Page 40 of Falling for Them

“But you’re not aware. I’m not sure how much of that conversation you heard, but he didn’t even remember when we almost…”

“Almost what?”

“Slept together after the company Christmas party... We were drunk and he wanted to go up to his room. He passed out as soon as we were there.” He reached for my hand, which I pulled away. “I should have told you.”

I stood, my frustration bubbling over. “So, that’s why you’ve been a complete asshole to him? Because you wanted him?”

Ethan got to his feet. “I’ve been an asshole to him because I’m fucking in love with you!”

“Well, you have a really great way of showing it.” I turned to leave but didn’t get very far before he spun me around and his lips met mine.

For a moment, I was frozen, my mind racing to catch up with what was happening. Then, a rush of warmth spread through my body as if my feelings for him were finally being unraveled.

His lips were soft, yet insistent, and I gripped his shirt as his hands went to my waist, pulling me closer. He was still Ethan, my best friend, but now he was something more. Something exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

The room spun around us, my world tilting as I let myself get swept up in the moment. His hands moved up to cup my face, and I felt the urgency in his kiss, the pent-up emotions finally breaking free.

But even as I kissed him back and let myself melt into his embrace, there was a nagging voice in the back of my mind.

What about our friendship? What about all the risks and complications that came with crossing this line?

Guilt gnawed at me, but so did desire. I wanted this, wanted him, more than I’d ever admitted to myself. But I was also scared of what this meant, and of how it could change everything.

I pulled back slightly, my breath catching in my throat. “Ethan, we can’t...” I whispered, my voice hoarse with desire and doubt. “I mean, I want to, but...”

Ethan’s forehead rested against mine, his eyes closed as if he was savoring the moment. “Libby,” he sighed, his voice thick with emotion. “I know we’ve got a lot going on, and I’m scared too, but I can’t keep pretending what I feel isn’t real.”

I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down into the unknown. One step forward could mean freefall, but it could also mean flight.

He took a step back, giving me space. “We don’t have to figure everything out right now, okay? We can take this slow.”

“I think I need some air.” I rushed to the entryway, hastily slipping on my shoes and grabbing my purse, my mind still reeling from what had just happened.

“Libby!” Ethan called after me, his voice concerned with a hint of desperation.

But I couldn’t stay. I needed space, air, and time to process the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Without looking back, I yanked open the door and bolted into the hallway.

I quickly walked to the elevator and jabbed at the button repeatedly, silently willing the elevator to arrive faster.

Ethan hadn’t come after me, and for that, I was grateful. I felt like complete trash for running, but I needed a minute or two. I hoped a quick trip to the lobby would be enough. Then, I could deal with everything like a well-adjusted adult who wasn’t completely terrified of love and the potential loss that love brought.

The soft ding of the arriving elevator was like music to my ears. As the doors slid open, I lunged forward, ready to escape, but collided with Leo, who was exiting.

“Whoa there.” Leo’s strong hands steadied me, his eyes turning from amused to concerned. “Where’s the fire?”

Of all the people I could have run into, it had to be him.

“I... I was...” I stammered, trying to regain my composure. But my mind was blank, unable to come up with a coherent reason I was panicking.

Leo’s eyebrows furrowed as he took in my flustered state. “Are you okay?” His tone softened with genuine concern.

I nodded quickly, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. “Fine! I’m fine. I... need some fresh air.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, clearly not buying it. “Didn’t you just get home?”

I bristled at his questioning, my earlier frustration with him resurfacing. “I wasn’t aware I needed your permission to go for a walk, Leo,” I snapped.

He held up his hands in surrender, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Easy, princess. I’m not trying to stop you. But if you’re looking for company...” He left the invitation hanging in the air between us.

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