Best Laid Plans (The Best Girls 4)

“He’s okay, but he’s very aggressive. My big concern is that he’ll take an invitation as meaning we’re a couple. He’s the kind of guy who might date me for a month and then ask me to marry him.”

“Hmmm. That’s bad, I guess. Unless you really like him, and then maybe you’ll fall in love and want to marry him.”

“You know me, sister. You know it takes me forever to fall in love.”

“And who have you ever been in love with?”

“No one,” Charlie glowered. “Because they’re always gone before it can actually happen. It could happen with Derek, I guess. But he’d have to be willing to wait a couple of years.”

“I think you should bring him.” Emily gave a sharp nod.

“Even after what I told you?”

“Yes, because we can use this to convince Olivia you’ve moved on and there are no feelings left between you and Josh.”

“But wouldn’t that be like using him?” Charlie asked. “Derek’s a nice guy. I don’t want to lead him on.”

“If he’s as forward as you say, you’d better have a long talk and lay out a few ground rules.”

“He already knows some of the rules.” Charlie chuckled. “Thanks to Hannah.”

“I really think this could work. But Olivia and Josh need to see you guys together, looking like more than friends.”

“No way. That would make things move too quickly between Derek and me. Unless...”

“Unless what?”

“Unless I told him a little about what was going on. Something tells me he’d be more than willing to do a bit of role play that included a kiss or two if I told him I needed to convince Olivia there was nothing between Josh and me.”

“You don’t think he’d feel used if you only did it to prove a point.”

Charlie rolled her eyes. “I doubt it.”

“ABSOLUTELY!” SAID DEREK. “You can use me all you want. In fact, I should probably come over and practice before we leave on the ski trip.” He laughed, while Charlie tried to keep the conversation serious. She’d called him as soon as she finished wiping the lasagna remnants from the kitchen and the kids.

“Derek, you do realize we’ll still only be friends? We won’t be dating, even though we’ll act like it on the trip.”

“Technically, if I kiss you, it’s a date. So we will, in fact, be dating when I kiss you. I’m sorry. I can’t change the rules.” He laughed again, and this time Charlie couldn’t help but join in.

She caught her breath. “Okay. But seriously, I’ll feel terrible if you get hurt from this. I don’t want you to think I have feelings for you.”

“Or you might fall for me and get your feelings hurt. Despite your high opinion of yourself, it goes both ways.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Charlie, you worry too much. I like you. I’m not in love with you. We’ll be friends-with-kissing-benefits. That’s all.”

“But we’re not going to kiss all the time.” Her voice betrayed a bit of panic. “Just once or twice when Olivia’s around.”

“And Josh. He needs to see it, too.”

“No, Josh is in love with Olivia already. But she doesn’t believe it because Josh and I had something between us a long time ago.”

“A long time ago?” Derek said, obviously unconvinced.

“Actually, he had feelings for me. I never really had feelings for him, except for friendship.”

“And you actually believe what you’re telling me?”