Friends

Chapter 36

A/N: Chapters 37-65 are on Patreon along with other exclusive content if you want to check those out!

Marc's POV:

I'm suddenly hit with a wave of panic. What if I mess this up? What if she doesn't believe me? What if I make it worse?

"Before I say what I'm going to say, I need to make sure we're on the same page." Her voice is calm, but I can hear the hesitation beneath it. We're walking a tightrope now, and one wrong step could send everything crashing.

She's been through enough. I don't want to be another guy who messes her up.

I'm doing my best to hold myself together, trying to show her everything will be alright while keeping a smile on my face. But the nerves are gnawing at my stomach. When I saw her getting ready to leave, my heart sank.

"I'm sorry about everything," I say, swallowing hard. "This wasn't planned. It was unexpected, and I know it might've seemed like we've been talking recently, but we haven't. It's always been like that when we see each other—somehow, it feels like we just pick up where we left off. But I promise you, it's been you and me these last few weeks." I watch her face fill with concern, then sadness.

Did I just make it worse? Am I being too vague? Should I have said more?

I want to fix this, but every time I open my mouth, I wonder if I'm just digging myself deeper. I didn't mean to hurt her. I didn't mean for things to come across the way they did.

Jasmine looks at me, her eyes filled with something I can't quite place. She's not angry, but there's something else there. Something...sad. And then it hits me—I'm the one who made her feel this way.

"I've just never had anyone put me first," she says softly, her voice carrying the weight of years of feeling overlooked.

Shit. I should've been the one to put her first. I let that thought sink in for a moment. She needed someone who would prioritize her, someone who would choose her above everything else. I should've acted faster, but I froze. I wasn't expecting Maria to show up, and it paralyzed me. I was genuinely happy to see her, but I didn't want to say anything that could upset either of them, so I just tried to keep the peace when I should've acted.

"When Maria came up during our date and you said she was your first love... I saw how you two clicked, and it felt like I was put on the back burner," Jasmine continues. Her voice cracks slightly, and it breaks my heart. "I started feeling like I was just... second. I couldn't say anything, because this is just supposed to be a friendly date. We're not really anything. But I was confused because I really like you."

Wow.

I feel like I've been punched in the gut. She's right. She's never been a backup option for me. I've always cared about her.

Did I mess it up? I want to go back and fix it, but I can't take back what's already been said. All I can do is hope she'll listen to what I'm about to say.

"Jasmine, I would never put you on the back burner. Not now, not ever." I scoot a little closer, my voice dropping to almost a whisper. "Whether we're just friends or more, I care about you. You are my priority. I know Maria's sudden appearance during our date stirred up some emotions, but I want to make things right. Words don't mean much right now, I know, but I'm sorry for everything. I've been an idiot. You didn't deserve any of this."

I pause, hoping she hears me. Hoping she understands.

"I'm not trying to play the victim here," she says quietly, her hands trembling just slightly. "Therapy's helped me realize that other men have put me first and treated me well, but I pushed them aside for Kendrick. I've been trying to move on, but every time I thought I was, I kept going back to him. I'm learning to let go of the past. I'm trying to fix myself." She looks at me, and for a moment, I see a vulnerability I've never noticed before. She's been fighting her own battle—and I wasn't there for her when she needed someone to choose her. I want to be that person.

"But from now on, anyone who puts me on the back burner? I'm moving on. I need someone who will pick me. I need to be someone's first choice." She looks at me, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Jasmine, I need to tell you something," I start, my voice shaky. She looks at me, her expression soft, but I can see the uncertainty in her eyes.

"Ever since we moved in together, I've been trying to fight this," I say, my words coming faster now, like they've been waiting to break free. "I like you. A lot. I know we've always been friends, and I didn't want to complicate things, but the truth is... it's always been more for me. It was never just friendship."

I can feel the heat creeping up my neck, my nerves firing all at once. This is it. I'm laying it all out. Please don't shut me down. Please hear me.

"I tried to ignore it at first. I mean, we were roommates, right? You were in love with Kendrick. But every day, when I'd come home and see you, I couldn't help it. You'd be sitting on the couch, working on something... just finished hanging out with Kendrick." I swallow hard, trying to keep it together. "And I'd catch myself just staring at you, thinking how damn lucky he was to have you. You're smart, you're funny... you're just you. And somehow, over the weeks, I started looking forward to every single moment I got to spend with you. Our couch sessions have been the highlights of my day."

I pause, feeling a lump in my throat.

"The past month... the more we've gotten closer, the more I've realized these feelings aren't going anywhere. They've only grown. You've become more than just a roommate to me, more than just a friend. I can't just sit here and pretend like we're just friends anymore. Every time we hang out, I'm drawn to you more. And I know that sounds like a lot, but it's the truth."

I hesitate, feeling like I've said all this before. Now I'm just rambling.

"I don't want to lose you, Jasmine. Not now, not ever."

Before I can finish, she kisses me. Her lips are soft, warm, and everything I've wanted. This is wrong, but it feels so right. I'm afraid if I don't kiss her back, she'll think I don't feel the same.

"Here's your food!" Matthew announces, realizing just a second too late that he's interrupted something.

Our lips part, and I look into her beautiful eyes, my heart pounding.

"Do you want to get out of here?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.