Page 77 of That Friendzone Feeling
“Thanks,Con.Butit’s okay.It’sgood to have your company whileIwatch this, though.”
“Itmight be better if youstoppedwatching,” he says.
Thereporter is wrapping up the chat withChase. “It’sa fabulous movie, andIdon’t doubt there will be awards in your future.Thankyou,Chase.”Sheturns toEmily. “Andthank you,Emily.Enjoythe most eligible date in town.”
Emilyopens her mouth to speak, but the reporter turns to the camera. “Andto follow our hottest couple of the night as they speak to media along the red carpet, click theChaseCamicon on the right.”
Islide my finger onto the trackpad.
“Don’tdo it,”Connorsays.
“Toolate.”
“Shit,” he says with a groan. “ThatmeansIhave to as well.”
Myfeed switches to a shakier handheld camera sideview ofEmilyandChaseas he leads her along to the next interviewer in line.
“Myfirst question has to be who is the woman so important that she’s on your arm rather than your mom tonight,Chase?”
“ThisisEmily,” he says.Hisarm is now on her shoulder. “We’reabout to go into business together.”
“What’sthe business,Emily?” the reporter asks.
“ToastedTomatobrewpubs.We’reopening a resort on theEastCoast.AndChaseis joining the venture.”
“Youtwo look so good together.”Thereporter’s instantly done with the company talk. “Thishas to be more than a business arrangement, right?”
Chasegives them a coy smile, as if he’s really hiding a secret romance.Andmaybe he is.Emily’sbeen there for more than twenty-four hours now.Anythingcould have happened.
“Christ,Con.She’sgoing to fall for him and move toLA, andI’lllose her completely.”
Mythroat tightens at the thought of her lips touching anyone else’s, my stomach twists at the idea of her being naked with anyone but me, and my blood runs cold at the prospect of her living happily ever after inLosAngeleswith her andChase’skids running around their enormous sunny mansion.
“Hey, you’re jumping ahead a bit there,”Connorsays.
“Youwere right about not watching this.”Iwant to reach through the screen and pullEmilyright out of there. “It’sgoing to be this same old shit all the way along the line, isn’t it?Everyreporter asking who she is, saying they must be more than colleagues, and not believing they’re not.It’llbe everywhere later—‘ChaseCooperand his brewery owner girlfriend.’”
“Whatwas he like when you met him?”Connorasks.
“Oh, don’t ask.”
“Thatbad?”
“No.”Ipick my phone up from my laptop and mute the video feed. “Thatfuckingperfect.”
“Ah.”Connorpulls an “oh, shit” face.
“He’ssmart, makes wise financial decisions.Reallyhas his head screwed on straight.He’skinda normal, not allHollywoodbullshit.Andhe was polite, respectful, charming, amusing.Generallyan all-around fucking joy to deal with.”
“Whata dick.”Gotto loveConnor’sloyalty.
“Andif he was withEmily, he would probably treat her like the goddess she deserves to be treated as.”
“Thatwould make a nice change from all the assholes she’s dated.”
“Hey, thanks.”Icrack a smile. “Thoughtyou were supposed to be being supportive.”
“Iwas,” he says. “Imeant if she only goes for assholes and he’s a nice guy, maybe she’ll hate him.”
