Beth shoots daggers Evie's way when she suggests she team up with Milo for a song. Since I don't know the guy that well, I don't push.

But there is a guy I know very well who I'm not afraid to try my luck with.

"Come on," I say, stretching out my arm, taking a leaf out of Evie's don't ask, just grab book.

"Nuh-uh," Culver says, cowering behind Fraser.

"Leave me out of this." Fraser deftly steps away and loops his arms over Evie's shoulders.

They're looking at us.

The whole group is looking at us.

"You're here with your friends," I say. "This is a safe space."

"There's no such thing when it comes to karaoke."

"It'll be fun."

"You haven't heard me sing."

"Exactly. I've known you all my life, and I have no idea what sort of singing voice you have."

"I have a terrible singing voice. There. Now you know."

I huff out a breath. "You're being stubborn."

"Sorry, not sorry," he says, sticking to his guns, and by guns I mean his biceps, which he's now folded across his chest, but I cannot allow myself to get distracted by his muscles.

I have to get him to sing tonight.

I didn't want it to come to this, but desperate times call for desperate measures. "It's on my hot girl summer list," I say, because I am not above using guilt to get him on the mic.

"That's right. It's on your list. Not mine."

I lift my chin. "Is that your way of telling me you'd like to start a hot boy summer list?"

Culver's eyebrow arches. "That doesn't sound right."

I laugh. "It really doesn't. Come on."

"No way."

"Please."

He winces.

"Pretty please."

He growls.

"Pretty please with a cherry on top."

He exhales. "Ugh, fine."

I can't help but whoop loudly, thrilled that this moment has finally arrived. I latch onto his arm so he can't run away at the last minute and lead him to the makeshift stage.

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