Page 117 of Make Me Yours

Callie’s brows knit together. “But this is Steele. He’s not some random hookup. He’s your best friend. That makes it even riskier.”

I chew my bottom lip, feeling their eyes on me. “I know. Trust me, I know. It’s just being with him feels different. It’s not just about sex. It’s easy. Comfortable. Almost like our friendship has always been leading to this place.”

“Maybe it has been,” Callie says gently.

“You deserve easy,” Sloane adds firmly. “You deserve to be worshipped and adored.”

“Desired,” Rina chimes in. “And don’t even try to deny it. That man desires you. You can see it every time he looks at you.”

Warmth blooms in my chest at their words, at how fiercely they rally around me without hesitation.

“It’s scary, though,” I admit. “What if I screw it up and lose him?”

“You won’t,” Callie says, reaching for my hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “If it’s real, and it looks pretty damn real from where I’m sitting, you’re not going to lose him.”

“And if you do,” Sloane says, shrugging with a mischievous glint, “we’ll key his Lamborghini.”

I laugh as the knot of fear inside me loosens just a little.

“Whatever happens,” Rina says, raising her drink, “you’re not alone. You have us.”

I clink my glass against theirs, feeling lighter, steadier than I have in weeks.

The conversation dips for a moment, all of us lost in our own thoughts. I shift on the couch and glance at Sloane, who’s stretched out in the armchair with her wine glass balanced on one knee.

“Sooo…” I begin, drawing out the word with a teasing lilt. “What did you think of Jax?”

Her reaction is immediate. She lets out a snort and then takes a long sip of her wine, like she needs the strength before answering.

“Not much.”

I laugh. “Seriously?”

She raises one unimpressed brow. “He strikes me as your typical hockey player. All swagger and charm, like he’s never heard the word ‘no’ in his life.”

Callie grins. “Well, your assessment isn’t wrong.”

Sloane continues dryly, “From what I’ve read on the Railers gossip site, he’s a headline waiting to happen.” She glances at Rina. “Someone she’ll have to clean up after.”

Callie leans in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “He wanted to take you out, though. No interest?”

“Absolutely none.” Sloane shakes her head without hesitation. “I have way too much going on to throw in thecomplication of a man. Especially one who collects women like trading cards.”

Rina chuckles from her spot across the room. “Remind me never to let you near my dating app profile. You’d murder half my matches.”

Sloane lifts her glass. “Probably. But only out of love.”

We all laugh, the easy rhythm returning as the conversation drifts from the boys to the gala, to wine preferences, to the worst dates we’ve ever been on.

But somewhere beneath all of it, I can’t stop thinking about Steele. About the way he looked at me last night, like I was the only thing that had ever made sense to him.

And the way I felt when he stared at me.

Seen.

Wanted.

Cherished.