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ONE

JERRYN

Hanging out with my friends is the best. It’s amazing to be here in a home we built together, talking about our successful business and celebrating our resident head chef. I’m always astounded that we stayed close for so many years, and our bond is even stronger now.

I sit back in my chair, smiling and listening to the banter, occasionally glancing at Bane, the best of best friends.

I don’t even know where I’d be right now without Bane.

He catches my eye and winks, squeezing my thigh under the table.

We’re excited about a write-up in a national magazine about Wren, our head chef at Moby’s.

It’s nice to see him getting the recognition he deserves.

A loud buzzing noise breaks up the conversation, and as my pocket vibrates, I pull my phone out. I swipe the screen and when I see the source of the text, my emotions shift from surprise to confusion.

“What is it?” Bane asks.

“Um, it’s Alec.”

Bane’s face goes pale, like he just saw a ghost.

“Who’s Alec?” Lowen asks.

“This guy I knew.” I stare at my phone, chewing on my bottom lip. “He’s gonna be in New Onyx. Wants to stop by and say hi.” My stomach flutters as I look up at Bane. Why would Alec want to see me after all this time?

Bane’s jaw ticks. “Are you gonna let him?”

“I feel like we’re missing some history here, guys,” Indy says. “Care to enlighten us?”

“I went on a few dates with him,” I say. “But it wasn’t a match.”

“Why didn’t it work out?” Kit asks.

Great question. Why doesn’t it ever work out? Because I’m broken, that’s why, but the only person in this room who knows that is Bane, and I plan to keep it that way.

“We wanted different things.” I place my phone face down on the table. “Story of my life.”

Bane avoids my eyes, the way he always does when the subject of my dating debacles comes up.

“Bane?” Lowen nudges him. “You have opinions.”

“Alec is a dick,” Bane spits, then mutters, “Sorry, Jerr. I know you thought he was cool.”

I shrug. “It’s not that. He was more understanding than most.”

“Understanding about what?” Ridley asks.

I feel myself blushing a deep crimson red and shift in my seat. “Just some stuff.”

“Do you want to see him?” Salem asks, drawing Bane’s attention back to me.

I fidget with my napkin. Do I? I suppose I’m a little curious, but what’s the point?

It’s not like I still have lingering feelings or anything, but I don’t want to be rude.

“I guess I should since he’s coming all the way from Seattle.

There’s a tech conference in the city.” I glance at Bane.

“But it’s been years. I’m sure it’s just a friendly gesture because he knows I live here now. ”

“He was jealous of me,” Bane says. “He didn’t like how close we are.”

“He was. I liked him, but it wasn’t anything major. It wouldn’t hurt to say hi, right?”

“Nope. I’m gonna get some water.” Bane stands abruptly and walks off.

I watch him go, frowning and looking down at my phone again.

“I’m just gonna ask,” Kit says. “Why aren’t you guys in a relationship by now?”

Stewart gently smacks Kit’s arm, whispering, “Babe.”

The question startles me. “Me and Bane?”

“Uh, yeah. I don’t get it.”

“Bane doesn’t see me like that.” I shake my head at how ridiculous the idea is. “We’re not compatible in that area.” Bane deserves a whole lot more than I could give him.

“Have you tried?” Indy asks, more gently than Kit did.

“No, but we know each other very well. Trust me, I’m not the one for Bane.”

“I’ve never been so confused,” Ridley says. “If you two aren’t right for each other, who is?”

“It’s not obvious stuff,” I mutter, wishing someone would change the subject.

Oakley reaches over and pats my shoulder. “It’s okay, man. You don’t have to tell us. We just care ’cause we’re your friends.”

“I know.”

Bane returns, looking deliberately casual again. “You should totally see Alec,” he says, sitting in his chair. “Closure is good, and if it’s not closure, then maybe it’s a second chance.”

“Don’t want a second chance,” I mumble. Bane knows better than that.

He chews an ice cube, tilting back slightly in his chair.

“We should probably get going soon if we want to find parking,” Lowen says. “You sure you guys don’t want to come?” The question is directed at Ridley and Wren, the latest of our friends to become a couple.

I smile as I notice the flirtatious body language between them. I’m really happy for them. For all the guys, and it’s only made life even more fun with a fuller house.

We carry our empty breakfast dishes to the kitchen. We’re heading into the city today for a festival, which should be fun. Even though my idea of a good Sunday is kicking back with Bane and playing video games, it’s nice to do something different for a change.

After cleaning up a bit, we walk up the stairs together. Bane pauses in front of my room.

“You know I support whatever you want to do.”

I nod. “Yeah, I know.” I playfully punch his chest. “Why did you say that about a second chance though? You know I don’t have feelings for Alec.”

Bane shrugs, dragging a hand through his soft curls. “You liked him more than the others.”

“No. I was more hopeful. That’s not the same thing.”

He nods, his jaw ticking like it does when he has something to say that he’s holding back.

I know Bane as well as I know myself—every gesture, every expression, every mood.

He’s complex, brilliant, and has the biggest heart, but I figured out back in college that we were never going to be more than friends.

Bane is the center of attention, a gleaming light, wanted by many. Me? I’m just the guy who’s always with him. His platonic sidekick. And that’s fine. I’d rather have that role in his life than none at all.

But I’m holding him back and I know it. He needs to date more and find his forever person. If I could stop being selfish and hoarding all his time, that would help.

I poke his belly. “What? Just say it.”

“I don’t want to see you get hurt again. That’s all.”

I grab his hand, swinging it between us. “Alec can’t hurt me anymore. We’ll meet for coffee, catch up on things that don’t matter, and that’s it.”

Bane nods, a smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, okay.”

“I’ll get changed and meet you back here in a few?”

“Sure thing.”

Before he can go to his room, I tug his hand and pull him into a hug. He sinks into me, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in the crook of my neck. He gives the best hugs.

“Thanks for looking out for me,” I whisper as I run my hand down his back.

Bane steps back, holding my gaze. “Always.”