Page 90 of Never Not Friends

But if I tell her not to marry him, I’d always wonder if that was the right advice for her or for me. I’d spend the next thirty years second-guessing my motivations and thinking I somehow ruined Juliet’s perfect happily ever after.

It feels selfish.

All the longing and yearning and hoping I’ve experienced the last twelve years doesn’t matter. This isn’t about what I want. I only see my best friend and the most incredible man I’ve ever known.

“Yeah.” I smile as my eyes water over. “Of course I think you should marry Vinny.” I blink back the tears, doing my best to keep the emotion out of my voice. “He’s kind, and thoughtful, and gentle, and everything that a woman could ever want in a husband. You won’t find anyone better than him.” I shrug. “Vinny’s the dream.”

Her eyes fill with tears too. “You really think so?”

“Yeah, I do.”

She pushes off the stool and wraps her arms around me. “What would I do without you?”

I hug her back, looking over her shoulder at Camila and Carly. The sadness in their expressions about kills me.

But what else could I say?

Vinny Brooks is the dream.

Any woman would be lucky to marry him.

Shane’s car rolls to a stop in my parents’ driveway. Out of habit, I glance next door before I even reach for my seatbelt. Juliet’s mom’s house is dark except for the porch light.

More importantly, Vinny’s car isn’t in the driveway, which makes this whole doorstep scene so much easier. Because game night tonight was my fourth date with Shane in a matter of two weeks, and a goodnight kiss is now on the table.

In my past dating history, this is where I’d panic and shove my hand out for a friendly handshake.

But things are different now.

Tonight, I looked my best friend in the eyes and told her that she should absolutely marry Vinny.

So this is it.

I inadvertently forced myself to move on.

“I’ll get the door for you.” Shane gives me that easy smile of his before climbing out of the car.

I wait for him to come around and open my side. We walk up the driveway hand in hand. I lead him to the side of the house where the gate opens up to the stairs that lead to my apartment.

He stops at the bottom and looks up. “You know, I’ve dropped you off here four times now, and I’ve never actually seen this mystery apartment of yours.”

“That’s because it’s not much to see.”

“I’m beginning to think you don’t want me to see how cute Chili is, because then I won’t feel bad for you for having a chinchilla as a roommate.”

“He’s a demon. You’ll know it instantly when you come upstairs.”

His brows hike up as he steps closer. “Are you inviting me upstairs?”

My lips spread into a slow smile. “Probably not until Chili dies.”

He whistles. “That’s a long time to be banned from your apartment.” Another step closer. “Or maybe this is your way of playing hard to get.”

“Chili’s the one playing hard to get. I’m just respecting his boundaries.”

Shane smiles at me, but it’s the kind of smile that feels different.

And I know what’s coming.