Chapter 2 Three best friends (1)

"Lara, come here for a second will you?". I dropped the knife I was holding to check out why Bryan was calling me out of the blue.

"What is it?". I said as I walked to the sitting room, wiping my hands on the apron which was hung around my neck.

"James just called. He is on his way". I said and I smiled brightly. "Really? I thought you said he couldn't make it?".

"Well, he said his shoot has been shifted till the next month". I couldn't be more excited about this. James and Bryan has been my best friends since I was little. We always stuck together, not until James pursued his acting career and had to move to Casablanca, while Bryan and I remained in Mexico, although I seldom see Bryan as he was also a very busy person. The door bell rang and I looked to Bryan with a questioning gaze, but he seems to have no idea as well..

I walked to the door and opened it, when a happy face beamed at me..

My eyes widened in shock as to who it was. James..

What the hell? Was it not just some minutes ago when Bryan told me that James said he was on his way? Even if he flew here, it was not possible to arrive this early.

"Would you at least hug me, or leave the way so I can enter?". He questioned.

Getting a grip on my swelling emotions I paved way for him to enter. He smiled at me and walked to the couch where bryan was seated.

"How have you been brother?". he shook hands with bryan before taking a seat. "I know you both are quite surprised, its written all over your faces", He chuckled.

"Why wouldn't we be?". I asked as I stormed towards him with a fake frown on my face, but only i knew how happy i was to see him

He chuckled as he watched me, then looked to bryan with an amused expression.

"She has gotten a lot cuter don't you think?".

Bryan seemed to be thinking about it, as he looked at me while stroking his beardless chin.

"Right, thats true". Bryan finally commented. I tried my hardest not to blush, but I couldn't, so instead, I hurried to the kitchen so they won't see my flushed cheeks.

On entering the kitchen, that's when I remembered that I had only prepared food for two, but now james was here.

"um, guys can you order some food, the one here won't be enough". I shouted from the kitchen.

I wasn't really expecting a response, so i began to tidy up the kitchen bearing it in mind that they must have began to place the order already.

I was pulled out of my intense focus when a pair of hands glided across my waist lines, and rested in front, on my belly.

"I have missed you". Someone whispered. This was james. I didn't even have to look at the face to figure that out. I could just tell by his voice,and his cologne I love so much..

"You just want to tease me". I sighed, yet my cheeks flushed. Changing the subject, I said "If you need entertainment then you would have to go upstairs to my room, the tv there is working just fine".

"what if thats not what I want?". He questioned. Suddenly, I was spun around and I could now see his face.

"What is it then?". I asked with a slighly shaky voice. I peeled james hands from my waist, but he held onto my hand instead.

"Do I really have to spell it out?". He licked my earlobe, making me shudder.

"what are you doing?". I questioned, but it didn't come out fiercely like i originally had in mind

Instead, it sounded like I was asking him why he stopped his advances towads me, like I was on the brim of orgasm and I wanted to get my release.

James chuckled.

He dragged me by the arm, my breast bouncing at the sudden pull, and then, it slammed right at his chest.

"I promised myself I was gonna tell you how I feel once I return".

"What are you taking about?". I asked..

"I'll tell you over our meal". He said. This was purely suspense.

"Then why bring it up now?". Suddenly recalling something, I asked "Where is Bryan? Why is he so quiet?".

James chuckled. "Is Bryan ever quiet".

"My point exactly. So, what's up?". The mood was back to normal now.

"He stepped out. Said he had something important to attend to". James replied with a slight shrug.

"Oh. I see".

Later in the evening, I decided to have dinner with James since we couldn't wait any longer for Bryan.

I set the table, went upstairs and called James. We sat down opposite each other, and I let him dig in first.

"How's it?".

He signalled for me to hold on a little as he chewed, trying to process the taste in his mouth. After taking a big sip of water, he cleared his throat "Its better than the last meal you cooked". He said.

I didn't know if that was better or comforting. The last time I prepared a meal for him was ten years ago, which was also the last I've seen him up until now.

"How would you know what that tastes like? It's been a long time". I pointed out..

"Doesn't matter! I still remember the taste, and this is better".

"So, are you saying it's good or it's just edible?".

"Do you want the truth or..".

"The truth". I replied firmly, expecting the worse, but then he said

"its good".

I smiled brightly, and digged in. I don't mean to brag but, it was good indeed..

We chatted, filling each other on things which we couldn't say over the phone. We were done eating, so I gathered the dishes together, and was about lifting them to take them to the kitchen when James stopped me. I shot him a questioning gaze, and he pulled me unto his laps

"Heyyy". I was ready to scold him, but he placed his index finger on my lips.

"Let me speak". He said. "Lara, it's been a while now since I've had this bottled up in me, but seeing you today, I can no longer control myself. I don't know how you're gonna take this but..". He breathed, and my breath stiffled, my heart thumping wildly against my chest.."..I love you. I really do, Lara, and I want to be with you. I've kept it bottled in because I didn't want to ruin the friendship we have, and it had been a lot easier when I was in Mexico, and away from you. I just...".

"Um..". I got up abruptly from his thighs. "I.. I.. really don't know what to say".

He got up, and I felt so small, as he towered over me. "You don't have to say anything now. I know it's a lot to process, and there's plenty of time until I'll go back, so chill". He said and I nodded, attempting to carry the plates again, but then I felt his hands on mine. "and, you don't have to act so stiffly around me". He added.

It was 11:00pm, almost clocking midnight. James went to bed, but I managed to stay up, waiting for Bryan to return. I'm sure I've called him up to a million times now, yet he wasn't answering, making me even worried.

I dozed off on the couch, while waiting for him. "Wake up, Lara".

Bryan???

I opened my eyes, and indeed, it was Bryan. He was staring down at me..I mean, our faces were barely apart, that if someone walks in and sees us, it'll look as if we were kissing..

I pushed him slightly. "Why are you coming back now?". I asked angrily.

"Get some sleep, I can see you're tired".

I looked behind me, checking the time on the clock. Past midnight!.

The sleep left my eyes completely, as I sat properly. "James said you stepped for important stuff. Now, tell me,what would keep you up until now?". I questioned.

"Its...". He scratched his head. He usually does that when he was nervous.

"What is it?". I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Come with me". He held my hands, but I glared at him. "please". He added.

I followed him outside, as he covered my eyes with his palms, and led me out. "It better be good". I warned.

He finally took hia hands off my eyes, and I looked around, then I saw the dimlught dinner set.

"What's this?". I asked.

"You don't like it?". He asked, with a sign of disappointment in his voice

"Is this what kept you out?".

He rubbed his palms together -another sign that he was nervous- then walked over and pulled a chair out.

"Please seat". I sat down, and he poured a glass of wine for me.

"I asked you guys to order some-".

"Lara!".

"Mm?". I looked up from the glass of wine I held.

"I...". He rubbed his palms together. This was getting really suspicious. "..I just want to say that I cherish all the times we've spent together as friends, and I'm glad I met you, but..". He rubbed his palms together. "These past few months, I started to become greedy, and..". He cleared his throat, and forced himself to look at me. "..I don't want you just as a friend anymore. I want more than that because...". He gulped. ".. because I love you".

Okay, this is crazy. My two best friends confessed to me. This is totally crazy.

"And you don't have to reply me now. Take your time". He added.