Page 14 of Friend Zone to End Zone

“Well, for what it’s worth, I really want you to stay,” I said, hoping that he’d see in my eyes how sincere I was. “I’d hate it if I couldn’t hang out with you any time I wanted.”

“You would?” His eyes darted back and forth between mine.

“Of course.” I rolled up the tortilla I’d filled with the chicken mixture. “You’re my best friend. I don’t want you to live a thousand miles away. I mean, who else would I watch all my romance movies with when Chad refuses?”

Instead of smiling like I’d hoped, he bristled at my mention of Chad.

Which I should have expected, really.

What I wouldn’t give for the two most important men in my life to just get along? But for some reason, instead of becoming friends as time went on, it seemed like whatever animosity they had with each other just festered below the surface.

More so on Cole’s end, though.

It hadn’t always been like that. In fact, up until about a year ago I thought for sure they might finally be getting along better. Cole had at least been able to be in the same room as Chad without glaring at him, anyway.

But then whatever bridges they’d been building seemed to burn down all over again after the night of Cole’s twenty-sixth birthday party—the night I’d gotten snowed in and had to sleep at his house.

We’d never talked about that night, or the stolen moment in his guest bedroom.

But even though our friendship had stayed intact after we’d gotten over the initial awkwardness, what had transpired between us in that unguarded moment had seemingly made it impossible for Cole to get along with my boyfriend anymore.

It sucked.

Sucked really bad, actually.

But apparently, that was how it was going to stay, with how Cole seeming to have a physical reaction anytime I mentioned my boyfriend.

And Chad wasn’t much better.

It was like Cole and Chad played for opposing teams and I was the football in the middle, constantly being tossed back and forth between them, just waiting until the clock ran out to see which team would win.

Though, in this scenario, choosing one side over the other would makemelose more than anyone in this sad game we were playing. Because if one of them won and had their way, I’d lose one of the men I didn’t want to let go of.

Cole pressed his lips together, like he was thinking. After a moment he said, “I have to make my decision by the end of the month at the absolute latest. So hopefully, after this week and my trip to San Francisco next week I’ll have a clearer idea of what I want to do.”

Which meant he might decide how this sad excuse of a game the three of us had been playing would finally end.

I just hoped there was a way for all three of us to win.

7

Arianna

Cole helpedme finish making the enchiladas. While they cooked, we went into the living room to watch an episode ofFinding Your Soulmate--the reality TV show the girls at the salon had gotten me hooked on watching.

Cole and I were a little behind in watching the latest season, so we had some catching up to do before my friend Hannah threw her viewing party tomorrow night.

The timer on the oven started beeping just as the bachelorette, Michelle, and one of the guys vying for her heart named Cameron were bungee jumping off a bridge. Cole, who was always sweet, offered to dish up our plates so I wouldn’t have to pause the show.

“How do they taste?” I asked Cole after he’d joined me on the couch again and taken a few bites of his dinner. “I used a new recipe for the sauce.”

He took a sip of water to wash down his food then shrugged. “It’s a bit spicier than your other recipe, but not too bad.”

I took a bite of my food, savoring the flavor. “It is a little spicy,” I said. “Maybe I’ll add less chili powder next time.”

He took a long sip of water. “Maybe that would be a good idea.”

I enjoyed creating new recipes, tweaking and perfecting them—something Cole had helped me with a lot since we’d become friends.

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