BLURB:

I’ve had a crush on my best friend, Alex Mendoza, for years, and I was finally going to tell him how I felt. But instead, I got cold feet. And now he thinks I’m interested in his teammate—my ex.

Of course, being the good friend he is, Alex has offered to make my ex jealous. What’s wrong with a little play flirting?

Well, for starters, I’m not playing.

Alex’s mom and mine are best friends, soul sisters forged together by growing up in the same small town. They say they didn’t plan it, but the fact that Alex and I were born two weeks apart has always felt very much part of their plan. Our birthday parties were always together. First days of school were the same. And when Alex got his own car, the passenger seat was literally labeled with my name—Nikki Thomas. Convenient since we were inseparable.

For most of my life, Alex has been like the big brother I never had. He’s always been my protector. And he’s always made me feel safe. But somewhere along the way, he started to make me feel other things too.

Now it’s his senior baseball season, and he has the talent to go pro. His dreams are all coming together. My life, on the other hand, is falling apart. I know Alex would support me if I told him my secrets. After all, that’s what best friends do. But maybe it’s my turn to be the protector. And if that means all I can have are a few pretend kisses, then perhaps that will have to be enough.

Unless it turns out Alex has been keeping secrets of his own.

Caroline's Review
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thoroughly enjoyed this story!

"I'm living a dream. Nikki has always been in a box, one I've built and kept tidy and been very careful not to mess up. Now there is no box. And what if that means she disappears?"

Nikki Thomas and Alex Mendoza have been best friends since the cradle. Although they love one another, Nikki has been IN love with Alex for a few years now, and has been teetering on the edge of confession many a time. Alex is going through some personal issues but, as always, Nikki is there for him. When life gets tougher, Nikki becomes the only thing that make sense.

"If our friendship dies because of this, I need to know it was worth it. That I had something so great, so rare and beautiful, in my hands and devoured it. Lived it. Breathed it."

These two were cute, sweet, and seriously sexy! I understood Alex's point of view that he'd rather have Nikki only as a friend if it meant he'd never lose her as his forever person, but I loved that he eventually took the risk and stepped over the line. I really enjoyed the dynamic they had - that they could call each other out when they needed to - but also that they were so connected and understood each other so well. Such a wonderful, heartwarming couple.