“Blake’s been amazing,” I say. “He’s been there for me through everything these past few months. He goes out of his way to cheer me up and make me laugh. He checks up on me constantly. He’s the best friend I could ever ask for.”
I see that knowing expression on Anna’s face once more. She tilts her head, almost like she’s silently saying, “Are you kidding me?”
“It just seems like he likes you more than a friend,” she says. “We don’t see him treat any of his other friends like this. Do you?”
Poppy nods along with her best friend.
I hesitate for a second. They’re right. Blake doesn’t go out of his way to dote on any of his other friends. Just me.
A hopeful feeling sparks in my chest, but I try to ignore it. I know better than to get my hopes up when it comes to Blake.
“He’s just sweet like that because we’ve known each other for so long,” I say. “We’ve been best friends since we were fourteen. Almost eight years. If he were interested in me, he would have made a move by now.”
“Okay, but do you think there’s a possibility that he hasn’t made a move because he’s waiting for you to show interest in him?” Anna asks.
I hesitate. I hadn’t thought of that.
“Um, maybe?” I say.
“If Blake was interested in being more than friends with you, would you be up for that?” Poppy asks.
I bite my lip and nod, my cheeks heating. They both flash giddy grins at me.
“Maybe you just need to make a move,” Anna says.
I let out a soft groan. “I have. I mean, at least, I think I have.”
“What do you mean?” Poppy asks.
“The other night, after I got into an argument with my mom, Blake and I walked home from the diner. He was really sweet and comforted me. I was telling him goodnight and kissed him on the cheek.”
Both Anna’s and Poppy’s eyes go wide.
“What did he do?” Anna asks.
“Nothing. He just stood there and looked at me.”
“Oh.” She sounds disappointed.
I let out a sad laugh. “See? Told you. He’s not interested in being anything other than my friend.”
Poppy shakes her head. “Not necessarily. Maybe you just caught him off guard. Do you guys kiss on the cheek a lot?”
“No, never. And it wasn’t like I was testing him. I just really wanted to kiss his cheek. He was so sweet to me.”
“Maybe he wanted to kiss you too, but he was nervous,” Poppy says. “Maybe he didn’t want to misread the situation and make you uncomfortable.”
“Or maybe he was into it but thought that you were just being friendly,” Anna says. “Cheek kisses don’t always mean romance. I cheek kiss my grandparents sometimes.”
“Yeah, that’s a good point,” Poppy says.
“Maybe Blake is one of those guys where you have to make it really obvious that you’re into him,” Anna says. “Like, ‘grab him and shove your tongue in his throat’ obvious.”
My head spins with the endless speculations about whether or not Blake could be into me.
Anna grabs my hand. “Sorry, we’re not trying to overwhelm you,” she says quickly.
I let out a tired laugh. “It’s okay. I guess I’m just in a confusing spot right now. I love Blake as a friend and would be open to something more…but I don’t want to tell him how I feel and then ruin our friendship if he doesn’t feel the same way.”
