Page 22 of The Boyfriend Zone

"Yeah." His voice was soft. "It did."

We stood there for a moment, neither of us quite ready to leave. The streetlight above cast a gentle glow on Lucas's face, highlighting the curve of his cheekbones, the fullness of his lips.

"Sean," he began hesitantly. "About your shoulder—"

I stiffened. "What about it?"

"Nothing," he backtracked quickly. "If you ever need to talk, about anything, I'm here. As a friend, not a reporter."

It would be so easy to confide in him, to let someone else help carry the burden I'd been shouldering alone.

"Thanks," I managed. "But I'm fine, really."

He nodded, not pushing but clearly not believing me either. "Well, the offer stands. Anytime."

"I should get back inside," I said, taking a step backward. "Make sure Zach isn't tormenting your flat mate too much."

"And I should make sure Nate isn't corrupting your best friend with his strong opinions on photographic technique," Lucas countered with a smile.

We stood there for another moment, and I had the overwhelming urge to kiss him again. Instead, I shoved my hands in my pockets to resist the temptation.

"Goodnight, Lucas."

"Goodnight, Sean."

I watched him walk away, his figure gradually disappearing into the darkness. Only when he was completely out of sight did I let my shoulders slump, the pretense of being "fine" slipping away.

Back inside, I found Zach still deep in conversation with Nate, their heads bent close together over what looked like photos on Nate's phone. I cleared my throat, and they sprang apart.

"I'm heading home," I announced. "You coming?"

Zach looked torn, his eyes darting between me and Nate. "Uh, yeah, just give me a sec."

I waited by the door while they exchanged what looked like phone numbers, Zach's usual cocky demeanor strangely subdued. When he joined me, his cheeks were slightly flushed.

"Not a word," he warned as we stepped outside.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I replied, though I couldn't help grinning. "Seems like you and the 'press boy' found some common ground."

"Shut up," Zach muttered, but there was no heat in it. "He's still annoying as hell."

"Sure he is."

We walked in comfortable silence for a while, the familiar route back to our apartment illuminated by streetlights and the occasional passing car.

"So," Zach said finally. "You and Lucas seemed pretty cozy too."

I tensed. "We're just friends."

"Uh-huh." Zach's skeptical tone made it clear he wasn't buying it. "Friends who look at each other like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're constantly trying to decide whether to argue with each other or make out."

I felt heat creep up my neck. "It's complicated."

"Yeah, no shit." Zach kicked at a pebble on the sidewalk. "Look, I get it, okay? The whole 'I've never been into guys before but suddenly there's this one guy' thing. It's confusing."

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