Faking with Benefits : A Friends to Lovers Romance

“I’m not a baby.” I try to wriggle out of his grip.

He just laughs and kisses the top of my head, unlocking his front door and bundling me inside.

Everyone you love will hurt you, in some way. Most of them, I hope, will do it by accident. Some of them will do it on purpose. Don’t let them win by letting it harden you. Stay trusting. And hopeful. Fall in love again, and again, and again. It’ll be okay. I promise

Oh, I’ll try plenty hard, my little Bundt cake. Don’t you worry about that

We can trauma bond, then

So, while you’re here, love

I need to see her come.

“I guess we do my thirties.” I glance up at Luke through my lashes. “And your, like, sixties, honey.”
“I’m not that old,”

“You’re so scary,” Zack says into my ear. “Where’s the bathroom? I need to jump out the window to get away from you.”
“Most of my dates feel a similar urge. Breathe deep, it’ll pass.”

“I won’t run away.” I try to stand, and he yanks me back down, settling me back into the crook of his arm and sighing happily. “Zack.”
“What do you need? Luke will get it.”
“Get what? A catheter? I need to pee, for Christ’s sake.”
He pats my knee. “You can do it here, I don’t mind.”
“Zachary.”
He heaves a massive sigh and lets me go. “Fine. I’ll miss you.”

I’m scared. I don’t trust them anymore.