Page 85 of Summertime Friends

The coffee pot alarm goes off, and I pour myself a cup. I take a small sip—this vanilla isn’t half that bad.

We catch up about Callum and George. I tell him George’s big news, and like me, he can’t believe it. He informs me that he and Michelle are heading to the Highlands this weekend. He asks for restaurant recommendations.

Our call lasted another ten minutes before I jumped to prepare for work. He told me he was proud of me again, and we hung up. At least some part of today should end on a high.

35

EMERSON

Now

It’s nice being friends with Liam again. It’s incredibly nice.

The day after he called, I went to dinner with him, Natalie, and Callum. I was amicable, trying to gauge how far we could lean into friendship without tipping Natalie off that we previously loved each other.

She was oblivious, making it easier for us to drift toward each other.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve been to drinks, brunch, and evening farmers’ markets in my neighborhood as a group. Liam even attended a workout class with Natalie and I—we were partners.

Even working with him has become exciting. Callum, Blake, and our marketing team are present, but I don’t have an anxious urge when we have to be around each other.

Like I said, it’s nice being his friend.

However. . . being friends doesn’t stop the surge of heat when our bodies brush. Fingers graze and linger when passing the pepper. Shoulders brushing getting into a car, or knees bumping when sitting near each other.

That’s happening right now.

Everyone, as in our strange growing friend group—Natalie and Liam, Chloe and Seth, Callum and I—are out for dinner. We’re rounding out our week at Parlor Pizza in the West Loop.

We’re seated outside on the patio at a picnic table. On one side of the table are Cal, Natalie, and Liam. On the other, across fromthem is Seth and Chloe, leaving me directly across from Liam. Our knees bump because of his height.

As our drinks are delivered to the table, I keep sensing a set of eyes shifting toward me. I realize that Liam keeps glancing at me.

“Is there something on my face?” I give him a quizzical look.

“I like the haircut,” he tells me.

I cut it today. I had the idea, but I didn’t think it would last—all of my hair ideas are fleeting, so I called my stylist, and by the end of the day, my hair was five inches shorter.

“Oh, yeah. I—I got it done today.” I tuck a loose strand behind my ear, acting like a nervous elementary school girl when her crush compliments her. “Thanks for noticing.”

Liam’s mouth lifts into a soft smile. “I always notice you.”

“Have you and Cal decided whether you want to buy the old Morrison Hotel?” Liam tenses as I ask the question.

“Yes.”

“That was quick? Do you usually make decisions that fast?”

“No. Didn’t say we were going for it or not.”

“Are you?”

“No.”

“Alright then.” I let out a sigh, letting my eyes go too expressive in his presence, giving myself away. He can tell I’m getting annoyed that he is being this short with me.

“What—”

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