Page 46 of More Than Just Friends

‘Colin’s right to. She doesn’t see me like that.’

‘Don’t you get it?’ Shania added. ‘This is why your dick is limper than a wet lettuce leaf when you’re around Kayleigh. Because Alicia’s the one you want. And you feel like if you do anything with Kayleigh, somehow you’ll be cheating or ruining your chance to finally be together.’

‘That’s not…’ I was about to say it wasn’t true, but something stopped me. Could Shania be right? No. I was over Ali. My crush ended years ago. ‘It’s got nothing to do with Ali,’ I protested.

‘Annoyingly, my wife is probably right.’ Colin sighed. ‘I’ve always thought you were hung up on her. Deny it all you want, but you’re stuck. You need to sort this shit out, bro. I genuinely believe that you’re never going to have a proper relationship until you resolve this stuff with Alicia.’

‘What do you mean by resolve?’

‘You need to have a proper conversation,’ Shania said. ‘Find out whether she’s interested in you romantically or not. If she is, then decide what you want to do about it.’

‘And if she isn’t, I think you seriously need to consider whether or not you can continue being friends. Personally, I think you can’t handle it. It was obvious from the frustration in your voice when you were telling us about Adonis.’

‘That’s just because he’s a dick.’ I countered.

‘True, but be honest, it’s also because you’re jealous.’

My chest tightened.

Maybe a little.

But I’d like to hope that if Ali was with a guy who was really treating her well and deserved her, I’d be happy for her too.

It was normal to want the best for people who were important in your life.

‘I can’t have that kind of conversation with her. It wouldn’t be appropriate,’ I said, deliberately not addressing the jealously comment. ‘I’m with Kayleigh and Ali’s into Adonis.’

‘I doubt she is,’ Shania offered. ‘If a man made me miss a sunset I’d travelled hundreds of miles to see because he was too busy shopping for himself, I’d be pissed! She’s probably just tolerating him. And she’s only known him for a few days. You’ve known each other practically your whole lives.’

‘And as for Kayleigh,’ Colin said, ‘if you’re really not attracted to her, maybe it’s better that you come clean.’

He was right about that at least.

I didn’t want to lead her on. I could tell that she was getting frustrated that I hadn’t slept with her yet and although I could just do it to keep Kayleigh happy, fucking her would only make things worse.

I’d give it another day. If I still didn’t feel that strong pull towards her by the end of tomorrow’s excursion, I’d talk to her and be honest. At least that way she’d know where she stood.

As for Ali, I really had to have a serious think about whether there really was any truth in Colin and Shania’s assumptions that I was still into her.

I didn’t think that I was, but maybe I was too close to the situation to judge it objectively.

And if there was still an attraction there, maybe once we were back in London, I’d consider having a conversation with her like Colin and Shania had suggested.

It would be risky and could cost our friendship though.

Here’s hoping it wouldn’t have to come to that…

16

ALICIA

As the coach pulled up at the harbour, butterflies flooded my stomach. Today’s excursion was a sunset cruise on a private, luxury catamaran.

So fancy.

I was glad I’d have another opportunity to see a stunning Santorini sunset. And as we’d be on a boat, this time I could be sure that Adonis wouldn’t be distracted by shopping.

He did seem a bit preoccupied with something else today though.