More Than Friends

Chapter 7: Uneasy Vibes

Nicole spent most of the day distracted, her mind caught up in what Devin might say when they met later that night. She tried to focus on her usual routine, but every time her phone buzzed, she jumped, wonderin' if it was him. She wasn't sure what she wanted him to say or what she would even say back.

By the time the sun started settin', her nerves were on edge. She picked out something simple to wear, not too casual, but not like she was goin' out, either. A black sweater and some jeans. After checkin' herself in the mirror one last time, she grabbed her keys and headed out the door.

Devin's place wasn't far from hers, but the drive felt longer than usual. When she pulled up outside his building, her heart was already poundin'. She took a deep breath before steppin' out of the car, mentally tellin' herself to stay calm.

She knocked on his door, and when he opened it, there was a quiet tension in the air between them. Devin looked the same—same low-cut hair, same easy style—but there was somethin' in his eyes she hadn't noticed before. He looked like a man with a lot on his mind.

"Hey," he said, steppin' aside to let her in.

"Hey," Nicole replied softly, walkin' into his apartment. It was quiet, just the two of them, and the usual comfort she felt when she was around him wasn't there tonight. Instead, it was replaced by an awkward energy that neither of them knew how to handle.

They sat on the couch, but neither one of them spoke right away. Nicole fidgeted with her hands, while Devin just stared at the floor. After what felt like forever, she finally broke the silence.

"You wanted to talk?" she asked, her voice gentle but nervous.

Devin nodded, sittin' up straighter. He rubbed his palms together, like he was tryna gather his thoughts. "Yeah. I... I didn't wanna do this through a text, or over the phone."

Nicole waited, her heart thumpin' in her chest as she watched him struggle to find the words.

"I've been thinkin' about this for a long time, Nic," he started, his voice low but steady. "Last night, when I saw you with that dude... I realized somethin'. I can't keep doin' this. I can't keep actin' like I'm cool with just bein' friends when I've felt more for you for years."

Nicole felt her breath catch, but she stayed quiet, lettin' him get it all out.

"I know you probably never saw me that way," he continued, his eyes finally meetin' hers. "But I've been in love with you since we were kids, and I couldn't say nothin' because I didn't wanna mess things up between us. But now... I don't know if I can keep holdin' it in anymore."

Nicole felt the weight of his words hit her all at once. She didn't know how to respond. Part of her wanted to say somethin', anything, but her mind was too scrambled to form the right words.

Devin leaned back on the couch, his gaze fallin' back to the floor. "I don't expect you to say anything right now. I just needed you to know. I've been carryin' this for too long."

Nicole stared at him, her heart in her throat. She didn't know how to handle this, but one thing was clear: this wasn't just a casual conversation. It was somethin' that had been buildin' for years, and now it was out in the open.