“Positive. Make yourself at home.”
I gather what I need for the couch and return to find Stella standing in my living room, looking uncertain again. “I didn't grab a nightgown. Or a toothbrush. Or?—”
“Check the bathroom. I keep extra toothbrushes for when my sisters visit. And you can borrow one of my t-shirts to sleep in.”
“Thanks.” She gives me a soft smile that does weird things to my chest. “Really, Brandon. Thank you for this.”
“Don't mention it.”
I watch her disappear into my bedroom, and a few minutes later, I hear the shower turn on. The sound of running water shouldn't affect me, but knowing that Stella is naked less than twenty feet away makes my brain go to places it definitely shouldn't.
I try to focus on setting up my makeshift bed on the couch, fluffing pillows and arranging blankets with more attention than the task requires. But I can't stop thinking about her in my shower, using my soap, standing under the hot spray with water running down her naked body.
This is completely inappropriate. She's my friend. She's here because she trusts me to help her, not because she wants anything to happen between us. The fact that my dick is getting hard is just basic biology. Any man would have the same reaction to an attractive woman in such close proximity.
It doesn't mean anything.
A few minutes later, the sound of her moving around my bedroom filters through the wall. The soft pad of her bare feet across my hardwood floors. The rustle of fabric as she changes into whatever shirt she borrowed from my dresser.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, willing my body to calm down. This is about helping her achieve a goal, nothing more. I'll teach her what she wants to know about confidence and appeal, she'll get Mason or some other guy, and we'll all move on with our lives.
Simple. Clean. Professional.
So, why does the thought of teaching Stella how to be irresistible make my stomach twist into knots?
I lie on my couch, staring up at the ceiling and listening to the sounds of her settling into my bed. The rustle of sheets, the soft sigh as she gets comfortable, the gradual quiet that means she's falling asleep.
This is going to be a very long few days.
twelve
. . .
Stella
Girl Gang Group Chat
Stella
SOS. Operation Plus-One has officially become Operation Fake Boyfriend. My mother showed up unannounced last night and I panicked and told her Brandon is my boyfriend. FML.
Jess
Wait WHAT? Brandon? Like our friend Brandon? Your neighbor Brandon?
Natalie
OMG YES. I can totally see you two together! Maybe this will actually go somewhere
Stella
Nat, NO. This is a disaster management situation, not a matchmaking opportunity.
Sophia
Honestly? This is best case scenario. Brandon's a great guy and an even better friend. Why didn't we think of this in the first place? He's perfect to stall your mom and buy you time.
Blair
