Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 117177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Closest friends.
Friend.
I’d just been friend-zoned.
“Hallie?”
Pull your shit together. Do not let him see how much this hurts. I forced a smile I hoped seemed natural. “I guess there are people who meet and they just get each other.”
“Exactly.” His warm eyes glittered at me, and a confused dismay filled me.
Had I imagined the heated look just a few minutes ago? Or the one he’d given me when he was half-naked and pulling me up off his aunt’s hallway floor?
What about the hot little smiles we shared now and then?
Or the way the air seemed to thicken between us when we got too close.
Had I really imagined all of that?
Fuck!
How pathetic did that make me?
“Dinner is almost ready. Can I get you a drink? I have beer or wine.”
“Wine!” I practically yelled, hopping off the stool. My heels clicked loudly as I moved across his hardwood floors. “Let me help you. You want beer?”
“Yeah, sure. Thanks.”
I poured myself a large glass of red wine as Chris plated the food and led me over to his dining table.
“My Realtor would kill me if she knew I’d made curry the night before viewings start.”
Glad for the subject distraction, I nodded. “Just open the windows. Try spritzing some cologne or something. Where did you learn how to cook curry, anyway?”
“Aunt Richelle went backpacking with Akio after college, and they spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia. This is a Cambodian red curry chicken dish. She got the recipe from a local she befriended.”
“Ooh, that’s exciting. I’ve never tried an authentic Cambodian dish before.”
It was delicious. Of course it was. Anything Chris put his mind to turned out well, right? Twenty minutes ago, that would have made me smile with giddiness. Now I resented him for it. He was too perfect.
And he didn’t want me.
That really shouldn’t have surprised me as much as it did.
Gulping down the wine, I tried to think of anything else and went with, “I’ve always wanted to go backpacking. I planned to during the summer before my senior year of college.”
“Yeah?” Chris’s eyes lit up. “I’ve always wanted to backpack too. Why didn’t you go?”
I shrugged. “Everyone who has ever met me talked me out of it.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Because apparently I’m not savvy or responsible enough to take care of myself on a backpacking trip.”
He dropped his fork, his expression disbelieving. “Who the hell said that to you?”
My heart stopped at how annoyed he seemed on my behalf. “Chris, it’s fine. A few friends. My mom. Ex-boyfriends. They kind of laughed at the thought, and when that many people share the same opinion, you start to think maybe they’re right.”
“Or maybe they’re assholes.”
“I do get myself into weird situations sometimes.”
“Hallie.” His tone was hard. “You can do anything you put your mind to. Ignore those so-called friends and family and this bullshit narrative they’re trying to create for you. You are an extremely capable woman. You know you are. Go backpacking if you want to go backpacking. Don’t let anyone stop you.”
Tears rushed into my eyes, and I bowed my head to my plate so he wouldn’t see them. I batted the emotion back, loving him for believing in me and hating him a little for only wanting to be my friend. I wasn’t sure I could handle this. If he’d just stop being so perfect for me, I might be able to deal with the friend-zoning.
“Hallie, are you okay?”
Tears successfully fought back, I looked at him but smiled wearily. “I’m just exhausted. It’s been a long day, and I’m still a little upset about the voice mail from my dad.”
“Why didn’t you say?”
“You went to all this trouble, and I didn’t want to ruin your last night in the apartment . . . I’m sorry.” I pushed away from the table. “But I think I just need some rest.”
“Of course.” He moved to stand up, but I gestured for him to stop. “Do you want to stay? You can take the bedroom. I’ll take the couch.”
Ugh, stop being so nice! “Nah, I’m going to head home.”
“Right. Let me grab my keys. You’re not taking the subway alone at this hour.”
“Chris, no. I’ll help you clean up, and then I’m going to treat myself to a cab home.”
“You don’t have to help me clean up.”
“No, I—”
“I insist, Hallie. If you’re not feeling yourself, you should go home. Rest up.” He rounded the table, and I braced myself for proximity. Sure enough, he reached out to brush an errant strand of hair behind my ear, and I held back an answering shiver. “Are you sure you’re okay? We can talk about your dad some more if you want?”
Stop it!
I shook my head, my smile tight. “Maybe later.” I reached up to press a swift kiss to his cheek because I didn’t want him to think anything was wrong between us. “I’ll call you.” I hurried around him to swipe my purse off the side table. “Thanks again.”