Not the Friend with Benefits: A BBW New Adult Serial Romance (Not the Hot Chick series Book 3) by N. Raines Page A

boy-next-door way. Layla felt comfortable with him. They matched, not just in interests and profession, but in appearance—pleasant and presentable, but not likely to knock off anyone's socks.
    That little pain-in-the-ass voice started up again. If you and Drew match so well, why do you keep comparing him to Cam?
    This was stupid. She was not going to keep arguing with herself.
    Because you know you'll lose.
    She forced her attention back to Drew, who had gestured to their server for the check. "We can firm up our plans for tonight a little later. What time will you be done with your game?" Drew and some of his friends planned to shoot hoops at the YMCA.
    "Not sure. We've only got the court an hour. We'll probably hang out for a while after that. How long will you and your friend be skating?"
    "Two or three hours. However long it takes for Cam and me to freeze our butts off." She held her breath, waiting for Drew to question her further. This was the first time she'd ever mentioned Cam by name.
    He didn't pick up on it. "Okay. Careful of that butt. Don't want it to get too cold." He winked.
    She smiled reflexively, but that pesky voice wouldn't leave her alone. Tell him. It's the perfect time. Say: oh, by the way, have I mentioned that Cam's a guy?
    But instead she merely said, "Will do."
    "So. I'll text you later?"
    "Why don't you just come by my place?" Was it guilt at her omission or shame at her cowardice that had her make the offer? "I have an extra key.You can let yourself in if I'm not back yet, make yourself at home. My roomie's away for the weekend, so you'll have the place to yourself." She slipped the key from a secret compartment in her purse and held it out to him, then stopped when she caught the expression on his face. His eyes bulged and his mouth gaped as if he'd witnessed the second coming.
    Whoa. Had she screwed up by offering him a key? Maybe he thought she was pushy, rushing things when they hadn't even slept together yet. "I just—"
    She fell silent when she realized Drew wasn't looking her way at all. Perhaps hadn't even heard her offer. He was staring at someone behind her. She quickly swiveled in her chair.
    Jessi Wallace, whom Layla hadn't seen in months, was standing there. A smile curved her lips as her gaze rested on Drew, then traveled to Layla. "Hello, there."
    Now it was Layla's turn to stare open-mouthed. She felt as if she'd just been slapped in the face with a dead fish.
    After a few moments of awkward silence, she found her voice. "Jessi. Hi."
    Jessi had once lived in the same apartment complex as Layla, directly across the hall. Though they hadn't been friends, they'd parted as enemies. Jessi had never forgiven Layla for hooking up with Cam when Jessi wanted to get there first.
    It wasn't as though Layla had planned it, and Jessi had no special claim to Cam, the hot bartender they'd met that night. But Jessi couldn't stand the thought that her chubby little neighbor had first crack at what she, the hot chick, considered hers.
    "Uh, how are you?" Layla stammered, not knowing where to take the conversation or why Jessi had bothered to stop by their table.
    "Fine. Just in town to visit a few friends." She flicked a strand of lustrous chestnut hair over her shoulder as her gaze landed on Drew. "Well, Layla, never pictured running into you."
    I'll bet you didn't.
    "So who's this?" Jessi asked, indicating Drew. "I don't remember seeing him before."
    "Uh, this is my friend Drew. Drew, this is Jessi Wallace. We used to be neighbors, I guess you'd say."
    Drew stood at the introduction—a perfect gentleman, Layla noted as jealousy knifed her. Jessi had just stopped by to say hello? She didn't buy it.
    "Nice to meet you." His voice was low and as smooth as caramel. She couldn't blame him for being taken by Jessi's beauty. Any normal guy would be impressed. At the moment she just wished Drew weren't quite so normal.
    "Nice meeting you ."
    Layla gritted her teeth. How did Jessi manage to make a