Page 9 of Accidentally Falling For My Best Friend (Chicago Awakenings #2)

We watch the sunset over the Chicago skyline and enjoy the fancy meal that Oakley’s private chef manages to prepare on the moving boat, a feat which always impresses me.

When the chill from the wind over the water becomes uncomfortable, we move inside to the couches that are in the boat’s living room area.

I did offer my sweater to Aspen outside, and she still has it wrapped around her legs where she’s seated next to me on the couch.

The crew are all upstairs, so it’s just the four of us down here, and if it wasn’t for the slight rocking of the boat, or the lit-up city in the distance, it would be easy to forget that we’re not sitting in someone's home.

We promised the girls, and the crew, we wouldn’t be out too late.

So, after another drink inside and a round of Scrabble that we are all probably a little too invested in, complete with special metal pieces that are heavy enough not to be disturbed by the motion of the lake, we head back.

They’ve recently added docks for private boats on the north side of Navy Pier, and the girls suggest we do the Centennial Wheel.

The night has been full of laughter, and I’ve loved how easy it’s been to get to know Aspen; turns out she’s a popular wedding dress designer and Oak immediately starts listing ideas of how we can incorporate her dresses in promo for the new resort.

With Oakley and Sage here, there hasn’t been any awkward silences or wondering if I’m boring her.

Looking at Oak’s wide grin as he tells yet another joke, and remembering how often the girls exchanged smiles, it’s clear that everyone’s had a good time.

Aspen has her arm tucked into mine as we make our way over to the rides, her other arm through Sage’s, who’s in a similar position with Oakley so that the four of us are connected.

It’s easy to picture them spending time in our apartment with us, working out, eating dinner together, and watching our shows from the big sectional.

I feel like, for the first time in my life, I’m actually excited about the idea of starting a relationship. Maybe it is possible for us to settle down without sacrificing the friendship that’s always been the most important thing in my life.

Hopefully I’m not the only one feeling this optimistic.

We get our tickets and skip the line because Oakley paid for that option. “Haven’t you been on it before?” I ask when I notice that Aspen looks nervous.

“We’ve been here for years already, but I can’t say we’ve actually been on it,” she admits, and I note that both women tend to answer questions in a plural “we,” as though they’re a package deal. Oakley and I probably do the same thing.

“Don’t worry, Ferris Wheels are statistically very safe, especially permanently constructed ones like this,” I try to reassure her. “Plus, this one is enclosed, so there’s little risk involved.”

“I think I’ll be safe with you,” she adds, squeezing my arm and winking.

Oakley helps Sage step on first, and I follow suit, holding Aspen’s hand as she leaps inside. There’s bench seating on two sides of the private gondola, and she cuddles into me as we sit across from the others.

“I’ve always wanted to kiss someone at the top of one of these,” Sage announces while looking at Aspen, and they laugh at her not-so-subtle suggestion before she turns to face Oak.

“I think that can be arranged,” he promises with a wink, putting his arm around her.

When we’re at the top, he leans in for a kiss, and Aspen laughs at their cheesy display. I’m glad she isn’t putting me on the spot like that, and her warm smile gives me hope that this could continue, that the four of us might just make something work.

“I don’t want to overstep by suggesting this, but I had a fantastic time tonight and would love to do it again,” Oak says when we’re finally back in the lobby of our building.

“So would I,” I quickly add, smiling at Aspen.

The girls exchange smirks and nod.

“Do you want tonight to be over already?” Sage asks Oakley coyly.

“Well, I didn’t want to assume anything,” he answers with his own grin.

“Come on, show us your place,” Aspen says as she leads me into the waiting elevator.

When we’re back in our apartment, we give the girls a quick tour, but it isn’t long before Sage and Oakley excuse themselves to his room, already making out before his door is fully closed.

I hate this part of the night. The awkward navigating of expectations. Does she want to hook up? Or does she want to get to know each other before anything physical happens?

“ Do you want anything to drink?” I offer.

“No, thank you. I was hoping that we could talk in your room?” Aspen suggests.

Hookup it is. At least she’s taking the lead now. I’m always better at following clear instructions from the women I date so I know I’m doing what they want me to.

