Page 67 of The Friendly Fall

You’re a good friend, Nick.

I clench my jaw as her words echo in my head. Maybe the kiss wasn’t for her what it was for me—and I can’t even be mad at her for that.

You can’t force yourself to feel something that’s not there.

“You know, if things aren’t going the way you want them to with Eliza,” Mom begins, eyeing me carefully. “There’s nothing wrongwith creating a little space from her. I know how heartbreaking it can be to love someone that doesn’t feel the same way about you. It’s not always worth the heartache to stay close. It’s honorable, yes, but sometimes you have to put yourself first, and that’s not something you ever do, Nick.”

Thatgets my attention. Well,oneword grabs me.

I let out a sigh. “I never said that I love her.”

Mom’s lips go flat. “Nick, you don’t have tosayit. Iknowyou do. I’m pretty sure you’d do just about anything for her…”

I’m silent, and the realization makes itthatmuch worse.

“Maybe I should take some space from her. I just … I just keep thinking that something’s going to change, and right when I feel like it’s about to, she reminds me of our friendship.”

“It sounds like a classic case of—”

My phone ringing cuts my mom off, and I dig my cell phone out of my pocket, half expecting it to be Daniel. However, my heart jumps—per usual—when I see it’s Eliza calling me. I flash the screen to Mom, and she gives me agood lucklook before sauntering off to greet a few straggling customers.

“Hey,” Eliza says as soon as I answer. “How’s your Black Friday sale going?”

“Uh, it’s fine.”

“Okay … well, what’re you up to this evening?”

I breathe out a sigh, trying to come up with some excuse not to see her. Except I don’twantto come up with an excuse, and the conflict inside my head results in my saying nothing.

“Um, well,” Eliza says to my silence. “If you’re not busy, we’d really like for you to join us for family movie night. It’s kind of a tradition. The day after Thanksgiving, we start the Christmas season off with a bang by watching two Christmas movies. They’re not always the same ones, either. It’s fun. I mean, I know it sounds lame … but … it’s actually fun … I think.” She lets out a heavy breath, and I nearly chuckle, giving in to the way her voice makes everything feel right.

But then I remind myself of what she said after our life-altering kiss.

“I don’t know if that’s the best idea,” I say instead of accepting the invite. “Don’t you think we’ve pretended enough?” There’s silence for a moment, and I pull the phone away from my ear to make sure she hasn’t hung up. “Eliza?”

“Um, yeah, sorry,” she says quickly. “I get what you’re saying, and you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I don’t want you to feel obligated to come. I just … I just thought that you might enjoy it. And my familylovesyou.”

But doyou,Eliza?

I push away the thought. “It’s … I…”Ugh.“I’ll go. Just send me the time. I won’t be able to stay for long though, I have to work tomorrow.”

“That’s totally fine, and I’m sure that everyone will understand.” Her voice perks up. “I’ll make sure I don’t keep you up too late. You’re literally thebest.You’ve made this Thanksgiving the best one yet.”

“Good to know,” I grunt, ignoring the way my heart stutters when she talks to me like that. “Just text me what time I need to show up, and I’ll be there.”

“How about you swing by right after work? That’ll give us more time together,” she adds, before coughing. “With my parents and everything.”

“Yeah, that’s fine.” I keep my voice flat. “I’ll see you then.”

“See you.” She says before hanging up the phone.

I drop it back into my pocket, trying to ignore the fact that I’m excited about the prospect of cuddling with her on the couch—even if it’s fake.

It might be the closest I’ll ever get to be to her.

I swallow the little bit of hurt that comes with that thought. It’s the truth, though. Once she fakes a breakup with me, I won’t be seeing her family anymore. And dang, that’s depressing, too.

“So, got any plans tonight?” Mom raises a brow at me.

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