Curvy Girls Can’t Date Best Friends by Kelsie Stelting
Fifty-Three
Callie
I’d been in limos before—to prom or hanging out with my friends—one of whom was dating a billionaire. But I’d certainly never ridden in one with Merritt.
We got inside, and I sat beside Carson. He put his arm around my shoulder and held me close. It was like we wanted to make up for all the time we spent ignoring our hearts.
“You two are so cute together,” Merritt said, almost annoyed.
I smiled and shook my head. “Don’t sound so happy about it.”
She let out a quiet laugh. “Do you remember that time we stuck you two together for Seven Minutes in Heaven?”
Carson snorted. “Like I could forget.”
“Yeah, he had to put his food down,” I teased him, remembering how much he’d eaten that night. And how sweet he’d been.
Merritt shook her head. “I was so sure you two were going to get together then.”
Carson’s eyes smoldered on me. “If I would have had my way, we would have.”
My cheeks warmed, and I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Maybe we needed to be friends first so we could see how much there was to lose.”
His lips spread in a stunning smile, showing his straight white teeth. “I think you might be right.”
“Well then,” Merritt said, walking to the small refrigerator at the front of the limo. “We might as well celebrate.” She pulled out a bottle of champagne and three glasses, then popped the cork.
It flew and hit a window, making us all laugh. Grinning, she poured three glasses and we all held them up.
“To friends,” Merritt said, her eyes shining.
“To friends,” Carson agreed.
“To friends,” I said. And as I tasted the sweet liquid, I thought about how grateful I was for mine, whether they were new, like Merritt, constant, like the girls, or forever like Carson.
The limo slowed, and the driver opened the door for us. As we stepped out of the car, cheers ripped through the crowd, but they weren’t cheering for us. At the end of the red carpet, Ryde Alexander and Ambrose Welsh were locked in a passionate embrace.
“What?” I screamed. “Your brother loves Ambrose!”
Merritt whooped, her smile shining brighter than the cameras flashing all around us. “I wasn’t sure if they would tell anyone,” she yelled to me over the noise. “I’m glad they did.” She scurried down the red carpet toward the couple, and as I went to follow, Carson took my hand.
He spun me back to him and held me against his chest. Breathless, I looked into his sea-green eyes, and he held my gaze.
“Are you ready?” he asked me, his breath heating my lips.
“For what?” I breathed.
He brushed his thumb over my bottom lip, sending shivers down my spine, and said, “Happily ever after.”
