Toxic Love: The Ultimate Friend-Zone

Amari never expected her to show up at 3:30 in the morning.

Especially not climbing through his bedroom window like she still belonged there.

But when his best friend does exactly that-barefoot, silent, and shaking-Amari doesn't ask questions. Not at first. He just lets her in, lets her cry in his bed, and wraps his arms around the girl he's been secretly in love with for years.

Because that's what he always does.

Be there.
Even when it hurts.
Even when he knows the reason the girl keeps coming back to him like this is the same reason she never leaves him.

Her toxic boyfriend.

The one Amari can't stand.
The one he knows is breaking her piece by piece.
The one he wishes he had the right to take her away from.

But he doesn't.

Because he's just the best friend.

As nights turn into late-night confessions, and comfort turns into something dangerously close to love, Amari finds himself stuck in a painful in-between-holding the girl he loves while someone else claims her in daylight.

And the worst part?

His best friend doesn't even realize that every time she climbs through that window... she's breaking both of them a little more.

Because Amari would do anything to save her.

Even if it means never being the one she chooses.