Page 26 of My Always One

"You sure as hell do. We’ll make it pizza and breadsticks with the little containers of gooey cheese."

"No." She tips her chin upward until our eyes meet. "I’m not talking about food. I deserve to be happy."

That's my girl. "And sushi is the perfect start."

I suck in a breath as she reaches down, purposely rubbing the front of my jeans.

"What are you doing?" Though I’m asking the question, I’m well aware of what she’s doing. This isn’t my first rodeo.

Sami blinks. Her tears have dried, and her damn green eyes are filled with something I've never seen before, not from her. Her cheeks rise as her pink tongue darts out to her lip and then disappears. "I think I have a better idea than food, something that will make me feel better."

Sami

What the hell am I doing?

My heart is racing, and all I can think about is Marshal. Of course I'm thinking about the way his chest feels against mine, how strong and sturdy it is. I'm thinking about his arms and how he surrounds me, protecting me from the world.

But those aren't necessarily new thoughts. I mean, we've been friends forever, since long before he was sexy as hell and six feet plus. Sometimes to me, he's still the short, freckle-faced boy who lives down the street. I'm not alone in the way I see him or us. I know he still thinks of me as that little girl.

Time moves on...we've grown up.

I know we made an agreement, but so did Jack and I.

We'd agreed to marry.

I wonder if that asshole has found my engagement ring on the kitchen counter yet or if he's still too busy screwing that bimbo. I’ve turned off my phone so I don't have a clue if he's tried to call. Furthermore, I don't give a shit. After what I saw, he can go screw himself or anyone else. All I know for sure is that it won't be me.

Which brings me back to the man with his arms around me. The man who I know—through his own and others' testimonials—is rumored to be fantastic in bed.

Jack was okay.

But damn it, I deserve better.

I deserve fantastic.

We can do this, I convince myself.

Marshal and I can cross this line and then go back to the way it was. Hell, maybe we don’t have to go back to the way it was. Maybe we can stay friends and keep...

Yes.

Friends with benefits.

Why not?

My mind is a flurry of thoughts.

I love the man with his arms around me, and I don’t want to do what I’ve accused him of doing—use someone. That thought lingers and fades.

No. This wouldn’t be that.

I'm not trying to get even with Jack. I'm not.

Maybe for the first time I'm recognizing what's been in front of me forever and always. I lift my lips to Marshal's as I reach out and stroke his jeans.

Once.

Twice.

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