Page 29 of Upgraded Friendship

I’m in. Let’s do it.

With a sense of anticipation coursing through me, I try to return my focus to my coding. My mind still eager to see where this new chapter with Josh will lead.

When lunchtime rolls around, I find myself making excuses just to go get lunch at Josh’s restaurant. I seem to be looking for any opportunity to steal a moment alone with him. And as we chat and joke together, the laughter flowing effortlessly between us, I can’t help but feel a sense of longing stirring within me.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure of how to broach the subject of our decision to hang out together. But before I can gather my thoughts, Josh continues, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

“So, is there anything specific you want to do tonight?” Josh asks, after bringing the food to my table.

I feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of spending more time with Josh, but beneath the surface, there’s a flicker of uncertainty that refuses to be ignored. Can I really keep up this charade without getting hurt in the process?

“I was thinking...maybe we could go out? You know, just to practice being close to each other,” he suggests, his gaze searching mine for any sign of hesitation.

But as I meet Josh’s gaze, a sense of determination washes over me, driving away the doubts that linger in the back of my mind. If we’re going to make this fake relationship believable, we need to work on how comfortable we are around each other without Tanya completing our group. What better way to do that than by going on a practice date?

“Yeah, that sounds like a great idea,” I reply, my voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. “I’d love to spend more time with you, Josh. Yeah I mean to practice, you know?” I clear my throat.

A smile tugs at the corners of Josh’s lips, and I can’t help but feel a surge of warmth coursing through me at the sight of his familiar grin. “Great! It’s a date then,” he says, his voice filled with excitement.

As the day wears on, I find myself counting down the hours until I can see Josh again,. I busy myself with the tasks of the day, I can’t help but steal glances at the clock—willing the minutes to tick by faster.

When the time finally comes, I find myself standing outside the restaurant where Josh works, my heart pounding in my chest as I wait for him to come out. When he finally appears, a smile lights up his face, driving away the last remnants of doubt that linger in my mind.

“Hey, Andrea. Ready for our practice date?” he asks, his voice filled with excitement as he falls into step beside me.

I nod, a surge of anticipation coursing through me at the prospect of spending more time with Josh. “Yeah, let’s do this,” I reply, my voice tinged with excitement.

As we make our way to a new restaurant across town, the air is filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation, the bustling streets alive with the energy of the city. We step inside, the warmth of the cozy atmosphere envelops us. The dim lighting casts a soft glow over the room as we take our seats at a secluded table in the corner.

“So, what’s on the agenda for tonight?” I ask, my voice filled with curiosity as I take in the new surroundings.

Josh grins, a mischievous glint in his eye as he leans in closer. “Well, I was thinking we could start with some appetizers, maybe share a bottle of wine...and then see where the night takes us,” he suggests, his tone playful as he shoots me a wink.

I feel a surge of excitement at spending the evening with Josh, the anticipation building with each passing moment. “Sounds perfect,” I reply, unable to contain the grin that spreads across my face.

As we dive into our appetizers, the conversation flows effortlessly between us. I find myself losing track of time, lost in the warmth of Josh’s company. Before I know it, we’ve finished our meal and paid the bill, the evening stretching out before us like an open road waiting to be explored.

With a sense of adventure coursing through my veins, I turn to Josh, a playful glint in my eye. “So, what’s next on the agenda?” I ask, my voice filled with excitement as I await his response.

Josh chuckles, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he meets my gaze. “How about we take a walk? The city looks beautiful tonight,” he suggests, his tone filled with genuine enthusiasm.

I nod in agreement, a surge of excitement coursing through me at the thought of exploring the city with Josh by my side. “I’d love that,” I reply, my voice tinged with anticipation.

With a sense of purpose, we set off, the city stretching out before us like a canvas waiting to be painted. As we wander through the bustling streets, the sounds of laughter and music filling the air, I can’t help but find myself growing more and more comfortable in Josh’s presence.

The warmth of his hand brushing against mine brings a fluttering of butterflies in my stomach. And as we laugh and joke together, the distance between us seems to melt away, leaving nothing but the shared sense of connection that binds us together.

Before long, we find ourselves standing on the banks of the river, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the water as it dances beneath the surface. With a sense of wonder, I turn to Josh, a smile playing at the corners of my lips.

“This is amazing,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper as I take in the breathtaking view.

Josh nods in agreement, his eyes shining with warmth as he meets my gaze. “Yeah, it really is,” he replies, his voice soft with sincerity.

For a moment, we stand in silence, lost in the beauty of the moment. And then, without warning, Josh reaches out, his hand finding mine with a gentle touch that sends shivers down my spine.

I glance up at him, my heart pounding in my chest as our eyes meet, the warmth of his gaze sending sparks of electricity coursing through me. And in that moment, with the moonlight dancing overhead and the river stretching out before us, everything else fades away, leaving just the two of us—together.

As we stand on the banks of the river, lost in the beauty of the moment, I can’t help but feel a sense of wonder wash over me. With Josh by my side, anything seems possible, and for the first time in a long time, I allow myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, there could be something real between us.

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