Page 66 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

“Colt explained things a little differently.”

Her breath hitches. “You talked to Colt?”

“Yeah. I did.”

“Why?”

“Because Logan broke up with me over a text message last night, and when I went to confront him, Colt answered the door instead. And then, I kissed him. Or he kissed me?” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. What does matter is I kissed him for a whole two seconds before realizing I was kissing my best friend’s boyfriend, and I felt like absolute crap, so I pulled away and had a mental breakdown on the first floor of the Taylor House.”

She gasps and reaches for my hand, squeezing it tightly. “Oh, Ash, I’m so sorry.”

“I’m sorry,” I reply. “I shouldn’t have kissed Colt, or let him kiss me, or…” Again, I shake my head. “Everything was so…complicated. And it happened so fast, and I was hurting, and––”

“And he told you the truth,” she finishes, her skin paling.

“His version of it,” I answer quietly. “But I’d love it if you could confirm it for me.”

She sets the tray on her nightstand and pats the bed beside her, so I climb onto it, resting my back against the headboard until we’re side by side.

With her head on my shoulder, she murmurs, “Shorty’s been following me. Or at least, he was until I blurted out I was seeing someone else. He didn’t believe me, so I convinced Colt to be my fake boyfriend. And because he’s an absolute gentleman, he agreed to play along.”

“Why do you think Colt agreed to do it?”

She hesitates. “He said it was because he has a little sister, and he’d want someone else to step up and help if she was in the same situation.” She lifts her head and looks at me. “It didn’t hurt that the girl he really wanted was already in a relationship, and he didn’t feel like sleeping around anymore.”

“Don’t say that.”

“I’m serious,” she replies. “There’s only so much to talk about when Colt drives me home from work or when we’re hanging out and watching movies to help solidify our little scheme. He likes you. And take it from someone with personal experience…he’s thoughtful and kind and will make an excellent boyfriend. It’s a shame I have to break up with him now.”

I sit up and turn to her. “You don’t have to break up with him.”

“Yes, I do. You said so yourself. You and Logan broke up. You’re officially on the market.”

“I’m not on the market.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No. I’m not,” I argue.

“Ash––”

“Mia,” I mimic, using her same tone. “I’m not going to jump from one relationship to the next, especially not with my ex’s best friend. You know I’m not that kind of girl.”

“One. Baloney. You most definitely are that kind of girl.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are,” she argues with a laugh. “You’ve only been with one guy, and his name starts with an L and ends with asshole.”

I snort.

“You were made to have relationships, Ash. There’s nothing wrong with it. And there’s a great guy who’d kill to be in one with you. Sure, he’s friends with your ex, but it’s not the end of the world.”

“One, baloney,” I say, using her word choice from seconds ago. “You have no idea whether or not Colt would kill to be in a relationship with me. And two, even if Colt does, he’s already in one with you,” I point out.

“Ash––”

“Yes, I know it’s fake,” I interrupt. “But I’m not going to let you break up with him and pop back up on Shorty’s radar because I feel something for Colt. It isn’t fair to you. And honestly? I don’t know if it’s fair to Colt either.”

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