Page 97 of More Than Just Friends

And now she had Love Empress Jasmine who was even more experienced in sniffing out connections between couples backing her up, there was no way I was getting out of this without coming clean.

If Petros and Stavros had noticed something, then it was more obvious than I thought. That must’ve been why they smiled at us when Noah and I were bantering during that office meeting.

Shit. Did everyone realise we were about to sleep together except us?

I could attempt to deny it, but when you added the fact that I was a terrible liar to the equation, it was clear there was only one option available.

It was time to fess up.

‘Yes,’ I mumbled. ‘We… we did, but⁠—’

‘I’m so happy for you, sis!’ Sammie leapt on me then squeezed me so tight I was convinced I’d broken several bones. ‘You two are gonna be great together!’

‘Another wonderful Love Hotel match!’ Jasmine cheered.

‘Love this for you!’ Halle added as everyone around the table expressed their congratulations.

Anyone would think I’d just announced that I’d won the Nobel Peace prize, got engaged and given birth to a ten-pound baby in half an hour without any pain relief, all on the same day. Not that I’d just admitted I’d shagged my best friend.

‘Thanks, everyone, but don’t get excited. It’s not like that. It’s just a holiday thing. We’re not in a relationship. That wouldn’t be a good idea.’

‘What?’ Stella shouted. ‘Why?’

‘Because we’re friends. And not just friends. Best friends.’

‘But that’s a good thing though, right?’ Halle asked. ‘You already have a strong foundation.’

‘We do, but that’s the point. Noah means so much to me so I don’t want to fuck that up. I mean, the sex is…’ My voice trailed off. I couldn’t start discussing intimate things in public. I mean, these ladies all sounded cool, but still: boundaries, Alicia.

At the same time though, I was bursting to tell someone. I still couldn’t believe how phenomenal Noah was in bed. Now that Sammie knew, I’d share the details with her later.

‘What I’m saying is, our friendship is the thing that I value the most. I don’t want to put that in jeopardy.’

‘I hear you,’ Stella said.

‘Especially when I know so many people who crossed the line and regretted it,’ I added.

‘There must be loads of friends who did and it worked out though,’ Stella said. ‘I’m marrying my ex for goodness’ sake! On paper me and Max getting back together sounded like a match made in hell, but now look at us.’

‘You and Noah will be fine!’ Sammie said. ‘More than fine! And maybe you can get some tips from Trish and Brian tomorrow.’

‘Yes! Great idea!’ Stella said.

Brian was Stella’s cousin and Trish was ours, so Stella was close to both of them.

‘Yeah, maybe,’ I said, wondering why I hadn’t thought of that sooner.

Trish and Brian were relationship goals. Not only were they perfect for each other, they were the only couple I knew who’d successfully made the transition from friends to lovers.

Although Noah and I planned to go back to being friends once we were in London, I supposed it wouldn’t do any harm to chat with Trish and get her advice.

‘I know couples who were friends first,’ Cassie said. ‘My cousin Bella had a crush on her bestie, Mike, for over a decade before they finally got together.’

‘Really?’ I sat up straighter.

‘Yep,’ Cassie confirmed. ‘Like you, Bella was really nervous about taking the leap. Mainly because they tried getting out of the friend zone once before and it ended in disaster.’

‘Oh no! What happened?’ I asked.