Page 2 of More Than a Friend
I’d never tell her for fear of ruining our friendship, but I’ve developed quite a crush on my best friend.
At first, I thought it was trauma bonding, and it would go away when I was in a better place mentally.
I talked to my therapist about it, but she told me she didn’t agree. She thinks I have real romantic feelings for Sky.
We spent a few sessions going over compulsory heterosexuality and working through the internalized homophobia ingrained in me since childhood.
I wasn’t aware Icouldlook at a woman in a romantic way until my therapist worked through it with me.
That’s when I realized the feelings I had for Skylar in high school were more than platonic, and I had shoved them in a box, put the box in a fireproof safe, and threw away the key. I shoved the safe into the recesses of my mind, and it was only when I was digging through the mess in my mind trying to figure out who I am that I remembered it existed.
Once I opened the box and gave myself permission to feel those things, I was hit with the truth: I have a big crush on my best friend.
Who would blame me, though? With her contagious smile and mocha eyes. The way her caramel hair flows down her back, bouncing when she has it in loose curls. The tantalizing sway of her hips when she’s in those heels of hers. The way she’s so patient with Gus and Zoe—withme.How ruthless she can be in her position as a paralegal, taking no shit from the partners who think she should remain quiet. She’s so strong and brave, and she gives the best hugs.
And her body…
It puts any Greek statue to shame.
The flutter in my belly that erupts when I think about her only increases when I hear her throaty laugh echo through the halls. Every morning, on the way to her little cubicle, she stops by my desk to say good morning. Sometimes I have a coffee for her, sometimes she has a pastry for me. Other mornings, we just exchange greetings and move on to our separate tasks.
“Good morning—are you okay?” Skylar’s brown eyes flicker with concern. I would be offended, thinking I looked horrible, but Skylar is a master at reading my moods thanks to thirteen years of friendship.
I wave her off. “I’m fine. Zo was up with a stomach bug, so I’m running on two hours of sleep and four shots of espresso.”
“I’m sorry, Aves. Is there anything I can do to help? Need me to sleep over tonight so you can get some rest?”
What I wouldn’t give to wake up next to Skylar. We’ve had sleepovers before but never in any capacity more than platonic.
“No, my mom is there right now. I’m hoping she’s over it by bedtime, and we can all rest. But thank you.”
“Anything for you. The kids are at their dad’s this weekend, right?” I nod, and her smile grows. “Great. We’re going out. Boarded Up is doing karaoke night on Saturday.”
I think of my laundry list of chores I wanted to get done while the kids are gone: deep clean the house so the bug doesn’t spread, laundry, clean out the fridge, and maybe—finally—have a relaxing bathalone.
“I’ll come over Saturday morning to help you with your to-do list, and we can get ready to go out together,” Skylar says, reading my mind. I have no idea how she does it.
“Okay. But you arenotchoosing what song I’m sing this time. I will not have a repeat of theBohemian Rhapsodyfiasco.”
Sky’s laughter is loud and boisterous, making my whole body warm, even in the freezing office.
“Deal. See you bright and early Saturday morning. Have a good day, Aves.”
“You too, Sky. Thank you.”
Chapter 2
Skylar
I’ve rereadthe same line at least ten times already, and I still have no idea what it says. Which is a problem because I’m supposed to be figuring out if there are any legal loopholes to get my client off with community service instead of jail time.
I can’t focus on anything other than how tired Ava looked yesterday and this morning.
I’m glad her mom could help her out, so she didn’t miss work, but was anyone there to help her with dinner or bedtime?
I curse under my breath. I should have ordered dinner for her so she didn’t have to worry about cooking or dishes. I should have just gone over there like I wanted to, but I didn’t want to impose on her.
She’s so stubbornly independent. When Ava was going through her divorce, she was adamant about doing things on her own. Other than me giving a recommendation for this job, she’s done everything by herself, and I couldn’t be prouder of her.
