Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
By the time we pulled into the driveway, I was starving, and I had a feeling Anslee was, too. As soon as I turned off the car, I got out and made my way around to Anslee, pulling her out of her car seat, along with all of her things and mine. I barely made it to the door before Anslee started wiggling impatiently in my arms.
“Hold on, sweetie. I have to unlock the door.”
That did little to settle her. In fact, the second the latch clicked, she started inching to get down. As soon as the door opened, I lowered her to the floor, and she took off. Seconds later, I heard, “Ry-in!”
I smiled as her call echoed through the entire house.
I put my things down on the table, and just as I was kicking off my heels, Ryan stepped out of the kitchen with Anslee propped on his hip. He was tall, blonde, and unfairly handsome in his disheveled attire.
Like me, he’d been at work all day, but he didn’t look as tired as I did. But then again, he was an accountant, and it was his slow season. He wasn’t under the same kind of stress I was, so it wasn’t exactly surprising that he didn’t look like he was about to wither away into the soul-sucking abyss like I did.
At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.
Remembering our conversation from the night before, he asked, “Well, how did it go?”
“Better than I expected.” I reached into my purse and pulled out an envelope, offering it to him. “But before we get into all that, I got you these.”
“What is it?” he asked, already ripping open the envelope.
“They’re tickets to the game you’ve been talking about for the past month and a half.”
“You didn’t.”
“I did.” I smiled. “Now, don’t make it weird. I know you want to go.”
“Holy crap… These are amazing seats.”
“I know.”
“How much did you pay for these?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Brooke.”
“Just consider it repayment for the forty-million times you’ve listened to me complain about work.”
“That mean you’re gonna pay for dinner, too?”
“Not a chance.” I gave him a little nudge. “You know, you could take that cute girl from your office you were telling Jacob about last week.”
“You’re a nosy heifer, you know that.”
“I know, but it’s part of my charm.”
“Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that.” He placed the tickets in the basket by the door as he said, “Now, tell me about today.”
“She’s giving me some more time.”
“That’s good news.”
“I thought so, too.” I gave Anslee a little tickle as I told him, “Someone has requested noodles for dinner.”
“Noodles? What happened to nuggets?”
“I’m sure they will be back, but for tonight, it’s on to something bigger and better.”
“Thank goodness. I was about to turn into a chicken.”
He leaned down and pretended to gobble her neck, and Anslee squealed and squirmed until her face turned red. I leaned against the kitchen table, watching them together, and the sight warmed my heart.
Anslee was a lucky little girl, and so was I.
When he first asked me out, I made it clear that I wasn’t interested in dating, especially a guy who was handsome, smart, kind, and funny. He was all of the things wrapped up in one unbearably handsome package. I didn’t have it in me to start up something new with someone, but that didn’t scare him off.
For reasons I still don’t understand, he had it set in his head that he wanted to be with me, even if it meant just being my friend.
And that’s what we remained.
Just friends.
He didn’t try to play hero. He never tried to take over. He was just there when I needed him, and I did the same for him. Our friendship grew stronger. I knew he loved me, and he knew I loved him. He also knew I didn’t love him the way he hoped I eventually would.
He thought I would come around. He thought if he was everything I needed and more, I would eventually fall in love with him. But that didn’t happen. I cared about him, but I didn’t have romantic feelings for him.
I tried. I really, really tried.
We even fooled around after a couple of glasses of wine, but it just felt awkward and wrong, like I was kissing my best friend. Because that’s what he was. He was my best, dearest, most amazing friend.
We didn’t try again after that. I even encouraged him to date other women, and he did. That didn’t stop him from asking me to move in with him. I was hesitant. I wasn’t like him. I didn’t think my feelings would change over time, but I cared about him. I trusted him and truly enjoyed spending time with him. And Anslee adored him. I couldn’t find a reason not to, so I accepted, but I made sure Ryan knew this wasn’t going to change our friendship.