Page 42 of More Than a Good Friend

Waking up feeling like I overslept, I reach for my phone. Falling asleep wasn’t part of my plan. I have no idea how long until Dag will be here to get me, and I’m not ready. At all. Well, I showered, but my hair is still damp, which isn’t a great look.

The nap has messed with time and with my memory. The TV is on in the living room, and I don’t even remember turning it on.

There are three missed calls and four texts from Dag. Before calling him back, I read the messages. The first message is pictures of a very clean bathroom. He’s making it so much harder not to wish he loved me. I just have to remind myself that he doesn’t. That likely won’t ever change.

The Hot One:Headed that way.

The Hot One:Did you fall asleep?

The Hot One:I’m in your living room. When you wake up, we’ll go to the dance.

A quick check of the time informs me that the dance started ten minutes ago.

I text back.

Me:So sorry. Just saw this. I’ll get ready. It won’t take me long.

The Hot One:No problem. Don’t worry about makeup. You look better without it anyway.

He has my emotions swinging to the poles right now.

Me:I don’t wear it for you.

The Hot One:Okay? I’m just trying to save you time.

I slide into my fitted jeans and pull on a blouse. What’s the dress code for going to a dance with a friend? After yanking on my boots, I dab on a bit of primer, which has a color corrector in it. He thinks I look better without makeup, but the last time he saw me without it was back in high school. If I know he’s going to be around, I make sure to at least have on primer and a bit of eye shadow. What they call the natural look. It’s got him fooled.

I grab a light jacket and walk out to the living room. “I’m so sorry.”

He shrugs. “No biggie. And I didn’t peek into your bedroom or anything. Your front door was unlocked. I called you a few times, then heard what I won’t refer to as snoring, and decided to wait on the couch.” Stretching, he smiles down at me. “You look good. And you took my suggestion about no makeup.”

Why bother to correct him? “I’m ready when you are.”

Tonight will be one long string of silent chanting, reminding myself that this sudden change is just him trying to be a good friend. It isn’t a shift toward romance. It’s making it so much harder to rein in my feelings for him though. Life truly isn’t fair.

I’m still on all the apps and still dating, so I haven’t given up on my plan. But I’d rather go dancing with Dag tonight than sit in the cabin and feel like the only person alone on Valentine’s Day.

He opens my door again, and I try not to react in surprise. It’s going to take me a bit to get used to this new side of him. I like it. But it’s different.

The venue is decked out in pinks and reds. Heart confetti is scattered on the tables and has ended up on the floor. The night definitely has a theme. And it isn’t friendship.

I nudge Dag as we drop our stuff at a table. “Give me your keys. I’ll stick them in my pocket now.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re serving alcohol, and I’m always your designated driver.” I don’t add a duh, but I’m thinking it.

He shakes his head. “I’m not drinking tonight, but if you want something, I’ll get it for you.”

I’m getting a lot of practice at hiding my surprise. “Maybe later.”

“Come on.” He clasps my hand. “Let’s dance.”

I’ve been mentally preparing for tonight all week. Containing my jealousy while he’s danced with other women has always been difficult, but I’ve always succeeded. I’ve never slapped anyone or accidentally spilled a drink down the front of anyone’s outfit.

But when he rests his hand on my waist and smiles down at me before taking that first step, I realize something. Containing my jealousy while watching him dance was nothing compared to containing my attraction while actually dancing with him. This is going to be a long night.

The first song isn’t fast. He twirls me a few times and is grinning from ear to ear through the entire song. With each step, it gets harder and harder to remember that we’re not on a date. But mostly I’m not even thinking about putting labels on us. I’m just having fun.

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