AllFreeNovel
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Gunnar might be one of my two best friends, but the one thing I never actually told him was that I was in love with him. “I had a thing for you. I got over you. It’s in the past.”
“You were into me? When?”
“Like you didn’t know.”
“I thought that was just a joke, Lil. Something the guys made fun of us for because we’re so close. Or we were. I barely see you anymore.”
“It wasn’t a joke, at least not to me. I was super into you, but you just never saw me that way. And that’s okay. You don’t owe me anything. I wasted a lot of time wishing you liked me back. Years. It is what it is. But I’ve moved on now.”
“With Jameson?”
“Yes, with Jameson.”
Gunnar lets out a long, low whistle. “I just wish you’d told me. I really didn’t know.”
“I don’t. There was no point. If you were ever going to think about me like that, something would have happened between us long before now. It just took me a while to figure that out for myself.”
“This is just a lot to take in. And I really wish I hadn’t heard about my best friend and my cousin being together from my mom. I should have heard about it from you, Lil.”
“I know, and I was going to tell you now that everyone knows. But we’ve just been at home since Jameson broke his arm, and I wanted to do it in person. I’m sorry you heard about it from someone else. I really am.”
“So, you’re with Jameson now.” Gunnar nods. “Okay. But if he hurts you even for a second, I’m going to kick his ass.”
“You’ll have to get in line,” I tell him. “Are we really okay?”
Gunnar nods. “Of course. We’re always okay, Lil. As long as you stop dodging me now.”
“I will. I promise.”
Gunnar gives me a big smile. He really is handsome, even if he’s an idiot who never saw what was right in front of him. “You really should have told me, Lil. Now you’ve got me wondering how many other girls in this town are running around not telling me they’re in love with me.”
“Shut up. You’re an idiot.” With a big smile on my face, I shake my head at him. We can still joke around like we used to. Nothing’s changed here, except me. Except everything.
“Apparently, I am for not seeing how you felt about me.” Gunnar shakes his head at me, frowning. And I don’t even wonder what would have happened if Gunnar had found out I liked him before I moved on. Because maybe I wouldn’t be where I am now with Jameson? And I don’t want to be anywhere else.
The bell over the front door rings again. And this time it is Jameson. He’s watching us, his brows furrowed. He looks so serious. But a huge smile sweeps across my face just seeing him. This man. I love him so freaking much. And I really need to tell him that. I just haven’t found the right time to say it. Or the right way to say it. And now is certainly not that time.
“Hey man, good to see you,” Jameson says as he walks over to us and drapes his arm around my back and rests his big hand over my hip, pulling me hard to his side. He leans in and kisses my temple. “Hey, babe.”
Jameson’s clearly staking out his territory. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided to piss on my feet a little, just to make extra sure that Gunnar knows where we all stand. Not that any of this is necessary. There is only one man in this shop that I’m in love with, and it’s my boyfriend. My Jameson.
He doesn’t need to feel insecure about us ever. And I don’t want him to. So, I slide my arm around his waist and hold him right back. “Hey, kid.”
Gunnar’s staring at us with an awkward smile on his face. “I was just catching up with Lily. Congratulations or whatever. I’m happy for you two.”
“Thanks, man.” Jameson squeezes me to his side even tighter, and I let him.
There’s an awkward pause, and no one says anything.
Gunnar gives us an awkward wave. “I should get back to the farm. I guess I’ll see you two around.”
“Hey, you and Lily haven’t been to a Saturday night movie in a while. Why don’t we all go this weekend?” Jameson says before Gunnar can turn and head out of the shop.
“That’s a great idea. Are you free on Saturday?” I ask. I don’t want everything to go back to the way it was before. But I do want Gunnar in my life. We’ve been through too much together to just let a lifetime of friendship fade away.
“Yeah. Let’s do it. And I guess we’ll see if Lily lets you share her popcorn now. My money’s on it still being a no.”
“It’s absolutely a no. My popcorn is my popcorn. I don’t need anyone else’s grubby paws in it.”
