CHAPTER 1
Bram
Being in the friend zone sucks.
I can’t say it’s not my own fault. It’s just that I thought it would disappear as time went on.
I mean, how oblivious does one have to be to miss the fact that your best friend is in love with you? In Edward’s case, it’s pretty much a guarantee.
Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea, let me explain.
Edward and I met years ago by happenstance through an online server talking about kink. It was basically like Reddit but less chaotic. We found out we had a lot in common and started a friendship.
The connection expanded past the server. Soon we were texting one another daily, sending each other memes and GIFs we thought the other would like. It all felt like it was going perfectly until we discussed meeting up in real life.
You see, it just so happened we lived in the same city. I don’t know how we’d managed to leave our location details out of our discussions for so long, but by the time it came up, I felt it was a no-brainer for us to get together and date.
Edward didn’t feel the same.
He quickly put me in the “best friend box” as my sister calls it. It’s where I’m the friend but never the lover. I’m the person he can depend on to be there, though I’m never given the chance to be anything more than backup.
I hate it.
Fuck, do I hate it.
But the alternative is not having him in my life. And really, that’s not any better.
“What are your plans for Christmas, Mr. Laurier?” Genie, my assistant, asks from her position across my desk.
I shake my head, dispelling thoughts of the man I can’t have to focus on the work before me. Things are always busy leading up to the holidays. It’s a never-ending barrage of emails, texts, and last-minute meetings.
If you’ve been in the business world long enough, you know there’s a dead zone of time between Christmas and New Year’s that makes the week before the holiday hell. It’s like everything needs to get done ASAP to prevent it coming up during that time when we’re all avoiding work.
Normally I wouldn’t mind. This year, things are different.
The truth of the matter is that things haven’t been the same since the summer. Meeting Foster and Duval changed my perspectiveon life. Their relationship is what I’ve wanted for a long time. It’s just not been in the cards for me.
Sometimes I wonder if things would be different if I’d have been more bold when I first met Edward. Maybe I could have convinced him if I hadn’t waited so long.
“Sir?”
Genie’s voice reminds me again that I’m not alone.
“Sorry, Gen. What were you saying?”
She gives me a soft smile. “I was asking if you have any holiday plans. I know we’ll be closed for a couple of weeks. Were you going to take another trip? I’d be happy to book something for you.”
“No need,” I tell her. “It’s already been handled. I’m heading up to the mountains for a few days to get some space from the city.”
Her eyes go wide. “Oh, that sounds lovely. I hope you and Mr. Edward have a good time.”
“No Edward this time. I’m going to do some soul searching alone.”
The wrinkle between her brows has me wondering if she’s holding back her thoughts. Genie has been with me a long time. She got the job as my assistant straight out of college, and though I’ve offered to promote her through the years, she says she doesn’t want to go anywhere. I think it’s more that she likes the control she gets planning things in my personal and professional life more than she would being a department head.
“Does Mr. Edward know this? I’m afraid the last time he was here, he said some things that alluded to you two being on holiday together.” She wrings her hands together.
I slip off my reading glasses to massage the bridge of my nose. “Well that’s rather unfortunate. I’ll have to break the news to him today, then. My flight leaves in the morning, and I don’t want him blindsided. Thank you for letting me know, Gen. Do you have plans for the holiday?”
