Page 132 of Holiday Friend Zones
“He’s out in New York now, right?”
“Yeah, he’s a Wall Street guy.”
“His dad is always bragging down at The Hidden Cave.”
I’m not surprised.Tyler is one of those small-town success stories.We’ve had a lot of them in Willowbrook, but Tyler was definitely my graduation year’s hotshot.Every time he returns to town, he’s wearing some fancy watch and clothes that set him apart from the rest of us.
“Anyway, Tyler was my best friend.”
“And Saylor?”He turns down the county highway.
“Saylor and Tyler dated all through high school.She followed him to New York, but after they graduated and he got into the whole New York scene things went bad.He broke up with her six months ago.Said they had different dreams.”
“That explains a lot.”
I don’t bother asking what he’s referring to.That’s the problem with a small town, gossip and rumors spread like wildfire.
“She’s pretty torn up about it.”I think of the night I found her in her backyard staring up at the stars.I dropped into the chair next to her, never able to handle seeing her upset.
“And you too?”
“No.Why would you say that?”
“So, this isn’t a case of your best friend stealing the girl you love and now she’s back here, heartbroken, but all you can do is think about how she should’ve been yours all along?That she wouldn’t be upset had she seen you before she got with him?”
I turn away from the swirling snow, but he doesn’t look over at me.
“Sorry to tell you, but it’s written all over your face.I just needed the bits of the story to piece it all together.You don’t know this, hell maybe you do, but it takes one to know one.I loved Lottie long before she ever saw me the same way.”
“Well, we’re different.There’s no chance with us.Saylor only sees me as a friend.”
“Ouch, what happened?”
I exhale.Screw it.I blow out a breath and decide what the fuck, just tell someone, and maybe then I can move on with my life.
“Six months ago, we were on the couch at my house watching a movie, and we kissed.She kissed me first, but I only?—”
“I don’t need details.What happened after?”
That’s where the problem started.
“She’s been dodging me.”
“And you’ve allowed her to?”
I throw my hands up in front of me.“What am I supposed to do?”
He laughs and shakes his head.
“You know my coffee run every morning?”He glances over at me, and I nod.“Lottie gave me the cold shoulder, I was the brunt of her jokes, hell, she told people she couldn’t stand me, but I kept showing up every morning for coffee.”
“And you married her in Vegas when you were drunk.”
A smile lands on his lips that tugs on the jealous string inside me again.“Yeah, I did.Best thing to ever happen to me.”
“Good for you.”My tone of voice betrays my irritation.
He chuckles.“Damn, don’t be all sour grapes for someone else’s happiness.Lottie and I went through hell to be where we are now.But sitting back and letting Saylor dodge you isn’t going to get you what you want.”
