Page 58 of We Can't Be Friends

My mind has been running a marathon all day. Even if he was insinuating more than I can give him right now, I know that being around Callum Sullivan is the calm, the eye of the storm that I don’t only need but want.

“Give me a tour.”

He outstretches a hand to me, and it feels bigger than this moment. Bigger than the hotel. Bigger than buying me a designer dress. Bigger than late-night phone calls. Bigger than picking the spot next to mine at yoga. Bigger than this pending offer to be his fake girlfriend. Bigger than the facades we put on for everyone else in our lives.

Does he feel it too?

I take his hand, trying to accept it with grace and bravery, letting everything underlying between us not be more than it needs to be.

16

CALLUM

Liam waved me over when I finished giving Chloe a tour.

For the best. It took everything in me not to kiss Chloe. Push her up against one of the doors in the rooms. Instead, I silently relish in the way she looks in that dress. A goddess in silver.

He was talking to an older gentleman I didn’t recognize, but their conversation was animated and serious.

Who I did recognize was Samantha’s mom.Why is she here?

Over Liam’s shoulder, I keep an eye on her, ensuring she doesn’t find her way to me. A few minutes pass and when her conversation wraps, she glides in my direction.

Did my mom send her?

What if she’s expecting to meet my girlfriend?

I need Chloe.

From across the lobby, I spot Chloe heading into the bathroom. I excuse myself from Liam and bolt to her.

Closing the bathroom door behind me, I twist the lock after double-checking that it's only her in here.

“Henry.”

Chloe opens the stall door, perplexed to find me here. “You know this is the women’s restroom, Pretty Boy?”

She leans against the counter to wash her hands, the back of her dress halfway zipped up. I step behind her, pushing my hands against the cool counter and cage her in.

“Sullivan,” she exhales slowly, head rising to meet mine in the mirror.

“I know you haven’t agreed to be my fake girlfriend, but I need you to be tonight. No trial. Real pretending. I need you, Henry.”

Chloe doesn’t react, but I catch the way her chest rises and falls. The pace picks up as the air in the room seems to evaporate. “Why?”

“Samantha’s mom is here.” I told Chloe about all the dates I had gone on. She nods, pools of silver still locked on me. “She can’t see me here alone.”

“It’s your hotel. Why wouldn’t you be here alone?”

“It won’t matter.” I lean forward. My chest grazes her back. “Please.”

On a sharp inhale, Chloe replies, “Okay.” Her chest falls and she asks, “I’ll help you but I need something from you.” I tilt my head. “Can you zip me up?”

Releasing my death grip on the counter, my right hand finds her waist. Gripping it and the fabric, I use my left hand to finish zipping up the remainder of her dress. Flattening my palm against her back. Her skin warm to the touch.

I pause. Look at her. Really look at her.

Chloe Henry is beautiful.

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