Page 78 of That Friendzone Feeling

“It’simpossible to hate him.Believeme,I’vetried.Very, very hard.AndevenIcan’t dislike him.”

Islump back onto the sofa and take another swig of beer.

“Yeah, but you know what he’s not?”Connorasks.

“What?”

“You.”

“Huh.”Iroll my eyes. “Em’sbeen clear thatI’mnot what she wants.Well, she’ssaidI’mnot but kinda behaved likeIam.”Mymind flashes back to her gripping my hair and pressing herself into my face. “Butshe won’t let us get involved.Shesays it would end up going sideways and we’d ruin our friendship and make things impossible at work.”

ChaseleadsEmilyby the hand across the red carpet to where a crowd of fans are gathered, waiting for autographs.Hetakes a pen from one of them and starts to sign, leaning in for a selfie with everyone who asks.Andall with the cheeriest and most genuine of smiles.

“Hedoes seem very nice,”Connorsays.

“Yeah, and look atEmilywatching him.”

“I’mnot sure she’s looking at him.”Connorleans closer to his computer screen. “Ithink she’s smiling at all the happy fans.”

“Hmm.Ican’t watch any more of this.”Islam my laptop shut, stride across to the window, and propConnoron the sill.

“Thismakes me a bad person, doesn’t it?”Iask him.

“IfIracked my brains for a thousand years,Iwouldn’t be able to think of one instance where you were a bad person.Whythe hell would you think that?”

“BecauseIshould be happy for her.Whenshe left yesterday morning,Iwas shouting at her that she pushes away everyone who loves her and clings to those who treat her like shit.SoIshould be happy there’s finally a decent guy interested in her, who could make her happy and give her everything she deserves.”Igaze out the window at the drizzly gray sky.Sucha contrast to the sun shining down onEmandChase. “Includingthe approval of her parents.Hell, even they couldn’t fail to be impressed byChaseCooper.”

“Arethey still just focused onSaralike she’s fourteen years old and needs them to escort her around the world?”

“Prettymuch.”

“Idon’t know what to tell you,Walk,” he says, leaning into his phone. “Butyou need to pick a path.Eitherthe one where you’re her friend and happy that she’s met a greatguy.Orthe one where you go all-out and chase the hell after her to show her she’s meant to be with you.”

Ilean against the sill and look down atConnor. “Whoeverthought you’d turn out to be the wise one of the family?”

“Andall because of the love of a good woman,” he says.Neverhas a truer word been spoken. “Now, get your shit together, pick a path.Andcome over for the game.”

22

EMILY

Chasereaches across the restaurant table and pours red wine into my glass.

Thisis not whereIexpected to be right now.I’dthought we’d be sitting in the theater, watching the movie.Thisrestaurant is almost as dark, though.

Mostof our light comes from the cylindrical glowing block in the center of our table.Iguess this is a discreet spot where well-known people can come without fear of being gawked at by other diners.Thetables are all well-spaced and we’re tucked into a quiet corner.Therich, dark wallpaper, elegant wood floors, and classical music softly playing in the background add to the ambience of exclusivity.

“Doyou never stay to watch the movie?”Iask the stunning man opposite me, who’s even more model-like now that he’s taken off his bowtie and unbuttoned the top of his shirt.

“Notat premieres, no.I’vealways seen them before then.”Hepours himself some wine too. “IfI’dknownyou’d be disappointed, we could have stayed.ButI’llsend you a link to a secure site where you can watch it.Howabout that?”

Heholds up his glass.Itap mine against it. “That’skind.I’dlike that.Thanks.”

Andkind is exactly what he’s been ever sinceIgot here yesterday.Aswell as thoughtful, attentive, and chivalrous.Ikeep expecting him to do something dickish because no human can have zero flaws.Noone can be the perfect package.Andyet he constantly shows me that he is.

“Here’sto a long and fruitful relationship,” he toasts.

I’mgoing to assume he’s referring to the business. “Andto many happy guests at the resort.”