We get into my room and Aspen surprises me by climbing onto my bed and sitting cross-legged with a pillow on her lap as she looks up at me. “Parker, I like you.”

“Thanks, I like you too,” I assure her.

“But I don’t like you the way that you probably think I do. The way that Sage likes Oakley,” she admits hesitantly, nodding in the direction of the wall I share with Oak.

He has music on in his room now, but it does little to drown out the occasional moan that makes it obvious that the two of them are hooking up.

Her response isn’t what I was expecting.

If she doesn’t like me like that, why would she ask to come into my room instead of going home? Fuck, I don’t think I pressured her in any way, did I?

“I’m so sorry if I made you think you had to stay tonight…” I start, but Aspen cuts me off, her gentle smile still in place.

“No, don’t worry. You didn’t pressure me at all, or do anything wrong.”

I let out a deep breath, relieved, though still very confused.

“Parker, can I trust you?”

I pause to think about how to answer her for a moment.

A simple yes might be what she’s looking for, but it also feels like a trick question.

“You’ve only really known me for a day, so I’m not sure how much you should believe me.

If you’re asking as a polite way to protect sensitive information, though, I can assure you I’m trustworthy and I give you my word that I won’t share your secrets,” I promise.

Aspen laughs at my answer, her smile only growing. “You’re going to be fun,” she says, more to herself than me. “Can you sit down so we can talk?”

I opt for the chair that's at the desk in my room, spinning it around so that I can face Aspen where she’s sitting on my bed.

“Alright, what would you like to tell me?” I prompt once I’m settled.

“I’d just like to start off by saying that I really did have a great time tonight.”

“Me too,” I agree easily.

She hesitates, biting her lip like she’s afraid to go on, so I try to offer her a reassuring smile as she continues. “I really liked that we could all hang out together, and it’s clear that you and Oakley are really close, like Sage and I.”

“Yeah, it’s nice to have someone who understands our friendship.”

She looks at me expectantly, like I should be saying more, but I’m not sure what she’s looking for from me.

Finally, she takes a deep breath in, exhaling heavily before a determined look takes over her features. “Fuck it, I won’t know if I’m too afraid to say it, so I’m just going to ask. Parker, do you have feelings for Oakley?”

It’s not the first time someone’s asked me about Oakley in this way, assuming that we must be involved romantically because of how close we are as friends, so her question doesn’t completely surprise me.

I let out an awkward short laugh before answering. “No, Aspen, it’s not like that, and it never has been. I thought that you of all people, with how you and Sage are, would understand that just because two people are really close, it doesn't mean they’re in love with each other.”

I expect her to laugh with me, or to respond, say anything really, but she doesn’t reply. Aspen just stares at me in anticipation, twisting the ring on her finger nervously.

After a few moments, it finally clicks and the thoughts start spilling out of my mouth before I can decide if they’re polite.

“ Oh. You wouldn’t understand, would you?

” She shakes her head “no” a few times, still smiling at me.

“Because you are in love with Sage?” I clarify, making sure I’ve understood the conversation up until this point .

She nods a few times, hesitantly, probably gauging my reaction.

I’m immediately disappointed that all of the double dates and plans I hadn’t been able to stop myself from imagining for the four of us will no longer happen, but I’m not upset.

Aspen seems like a nice woman, and I want her to be happy.

Shit, what does that mean for Oak though? He clearly seemed happy with Sage, does she feel the same way about Aspen?

“Thank you for trusting me with that,” I start. “Does she know?”

“God no, I can’t tell her,” Aspen answers quickly, tone full of regret.

“Are you worried that she won’t feel the same way?”

“I know she won’t, she isn’t…” she trails off, looking around the room like what she’s trying to say is hidden somewhere on my walls.

“Even if she did think about other girls that way, which she doesn’t, we’re both from traditional southern families.

They would never approve, and I’d never ask her to give up her family or their money for me. ”

“Your family would cut you off if they found out you were dating a woman?” I repeat back to make sure I’ve understood.

I know that there are still a lot of horrible homophobic people out there.

I’ve heard firsthand accounts from our friend, Adrian, about the bullying he faced growing up in the south, but the idea that her parents would shut her out so completely is hard to wrap my head around.