Page 16 of Accidentally Falling For My Best Friend
I hate this part of the night. The awkward navigating of expectations.Does she want to hook up? Or does she want to get to know each other before anything physical happens?
“Do you want anything to drink?” I offer.
“No, thank you. I was hoping that we could talk in your room?” Aspen suggests.
Hookup it is.At least she’s taking the lead now. I’m always better at following clear instructions from the women I date so I know I’m doing what they want me to.
We get into my room and Aspen surprises me by climbingonto my bed and sitting cross-legged with a pillow on her lap as she looks up at me. “Parker, I like you.”
“Thanks, I like you too,” I assure her.
“But I don’t like you the way that you probably think I do. The way that Sage likes Oakley,” she admits hesitantly, nodding in the direction of the wall I share with Oak.
He has music on in his room now, but it does little to drown out the occasional moan that makes it obvious that the two of them are hooking up.
Her response isn’t what I was expecting.
If she doesn’t like me like that, why would she ask to come into my room instead of going home?Fuck, I don’t think I pressured her in any way, did I?
“I’m so sorry if I made you think you had to stay tonight…” I start, but Aspen cuts me off, her gentle smile still in place.
“No, don’t worry. You didn’t pressure me at all, or do anything wrong.”
I let out a deep breath, relieved, though still very confused.
“Parker, can I trust you?”
I pause to think about how to answer her for a moment. A simple yes might be what she’s looking for, but it also feels like a trick question. “You’ve only really known me for a day, so I’m not sure how much you should believe me. If you’re asking as a polite way to protect sensitive information, though, I can assure you I’m trustworthy and I give you my word that I won’t share your secrets,” I promise.
Aspen laughs at my answer, her smile only growing. “You’re going to be fun,” she says, more to herself than me. “Can you sit down so we can talk?”
I opt for the chair that's at the desk in my room, spinning it around so that I can face Aspen where she’s sitting on my bed.
“Alright, what would you like to tell me?” I prompt onceI’m settled.
“I’d just like to start off by saying that I really did have a great time tonight.”
“Me too,” I agree easily.
She hesitates, biting her lip like she’s afraid to go on, so I try to offer her a reassuring smile as she continues. “I really liked that we could all hang out together, and it’s clear that you and Oakley are really close, like Sage and I.”
“Yeah, it’s nice to have someone who understands our friendship.”
She looks at me expectantly, like I should be saying more, but I’m not sure what she’s looking for from me.
Finally, she takes a deep breath in, exhaling heavily before a determined look takes over her features. “Fuck it, I won’t know if I’m too afraid to say it, so I’m just going to ask. Parker, do you have feelings for Oakley?”
It’s not the first time someone’s asked me about Oakley in this way, assuming that we must be involved romantically because of how close we are as friends, so her question doesn’t completely surprise me.
I let out an awkward short laugh before answering. “No, Aspen, it’s not like that, and it never has been. I thought that you of all people, with how you and Sage are, would understand that just because two people are really close, it doesn't mean they’re in love with each other.”
I expect her to laugh with me, or to respond, say anything really, but she doesn’t reply. Aspen just stares at me in anticipation, twisting the ring on her finger nervously.
After a few moments, it finally clicks and the thoughts start spilling out of my mouth before I can decide if they’re polite. “Oh.You wouldn’t understand, would you?” She shakes her head “no” a few times, still smiling at me. “Because youarein love with Sage?” I clarify, making sure I’ve understood the conversation up until this point.
She nods a few times, hesitantly, probably gauging my reaction. I’m immediately disappointed that all of the double dates and plans I hadn’t been able to stop myself from imagining for the four of us will no longer happen, but I’m not upset. Aspen seems like a nice woman, and I want her to be happy.
Shit, what does that mean for Oak though?He clearly seemed happy with Sage, does she feel the same way about Aspen?
