Page 23 of That Friendzone Feeling

I’venever felt territorial like this about her before when a guy’s shown interest—andLordknows men show interest.Maybeit never bothered me because they were all asses andIalways knew it wouldn’t last.

Butthis feels different.Thetwo of them are gazing at each other and laughing like old pals.It’slike they’ve forgottenI’mhere.

“Whatgood is a beautiful pub without beer, though?”Chasesays, turning fromEmilyto me.

Oh, okay.Notonly has he not forgotten me, he also appreciates my contribution.It’sa struggle to find something to dislike about him.

“Ihear it’s spectacular,” he says.

“Andevery beer is dreamed up and developed byWalker’screative brain and brewing skills,”Emilysays, apparently also valuing my existence.

“Well, thank you both.”Ipoint to the bar. “Leon’slining up a tasting flight for you,Chase, if you’d like to try some.”

Leonpulls small glasses of beer and sets them one by one on a wood tasting tray.Hishands might be shaking.

“Loveto,”Chasesays.

Aswe approach the bar,Emilybetween me andChase, one foot flies out from under her and she shrieks.There’sa damp patch on the floor.

Iinstinctively reach for her, butChasebeats me to it.Isn’tthat exactly what the movie superhero always does?

“Whoa.”Hegrabs her around the waist.Possiblylower than absolutely necessary. “Igot you,” he says with that stupid bright smile.

Myhand, which only managed to cup her elbow, is useless and pathetic.Isnatch it away and shove it into my pocket.

Emilytakes hold of his arm and rights herself, even though she probably could have managed on her own without his assistance.She’sflushed with embarrassment. “Gosh.Thankyou.IthoughtIwas in for a hard landing there.”

Leonruns out from behind the bar. “Oh,God.Sorry.Sosorry.Ispilled some wheat beer there earlier.Totallyintended to wipe it up.Completelyforgot.Imust have gotten distracted with getting ready for…”Hepauses and looks atChase. “Well, anyway, thank goodnessChasecaught you.”

LikeIwouldn’t have? “Iwas about to, but—”

“Myabsolute pleasure,”Chasesays, finally removing his hands fromEmily. “Allright,Walker,” he says like we’re old pals.Wewill never be old pals. “Tellme about the beer.”

Leontrots back around to the other side of the bar as weeach take a stool,Chasebetween me andEmily.Hedraws a small glass of stout from the tap, slots it into the one remaining empty notch on the tasting flight and slides it towardChase. “Enjoy.Walkerwill talk you through them.”

“Can’twait,”Chasesays, rubbing hisEmily-catchers together. “Can’ttell you how muchIadmire the skill this must take.”

Hesounds like he means it.Buthe’s an actor.Ishe pretending to being nice to me to balance out his attentiveness toEmily?Oris he just genuinely interested and incredibly nice?

“That’svery kind of you.Goodthing you didn’t taste the first effortsImade in college, though.”

Emilymakes a barfing sound and sticks out her tongue.Chaselooks at her like it’s the most adorable thing he’s ever seen.Buthe must be wondering what that tongue is capable of.Imean, that couldn’t be just me, could it?

“Bestto start with the lightest on the left,”Itell him. “Andwork your way along to the stout.So, the first is ourOrganicLager.”

Hepicks it up and takes a thoughtful sip. “Veryrefreshing.”Hesniffs it and has another taste. “Lightand crisp.Butyou can also taste a hint of the hops too.”

Great.He’sa talented bajillionaire actor who’s handsome, charismatic, a thoroughly nice guy,andknows his beer.Butis also smitten withEmily.

Ishould be delighted.Thisis the first man who’s the perfect combination of being a good human, someone who would likely treat her well,andcould achieve the impossible thing she craves—parental approval.

Mybest friend’s future happiness is possibly sitting right here on the stool next to me.

AndallIwant to do isknock him off it.

Whatthe hell is wrong with me?Onequick taste of her lips onNewYear’sEveandI’mlosing my fucking mind.Chaseis here to save our goddamn business.Ineed him to fall in love with our product—and hopefully nothing, or no one, else.

“I’mglad you like it.Andyou seem to know your beer.”