Love isn't quite where she is just yet—she's more realistic than Alex is. That doesn't change the fact that he's her best friend, and that she's entirely certain she could get there someday. Beyond all that, all of this has felt right, and now that she's not concerned about him having misplaced feelings, she's entirely willing to just enjoy it. He makes her happy, and that's all she needs right now.

He groans and she kisses him hungrily, savoring the press of him against her, trying to memorize the sensation. She's too distracted to be of much help when he slides her shorts down, but she does manage to kick them off as her hands grip his hips, pulling him closer.