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Monique slid into the chair across from Mia’s desk

"Okay, spill," Monique said

"The front end of the intervieas fine We talked aboutthe company I was enthusiastic and on point about MHC I killed it there"

"Okay, that’s awesoot into "

Monique wrinkled her nose "I hate that It’s so intrusive What the hell does that have to do with you and MHC?"

"Nothing I told her there was no special guy in ht noanted to take the words back as soon as I said them"

"I see You’re upset that you indirectly dissed Nathan"

"Yes"

"Honey, the interviewer put you on the spot Don’t worry about it He won’t take offense Besides, you’ve been keeping this relationship on the do Neither one of you wants it in the spotlight"

She sighed "I know But still, I feel like I insulted him, like he doesn’t matter to me"

"And he does matter to you"

"Yes He’s my friend"

Monique cocked her head to the side "He’s h, isn’t he?"

"Yes" She rubbed her te to form

"Have you talked to hi to avoid talking to him about how I feel"

"Why?"

"I don’t know I’ the status quo between us"

"Which is ridiculous You two are getting along great The sex hasn’t changed anything between you, right?"

"I guess not"

"So what’s worrying you?"

"I don’t know So to end That our friendship will end I always feel like I’ to fall over, and when I do, I’ll be falling by myself Does that even make any sense?"

Monique looked at her "It does to you and that’s all that matters Talk to Nathan Tell him how you feel"

"I don’t want to talk to Nathan There’s not even anything to talk about Things are going well between us, so why upset that?"

Monique went over to theit up for Mia, who nodded, so she grabbed two She came over and handed one to Mia, then took her seat, unscrewed the lid and took a sip "So you’re going to live in denial?"

"That’s preferable, yes"

"You realize you can’t live in denial land forever"

"Why not? It’s nice here"

Monique laughed "You’re the most realistic person I’ve ever known, Mia And you’ve never been afraid to face anything head-on Sofor Nathan that has you running scared ht be love"

Mia wrinkled her nose "I can’t be in love I don’t want to be in love Love will ruin us"

Monique rolled her eyes "Hoill love ruin you?"

"If I thought sex was bad for our friendship? Falling in love could destroy us"

"So in lovethat could ever happen to you and Nathan"

She shook her head, gripping the bottle of tea she had yet to open "I don’t see it that way"