alone on a road trip and until his girlfriend wasn’t gnashing her teeth about him spending time with me.
Still lying back on the bed, I groaned and rubbed my eyes with the heels of my hands. How did this get so complicated? We were friends. We’d decided a long time ago that all we’d ever be was friends. Right now, I wanted to talk to my friend and tell him what was going on in my life, but I couldn’t, because Tanya didn’t trust either of us.
Why do I feel like this would be a lot simpler if we’d just bitten the bullet and dated?
There was a depressing thought. Sighing into the stillness of the room, I stared up at the ceiling. As rough as things could be sometimes between Armin and Tanya, everyone was making bets on how soon he’d pop the question. Whenever he wasn’t around, half the gallery staff was murmuring about when he’d finally do it. They weren’t all crazy about Tanya, but clearly the two of them were happy together, so it was only a matter of time before Omar’s gallery was closed for a private party the way it had been for the engagement parties and wedding receptions of Armin’s two older brothers.
A lead ball formed in my stomach. When that time came, assuming Tanya allowed it, I’d go. I’d be there as his friend, and I’d smile through it all, but goddamn, just thinking about it hurt.
Because even though I’d never breathe a word about it to Armin, there had always been a part of me that had secretly hoped we could eventually be more than friends. I’d never even felt quite right getting into relationships after we’d made our agreement, because it was like I was giving up on Armin.
Or worse, I’d felt like I was going in and keeping one foot out the door in case Armin changed his mind. That hadn’t happened in a while. I’d pulled my head out of my ass, accepted that friendship was all I’d ever have with him, and put my all into the relationships I’d had since.
So maybe I was feeling really raw right now because I’d just broken up with someone. It had been a long time coming, and I was thrilled that by the time I got home, Chad would be gone.
But being newly—and secretly—single on a road trip with Armin? Fuck.
Especially since as our friendship had deepened over time, so had my regret. No, I didn’t want to risk losing him for good, and I definitely didn’t want to screw myself professionally by getting branded as Omar Jahani’s son’s ex-boyfriend.
But did I want to give it a shot and find out what it was like to date Armin? Did I want to dive in headfirst, fall in love with him, and see if whatever happened was worth the risk? Yes. Yes, I absolutely did.
Whatever shot we’d had, though, had passed. Armin was with Tanya. They’d get over this bump just like they’d gotten over every one before it, and I was happy for him and glad he was happy with her.
I just wished I hadn’t missed my chance with him.
Chapter 5
Armin
Tanya wasn’t answering her phone. She had it on her—she’d read the last text I’d sent—but she didn’t answer when I called.
That’s not good.
Pacing in my motel room, I kept turning my phone over and over in my hand. After we’d exchanged a few texts earlier this afternoon, I’d promised I would call her when I was settled into my room. Then I’d texted her and said it might be a little later than I’d expected—traffic had been a bear, and we hadn’t been sure when or where we were stopping.
Now I was here, and she wasn’t answering, and that didn’t sit well.
It was possible she was driving or on another call. I told myself that again and again, but my anxiety wasn’t coming back down.
Things had seemed fine this morning. We’d talked last night after we’d both come home from work, and I thought we’d put this whole thing to bed. She’d even been excited to hear about the art pieces we were picking up, and she’d asked me when they’d be out on display. This morning, she’d dropped me at the airport to pick up the rental, and she’d kissed me goodbye and told me to have a safe trip.
Then I hadn’t responded to her texts, and suddenly the clouds had started gathering again. I didn’t get it. She