Page 39 of (Not Really) Faking It With My Best Friend's Brother

"Susan, I hope you're well. I respect your need for space, but I want you to know that my feelings for you haven't changed. This past month and a half of getting to know you has been amazing. I miss you and our conversations.

You've come to mean so much to me. I believe we have something extraordinary, and I don't want any misunderstandings to stand in our way. Can we meet for coffee sometime soon? You decide on the place and time. - Nate"

I read over the words again, hesitating only a moment before pressing send. It was short, but it said what needed to be said. Now, I could only wait and hope she would respond.

The rest of the day dragged on as I compulsively checked for a reply. With each hour that passed in silence, my confidence wavered. Had I said too much? Not enough? Was I foolish to lay my heart so bare?

Doubt plagued me as I finished my shift in a daze. My thoughts stayed with Susan, replaying our times together: the way her smile lit up any room, the way her hand felt in mine, and the passion in her voice when she spoke of books. I had to cling to the hope that what we'd found was real.

After work, I went for a long run to clear my head. As the streets blurred past, I tried to focus on the positive memories Susan and I had made rather than the unanswered text. I had faith that if our connection was as real as I believed, we would find a way through this. I just needed her to meet me halfway.

Under the setting sun, I made a silent vow to myself. I would keep trying for us. I wouldn't give up without a fight.

Chapter seventeen

Susan

Blinking away the sleep from my eyes, I reached for my phone, which was buzzing with an incoming call. Squinting at the screen, I saw Emily's name flash across it.

"Hey Emily, what's up?" I mumbled into the phone, my voice still thick with sleep.

"Susan! Sorry, did I wake you?" Emily's somber voice cut through the speaker. "I was hoping we could meet up this morning and chat. There are a few things I wanted to discuss with you."

I sat up, suddenly feeling more awake. Emily's tone sounded serious. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh yeah, everything's fine!" she reassured me quickly. " I just had some thoughts that I wanted to run by you."

"Sure, no problem. Do you want to meet at the Rivermint Roast in, say, an hour?"

Rivermint Roast was our go-to spot, with its cozy couches and walls lined with books. Emily and I had dissected life's big questions over many a latte there.

"Perfect. See you soon," Emily said as she hung up the phone.

I stared at the phone with a swirl of curiosity and nervousness in my stomach. Emily didn't usually initiate serious talks this early on a Saturday, so I wondered if this was about Nate.

I showered and dressed quickly, selecting a pair of high-waisted, light-washed denim jeans and a delicate cream lace blouse radiating a vintage chic aura. My wrists adorned with dainty silver bangles, I slipped into well-loved leather loafers that whispered tales of bygone eras. I swept my hair into a ponytail and swiped on a little mascara before heading out the door.

As my old, dependable Honda pulled into Rivermint Roast's parking lot, Emily's cherry-red Mini Cooper was hard to miss. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever she had in store, and stepped out of the car.

The smell of roasted coffee beans washed over me as I stepped into the warmth of the cafe. I spotted Emily already seated on the brown leather couch in the corner, two mugs and a couple of pastries waiting on the wooden table.

"Hey!" Emily jumped up to give me a quick hug before we settled onto the couch. "Thanks for meeting me. I got your usual."

"Of course." I smiled, wrapping my hands around the hot mug of white mocha coffee. "So what's going on?"

Emily took a deep breath, looking uncharacteristically serious. "Well, I've been thinking a lot this past week. About you and Nate."

I nodded slowly, waiting for her to continue.

"I know when I saw the picture of you two together, and you told me you were interested in him, I was...not supportive. And I'm sorry about that." Emily bit her lip. "It wasn't my place to judge or assume how things would go with Nate."

I squeezed her hand, a reassuring smile on my face. "Emily, it's alright. You were just being protective. I understand that."

"I know," she sighed. “But I also realized what a great match you two could be. And it's clear to anyone who's seen you two together how much you care about him. And I know that both of you have been completely miserable this past week.”

I blushed, hiding my face behind my coffee cup. "It's not that obvious, is it?"

Emily gave me a pointed look. "Susan, you've been walking around like someone stole your favorite book, and you never take a whole week off work. And Nate... well, the man hasn't hummed a single jazz tune in days!"

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