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Wes’s eyebrows shot toward the ceiling, and he let out an uncomfortable cough. “You came here to make out with my brother?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” I stumbled over the words. “I told you you’d think I was a terrible person.”

“Well, it’s just...”

“A terrible idea?” I finished his thought for him.

“The worst,” he agreed.

I sighed again, and my shoulders slumped. Wes was still gripping my arms, and it felt like he was stopping me from collapsing in an ashamed heap on the floor.

“I just can’t keep doing this,” I moaned. “My mind needs something else to think about. My heart needs something else to beat for. Everyone seems to think that kissing someone else will help.”

“Doyouthink it will help?”

“I don’t know. Probably not.”

“And do youreallywant to kiss Sawyer?”

“Gosh no. I’d probably pick up some kind of disease.”

Wes chuckled under his breath.

“He’s the only guy who’s offered though,” I said. “And I know he won’t think it’s something that it’s not.”

“He’s not the only guy who’s offered...”

My gaze darted up to meet Wes’s once again. Was he talking about himself? Was he offering to kiss me? His eyes were serious as he looked at me, and my mouth turned dry. I was suddenly more aware of his strong hands wrapped around my arms, and the feeling sent tingles to my stomach.

“You were drunk, and you didn’t mean it,” I whispered. He was standing so close to me, and the room seemed so much warmer.

“Was I...” he whispered.

Wes was incredibly handsome. I’d noticed, of course—you’d be stupid not to. He and his brother looked like they’d stepped out of an Abercrombie campaign. But I’d never thought beyond their good looks before. Sawyer was Sawyer, and Wes had become such a good friend in such a short time I’d never even considered him in a different way. But when he was focused on me so intensely, I didn’t know where to look and I couldn’t quite remember how to breathe.

The thought of kissing him was tempting. Especially when I was hurting. When I wanted nothing more than to forget. Wes was offering me exactly the distraction I needed and wanted. It was exactly why I’d come to this room in the first place.

I shook my head and gave him a sad smile. “Well, even if you weren’t drunk, I’d have to refuse. You’re too important to me as a friend, Wes.”

He nodded and smiled. “Yeah, your friendship is important to me too. Besides, we’re breakup buddies. Not rebound buddies.”

I laughed. “And I think breakup buddies is enough responsibility already.” I stepped out of his grasp, but my body tensed slightly when I did, as though it was resisting the decision. His arms fell to his side, and the warm smile he’d shown me just a moment ago dropped for a second, but it returned so quickly I wondered if I’d been mistaken.

“A responsibility I take very seriously.” He winked at me.

“I feel like an idiot,” I replied. “Do you think we can pretend I never came storming in here searching for a rebound?”

“I think I can agree to that.” He smiled. “So, it might not be as exciting as making out with your hot friend, but did you still want to go to the library and work on our econ homework?”

I smirked at him. “Definitely not as exciting, but econ homework sounds like a healthier coping mechanism.”

“Much healthier,” he agreed.

Wes grabbed his bag, and we started toward the door. He stopped me before we left the room though. “Isobel?”

“Yeah.”

His expression was serious again, and he looked nervous. “If you ever get desperate for anothercoping mechanismagain, please don’t make out with Sawyer.”