“Ah, so you want to swoop in and seduce him,” Silas said with a nod. “It’s a long shot, but you never know.”
“No,” I said emphatically. “I just don’t feel right about rejecting his friendship, but is it crazy to do this? Am I just setting myself up for pain? Because I keep telling myself I can’t have him, but last night when he came over, he was just so freaking charming. He even changed my flat tire!”
“What? He came over last night?”
“To do what?” Silas asked, leaning in.
“Just to talk about the dog festival he’s planning. I offered to help recruit some vendors and sponsors. Silas, you’re helping because you’ve got all the connections.”
“Don’t I get a say in the matter?”
“No,” I said. “You’re my best friend, and you’re kind of an asshole, so I’m sure you owe me for something or other.”
Maverick pressed a hand to his chest. “I’m not your best friend? I’m hurt.”
“You’re also my best friend,” I said. “Which is why you should volunteer at the event.”
He sighed. “Fine, but only if I can make Damon volunteer with me and call it a prank. I owe him one.”
“Call it whatever you want. Two volunteers is better than one.”
“Perfect!”
Silas crossed his arms on the table and leaned in. “So in all seriousness, whatareyou going to do about that crush if you don’t want to avoid Hank?”
“I don’t know.”
“You need to compartmentalize,” Maverick said. “Put Hank in a straight-guy friend box and don’t open it.”
I nodded. “I’m trying.”
“It’s not easy when a guy changes your tire. I mean, if that’s not love, what is?”
I threw a coaster at Silas. We never made it through a single meal without ending up here.
“You’re such a brat.”
“But you love me, anyway.”
Speaking of guys who wouldn’t properly stay in the friend zone. I’d been half in love with Silas for years. We hooked up a few times when we first met, but Silas didn’t do relationships and I couldn’t do the casual thing. We eventually decided friendship was best, but my heart wanted more.
At least it used to. Now, I couldn’t picture a relationship with Silas that was anything but a disaster. Those feelings had reshaped themselves. I loved Silas as a friend, and those roots went deep, but I had no desire to date him.
If I could get over him when we were so close, then I could do it with Hank, too. At least this time, I knew going in that I couldn’t have that type of relationship. I’d keep my expectations in check, guard my emotions, and eventually, I’d want nothing but friendship from Hank, too, right?
CHAPTER 15
Hank
I ate seared tuna steak,the meat practically melting in my mouth, but I couldn’t enjoy it.
Not with my mother picking at the remains of her salad, a frown creasing her forehead, and my father practically straining a muscle to keep the conversation moving.
The Silver Spoon was the fanciest restaurant in Riverton. We ate off white china carefully placed on white linen—everythingperfectin a way our family wasn’t.
As good as the tuna was, I’d rather be grabbing a burger at Jerkers. Rather be comfortable and at ease than sitting in the stuffy, uptight establishment that would cost my parents far too much.
They always invited Corey and me here, though. Mom didn’t care for cooking and this was their idea of spoiling us.
