Behind the Lines | Garrett Graham

Madeline "Maddie" Carter has one very simple rule: don't fall in love.

After watching her parents' marriage fall apart, Maddie learned that relationships always end badly. That's why she prefers to have fun, with no promises and no expectations. That's how she ended up casually seeing Dean Di Laurentis for a few months, without either of them ever taking it seriously.

Garrett Graham, on the other hand, has been a constant in her life. Friends for over a year, sarcastic banter, movie nights, and teasing are all part of their everyday routine. No one, least of all them, ever thought there could be something more between them.

At least, not until the beginning-of-semester party.

What was supposed to be a night to forget quickly turns into a secret that no one can find out about. With no written rules and no need to talk about it, Garrett and Maddie continue to be the same friends they've always been in front of everyone, while behind closed doors, they share a part of themselves that belongs only to them.

No dates.
No jealousy.
No feelings.

And above all, no one can know.

So, while Garrett continues seeing other girls and Maddie dates other guys, they both pretend that the late-night calls, the clothes left behind at his apartment, and the constant need to seek each other out mean nothing.

Until the rules they never said out loud begin to break, one after another, because keeping a secret is easy. Much harder is convincing yourself that your best friend hasn't become the person you can no longer imagine your life without.

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