I'm in love with Val Russo, but if I tell him the truth, everything between us will change and I refuse to let that happen.
BARCLAY
Ever since college, I've kept everyone at a distance. Receiving a wedding invitation from the man who helped build my walls with his infidelity is a strong reminder why. I'm not deserving of the love my friends have found, so I know better than to go looking for it. But they're on to something when they tease me about my long-term friend with benefits. I can't stand the idea of losing Val when he realizes I'm not the man he thinks I am, so it's better for me to keep things the same as they've always been.
***
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I know the only way to prove to Barclay how good we are together is to break things off with him...whether I like it or not.
VAL
Just because our relationship is open doesn't mean Barclay isn't enough for me. The casual physicality of our relationship has become normal, but as the years wear on, I find myself wanting more. I've seen the cracks in his armor and know he feels the same, even though he won't admit it. I've had feelings for him since the start, and I realize the only way to get what I want is to call his bluff.
Our situation has always had an open door to the bedroom, but if he thinks he'd be okay with me seeing other people outside of those four walls, I'm ready to put him to the test. Meeting Jason is unexpected, but welcome, and apparently he's just the thing Barclay needed to take action. I've had no idea how deep Barclay's feelings go, and as he spills them out to me one by one, I fall a little more in love. Suddenly, there's a rich future on the table that I'd never imagined, not even in my wildest dreams.
Now we're together and everyone knows it. He's ready to give me anything-and anyone-to keep me happy. I don't know how he spent so long thinking he wasn't worthy of this kind of happiness. His heart has so much to give and I'm always willing to take, so we're faced with no option except to share.
