Page 152 of F*ckboys

When I don't reply, her eyes fill with tears. "Please say something, Fallon. I don't want to lose you again over this. I want to rekindle our friendship, and that includes being transparent with you. About everything, including Liam and the Montgomerys."

My hands curl into fists under the table. But looking at her now, her gaze pleading, I can see how much I mean to her.How much she means to me. If I can't forgive her for finding happiness, even if there seem to be strings attached, what kind of friend does that make me?

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. "It's okay," I say quietly. "I want you to be happy. Even if it's with someone from the dark side. Just please don't tell them any of our secrets."

Relief floods her face. She grabs my hand, her grip almost painful. "Thank you. You don't know what this means to me. I love you, Fal. You're my person, no matter what. I promise."

"I know," I say, giving her hand a squeeze. "You're my person, too. No matter what."

Our friendship has weathered worse than this. It'll survive a doomed romance with this Liam guy. Mia and I are forever besties, no matter the forces trying to tear us apart.

Mia smiles, the tears spilling over onto her cheeks. She stands and pulls me into a hug. I hug her back fiercely, breathing in the familiar and comforting scent of her Jean Paul Gaultier perfume with its notes of orange blossom and rose. She's worn it as her signature for so long it instantly reminds me of her whenever I notice someone wearing it, and it always makes me instantly feel at ease.

When we pull apart, she wipes at her eyes. "So, do you want to meet him?"

I make a face. "Do I have to?"

She laughs, the tension easing from her shoulders. "No, not yet. I just thought I'd ask."

"Maybe someday," I say. "When I've wrapped my head around my best friend dating the enemy."

"He's not the enemy," she protests. "His company is in competition with yours, sure, but Liam himself is a really great guy."

"If you say so." I try to keep the skepticism from my tone and apparently fail.

Mia narrows her eyes at me. "You'll see. I'm going to invite you both over for dinner and you'll love him. I know it."

"Good luck with that," I say wryly. While I want to support Mia's happiness, I can't make any promises about befriending this Liam. My loyalty is to my family's company, not some pretty-boy rival my best friend has fallen for.

Mia just shakes her head, a rueful smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"So you keep telling me." I stand, grabbing my jacket. "Ready to head out? I'm craving a burger and am going to pick up ingredients on the way home."

"A burger sounds delicious. I might do the same." Mia loops her arm through mine as we head outside. "Thanks for giving him a chance. It means a lot."

"What are best friends for?" I say lightly.

Mia squeezes my arm, understanding in her gaze. She knows I'm skeptical about giving her new boyfriend the benefit of the doubt. But for her sake, I'll try.

Because that's what best friends do.

The next day, Mia texts me about dinner plans with Liam. My stomach churns at the thought of sitting across from my family's biggest rival, pretending to make nice. But I text back:

Me: Sure, what time?

Anything for Mia. Even if it kills me.

I show up at her place that evening in dark jeans and a silky top, hair styled to perfection. Mia opens the door, greeting me with a hug, and the scent of garlic and herbs wafts from inside.

A man who must be Liam stands in the entryway behind her, all tousled blonde hair and blue eyes and charm. He looks like he grew up on corn, whole milk and football. "Fallon, great to finally meet you. Mia's told me so much about you."

He holds out a hand. I take it, grip firm. "Likewise."

Over dinner, Liam regales us with funny work stories and compliments Mia with casual touches and adoring looks. The pasta primavera is delicious but sticks in my throat. I force myself to make conversation, asking Liam questions about his hobbies and family. He seems perfectly nice and like a decent guy, which is perfectly infuriating. I wanted to hate him on sight.

"I have to ask," Liam says with a rueful grin, addressing the elephant in the room, "how do you feel about your family's biggest competitor dating your best friend?"

Mia shoots him a warning look. "Liam..."

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