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Instead of doing exactly that, I clear my throat and force myself to say, “I’m really sorry about tonight.”
His expression softens, making him look less irritated. Certainly less annoyed than I would be if the situation were reversed.
“Don’t worry about it. Brooke’s been on my ass for a while to take you out. After the clusterfuck this night has been, she owes me big time.”
That last comment makes me wince as he saunters past, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
It’s only when we’re alone that Easton releases his hold before nudging me inside the apartment and closing the door behind us. A strange intensity fills his eyes. It’s one that has my belly crashing to the bottom of my toes. I’ve known him forever, and not once has he ever frightened me. But at this particular moment, that’s exactly how I feel. I have no idea how this interaction will play out, and that leaves me feeling off kilter and unsure how to smooth everything over.
“Easton,” I whisper, unable to summon my voice.
When my tongue darts out to moisten my lips, his gaze drops to the movement and a groan rumbles up from deep in his chest as he stalks closer. The fine hair on my arms prickles with awareness when he grinds to a halt before reaching out and cradling my cheeks in his palms.
“I’m sorry.”
I blink in confusion. “For what?”
“For not realizing what I felt sooner.”
Everything inside me stills, and it takes effort to push out the question. “And what is it you feel?”
“That there’s something between us that I’ve never had with any other girl. Anyone period. You mean everything to me.” The energy swirling around us ratchets up to unprecedented levels. It’s both terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. “What I’m trying to say is that I like you, Sash.”
Sash.
It’s always been his nickname for me. But it’s never meant more than it does in this moment.
Not in a million years did I expect this confession. “You do?”
His thumb strokes leisurely over my lower lip. The delicate motion scatters all of my thoughts, making it impossible to think straight.
My heart thumps a painful staccato against my ribcage. I won’t pretend that I haven’t fantasized about this moment unfolding between us dozens of times. For years, it’s felt like I’ve been standing on the sidelines, quietly watching him. Yearning for something that was never meant to be.
In my dreams, I would leap into his arms and everything would fall neatly into place. What I didn’t imagine was that fear and anxiety would bubble up inside me, dampening any of my joy.
“If I’m being a hundred percent honest, I think these feelings have been simmering beneath the surface for a while. I was too...” His voice trails off before he straightens his shoulders, his expression turning to one of resolve. “I was too chickenshit to acknowledge them.”
His nervousness only heightens my own, making me acknowledge there’s more at stake than I originally realized.
When I remain silent, he whispers, “Tell me you feel the same way.”
That’s exactly what I want to do. But...how can I take a chance and possibly lose our friendship?
Regret swallows me whole as my teeth scrape across my lower lip.
“Sasha?” A desperate edge creeps into his voice.
It takes everything I have inside to shake my head.
Shock floods his features and his eyes widen. “No?”
I glance away, forcing myself to admit the truth. “We’ve always been such great friends. Best friends,” I emphasize, gaze locking on his. “I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to lose you.”
“But—”
“We’ve known each other forever,” I say, voice rising. “And in all that time, you’ve never gotten serious with anyone. Not even in high school.”
“Maybe that’s true,” he concedes, shoulders collapsing. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to give this a shot.”
