Page 36 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

“Are you fucking crazy?”

Ava snickers at Maddie’s reaction. “Does this really surprise you?” she asks. “Regan doesn’t exactly follow social or cultural norms.” She turns to me. “But I totally agree with our sensible friend—you’ve gone off the deep end.”

This is precisely why I’ve kept my mouth shut for almost two weeks. I knew they would try to talk me out of it.

Maddie’s head shakes disapprovingly. “He’s trying to lure you in like the rest of them.”

“You think he wants to make me his next ex-fiancée?” I laugh, because they haven’t heard the entire story. “Quite the opposite, ladies. I believe he’s making me his pet project.”

Both of them look confused.

“You guys know I have trouble… you know… getting there. Well, he called me out on faking it and he swears he can get me to the finish line.”

“I knew it,” Ava barks. “I knew he had some ulterior motive. I mean, you aren’t exactly his type.”

I try not to take offense, because it’s absolutely true, but still… it hurts a little to be called out on it.

Seeing my expression, she puts a hand on mine. “I think you misunderstood.” She scoots closer and hugs me. “Friend, you are one of the most beautiful women I know, inside and out, and any man would be lucky to have you. But we all know he goes for the types who are—”

“Less eccentric and far more malleable,” Maddie finishes.

My head bobs sideways. “Malleable?”

“You know, someone he can get to do the stuff he likes, act like he acts, do what he says. Pretty much the opposite of you.”

“You think they were all doormats?”

“No, of course not,” Maddie says, then thinks on it. “I don’t know… maybe. But, Regan, by agreeing to this, isn’t that exactly what you’re becoming?”

“You think I’m his doormat?” I toss her a punishing stare. “Who saysI’mthe one being used in this scenario?”

Suddenly Ava perks up. She claps her hands. “It’s brilliant. Work out all the bugs with the unattainable, uncatchable, unweddable guy of Cal Creek, then you’ll be ready whenthe guycomes along.”

“Exactly,” I say, smiling.

“You know what this is, then,” Ava practically sings. “It’s a situationship.”

Maddie and I both gaze at her with tilted heads.

“All the Gen Z-ers are saying it,” Ava says proudly, like she’s ten years younger than she is.

“Situationship,” I say, trying out the word. “I think I like it. It’s better than the tired old friends-with-benefits.”

“Or fuck buddies.” Ava giggles.

Maddie isn’t as jubilant as Ava. In fact, I’m not sure she’s convinced at all. Of the three of us, she’s always been the most cautious. She blinks a few times, studying me. “Regan Lucas, if you get tied up with him and catch feelings and think he’s somehow going to change and—”

“Stop.” I put fingers to her lips. “You and I both know something’s been missing in my life. Maybe it’s this. A little spice. A fun, no-strings relationship. There isn’t a rule that says only guys can want one of those, is there?”

“Well, no, but—”

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Of course not. I think you’ve got a great head on your shoulders. One of the best.”

“Then don’t worry about me. I’m not going to fall for him.”

“Tag aside, you’ve fallen for all the guys you’ve slept with. Why would this be any different?”

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