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It feels like my entire body liquefies.

Brushing off the deep meaning, I circle my face with my finger. “Not just a pretty face!” I pull the thick blanket Zach got me up under my chin. I’m not cold, but somehow, it feels like a shield from all the thoughts I know I can’t have. “Talk to Jon tomorrow.”

Zach hits play on the movie. “You going to share that blanket?”

Lifting the corner up to invite him to join me, I know I’m treading on dangerous ground. We both are. “If I must.”

The couch is huge, so when Zach slides in behind me, propped up on one arm to watch the TV, every muscle tightens. He’s not pressed against me, but I feel the way his warm body radiates through mine. I can smell his heady scent. He exhales slowly, and his breath caresses the nape of my neck, sending tingles all the way down to my toes.

I was the one who took a step back from being physical, but I don’t think either of us has successfully switched off our feelings. I know Zach will never touch me again unless I ask him to. Instead, we’ll walk the tightrope between friends and lovers until one of us breaks, or—and as sick as this makes me feel—he falls in love. And if that day ever comes, which it probably will, I know I’ll have to take a step back from him altogether.

The thing is, from now until that time, I’m powerless to resist him. Even from very different worlds and nearly three thousand miles away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

LUNA

The following morning, I squeeze into the back of Felicity’s green Mini Cooper. She’s pulled up along the sidewalk outside Zach’s apartment building.

Felicity turns her head and drops her sunglasses down her nose, eyeing me. “Oh my God! You’re even more beautiful in the flesh. Isn’t she stunning, babe?”

“You’re definitely on the upper end of the Smoking Hot scale,” Kate replies.

I feel like an animal in a zoo, being gawked at by visitors. “Thanks.”

I’ve not had many friends in my adult life, so being out with two of the most stunning and successful women I have ever laid eyes on is kind of intimidating.

“You could both model.” I won’t deny I’ve looked them up online, and they were stunning then, but in real life, Jesus. I can one hundred percent see why Jon pursued Felicity in the way he did. If I were a guy, I’d give my right nut even to talk to her. Her emerald eyes are hypnotic. Kate is straight out ofGlamourmagazine—her long, silky blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes, and flawless bone structure are like a work of art. These two women must have men, and the rest of the world, wrapped around their fingers.

“At forty, I need to keep up appearances,” Felicity says in her pure British accent. I’m obsessed. It’s like I’ve stepped onto the set ofBridgeton.

“Wait, what? You’re forty? No way. Not buying it.”

“She is. Trust me. I’ve seen the evidenceand felt it,” Kate replies, a slightly pained tone to her voice.

“Ugh, I’m still getting over the hangover now. I’m convinced even one month on, my liver is still pissed at me.”

I burst out laughing. “Yeah, I’ve been there a few times.”

“Life begins at forty,” Felicity chimes. “Aside from my beautiful son and daughter, I know mine certainly did.” Even from the back seat, I can see the smile spread across her face. That’s pure happiness right there. Perhaps one day she can teach me her secrets.

“She’s ridiculously in love with the guy of every woman’s dreams,” Kate drawls. “It’s kind of nauseating.”

I catch sight of the beautiful engagement ring on Felicity’s left hand as she turns the wheel to make a right. “Wow, that’s some rock. It’s probably worth more than my house.”

“Right? He’s a keeper,” Kate sings as she scrolls through the playlist on Felicity’s phone.

“Don’t get me wrong, this is a cute car. But I’m surprised he hasn’t insisted on upgrading it to some huge SUV,” I say, looking around the Mini.

Kate selects the next song and sucks in through her teeth. “Oh, she went there.”

“Went where?” I ask with confusion.

“The car saga. Jon has now attempted to replace Felicity’s car on at least four separate occasions. At one point, he had a RangeRover Evoque delivered to her parking space at their apartment and her Mini taken away. This girl here...” Kate points to her best friend. “...called the dealer and insisted Martha be returned and the ‘ridiculous wagon’ be picked up immediately.”

Ohmygod, a girl after my own heart. “What did he say?” My voice is barely recognizable as I giggle through my sentence.

“Who, Jon? Ugh, he wasn’t surprised. It’s this ongoing tussle we have. He’s a car man and refuses to get in Martha Mini. Partly because he can’t actually fit and partly because he thinks she’s far too small and unsafe for me to drive in America where everyone’s cars are either huge SUVs or trucks. He’s convinced I’ll be squished.”