Having secretly begun a relationship with my best friend novel

As I turned to put my purse down , I froze . There was a purse identical to mine on the entryway table . It definitely wasn't Sarah's ; she was more into edgy styles , not this classic , elegant bag . And on the shoe rack , next to Ashley's sneakers , sat a pair of white heels that matched the purse perfectly . It hit me like a ton of bricks . " Crash ! " Ashley stood frozen , a shattered fruit bowl at his feet . " What are you doing here ?

" His voice was a mix of shock , panic , and a flicker of guilt . " Funny story , " I said , my throat tight . " You invited me . " His expression shifted . He yelled towards the living room , " Sarah ! Emily ! I dropped a bowl ! Broken glass ! Stay back ! " Then , he shoved me roughly against the wall near the door . " When did you find out ? Are you trying to make me look bad ? " I looked at the flustered , faux - angry Ashley and started to laugh . A bitter , tearful laugh .

I'd known the Miller siblings for over a decade . We'd practically grown up together . I knew all of Ashley's embarrassing childhood stories , his quirky hobbies . I thought I knew him inside and out . But I'd been wrong . " Sarah said you were bringing your mystery girlfriend home . I'm guessing she's in the living room right now ? " My voice wavered . " I'm just curious … if Emily is your girlfriend , then what am I ? " 17.97 % chapter 1 He avoided my gaze .

Finally , he mumbled , " I'm sorry . But today is important for me and Emily . Can you just … not make a scene ? " My heart clenched , but I kept my expression neutral . " So , Emily is the girlfriend you're introducing tonight . Is that right ?" He wouldn't look at me . He just nodded miserably . 216 Vouchers I laughed again , this time at myself , the fool . He'd dismissed me , erased our entire relationship with a single nod .

A year of stolen moments , of what I'd thought was shared love , reduced to a cruel joke . " Just … go , " he pleaded . Before I could answer , Sarah's voice exploded from the living room . " Ashley Miller ! What the heck are you saying ?! I invited Ashley here ! " She stepped over the broken glass and smacked him upside the head . " Are you being shy around Ashley ? Asking her to leave ? Don't be ridiculous ! She's practically family ! "