by Lexie Ray
“Jennet, can I talk to you?”
Nick had shuffled up behind me, making me jump. I hadn’t even heard the apartment door open.
“Always, man!” I said, happy to be distracted from my pathetic thoughts. Nick was a good friend, and close enough that we were always just strolling into each other’s apartments at all hours. Most girls I knew would have a problem with a guy walking into their apartments unannounced, but I wasn’t like most girls, and Nick was one of my best friends.
I expected him to plop down on the couch like he usually did, but he remained standing, wringing his hands awkwardly until he seemed to realize what he was doing and stopped.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, suddenly concerned.
“Nothing,” he said quickly. “I mean, nothing, I hope. I mean something. Dammit.”
I had to laugh at him. Whatever it was had him more flustered than I had ever seen him.
“Well, spit it out,” I encouraged him. “Better out than in.”
It was intriguing to see Nick so uncomfortable, even if we were good friends. What was this issue plaguing him? Being on the hunt for this secret was a lot more fun than the soul-searching I’d previously been engaged in. Thank God for reasons to escape my own head.
“I want to ask you out,” he blurted out, his cute face coloring beneath the five o’clock shadow he was sporting.
“No need to get all hot and bothered over dinner,” I said, waving my hand and giggling. “You know the quickest path into my good graces is through my stomach. You name the time and place, and I’m there.”
Nick had gone pale beneath his dark stubble, but he shook his head, resolute about something.
“I’m not asking you out to dinner, Jennet,” he said. “I’m asking you out on a date.”
My smile froze on my face and I forced another laugh through my teeth. Nick was my friend — one of my best friends. Sure, Faith had pushed me from time to time about why I’d never thought of ratcheting up the romance in the relationship, but a smart girl didn’t go around laying waste to her friendships for the sake of a little kissing.
I valued Nick too much for that. I treasured our friendship way too much to risk it for even a night of romance.
“Sure,” I said weakly, aware that the silence had stretched long and awkward between us as my mind reeled. Why was this happening? “A dinner date sounds super fun. We haven’t taken the time to go out together in a long while, you know?”
I wondered whether Nick would get frustrated at my deliberate obtuseness, but he started wringing his hands again instead. He was my friend, and I wanted to throw him a bone out of pity, but I really didn’t want to give him any false hope.
I just didn’t like him like that. I never had.
“It’s not just a regular dinner date,” he said, plodding onward. As horrified as I was, I had to admire the guy for his patience and perseverance. “Jennet, I like you. I more than like you. I think we’d be great together. You know. As a couple.”
I gulped, feeling the smile drain from my face. There was no shimmying out of this one. Nick needed a straightforward answer, and I was going to have to give it to him.
~~~
NEXT: The Big Mistake
Jennet and Nick's Story
CLICK HERE to subscribe, or if you have already, please LIKE MY FACEBOOK PAGE for updates.
Thank you!