The Best Friend Bargain

“You don’t think he’s good-looking?” Chase asks.

“You do? Damn, you into freaky shit, Keating? Want to double team some siblings?” He shakes his head with mock horror.

“Jealous I’m not asking you?” Chase meets his level of ridiculousness.

Oliver’s laugh gets louder. He turns off his gun. Stands. “Fuck, can I get in on this Forest punching Holden thing?” He nods something to his client then pulls out his wallet. “It’s a long time coming.”

Holden beams, proud of himself for inspiring this level of… confidence.

“I can recognize when a man is beautiful. Unlike some people, I’m secure in my masculinity.” Chase winks at Holden.

“You think I can’t?” Holden nods hey to his best friend. “Oliver is way cuter than Forest.”

“Not as tall,” Chase says.

Holden rolls his eyes. “‘Course it’s about height with you.” He turns to me. Pretends to assess my attractiveness. “He does have that Ballard charm.”

“Uh-huh,” Chase says.

“Oh what, you don’t like it?” Holden raises a brow. Come on, you are dating Ariel Ballard, our sister. “You aren’t selling that.”

“You don’t have the Ballard charm.” Chase chuckles.

Oliver does too.

I try to laugh with them, but it’s impossible.

It’s still so fucking hot in here.

I still don’t have a good idea. A way to protect Skye. A way to hold my heart together for the next two months.

There’s something I can do. Some way to survive this. To make sure Skye thrives.

I just need to get out of here. So I can think.

I take another step toward the door.

Holden stops me. “You do have a plan?”

“Yeah.” All right, I need to see this. Whatever it is. I pull out my cell. Read my best friend’s text.

Skye: I want to do this. I’m not taking no for an answer.

Forest: It’s a bad idea.

Skye: Did you think of something better?

Forest: Not yet.

“Earth to Forest?” Holden jumps behind me. Tries to read my texts over my shoulder. “You talking to the super bitch? Checking your bank account to see how much you’re gonna have to convince any woman to put up with you?”

Chase shakes his head you’re such an asshole.

Holden shrugs and you’re not?

“No. I’m talking to Skye,” I say.

“You’re going to try to sell that you’re dating Skye?” Holden chuckles okay, sure.

He and Chase exchange a look.

Oliver too.

“I thought you were convinced they’re in love,” Chase says.

“No. Only that he wants to motorboat her,” Holden says.

A low chuckle fills the room. Then another.

“No, we’re just—” Explaining will only make it worse.

Skye: I’ll meet you at Inked Love in an hour. And I’ll show you that it will work.

Forest: What if it doesn’t?

Skye: It will.

Chapter Eight

Forest

The bell rings as Skye steps inside the shop. Her light eyes move around the room. Stop on Holden.

He’s sitting at the counter, sketchbook open to a mock-up, attention on Skye.

He nods a friendly hello. “Nice to see you, Skye. Tell me you’re here because you woke up and realized you can do better than Forest.”

Skye opens her mouth to reply to Holden. Stops just in time to shoot him a serene smile. “How’s work?”

“Good.” He turns his sketchbook to her. “Kicks ass, huh?”

Her eyes meet mine. They ask for something, but I don’t know what it is. “Subtle.”

Holden turns the sketchbook to me. Shows off a traditional pinup. With Skye’s thick makeup, dark hair, curvy frame.

Fuck, she’s even wearing one of Skye’s outfits. Only her cropped black cardigan—the one with tombstones embroidered on the Peter Pan collar—is unbuttoned. It’s falling off her shoulders. Showing off her round tits.

The drawing’s.

Not Skye’s.

Not that—fuck, if anything, Skye’s tits are bigger. Not that I’m looking.

All right, I’m looking now. But only because Holden put the idea in my head.

She’s wearing that dress. A tight black thing with corset lacing. The neckline is low. And the lacing is tied in a bow right between her tits.

It begs for my hands.

The skirt is short. Some gauzy fabric that blows in the breeze. It shows off her lush thighs.

God, I need those thighs against my cheeks.

Shit.

I close my eyes. Will my cock to cool it.

Not that he listens to me.

Lakers lineup. Clippers line up. Skye’s dad shaking his head are you sure about Forest being your boyfriend?

It’s enough I catch my breath.

“Fuck, I think he’s hard already.” Holden winks at Skye. “You two gonna consummate your relationship here? I’ll find my camera.”

“Oh, Holden, you know I only invite quiet guys to watch.” She blows him a kiss.

He mimes catching it. Pressing it to his crotch. “You can keep your lust for me a secret. I won’t tell my brother.”

“Tragically, I don’t have time.” She gives me a quick once-over. “I’m here for a reason.”

“How about I buy you a tea?” I ask.

Her tongue slides over her wine lips.

Fuck, her lips look soft.

Kissable.

Which is ridiculous. I don’t kiss anyone. I haven’t.

But it’s not leaving my head.

Skye is Skye. She always dresses in something black and sexy. She always wears her makeup dark. Always paints her lips some shade between wine and raspberry.