Page 103 of That Friendzone Feeling

Therewas only so longIcould let myself lie onWalker’ssofa wallowing in self-pity.Ihave too much to be thankful for.

Chase’ssignature means we’ve pulled the business back from the brink of collapse.Bysummer the resort should be open and welcoming its first guests.Andthe company as a whole should be on the way up to a whole new level.

Sowhat right doIhave to feel sorry for myself?Twoamazing men want to date me.Whothe hell is allowed to call that a problem?

Chasemight be the living embodiment of everyone’s perfect man, butIcan’t kid myself that there’s any real spark or connection between us.

Butlook at everythingIhave.Mylife is pretty damn great.

AndIhave a family who… well,Ihave a family.

Istride up to the line and take my throw.Thisis so much easier in jeans than in the dressIwas wearing last time.

Theball feels good when it leaves my hand, just the right amount of spin for a strike.Istand back and watch it go, the sound of it rolling down the lane almost therapeutic.Theball hits and takes out all but one of the pins.

Damnit.

“Whoa, shame.”Tomy left, an older woman playing with three younger guys in the next lane gives me a slow clap of commiseration.

Ismile and shrug.It’snot the same as ifWalkerhad been here giving me a hard time, but it’s pretty cute.

Igrab another ball and step up.Let’stake out that solitary sucker.

Theball flies down the lane in a perfectly straight line and sends the pin flying.

“Yay!”Thewoman applauds.

Cominghere is always a good idea.Ismile back at her and make a little curtsy.

Whilethe pins rerack,Itake a sip of my vanilla latte topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle.I’vebeen hooked on that caramel drizzle ever sinceWalkergot it for me onNewYear’sEvemorning.

ShouldImake a deal here?Ifmy next shot is a strike,I’lldo what my heart wants and dive in withWalkerand see what happens.Butif even one pin remains standing,I’llgo withSensibleEmilyand put the whole thing right out of my mind forever and move on alone.NotwithChase, not with anyone.Justwith myself.

That’snot really a way to make important life-changing decisions, though, is it?

Igrab another ball, line myself up, and let it fly.

Strike.

“Yay!”Thewoman in the next lane stands up and claps over her head.

“Thankyou.”

AsIgo back to get another ball, she walks over.

“You’revery good,” she says.

“Thanks.Mybest friend andIused to play for stress relief in grad school.”

“Isshe good too?”

“He.Andno.He’sterrible.Buthe says there’s joy to be found in doing things you’re sh—”Ihave no idea if this kind woman is okay with profanity. “Ajoy to be found in doing things you’re terrible at.”

“Thatmust be whyI’mso happy,” she says. “Myboys are thrashing me.”Shepoints to the three men, all probably in their thirties, who’re laughing and drinking beer.

“Youlook like a very happy family.”

Shesmiles. “You’rewelcome to join us if you’d like.”