Cute nicknames + “we’re just friends” means…
Apr 14, 2025 12:31 pm
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Cute nicknames + "we're just friends" means... they MUST have feelings for each other.
It always starts with a cute nickname (see: Aaron & Rae). Then they start spending more time together. Then their friends notice and ask them about it. Then they DENY anything is happening. Classic.
The Future Play may not be a friends to lovers romance, but there are some of those vibes at the beginning…
🩷“You’re sweet.” She stares at me for a beat. “That cocky, confident thing you put on, that’s an act, right?”
That catches me off guard. It is an act. Other than the people who know me well, no one ever notices that.
I bite my lip and try to play it off. “What gave me away?”
She shrugs. “I’m good at reading people. And… I don’t know. We don’t know each other well, but I’ve only seen you slip into it around bigger groups. When it’s just the two of us, you’re quieter. Still playful, obviously still confident about baseball, but everything else falls away.” She tilts her head as she looks at me. “Introvert?”
I laugh and run a hand through my hair. “Yeah. And you’re right. That mask is one I slip on to help myself feel comfortable when I otherwise wouldn’t. It’s easy enough to do, but it’s not the real me.”
Her eyes flit to mine again. “I can see that. It’s in your eyes. You’re happier now. More peaceful.” A mischievous smile dances on her lips. “Glad to know I make you feel that way.”
Oh, it would be easy, so easy, to lean into that. To flirt with her. To test the tension sparking between us.
It would also get me in trouble.
“You’re easy to talk to, be comfortable with. I appreciate you letting me see a little behind your mask tonight too.”
“That’s how friendships form, right?”
“Right.”
She looks around the frosty night air. “Well, I should get going. Thank you for your help tonight. It means a lot.”
“Take care of yourself. And if I don’t see you before you go back to campus, have a safe trip.”
“Thanks.” With one last look, she walks around her car and pulls the driver’s side door open. “Have a good night, baseball boy.”
“Night, event queen.”
The last thing I hear is her laugh as she climbs into the car. I step back onto the sidewalk and watch until she pulls away from the curb and makes it to the red light at the end of the street.
Hopefully tonight was the start of a solid friendship, even if the tension between us is going to make being friends with her more difficult than any other friendship I’ve ever had.🩷
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Looking for a fun spring/summer romance?
Check out Summer Fling by Becca Jones
Tropes:
💛 He Falls First
☀️ State Police MMC × Free Spirit/Hippy FMC
💛 Opposites Attract
☀️ Accidental Pregnancy
💛 Reformed Playboy
☀️ One Night Stand/Summer Fling
💛 Her Ex is Her Stalker
☀️ Small Town - Suspense
💛 Found Family
Summer Fling is available on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited
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Coming soon:
- The Future Play releases 4/24!
- Romance in CNY book signing. Come hang out with me!
- Cover updates, series update, & a cover reveal!
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Behind the scenes with me...
Want to know what I'm working on right now? Listening to? Reading? What's rumbling around in my head? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway!
🖊️Currently working on: A single dad x nanny, surprise pregnancy, age gap (8 years)
👀Currently distracting me from that: April. IDK what is happening this month... besides EVERYTHING.
📖Currently reading: See above for the reason I haven't had time to touch my Kindle.
🎧Currently listening to: I'll take suggestions!! I'm feeling sports romance right now!
If you want more fun behind the scenes info, make sure you join my FB reader group, Bethany’s Book Besties! It's where we talk about books, romance, my characters & their love stories, and where I share random unedited snippets of what I'm working on and other fun teases! And this year there might be an exclusive giveaway or two as well!
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That's it for me today! Until next time, take care and happy reading!
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