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“That’s the plan,” Rex said. “Assuming Donny managed to book a hotel this time.”

Gabe switched glances between Rex and me, landing on Rex. “So if they’re gone for the night, shouldn’t you be staying at your house this evening too?”

Rex’s brow shot up—either as if the idea never occurred to him or as if he were caught being naughty. Both were true. He rubbed the back of his neck as if considering his response for a beat. If I had anything to say about it, the only place Rex would be staying tonight was in my bed.

“Yeah, that’s… Yeah, that’s the plan,” Rex said, and my eyes widened. Did he want to go back home? Or was he just saying that to appease my overbearing brother?

“So then…” Gabe gestured toward the door, which felt a little harsh.

“Gabe, don’t be rude,” I said. “And Rex, all your stuff is here, you can stay. It’s fine.”

Gabe put on his “I’m serious” smile and placed his hand on Rex’s shoulder. “Rex, I’m sure you could use a night off of this whole charade. You know what I mean?”

Weweretaking the night off the whole charade…untilheshowed up. But I recognized that look in my brother’s eyes. It was that stay-away-from-my-sister glare, which, when a drunk at Sullivan’s was getting a bit too handsy, was my best friend. But in the moment, that glare was my worst enemy.

Tension pulled tight between Rex and Gabe. My breaths came faster; Rex was going to stand up to my brother. Hewas actually going to chooseme. And I wasn’t going to be some conquest behind closed doors. I wasn’t going to be Abigail Stone, who finally gave it up and became another notch on the bedpost.

I actuallywasgirlfriend material. For real. Even though I couldn’t cook. Even though I wasn’t a perfect little housewife. Rex was going to tell Gabe that he didn’t need to be the overbearing, overprotective brother, because Rex was going to treat me right.

But then Rex’s stare softened at the edges. “Yeah, I know what you mean.” He glanced at me as if to say he was sorry, then began walking toward the front door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Abigail.”

Disappointment slammed into me. I felt so stupid. Why would Rex go against his best friend? Why would I possibly be worth rocking that boat?

This was all fake. And the parts that weren’t fake were just temporary. A boulder lodged itself in my throat, and, pathetically, I heard myself ask, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”

He glanced at my brother then looked back at me. “Yeah, I’m sure. I’ll see you later.” And with that, he closed the door behind him. I turned back to Gabe, wanting to push him off or give him a wedgie or steal his LEGOs. But we weren’t kids anymore. And that was the whole point.

“So, how ’bout them wings?” He grabbed the takeout bag from me and headed for the dining table as if everything was peachy.

“Gabe, why did you make Rex leave?” I went after him.

“Because. He shouldn’t be staying here alone with you when he has no reason to.”

“We’re not alone. Winston’s here,” I said, gesturing to my cat, who seemed inordinately pleased that Rex’s presence had been replaced with a bag of chicken wings.

Gabe shot me a caustic look. “Why are you so upset? It’s just Rex.”

It wasn’t long ago when that’s exactly how I thought of him. Just Rex. Just my brother’s friend. The fire marshal, volunteer firefighter, Boy Scout good guy who always did the right thing. Boring all the way down to his toes—except he wasn’t. He was bad and rude and naughty and clever and funny. He was surprising and domineering and endlessly thoughtful. And he looked at me like he thought I was the most beautiful person he’d ever laid his eyes on.

But could I tell Gabe that? “I just thought it was kind of rude to treat him like that. We’re all friends here.”

“No, Abigail. He’s my friend. And I’m your brother. And you both told me point blank that this whole thing is for show and there’s nothing going on between you two.”

“I just don’t see what the big deal is,” I argued.

“The big deal is I don’t want to see you get hurt again,” he blurted, and it stopped me in my tracks.

I crossed my arms. “What are you talking about?”

“C’mon, Abigail. I’m not blind. I know you like him.”

Oh. This was so embarrassing I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. I really had been that obvious, hadn’t I?

And Rex?

He wouldn’t be using me. He was a good person…except hadn’t I just been thinking about how wrong I’d been about him?

Afraid and embarrassed and not wanting to show it,I narrowed my eyes even more. “So what if I do? Is that the worst thing in the world? Me and Rex?”