Page 6 of Friend Zone to End Zone

Chad’s phone vibrated in his hand. As he looked at the screen to read whatever notification had just come in, he said, “That sounds just fine.”

What sounds fine? Had I missed something?

But instead of asking if he was saying that to me or whoever he was texting, I just watched him slip his phone into his pocket, noticing he didn’t seem as tired as he’d been a moment ago.

Who was texting him this late, anyway?

He leaned over the center console and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

I nodded, wishing he’d invite me in now that he seemed to be in a better mood. But he opened his door and stepped out instead.

“Thanks again,” he said, leaning over before shutting the passenger door.

“You’re welcome.”

As I watched him walk up to his apartment, I couldn’t help but wonder if I might be the one who really needed the relationship advice and not Cole or my social-media followers. Because if the only way I could get my boyfriend to spend time with me was if it was scheduled in his calendar, I really might just be a hack.

3

Arianna

When I gotto the three-bedroom home I lived in with my mom, I changed into a loose light-blue tank top and silky blue pajama shorts then made myself a cup of chamomile tea with hopes that it would help me fall asleep quickly.

It had been a long day, but even though the last thirty minutes with Chad hadn’t been that great, the wedding and the rest of the day had been beautiful.

It had been amazing to watch Emerson and Vincent say their vows to each other, fully mending what had been broken a year and a half ago when they’d divorced. And seeing my adorable nephew Jaxon be the ring bearer for his parents was just about the cutest thing ever.

I sighed as I poured the hot water from my electric kettle over the tea bag in my mug.

I wanted an epic love story like the one my brother and sister-in-law had.

Maybe not with the betrayal and hard challenges they had to go through, but I wanted someone who would fight for me, even when things seemed impossible. I wanted someone who would put me first and do everything in his power to be with me—not just because he’d made the commitment, but because hewantedto.

I grabbed a spoon from the drawer nearby and stirred my tea as it steeped.

For the past three years, whenever I thought about getting married, I always imagined it would be to Chad. I’d picture us standing outside on some beautiful beach under a wedding arbor with the ocean lapping at the shore in the background. Cole would be standing on my other side as my Man of Honor. A close-knit group of my family and friends would be sitting in the crowd, supporting me on my big day.

We’d say our “I do’s” and have a beautiful reception at a nearby resort, and then after our honeymoon, we’d start living our happily-ever-after and build the life I’d always dreamed of together.

I’d imagined that scenario a hundred times, confident that if I visualized it enough, the universe would help convince Chad that getting on one knee sooner rather than later was better than pushing back the inevitable.

But now, I was starting to wonder if it really was eveninevitable.

I’d been so sure before that Chad and I were end-game material. Lately though, it seemed like the only time he wanted to spend with me was when I was either picking him up or dropping him off at the airport. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was starting to fall out of love with me.

I stirred my tea again, my heart squeezing in my chest as I thought about the possibility that Chad might not be the man I’d spend the rest of my life with.

I didn’t want to think it was possible for him to be less invested in our relationship than I was, but with him traveling so much and my presence seeming to annoy him more often than not lately, I wondered if he was having second thoughts about the future we’d planned.

Maybe we just needed something to revive our relationship—something to remind us why we fell in love in the first place.

Maybe I should do something special for him. Or see if I could get some time off and join him on his next work trip.

Traveling together had always been fun in the past.

The timer for my tea went off, so I took the tea bag out and threw it in the trash can nearby. Then, after adding a splash of my favorite French vanilla creamer to sweeten the tea, I took my mug to the living room.

I was just getting myself comfortable on the couch when a text from Cole came through my phone.

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