Having secretly begun a relationship with my best friend novel

I got used to him being there . So , when he confessed again , I said yes . Remembering those times , there had been good moments with Ashley . But now … we didn't know each other . I sat on the couch , watching him tenderly unwrap a candy and feed it to Emily . The look in his eyes was familiar . " Awww , so cute ! " Sarah squealed . " Emily , spill the tea ! Who pursued who ? " Emily blushed , giggling . " Oh , I don't know … " Ashley jumped in defensively .

" Sarah , stop interrogating her ! She's shy ! Don't be a nosy parker ! " " Don't be mean to your sister ! " Emily playfully swatted his arm , and he immediately quieted down . I sipped my green tea , regretting my decision to stay . This was like watching a cheesy rom - com , and I was the unwanted extra . " Actually , Ashley pursued me , " Emily confessed , seemingly forgetting her shy persona . " He chased me for about six months . He's so sweet , I finally gave in .

" Her story sounded eerily familiar . Winter deliveries of cold medicine and roses , rescuing her from forgotten umbrellas , red bean soup for her period , rides home on busy evenings… $ 1.84 % 20034280 11 He'd used the same playbook on me . Tested his tactics , perfected them , then recycled them on Emily . She continued , oblivious , " He even waited in line forever to get me this designer bag I really wanted . The one I'm carrying today . It was so thoughtful .

" She snuggled closer to Ashley . he ' So , my bag had been an afterthought . Not only was he two - timing me , d given us identical gifts . Ashley was a truly terrible cheater . " Oh , and he got me front - row tickets to Justin's concert ! I know he really cares about me . " Justin's concert ? Front row ? Those were the tickets he'd begged me to buy him for his birthday . They were so expensive , I hadn't even bought myself one . He'd used me to impress someone else .

It wasn't just laughable ; it was pathetic . My heartbreak morphed into a cold anger . I saw Ashley's face turning green ; he was terrified I'd expose him in front of Emily . I smiled sweetly . " Emily , that bag isn't that hard to get . I have the same one . Honestly , you could've just paid a little extra for a reseller . Same with the concert tickets . A man's true feelings aren't measured by material things " Emily's eyes narrowed .

I suspected she'd been the one who sent the dinner invitation from Ashley's phone , trying to set me up . She wasn't as innocent as she pretended to be . She turned the tables . " Sarah said you're dating someone too ? A younger guy , right ? About Ashley's age ? " Her voice dripped with fake sweetness . " Is he coming tonight ? Tell us how you met ! I'm so curious . " Sarah , clueless , chimed in . " Yeah , Ashley ! Your boyfriend was supposed Chapter 1 to come too ! Where is he ?

You guys are so secretive ! I wanna meet this sweet younger guy ! " I paused , unsure how to respond . Ashley snapped , " Sarah ! Why are you so obsessed with other people's relationships ?! Can't you just drop it ?! " Sarah bristled at his tone . Emily rushed to smooth things over . " Sarah , don't be mad. Ashley's just looking out for Ashley . Maybe she made up the boyfriend story to avoid embarrassment . It would be awkward if she didn't actually have one .

" I thought for a moment , then smiled . " Actually , I haven't told him to come over yet . But since everyone's so curious , I'll call him now . " Sarah beamed . Ashley and Emily exchanged nervous glances . I pulled up a contact on my phone and pressed call . " Hey , boyfriend , " I said , my heart pounding . " Are you free to come over ? " A warm chuckle filled my ear . " Ashley , I'm at your service .

" Sarah , eavesdropping , squealed , then turned to Ashley and Emily , mimicking the voice , " Ashley , I'm at your service- Ashley's face went white . Ignoring their reactions , I whispered into the phone , " I'll send address . " you the Jason arrived quickly , looking surprisingly dapper in a suit and tie . But the dimple in his cheek when he smiled softened the formal look . " Ashley , am I late ? " He looked at me apologetically . " Don't be mad .