Page 15 of Friend Me

“And you love him despite all that. Cooper, on the other hand, is faultless.” I stroked my pendant.

“I think you might be romanticizing him a little. He’s a block of ice until he explodes with that temper.”

“He’d never turn it on me.” She didn’t share my admiration for Cooper. She respected him professionally, and she was cordial toward him. Even though she’d told me she thought Cooper resented her for taking his best friend away from him. I thought she was full of shit. Cooper Fallon was perfect. My fantasy brought to life.

“Besides, he’s bringing Jamila to the wedding.”

I ground my teeth. “I know.” I shoved my sandwich back into my vintage Barbie lunchbox and led Alicia out of the breakroom and over to my desk.

Jackson’s door opened. After watching Mr. Weston saunter out and cross the floor toward his own corner office, we both leaned against the edge of my desk. I could almost feel the heat boiling out of Jackson’s office from their exchange.

“I think I’ll go back to Jamila’s office,” Alicia said. “I’ll call to check on him later.”

“Good idea. I’ll try to free up an hour or so this afternoon so he can have a little one-on-one time in the gym with the punching bag.”

“You’re a lifesaver, Marlee.”

“It’s what I do. See you tomorrow for lunch?”

“Oh.” Alicia’s smile faltered. “Jamila’s getting an innovation award at a luncheon tomorrow. I told Jackson I’d go with him.”

“Is—is Cooper going?”

“He is.” Her lips tightened briefly. “I’m so sorry to miss our last Friday lunch before the wedding.”

I waved my hand like it didn’t matter. “Don’t worry about it. Of course you should go with Jackson. Call me if you need any bridesmaid services this weekend.”

“There’s always something. I can’t wait for it all to be over.” She pushed off my desk and walked toward the stairs.

I watched her go, the lightness I’d felt before dimming like a brown dwarf star. Although she didn’t want the lavish society wedding Jackson’s mother had planned, she was marrying her true love. And Tyler was right: married Alicia would have less and less time for me as her life became interlinked with Jackson’s. And Jackson’s best friend.

If Cooper and I got together, it’d be so easy to spend time with Alicia. I’d go with him to the innovators’ award luncheons. We’d go on double dates. Couples’ weekends at the beach. Maybe our kids would play together someday.

But not if he wanted Jamila instead.

Sinking into my chair, I shoved my lunchbox into the drawer with my purse.

At a deliberate-sounding squeak on the floor behind me, I turned to see Tyler carrying a white paper sack.

“What are you doing up here?”

He held out the bag. “I—I had a cookie left over from lunch.”

“For me?”

“It’s double-chocolate coconut macadamia.”

“That’s my favorite!” He grinned when I snatched the bag and peeked inside. “Want half? Wait. You’re allergic.” I’d been careful to stock my dish only with candies processed in nut-free facilities since I’d found out. I broke off a chunk and popped it into my mouth. A buttery, creamy nut melted on my tongue. Heaven. “Why’d you get this kind?”

He pushed his glasses up his nose. “Um…” His gaze flicked to the distinctive yellow response card on my board and then back to me. The next few words tumbled out in a rush. “Alicia mentioned you didn’t have a date for the wedding yet. I’m going, and I thought maybe—maybe you’d like to ride up with me. We could, um, hang out. At the wedding.” He tapped his middle finger against his thigh.

Hang out? At the wedding? As in, go with my work bestie as my date?

I sighed. It was my own fault that this was what my life had become.

But then I cocked my head, considering. Which would be sadder: going alone or going with my friend?

Unlike the rest of the developers, he saw me. Listened to me. He was thoughtful. Considerate. Fetched me beers at company parties when I was busy. Brought me cookies. I swallowed the last delicious, nutty morsel.

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