It was 3:45 in the morning and Xavier Bishop was having another sleepless night, the fourth one this week. Ever since Emmanuel had told him that Toni was going to be at his wedding this weekend. Being the Best Man meant he wouldn't be able to avoid seeing her, especially since she'll be the Maid of Honor. Even after ten years he couldn't get her out of his head. She haunted him. He could still smell her perfume, feel her light touch, hear her lilting laugh - but that was a lifetime ago. He'd done well for himself since they'd last seen each other. He'd finished college, started a small but profitable advertising agency, and made enough money to be able to do all of the things that "successful" people should. But it still wasn't enough...
It had been the same dream for the past four nights. The one where they first told each other how they really felt. The one that led to that first time for each of them. He'd been sitting in class after breaking up with his girlfriend, when the note landed on his desk, simple yet poignant enough to lift his spirits. "Your eyes are so sexy when you're emotional - T". He looked over at her, beautifully radiant in his eyes, his best friend, the one girl he'd always wanted but never had the guts to pursue.
Later, after class:
"Thanks for the note. I needed the pick me up." Xavier said.
"Any time. That's what friends are for. Do you mind if I come over to your place? I've got a meeting this evening and I don't want to drive all the way home and back."
"Sure, I was headed there anyway."
"Great. As my way of saying thanks I'll make us something for lunch."
When they'd gotten to his apartment, Paul dropped his bag at the door and went to shower while Toni went to the kitchen to start lunch. When he got out Toni was standing in the kitchen finishing up the sandwiches and sodas she had prepared for both of them. He found himself staring at her from the corner, admiring her taut, slim legs, her perfect heart shaped butt, trim waist, exquisite breasts and even her hair, not a strand out of place. It wasn't the first time he'd looked at her like this; he'd admired her for years. But they'd made a pact years ago to just be friends, not to let their relationship get ruined by pushing it any further.
"So are those sandwiches ready yet?"
"Yep. Lets go sit in the living room."
"Thanks T, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!"
"My pleasure. So what happened with you and Cat? Why'd you two break up?"
"I really don't know. She just came up to me this morning and told me she couldn't take it anymore and that I had to decide whom I wanted to be with and that she wasn't going to be made a fool of. I think a lot of it comes from the fact that she still can't accept that you and I are just friends. I guess it's all for the best though."
"Don't let it get you down; you're way too cute to walk around moping! So cheer up. OK? Besides, she wasn't right for you anyway. You need someone who can at least have a conversation about something other than the latest Rap CD."
" Guess you're right. It just seems like I'm never going to find that right one. Every time I get into a relationship something always goes wrong."
"It happens to all of us guy, that's the point of dating, to find out what you like and don't like in the opposite sex. It's a whole lot of trial and error."
"OK. So anyway, thanks for being here for me, I owe you one."
"In that case you can pay me back right now by giving me one of those patented massages your grandfather taught you."
"Sure. Stretch out here on the couch."
