Page 67 of Craving You

“I can’t help that I have insecurities. I know they don’t have anything to do with you specifically, but…I have to work through them, okay? I can’t just turn it off, but I want to try, Max. With you. For us.”

“We hint, but neither of us have admitted to having deep feelings,” she said primly, choosing to study her plate of chips and not looking at anyone. “I know we’re wildly attracted to each other and lately, we’ve been getting along great.”

“But…” Ash prompted.

“But…” She groaned, already hating what she was about to say. “This isn’t real! We’ve been forced into a situation and I’ll never know if this was meant to be or if we’re just making the best of the awkward circumstances.” Shrugging, she added, “My last relationship was a disaster, and it totally messed with me and my ability to trust anyone. I think Max is probably just making the best of it because he’s a good guy.”

Beside her, Chloe quietly spoke. “Is that what your head is saying, or your heart?”

Good question.

“We all have situations where we have this…knee-jerk reaction. Like we can’t even help it,” Chloe went on. “Maybe you need to take some time and try to separate these situations. Like…are you reacting to Max or your ex?”

“I…I don’t know. I’m not sure I can do that when I’m right there in the middle of it with Max. Especially once we move in together.” Swallowing hard, she shook her head. “Can we…can we talk about something else? Please?”

“You’re right,” Chloe said. “Sorry. This is supposed to be a fun night and we’ve turned it into a therapy session.”

“I didn’t,” Ashlynn mumbled. “I was trying to get the dirt. You turned it into therapy.”

“Okay, everybody play nice,” Jade said wearily before apologizing to Hailey. “You’ll get used to us. I swear.”

That made her chuckle. “You know, it’s times like this I really hate that I can’t have wine.”

“I mean…one glass won’t hurt,” Jade casually suggested.

And that just made her laugh a little more. “Um…right now, I feel like I could use an entire bottle!” They all laughed. “And as good as these virgin margaritas are, they’re just not helping me relax the way I really wish they would.”

“Wait until Chloe serves the chicken enchiladas. They’re practically a religious experience,” Jade assured her. “Then we have ice cream and brownies for dessert!”

“If Billie were here, she would have made chocolate-filled churros,” Chloe called out as she went to the oven to check on dinner. “She’s been messing with the recipe and really perfected it! Next time we do Mexican, I’ll make sure she makes them!”

“Ooh…sounds delicious! You know what I’m loving most about tonight?” Hailey asked no one in particular.

“What?”

“You guys are foodies and you clearly all cook! Sloane doesn’t cook. Like anything. And most of my friends don’t either. Every girls’ night was at a bar, pub, restaurant, or takeout. I kind of love the idea of everyone making stuff and contributing to the meal…and sorry that I didn’t tonight.”

“Pfft…I didn’t tell you, so you’re good,” Jade said, grinning. “We just wanted you to come and hang out and relax with no responsibilities. What’s Max doing tonight?”

“He’s having dinner with his dad.” She smiled just thinking how sweet she thought it was when he told her.

“Hales, come on,” Ash said with a smirk. “That’s like the cutest thing. How can you not be a little in love with a guy who goes to have dinner with his dad rather than selfishly taking the night for himself?”

“I know, right?” And yeah, she giggled. “He told me, and I swear my heart just melted a little. Sometimes it’s like he’s too good to be true!”

“That’s how I felt about Reid. He was a nice guy, super-hot, and a firefighter!” Ash explained. “I wanted to hate him, but I couldn’t!”

“Why would you want to hate him?”

“Ugh, don’t ask,” Chloe said when she came back to the table. “It’s a dumb story.”

“He told everyone about my underpants!” Ash cried before looking at Hailey. “We were in high school when it happened and then he moved away. But when he moved back a few years ago, that was my chief memory of him, so…I hated him.”

“She was wearing Olaf underwear,” Chloe loudly whispered. “You know, from Frozen?”

“Oh my God! That’s awesome!” Hailey replied, trying hard not to laugh and failing miserably.

“The point is, as much as I tried not to like him, he just kept doing things that made it impossible to stay mad. Good guys exist. I got one.”

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