“What happens if one of us meets someone?” she asked. “I mean, I know we both think we’re not cut out for that sort of thing, but we can’t predict the future.”

“Then we’ll deal with it when that happens. We’d also probably win some award for being the most amicably divorced couple on the planet if it does.”

“What about…” She hesitated. “The physical part? Would it be an open relationship? Because I know you, and you may talk a good game about someone to have dinner with, but you also want someone to… you know with.”

An image of Audrey naked beneath him, her dark hair spread out on his pillow caused an immediate tightening of his entire body, and he nearly groaned as he faced the fact he’d been avoiding for weeks.

He wanted her. He wanted his best friend in ways that had nothing to do with friendship.

To deflect and distract, he teased her. “You can’t say the word sex? You’re twenty-nine.”

“I can say it,” she said with a stubborn pout.

He grinned. “Say it.”

“I’ll say it when you tell me where you’ll be getting it in this little scenario of yours.”

“Touché,” he said. “Fine, I guess I hadn’t really thought about that, but yes, we’d just… discreetly take care of business.”

“Now who can’t say the word sex?” she said smugly.

“We’d figure it out,” Clarke said, realizing that he hadn’t quite figured out the whole physical part of their arrangement, either, but not wanting it to deter the plan. “We always figure everything out together. You can’t tell me that’s not a solid foundation for a marriage. On top of an already rock-solid friendship.”

“But you’re not in love with me,” she pointed out.

He hesitated. “And you’re not in love with me.”

They held each other’s gazes for a long time, and she finally looked away with a breath of disbelief. “You’re seriously suggesting this? Getting married?”

“Why not?”

She gave a startled laugh. “Because it’s crazy. It’s beyond crazy.”

“Which has always been our favorite way to do things. I could get down on one knee if it would help?”

He started to move out of his chair, but Audrey held up a hand. “Don’t you dare.”

Clarke froze, then hopped off his chair as Audrey came around the table and flung her arms around his neck. “Let’s do it. Let’s get freaking married.”

He laughed along with her, more certain than ever that the craziest idea of his life was also his best one.

Chapter Eighteen

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

I’m sorry, but are we in The Matrix?” Naomi asked. “What is going on here?”

Claire looked as stunned as Naomi, though true to form, she was quieter about it, merely staring across the table at Audrey after she’d dropped her bombshell.