Page 120 of With the Assist

“Yeah, I really do.” She waves back at a baby who keeps staring at her. “I can’t really see myself anywhere else. As much as I hate being away from my dad and Emma, I might hate where they live even more.”

“Why?”

“That house and town remind me of my mom. I was fourteen when she died, and it’s like I have too many memories of her there. I can’t go anywhere without being reminded.”

Her eyes widen slightly. “That makes me sound awful.”

“No.” I squeeze her hand gently. “It sounds honest. I get how it would be hard to be reminded of your darkest experiences every day.”

She nods. “Yes. Exactly that.”

Then she shifts the conversation, and I let her.

“I’ve tried talking them into moving out here.”

“If that’s what you want, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time,” I say, grinning and bumping my shoulder into hers.

“Are you saying I’m bossy?” She blows out a breath, pushing her hair out of her face.

“Are you saying you aren’t?” I raise an eyebrow.

“It’s not my fault that I’m usually right.”

“Except when you said you weren’t a fan of hockey players.”

“What makes you think my opinion has changed?”

“Just a feeling.” My lips tilt up.

“Yeah, well…” She bites her lower lip like she’s thinking about what she wants to say next. “Maybe sometimes I’m wrong too.”

We turn with the path, so that we can keep watching the twinkling lights of the city’s Christmas tree. We’ve circled it three times already, but neither of us makes a move to stop.

“What are we doing?” It’s a whisper, her lips barely moving to form the words.

“Walking.” I keep my tone playful, even though I know that’s not what she’s really asking.

“When I showed up at your door tonight, I expected sex.” She laughs.

“Wow. That’s a pretty big assumption. What would’ve given you that idea?” I swing our arms slightly.

“Seriously, Nathan.” She stops walking. “I don’t do this kind of thing. This whole fake-dating, friends-with-benefits shit. I don’t know the rules.”

Friends-with-benefits. Hearing the words makes my stomach turn over.

“Trust me, you do the benefits part just fine.” I wink, but she doesn’t laugh, and I know I’ve dodged the question long enough. “It doesn’t feel right to have you show up, have sex, then have you leave.”

Her eyebrows scrunch. “Isn’t that what this is supposed to be?”

It is. That’s exactly what this is supposed to be.

“You’re forgetting the friends part of that arrangement.”

“So, that’s what tonight is?” Her lips tilt up. “Just friends?”

She doesn’t even realize the words sting.

“Yes, Wesley. I like hanging out. We’re already working out together, going on fake dates, and enjoying some very nice benefits.” I nudge her. “Why not add some actual friendship to the list?”