Never Been Worse (Evergreen Park, #3)

by Morgan Elizabeth

“Ava Wilde, love of my life, mother of my future children, you are going to send me into an early grave.”

“Then let’s get you some fries, little wife,” I say, and when she smiles wide, I know I made the right choice.

“You’re so into me, little wife.” “I so am not,” I say, aghast. “I have to go.” He just shrugs, stepping back and opening the door to let me leave, going with my insanity. “I’ll be here whenever you’re ready to admit it.”

I’m going to make Harper Holden mine in a permanent way. Now I just need to convince her of it.

“That blush of yours is so fucking pretty.” The words come out so quietly, as if they’re for my ears only. His hand moves, cupping my chin and jaw, a rough thumb grazing over my bottom lip as I stare at him wide-eyed. “And you’re so fucking mine.”

“I don’t want you the way a man wants a friend, Harper Holden. I could never be just friends with benefits with you.”

“When you’re ready to admit this could be something more, Harper, you let me know. I’ll be waiting.” And when he leaves, I know two things for sure: One, my husband most definitely likes me. And two, I am so totally into my husband, even if it's a terrible idea.

“No, but my wife would like”—I turn to Harper—“a Coke Zero, no ice?” She looks at me, slightly confused for a moment, before nodding, and I turn to the flight attendant once more. “That will be all.” Her smile falters a hint before she nods and steps away. “Lucky guess,” Harper says under her breath, pulling out a book and her headphones. “I’m sorry?” I ask with a laugh. “With the drink. Lucky guess. It’s what I order.” Slowly, I shake my head because clearly, she still doesn’t get it, how into her I am, how much I’ve been watching her for the past two years. “That wasn’t luck. When we go out as a group, you always ask what kind of soda they have. If it’s Pepsi, you’ll get water. If they have Coke, you’ll ask for Coke Zero. If they don’t have that and it’s fountain, you get a Diet Coke with ice. If it’s bottled, you’ll get water.” She stares at me, and I smile at the shock on her face. “I pay attention, little wife.”

“My initial looks mighty fine around your neck, little wife,” I say, fingers grazing her skin as I play with the necklace between us, so close, her nervous breaths graze my lips. “I think I like having it there,” she whispers back.

“Oh, no. No, no, no, Harper. That’s not what happened, and if that’s what you think, let me set you straight.” He moves, his hands going to my hips and lifting me to the counter so we’re eye to eye. “I want you more than you could ever imagine, but I am not going to let you belittle this thing between us by calling it friends with benefits. I am your friend, and I want benefits, but that’s not all I want. I know you don’t think that’s a good idea, which is why I said I’d be patient. Because I know we’ll be the best idea when it happens. And yes, I said when,” he says with a smile.

“You’re already under my skin, Harper Holden. Might as well put you there myself.”

“That first time I fuck you, you’re going to know down to your soul I’m absolutely wild for you, not because we’re married or because you’re convenient or because you’re with me all the time. But because you’re mine, and I’ve been obsessed with you since that first night I met you.”

“Oh, my god. You like me,” she whispers, awe in the word, and I pull her in close again. “I thought I made that clear when I put a ring on your finger,” I say with a smile. “No, like you like me, Wes. Outside of being friends and conveniently married.” “I thought I made that clear when I fingered you in your design room.”