Cheat With My Boyfriend Best Friend

David Ford

“Don’t say things like that…” I said softly.

I turned toward the mirror to avoid his gaze. As I scrutinized my appearance in the light, I was satisfied that my initial blush had vanished from my cheeks. For once, I felt grateful for how unresponsive my body was to physical intimacy. I didn’t want Aaron to pick up on the whirlwind of thoughts thrashing in my mind.

In the silence of the bathroom, I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. I stiffly straightened my skirt and adjusted my collar. His violent kisses had left my makeup smudged, so I took my powder and lipstick out of my purse to tidy it up a bit. Despite my calm, unwavering motions, I was trying desperately to calm my racing heart.

Both of our lips were left swollen, and Aaron’s were left tinted red from my smeared lipstick. I grimaced. No amount of fillers could make my lips look as plump as they do now.

Aaron simply watched without saying a word. His silence reassured me that his impassioned words were nothing but drunken nonsense, yet his expression seemed… hurt. His eyes looked glassy, and his composure appeared as though it might shatter at any second. He looked more akin to an abandoned child than the hotshot CEO I’d come to know.

With a sigh, I put my things back in my bag and walked over to him.

Forget it, I told myself. This is the last time. I swear.

I plucked a tissue off the counter and carefully wiped his face. His eyes bored into me as I gently rubbed at his cheek and the corners of his mouth, but I didn’t meet his gaze. I simply pretended that all I was doing was wiping my makeup off of him. That soothing him was the furthest thing from my mind.

With one last meticulous swipe, I finished cleaning him up. He seemed to sense that I was just about to pull my hand away,. because before I could, he closed his eyes and tilted his head to tenderly kiss my fingertips. I felt the warmth-the strength- of his lips through the tissue.

It felt like an unspoken plea: “Don’t go.”

But the moment quickly passed.

“Come on,” I said. “We should get back out there.”

vulnerable glint in Aaron’s eyes vanished and his eyelids lowered in focus. After

tiptoes to help him reset his bow tie. If anyone came in now, I’m sure they

We weren’t.

I knew we weren’t.

to lock arms with him. We were ready to walk

once we returned to

student at Columbia University.” Jane pulled me in for a warm hug and brought me to stand at her side. “And

I’d ever stand

again.

sweaters I’d seen him wear during his past lectures. But he was also much thinner than before. His steely eyes matched the color of his suit, and I realized that I’d never noticed the color of his eyes before. His curly brown hair was tied back, and

away.

!

Miss Olive Woods?” He grinned. “David Ford. I’ve read your thesis, and I have to

has read my

cheeks flushed. I was really being praised by him, the professor I admired most as a student. There weren’t enough

field after I attended your lectures…” I shook his hand with every ounce of sincerity I had in

is fine,” he reassured me. “And thank you.

He chuckled as he shook my hand. His hand was cold against my skin. Much colder

commented flatly. His unamused tone sent a gloomy chill down

turned to look at Aaron. I glanced between David’s flickering eyes and Aaron’s stony expression.

silent while Jane and I talked about David earlier. Maybe the two of