Someone You Deserve

Rule number one of bro-code: exes, sisters—and of course, wives—are off-limits. Don’t think about them and sure as hell don’t kiss them. But what if your best friend dies, and suddenly you want the woman who has always been his? Four years ago my childhood friend lost his life serving our country, and Astrid and her kids became my responsibility. But before I knew it, something started to shift between us. Her smile started to make my stomach twist. Our conversations gave me something to look forward to. And working with her made me appreciate just how strong she truly was. But then one night, I did the one thing I shouldn’t have but couldn’t fight any longer—I kissed her. She pushed me away, told me it was a mistake, and begged me to forget it ever happened. And then she shoved me deep and fully into the friendzone, where I’ve resided since then. Until one instance changes everything and I know for certain she’s the woman I want. Just when I think we’re on the same page, a secret from our past threatens to destroy our future. I shouldn’t want my best friend’s widow. I shouldn’t care what other people think. But in the end, the only thing that matters is being someone Astrid deserves, and I’ll stop at nothing until she believes that too.

Rule number one of bro-code: exes, sisters—and of course, wives—are off-limits. Don’t think about them and sure as hell don’t kiss them. But what if your best friend dies, and suddenly you want the woman who has always been his? Four years ago my childhood friend lost his life serving our country, and Astrid and her kids became my responsibility. But before I knew it, something started to shift between us. Her smile started to make my stomach twist. Our conversations gave me something to look forward to. And working with her made me appreciate just how strong she truly was. But then one night, I did the one thing I shouldn’t have but couldn’t fight any longer—I kissed her. She pushed me away, told me it was a mistake, and begged me to forget it ever happened. And then she shoved me deep and fully into the friendzone, where I’ve resided since then. Until one instance changes everything and I know for certain she’s the woman I want. Just when I think we’re on the same page, a secret from our past threatens to destroy our future. I shouldn’t want my best friend’s widow. I shouldn’t care what other people think. But in the end, the only thing that matters is being someone Astrid deserves, and I’ll stop at nothing until she believes that too.