Not the Friend with Benefits: A BBW New Adult Serial Romance (Not the Hot Chick series Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

Cam a quick peck on the cheek.
    He blinked. "What's that for?"
    "For being so smart, and giving me such good advice."
    His expression softened. He placed his hand on his cheek, as though he wanted to capture her kiss and save it. "You're welcome. So I take it you're going to follow my words of wisdom."
    She bent to unfasten her skates. A new confidence filled her. No more stalling with Drew. It was up to her to make the first move. "You bet I am. As soon as I wrestle myself out of these skates."
    ****
    Layla drove home, invigorated by a sense of purpose. All her indecision was gone. She was going to go to bed with Drew. Tell him how much she cared for him. And she was going to tell him about Cam.
    She wasn't afraid anymore, because she had faith in Drew. He wouldn't ask her to give up Cam's friendship. He'd know there was nothing for him to worry about. He'd trust her, just the way she trusted him.
    As she climbed the stairs to her apartment, she realized she hadn't thought to look for his car in the parking lot. Maybe he wasn't here yet. That would give her time to straighten up a bit and maybe change. Take off her skating gear—leggings and a lumpy sweater—and get into "something more comfortable."
    She snorted at the phrase, as it recalled scenes from old movies where the actress uttering the line would later emerge in some filmy negligee. Layla owned no filmy negligees. Still, she could come up with something a little sexy, something that whispered, Come and get me, big boy .
    There was no need to fish the key out of her purse because her door was already unlocked. When she walked in, she found Drew standing in the living room, his back to her, toweling his damp hair. "Hey."
    He turned quickly, his eyes wide and startled, his mouth agape. "Uh…hey. Why you here?"
    She gave a small laugh as she tossed her purse on the sofa and shrugged out of her jacket. "I live here, remember?"
    He cleared his throat. "Sure. I just thought you'd be gone longer."
    She smiled and kept her voice low. "I wanted to get home to you." Though he was completely dressed, his feet were bare. "You showered, huh?"
    He looked away, as though embarrassed. "Yeah. Uh, I got sweaty during the game, so…"
    "That's fine," she answered, not wanting him to feel uncomfortable. She glided over to him, laid her hand on his soft flannel shirt. "I wish you'd waited for me, though. I would have liked to join you." She stood on her toes and gave him a soft kiss.
    Yes! Her libido pumped its fist. You go, girl!
    Drew didn't return the kiss, just stood like a monolith. Layla sank back on her heels in disappointment and confusion. Had she done something wrong? Misread his feelings for her? Turned him off?
    But what she saw in his face was not disgust, not indifference, but fear.
    She glanced past him and her gaze landed on the armchair, where another purse, another jacket lay. A red jacket. For a moment Layla couldn't connect the dots.
    The bedroom door opened and out walked Jessi, pulling down her sleeves. "Hi, Layla."
    Layla stepped back. Her gaze swung from Jessi to Drew, whose face was bright red.
    Jessi, though, was unruffled and serene. "We didn't think you'd be back so soon."
    Layla didn't answer. She couldn't. A boulder lodged in her throat. Drew stood frozen. His shower, which seemed so innocent a moment ago, took on a whole new meaning. He'd gotten sweaty all right, but not with his basketball crew.
    Jessi went to the armchair, picked up her jacket, slipped her arm through the strap of her purse. She tilted her head, smiled at Layla. "I'm sorry we didn't have more time together to catch up, Layl. But don't worry, Drew made me feel right at home." Her tone was light, with no trace of suggestiveness. But malicious glee danced in her eyes.
    She sidled up to Drew and kissed his cheek while Layla floated outside her body and watched. Was this really happening? Or was it a dream, a hallucination? Had she just plain flipped out?
    Jessi wiped a lipstick stain from