Blurred Lines

ORIGINALLY TITLED "WHEN THE STARS ALIGN" AND PUBLISHED IN JANUARY 2020.



Anna

I swore off dating. Then my ex moved into my building.

His proximity changed nothing. I simply offered friendship-to put the past behind us.

But I forgot what a good friend he can be...and there's plenty I never forgot.

There's also plenty I can't help but observe. The years have made him somehow more handsome, he's equally gorgeous in suits and t-shirts, and his abs are still rock-hard.

Some differences between then and now-Now, he's a big-shot lawyer. Like me, he doesn't have time to give to a relationship. And he agrees with me.

Dating is a bad idea.

***

Jackson

I never forgot her. But I wanted to.

Back then, I thought we'd have a future because we hit it off in every way-and I mean every way.

After we imploded, I hoped never to see her again, but thanks to a mutual friend, there was no luck on that score. Hello, neighbor.

My easy-to-talk-to and easy-on-the-eyes neighbor. Now, we're friends.

And then I go and get a half-cocked idea... or, one might call it a fully-cocked idea.

With the right parameters, we could have it all-friends with benefits.

If it was such a great idea, why do I regret what happens next?