Up in Flames (Crash and Burn, Book Two) (A Military Romance) by Eva Grayson Read Free Book Online

to see what he wrote. Making plans for this weekend. You busy Saturday? I have a fun idea for us.
    I pause. It would be awesome to spend more time with Cole. Awesome and torturous at the same time. What’s the right thing to do? Should I wait to see him until after I’ve sorted it out with Christina?
    I let the phone sit on the table for minutes as I debate what I should do. I lather soap on my skin, trying to not remember his fingers curling inside my walls, stroking me until I came all over his hand. His tongue flicking and gliding on my nipples. God, why does he have to be so damn sexy and compelling?
    Why did my perception of him change? Would this have happened if he didn’t move back to Boston? If Emme didn’t point out how hot he is? I guess there’s no reason to play the what-if game. It is what it is.
    I’m devastatingly attracted to Cole. I can’t deny that.
    I rinse my hand, dry it off. My fingers shake a little as I text, I don’t know. I’ll get back to you. I just need more time to figure out what to do. And I know he’s going to see right through that text and figure out I’m running from him. But what else can I do?
    My phone buzzes again. I’m a little nervous to glance at the screen. But it’s Darlene, replying to my message.
    No prob! Let’s talk soon. We’ll make dinner plans that aren’t last minute. ;-)
    I shoot back a smiley face and then focus on enjoying my bath.
    Minutes tick by. No response from Cole. There’s a knot in my chest, one I can’t seem to soak away. Guilt. My friend wants to hang out with me, and because I’m too crazy right now, I’m ditching him, and I’ve probably hurt his feelings.
    I debate for several more minutes if I should text him back and see if he’s upset with me. If he is, he’ll tell me, right?
    I down the rest of my cucumber water and eat the other slice of cucumber. Drain the tub and wrap up in the towel. Pad to my room and get in my pajamas. Still no response. Dammit. This is stupid.
    I grab my phone and start to pound out a text asking him if he’s upset when a message from him buzzes in.
    Okay then.
    That’s it. Two curt words. I’ve definitely hurt his feelings. A sour taste slides up my throat, and I swallow it down. I’m the world’s worst friend and the world’s worst sister. If I’m really going to go back into the friend zone with him, I actually have to be a friend to him.
    I delete what I was going to write and type out, I would love to hang out. Sorry, I’ve had a stressful day. Let me know details. XO
    I fire it off and then, while I’m at it, send a message to Christina asking if she can do lunch Sunday. She works overnights at the hospital for the next few days, so she probably won’t see it until the morning. But at least I sent it and I can’t chicken out now.
    As weird as it sounds, given the situation, I actually feel a bit better. I’m doing the right thing. I keep chanting that to myself as I settle into bed with a mystery I started reading a couple of weeks ago.
    My phone buzzes. It’s a reply from Cole.
    Okay, if you’re sure. It’s fine if you have other plans.
    He’s giving me an out. My heart squeezes. Even when I’m being a douche, he’s being thoughtful. Raw, unadulterated feelings for him make my eyes water a bit. Times like this, I don’t deserve his friendship, and I need to work harder at being there for him. I blink and write back, Absolutely sure. I’m an ass. You’re awesome. Saturday I’m free all day and ready to hang out.
    It’s going to be fine. I can be an adult. Because I love him far too much to hurt him.
    As I think the word “love,” there’s a prickling sensation in my chest. It’s only friendly love, I tell myself over and over again. That’s all.

    * * *
    “ Y ou’re glowing ,” I tell Emme over lunch. “What’s going on? Did I miss your birthday or something?”
    She beams with pride. “I just got my spring semester grades in yesterday. I aced all my classes. And I’m