Catherine thought that the date with Phoenix Astar was supposed to be a one-time thing. She was supposed to be getting Phoenix out of her system, even if that meant—if it ended up with her sleeping with him. Sleeping with him hadn’t really been part of the plan, but it happened nonetheless. It was like her body just gravitated toward him, and now she didn’t know what to do. Catherine hated lying to her best friend, she couldn’t keep lying to Molly.

When Molly asked how her blind date had gone, Catherine told her the truth. For the most part. She even admitted that she had slept with him. Molly didn’t really approve, but she didn’t fight Catherine on it either. Molly was a good friend, always supporting every decision Catherine made, whether good or bad. But this one was definitely bad. It was horrible. And Catherine didn’t know what to do because it wasn’t something she could undo at this point. The lies kept growing deeper and deeper, and worse, she kept falling harder and harder for Phoenix. They talked nonstop, and Catherine kept hiding her phone, even though his name wasn’t saved as Phoenix—she felt so guilty. Molly would comment on the smile Catherine would get while reading his messages, completely unaware that it was her rockstar crush who was making Catherine smile.

Catherine didn’t know what to do. She knew she had to tell Molly the truth, especially when Phoenix started calling himself her boyfriend via text, but she feared Molly’s response. She feared what it might mean for their friendship.

It started as cheeky texts, but as days passed, Phoenix and Catherine only got more intense. On a Thursday night, Catherine’s phone flashed at 8 p.m., as always. It was when Phoenix got off work, and Catherine jumped at her phone because it was also when Molly was at her night yoga class. This meant they could sext with some amount of privacy. But tonight, his text made her heart skip a beat. It was from Phoenix, but different from what she expected.

Phoenix: I’m outside

Catherine: What???

Phoenix: I wanted to surprise you

Catherine: You can’t be here!! What if someone sees you?!

Phoenix: That’s why I climbed the fire escape

Catherine: What???? Are you crazy???

Phoenix: I’m outside your window.

Catherine turned, only to see Phoenix standing on her balcony. He had literally climbed the fire escape up three stories just to see her. She rushed to the door, opening it quickly.

“Molly’s not here, right? At yoga for two hours?” Phoenix looked at her. “I thought we could…” He started lifting whatever was in the bags he was holding, likely Chinese food judging from the smell, but Catherine pounced on him. She was wearing a robe and not much else underneath, since she had been planning to send him sexy videos and pictures, but the live version was so much better.

Phoenix dropped the contents he was holding as his palms found the curve of her cheeks and he kissed her, slowly, yet deeply. Catherine moaned against his lips as they moved back toward her bed. She quickly swept off the few items that were on there—a candle, some moisturizing creams—and then they were on the bed. Their bodies molded together, pushing impossibly close despite the annoying clothes that separated them.

Stolen novel; please report.

Although some time had passed, Catherine hadn’t forgotten how good Phoenix felt. In fact, she dreamed of it—of all things relating to him—most nights. It was like he consumed her somehow, as though he took over her body and mind and all sense of reasoning.

“Can I take off my shirt?” he murmured against her lips.

“Yes, yes,” was all Catherine could think to reply.

She felt hot all over. Apparently, he did too. His skin was like fire against hers as they kissed, their bodies pressing closer together, and her robe slowly came open. It felt so good, having him this close. It felt natural and right, like the way things were supposed to be. She hadn’t ever felt this way before—this comfortable, this connected, or this drawn to someone. It was a thrilling and sexy mix of emotions—everything all at once. She just knew that she needed more of him.

Phoenix seemed to feel the same as his hand slipped beneath the silk of her robe, finding her bare skin. His touch was light , as he explored her, sending shivers through her entire body. The sensation of his hand against her made her gasp softly, the intensity of the moment driving her wild. She had never wanted anyone this much, had never felt a yearning so fierce.

Catherine found herself moaning softly as she kissed him wherever she could reach, her fingers fumbling with his belt in a desperate need to feel even closer to him. The sound of his name on her lips, the urgency in her touch, spoke volumes about how much she wanted him. Phoenix was groaning too, his voice thick with desire. Her body felt alive, pulsing with adrenaline. The connection between them was electric, and it felt like they were on the edge of something explosive, even though they hadn’t crossed that line yet.

His hand found hers, helping with his belt as he murmured, “I need you.” The words were raw, filled with an urgency that matched her own. Catherine’s breath hitched as she shrugged out of her robe, her body trembling with anticipation. But just as the moment heated up, the door opened.

Like a deer in headlights, Catherine froze at the sight of her best friend, Molly. Much like Phoenix, she was holding food—this time from their favorite café down the road. Coffee, which Catherine knew would be her usual order, and their favorite little pizza bread things. Molly’s eyes widened in shock as she dropped everything to the floor, her hands flying up to cover her mouth.

The lighting was dim, but not that dim. Molly would have been able to see Phoenix and Catherine perfectly, naked and exposed. Catherine quickly pulled her robe back over herself, eager to cover her shame as her best friend stood there in a state of shock.

“Oh my God!” Molly cried. “Oh my God!”

And then she rushed off.

Catherine pushed Phoenix away from her body, put on her robe, and did it up tightly as she chased her best friend toward the exit she was running to and out into the hall. “Molly, please,” Catherine begged. “I can explain.”

Molly stopped near the top of the stairwell. Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Explain?!” she yelled. “How could you possibly explain?! It’s one thing to give me false hope, or even try and set me up with him, but you…you lied to me, Catherine! You got with the guy you knew I was in love with, and you lied to me about it. Shit! I was giving you advice! He was the blind date, wasn’t he?!”

“Molly.” Tears streamed down Catherine’s face.

“Right. So, I helped you get sexy for him? Wow, that’s fucked up.”

Molly went to leave, and Catherine jumped toward her. “Molly, please!” she begged, grabbing at her arm, but Molly pulled away. “Please. I can explain.”

“Can you?!” Molly yelled. “Can you explain? Because unless you were literally forced into it and held at gunpoint, which it seriously didn’t look like, or hit your head and are suffering from some kind of amnesia, then I highly doubt that there is anything you can do or say to make me forgive you! You’re my best friend, Catherine! You’re supposed to be my best friend! Best friends don’t lie to each other! They don’t steal potential boyfriends or sneak around just to get some!”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Catherine said. “Can you just…can you listen? Please?”

“The thing is, Catherine, even if I listened…even if you said the perfect thing. I wouldn’t believe you.” Molly cried. “I no longer believe you. You broke the trust. You broke US.”

Molly’s words cut deep, and Catherine was left standing in the hallway, devastated as her best friend walked away.