So! This is my first time attempting to write a series. This first chapter is basically just set up, nothing too crazy happening. The smut comes later, so stay tuned!
Can men and women really be just friends?
Damien Nazario and I have the perfect friendship. We’ve done the impossible. We’ve stayed friends- and just friends- for 5 years, and never once crossed the threshold from just friends to something more. Ever since I learned about the magic of dating and relationships, I’d been beaten over the head with the same old cliche: Men and women can’t be just friends- sex always get in the way.
Maybe it’s because I have a lovely, very committed boyfriend, and Damien has a very committed relationship with his job. That’s how we met, actually. Some guy was stalking my cousin, Nadia, and we decided to hire a P.I. to help us out. Sure, I noticed that he was undeniably attractive, but I was too concerned about Nadia to really try anything. By the time he had the whole ordeal resolved, the three of us had become pretty close. Nadia and I invited him out for celebratory drinks, and we immediately clicked.
Damien and I just get each other. He’s closed-off and needs goading to open up, but I know when to push and when to back off. I’m probably too much of an open book, and he knows when to reel me in. He’s probably the greatest friend I’ve ever had, and we’ve never been even slightly romantically interested in each other, cliches be damned.
As I walk down the street to our usual breakfast spot, I think back on the countless hours we’ve spent in this shitty little dinner. Helping Damien look over his latest case, talking about movies with Nadia, pulling all-nighters and working on projects, all three of us together. But today, it’s just me and Damien. Ryan was supposed to come with me, but backed out last-minute to meet up with his boss to discuss some “big changes” coming up at work. I’m not really bothered about it, if I’m being honest. Sometimes I just want some alone time with my best friend, without trying to awkwardly bridge the gap between my best friend and my boyfriend.
When I enter the diner and head towards our usual booth, Damien gets up and flashes me a smile before pulling me in for a hug. “Hey, Jules.” When we pull apart, I slide into the booth across from him, grinning at him excitedly. I haven’t seen him in a week, and I missed him like hell.
“No Ryan today?” He asks, taking a sip from his coffee. I shake my head.
“Work. You know how he is, workaholic until he dies.” Damien nods. He does know. Ryan’s been so busy lately with a recent promotion and he rarely comes around for social events anymore. “But anyway, what’s new with you? How was the blind date Nadia set you up on?”
Damien frowns slightly, lifting a shoulder in an attempt to seem casual. “It was alright, I guess. She was kind of…” he trails off, eyes flicking about the room as he tries to find the words. “Boring? I know that makes me sound like an ass but seriously, she would not stop talking about how her parent’s summer home in Greece is getting renovated and Oh! Did you know that Greek carpenters only use locally sourced wood?” He rolls his eyes and I laugh, knowing that Damien’s latest encounters in dating have been less than successful.
“Please tell me she went into extensive detail about the different stains they’re using in the house.”
“Oh, believe me, she did.” Damien takes a sip from his coffee and laughs too. “I think I need to put dating on the back burner. Maybe I should just try to find something casual.”
That makes me pause. Damien’s not exactly a womanizer. Even though he tries to act cynical and tough, I know that deep down, he’s a big ol’ teddy bear that just wants someone to love him.
“Really?” I ask, trying to keep the doubt out of my voice. He gives a short nod.
“I’m not really connecting with anyone, maybe I just need to have fun for a while.” He doesn’t look me in the eyes as he says this, instead turning his attention to a chip in the table he picks at.
“Okay… so what are you thinking? Tinder? Bumble? Oh my god, can I write your tinder bio for you?” I ask giddily, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the table. Damien pulls a face and laughs. It’s one of his deep laughs that makes my chest squeeze with endearment.
“You really don’t know me at all if you think for a second I would use Tinder.” He spits the word out like it has a sour taste. I smirk at him as an idea hits me.
“Oh, wow, I just got an amazing idea and when I tell you it, you’re going to thank me forever because it is such an amazing idea.” His eyes narrow. He usually doesn’t like my amazing ideas, as he usually finds them “embarrassing” and “poorly thought-out.”
“We should go out this weekend! Go to a bar and find a nice young lady who you can seduce to get out of your rut! Please, please, please say yes because I need to go out and you need to get laid.” His cheeks redden adorably at that and his eyes are suddenly on the table again. “Me and Nadia can be your wingmen!”
“I’ll, uh, think about it.” He mumbles.
“Yes! Hell yes.” I pump my fist in the air and he smacks a hand to his forehead.