Page 74 of That Friendzone Feeling

Shetakes her coat off the hook by the door. “Dowhat?” she says, pulling it on.

“Pushaway everyone who loves you.Alwaysstick with people who treat you like shit.Alwaystry to win the approval of people who don’t deserve you.”

Shepulls the belt of her coat tight around her waist. “Stopmaking everything about my parents.”

“It’snot about them.It’saboutyousticking with all those guys who treated you badly because they impressed your mom and dad, yet you’re walking away fromme.”Ishrug. “So, yeah, okay, maybe it is a bit about your parents.”

Sheturns away and puts her hand on the doorknob.Ihaven’t finished. “Butmainly it’s about you not realizing how fucking fantastic you are and that you deserve to be treated like a queen.”

Herhead drops forward, but no other part of her moves.

Myheart pounds with nervousness.She’sthinking.There’sa chance here.Atiny window of opportunity.IfIdon’t throw everythingI’vegot at this right now,Icould regret it for the rest of my life.

Myheart races and clenches at the same time.

“Tellme you love me again,Emily.”Sheremains motionless. “Likeyou did in the car.Youmeant it.Iknow you meant it.Justdo that again.Andeverything will be fine.We’llfigure it out.We’vefigured out everything else we’ve taken on.Wecan figure this out too.”

Didthat sound pathetic?Toopleading?Toodesperate?

Butfuck me,Iam desperate for her.

Onesecond passes, then two.

“Ihave to go,” she whispers to her chest.

Thenshe pulls the door open.

Andcloses it behind her.

21

WALKER

“A

ndwho are you wearing this evening,Destiny?” the red carpet reporter says to the female lead inChaseCooper’smovie.

Ipace behind the sofa, watching the livestream on my laptop that sits on the coffee table.

I’vealready endured a ten-minute interview in whichI’velearned she’s recently adopted a shelter dog, can’t help stuffing her face with pizza and potato chips, and considers working withChaseCooperan “honor,” “a privilege,” and “the most transcendent experience of my life.”

Theblond actress, who looks like she hasn’t been in the same room as a carbohydrate for a decade, steps back to show off her dress.

“Itwas a vintage find.”Hersmile couldn’t be more earnest. “I’mtrying to be more consciously sustainable with my fashion choices.”

“You’rea true inspiration,” the reporter gushes. “Thankyou for stopping to chat here, right at the start of the redcarpet.Thereare plenty of reporters along the line desperate to talk to you, soI’lllet you go.Havea great night.”

Asthe actress is led away by her handler, the reporter turns to the camera.

“Asalways here onRedCarpetReady, you can follow the individual stars every step of the way on our dedicated cameras.Tobe sure not to miss a wordDestinyhas to say, just click on theDestinyCamicon on the right of your screen.”

There’sabout as much chance of me clicking on that as there is of me drinking a can ofBudLight.

“Aswe await the arrival of the main man of the night,” the reporter continues, “we’ll take a short break for a word from our sponsor.Backin two minutes, when hopefully we’ll be joined byChaseCooper, who, famously, brings his mom as his date to every premiere.Howadorable is that?”

Well, aren’t they in for a bit of a surprise.

Myphone rings with a video call from my cousinConnor.