Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Paris

I didn’t understand.

Colton never rushed into things. So, even though Anastasia was literally a walking and breathing epitome of beauty, it would take months before he started anything. And though he asked me last night if I was okay with the two of them being somewhat together, I knew he only wanted to be clear for the sake of our friendship.

I mean, it happened all the other times he pursued a female. Eventually, they all excused themselves after being uncomfortable with our close friendship.

A wicked smile tugged at my lips as I thought about how Anastasia was no different. It was quite selfish of me to want to scare her away, but if I did it when I wasn’t even trying, imagine if I tried? I bit my lips to contain a smile as Colton returned with her doughnut. My heart sank when he pecked her cheek and handed it to her, but I remained composed.

“Um, Col? I ate my doughnut.” I batted my eyelashes with a pout that I knew did wonders on his heart. “Can you get me one for the road, please?”

“Sure.” He beamed, oblivious to my actual intentions. “Anything else?”

I shrugged. “And our favourite.” I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth again, holding back my smirk at how well I did that. Anastasia seemed uncomfortable, and I almost felt bad for being a bitch. Almost.

“You guys are close, huh?” she asked after a while of silence, and I casually shrugged.

“Yes. We’ve been mates for years. We’re practically inseparable.”

She tensed at this, and I could already see my plan working. She twisted the napkin between her fingers as we sat in silence. It was unfair of me to be doing this, but I have known Colton for years. I never intended to fall for him, so what can I do? Maybe, just maybe, he shared my feelings, but he doesn’t realise it yet. So perhaps there is a chance for us, but Anastasia might distract him from his true feelings. I was almost sure of it.

Colton returned with my doughnut and three blueberry smoothies. It didn’t annoy me knowing he got one for Anastasia too. It was polite.

“Okay, one chocolate covered doughnut and a blueberry smoothie for you.” He spoke as he handed me my food. “And one for mah-lady.”

I frowned, but then I realised that Anastasia glowered at her drink.

“Um, Colton, I-I don’t like blueberries,” she voiced her concerns, and I quickly pulled my straw between my lips to hide my simper as she looked between the two of us holding the smoothies.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I can get you something else?”

“No,” she quickly protested, standing. “I think I’ll just go.”

Yes.

“No.” He held onto her before she could leave, and I saw tears behind her eyes.

My heart suddenly sank when I realised how childish, selfish and mean I was. He chose her, and I hurt her because of that. I knew I was being unreasonable, trying to justify my behaviour on what my heart wanted. A sigh tumbled from my lips as I listened to their bickering, increasing my guilt.

“Anastasia, don’t go,” I said aloud, stopping both of them. “Let’s all go have fun. It’ll give us a chance to know each other more.” I offered her a genuine smile as I blinked back my own tears.

My heart protested altogether at what my mouth said, but my mind tried to remind it to be rational, fair, and realistic. Once Colton and I are alone, and I am very much sober, I’ll be a big girl and tell him my true feelings. I’ll do it soon, too, before he takes things too far with Anastasia, which might leave him in a sticky situation.

If he felt the same, it would be perfect. But if he didn’t, I’d just have to accept it and try not to scare away any girl that comes into his life. It’ll be awkward for a while, but we’ll bounce back. This was the fair and reasonable thing to do, instead of trying to scare away Anastasia like the coward I am. Colton would do anything for me, so I had to keep his best interest at heart instead of mine. He deserved that much.

“Really?” she asked. “Are you sure?” Her voice was small, but a smile pulled on her plump lips.

“I’m sure. If I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention,” I half lied. I intended to make her uncomfortable, but I really was sorry.

Her smile only grew as her eyes lit up, and I could see that she liked Colton a lot. I mean, who wouldn’t?

“I’ll order whatever drink I’ll like and meet you guys at the car then,” she suggested as we headed outside. I nodded as Colton handed her some money.

Dark clouds crept across the sky, darkening the splash of colours from the sunset by the time we emerged into the car park, and the cool breeze tickled my arms, making me shiver a little. The warmth of fabric being wrapped around my body, and I glanced up to see Colton fixing his jacket around my shoulders. I felt terrible, knowing I should’ve brought my own, but he didn’t seem to mind the harsh breeze as he smiled down at me.

My eyes darted towards the diner, seeing Anastasia in deep conversation with Lukas. Knowing Lukas, they’ll be talking for another five minutes. I thought it was a perfect opportunity to tell Colton about my feelings, but he spoke before me.

“Thank you for what you did back there, Paris. Anastasia has always been threatened by you, and that helped,” he said, causing my heart to sink.

“Why would she be threatened by me?” I laughed awkwardly as if I didn’t know. “We’re just friends, right?”

“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed…” he trailed as he leaned closer to my ear “… but we’re pretty close,” he whispered, and I laughed at his playful nature.

I joked along with him, though my insides crumbled at the entire conversation.

“Oh, I didn’t notice at all.”

His familiar laughter saturated the cold air before he pulled me to his chest in a hug. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out how wonderful it felt to be with him.

“I’m clueless about what the future holds for us, but I’m glad you’ll be with me. I don’t want that to change,” he mumbled in my hair, and a single tear rolled down my cheek.

As Anastasia appeared from the exit, I quickly got rid of it. She smiled at us, and Colton welcomed her as he swung his arm over her shoulder. And that’s when I knew telling him would be harder than I imagined. So, I decided not to tell him and risk ruining the night’s mood.

At least not yet.