Page 31 of That Friendzone Feeling

Buthe did seem into me, right?Like, actually into me?

He’sgreat.Hehas everything.

Smart.Check.

Fun.Check.

Talented.Check.

Hot.Checkitycheck.

Richand famous.Neitherof which are even remotely necessary, but check.

Sowhy amInot feeling it?

Notthat there isn’t a slight spring in my step from being flirted with by him.Imean,I’mnot dead.Andhe’s more than anyone could ever ask for.

Butthe thing is, he’s not… well… he’s not—andIneed to punch myself in the head for thinking this—he’s notWalker.

Withone brief joke kiss onNewYear’sEve, has my best friend ruined me for even smart, fun, handsome,Hollywoodmegastars?

Jeez.

Idrop my head back against the car seat.

Imight be fucked.

10

WALKER

Myphone says 11:05 p.m.Exactlytwo minutes later than the last timeIchecked.

Wherethe hell isEmily?Itshouldn’t take this long to runChasethrough the plans.

Iget up off the sofa and turn away from theTVI’vebeen staring at forGodknows how long without taking in a single word the news anchor has been jabbering.

It’simpossible to sit still whenI’mracked with worry.Ican’t call to check she’s okay because if she’s just chatting happily withChase,I’lllook like a dick.Andthe logical part of my brain says that’s probably what’s happening.Butit’s the less logical part of my brain that shouts the loudest.

Iwander back and forth in front of the window—helpless to do anything else.

NewYorkcabbies can be reckless assholes, andIdon’t even know whether she arrived at the hotel safely.Ifthere was an accident, she could have been in the hospital for hours by now.Shehas nothing with her that connects herto me, so no one would know who to call if she was unconscious.

Itug at the hair on the back of my head asIcontinue pacing.MaybeIshould make a card she can keep with her that saysI’mthe person to contact in an emergency.

Fuck,Ihate this helpless feeling.

Ilean on the windowsill, close my eyes, and take some deep breaths to try to calm my rising blood pressure and agitated heart.

There’salways the possibility she’s involved in an entirely different sort of catastrophe.Thismorning, whenChaseasked her to go see him, his invitation looked and sounded more datelike than businesslike.

Iwas such an ass to make up the going-to-Bathgatething.Notleast because it meantIhad to actually go toBathgateand am not withEmilyright now.

Onthe upside, though, it did give me the time and space to callConnorand blow off some steam.He’salways been as much my best friend as my cousin, andIcan always rely on him to be my honest sounding board.Brutallyhonest.

HethoughtIwas stupid to think the meeting withChasecouldn’t go ahead without me, couldn’t figure out whyIwould want to block it in the first place, and saidIshould be cleaningChase’stoilets if that’s what it takes to get him onboard.

Iknow it was a pretty dumb move on my part.WeneedChase.He’sour best hope.Probablyour only one.