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“I’m fine and we are just friends.”
“Come off it, Jana,” he smiled, easing the tone of his words. “We’ve been writing each other for six months and I think we are better friends than that. You’ve shown zero interest and when you both walked in the room, it was like watching two magnets find each other…”
“X-Ray…” Jana began, looking supremely guilty, and he felt bad. He hoped everything worked out for her like she wanted – but he also knew the childish man who threw peas, acting almost as wild and carefree as she was.
“And I’m so happy for you,” John interrupted, smiling. “I really am, because I would enjoy seeing my friend falling for one of my coworkers – and it actually work out.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,” he admitted. “I gotta confess that I worry, because I’ve seen a lot of attitudes and dealt with Vapor the last few months. I just don’t want you to end up hurt or cast aside. Plus, I need to talk to you…”
John swallowed nervously.
He’d asked Jana to coffee tomorrow spontaneously – and really wanted to back out now. He was planning on asking Emily instead, if they got along during dinner.
“Oh?”
“Yeah,” he hedged. “I don’t want to step on toes, but Emily…”
“She’s a sweetheart,” Jana interrupted quickly. “I think she should start writing you, too and…”
“Emily’s sweet,” he began, trying to keep things light and friendly between all of them so nothing turned into a sticky mess or created problems. “I was more concerned that I was losing my friend and pen pal…”
“Oh no,” Jana whispered, smiling as her eyes grew watery and looked so relieved. “I just didn’t want to hurt you by talking to… Vapor.”
“That’s kinda why I’m here waiting,” he replied openly. “I didn’t want to hurt my friend either by talking to Emily.”
“You aren’t,” Jana began, and looking at him. “I think it’s wonderful, and as friends we are going to share things sometimes that feel uncomfortable, but I want us to be able to talk… a year from now – or ten years from now – my friend.”
“I want the same.”
“We’re good?”
“We are the best,” John said gently, smiling at her. “And I know it’s none of my business, but take things slow with Vapor and just get to know the guy. Okay? If you need me to throttle him, just say the word and I’ll do so on the other side of the globe.”
Jana laughed, wiping her eyes, and beaming at him.
“You’re the best,” she smiled. “You know that?
“Bestfriend,” he corrected, grinning.
“Now, it’s my turn to mentor you…” Jana replied. “Be good to Emily. She’s super sweet and has a big heart.”
“I appreciate that, and right now I’m kinda just looking to expand my very small group of friends. I’m like the world’s worst boyfriend material and truly a bore… so I’m hoping that she and I can become friends so when she’s sick of me? I’m not left in a lurch wondering what just happened.”
“I think I might take that advice to heart, too.”
“What? Befriending someone so you don’t get hurt?”
“Yes,” Jana whispered softly, looking at him. “It’s kinda scary sometimes, isn’t it?”
John realized that perhaps they were more alike in ways he never realized or could admit aloud. Both of them were experiencing something new, something scary, and almost clinging to this meager friendship as a lifeline, knowing deep down, they were going to need to talk to someone if it all went awry.
“Yeah, it really is…” he admitted honestly.
CHAPTER6
EMILY
