Jason

When I think back, on almost any given day, I see Maggie. In college, she was my best friend’s girlfriend. But, as they say, time changes things. I suppose the funeral was the turning point, when we began depending on each other. Sometime around then, our friendship deepened. Adam asked me to watch out for her, and I did. When bad news hit, she got me through rough days.

If luck fell on my side, I’d make her mine in every way. But, she deserves so much more from life than my prognosis.

A decade of history binds us. One drunken night and we’re fighting. Christ, she’s telling me to go see a therapist. If I can’t figure out how to go back to the way things were, I’ll lose the most important relationship of my life. The only one that truly matters.

Maggie

Last night, we shared tequila. I found myself hoping, like I always do.

I’d replay last night a thousand times if I could. It’s the morning after that needs erasing.

Our problem? His love for me isn’t the more kind of love. He’s made that abundantly clear. And that’s okay. Some part of me knows Jason will always see me as his best friend’s girl. Because of our past, he prefers me in the just-a-friend role.

I can’t lose our friendship. If he wants to stay in the friend zone, I need to accept that. Move on. Find someone else to love. Rationally, I do know this.

But convincing my heart…well, that’s another story entirely.