«Jace, listen. This is the last time I pretend to be your girlfriend. If Tyler saw us walking hand in hand through Manhattan, he’d go ballistic — and honestly, I couldn’t blame him. I’d get pissed too if I saw my boyfriend with another girl right after he told me he loves me!» Naomi grumbles, clearly irritated. «Just tell Kimberly that we broke up, period. And anyway, I don’t understand all this staging — the bet is over, and you yourself said you didn’t want anything serious with her.»

Naomi and I are sitting on a bench in Times Square, waiting for Kimberly to arrive, ready for another date.

Lately, Naomi has become impossible because of this whole Tyler thing. First she tells me we can’t have sex anymore, and now I’m not even allowed to hold her hand — just to keep up the farce of the innocent guy in front of Kimberly.

And then what? Is she going to put an end to our friendship too?

«Some friendship...» I mutter, shaking my head.

«If I weren’t your friend, I wouldn’t be here with you, idiot!» Naomi snaps. «But there’s a limit to everything, Jace. There’s a huge difference between being best friends, being there for each other, going out together, getting high or drunk at my place... and demanding sex even though I’m in a relationship now!»

Her voice grows more serious with every word. Dead serious — so much so that it’s almost irritating.

«I realized it that night at the restaurant, when you sneaked into the bathroom with me. Why did you do it, Jace? I felt like shit for the rest of the evening, you know? But it’s my fault, I know. I should have set a boundary right away, and instead I indulged you too much, thinking that sooner or later you’d understand it on your own...»

«It didn’t seem like you were disgusted by having my cock in your mouth or being slammed against the wall while your precious Tyler was waiting for you at the table,» I retort.

«I told you, Jace. That night was my fault — I’m not denying it. But the past is the past, so wipe that annoyed look off your face. If you were in a relationship, I’d never even dream of getting between you and your girlfriend. So I expect the same from you.»

«You’re acting just like those people who are friends as long as they’re single, and then disappear the moment they find a partner!»

Naomi’s tone rises, and her face turns red with anger.

«Me disappearing? Stop talking bullshit! Let me remind you that tonight someone is supposed to come to my place to smoke — and that someone is you, asshole, even though Tyler had plenty to say about it! We almost fought over this, but I told him you’re a respectful guy and that you’d never even dream of touching me with a finger. A lie — a fucking lie! But I had no choice if I wanted him to agree to let me invite you over!»

«Ah, so now you need permission from someone you’ve known for less than a month to invite a friend you’ve known for years? And if he forced you to choose between me and him, then what would you do? Come on, answer me!»

«I shouldn’t have to choose between either of you if it would just get through that thick skull of yours that he is my boyfriend and you are my best friend!» Naomi snaps. «Actually, maybe it’s better to cancel tonight. From now on, it’s best to avoid any situation that could be misinterpreted, since you clearly don’t understand what I’m trying to tell you. Right now, I just want to be alone for a while. I’m sorry, Jace, but I don’t have the strength to spend another afternoon pretending to be someone I’m not. I just... can’t do it.»

Naomi suddenly gets up from the bench. It’s obvious she wants to leave, but I can’t let her — not like this. Not without first telling her everything I feel.

I grab her wrist before she can walk away.

«Naomi, listen to me...»

She stands there in front of me in silence, staring at me — her eyes full of anger and disappointment. The same look I have, to be honest, except that I have every reason to feel this way. She doesn’t.

«I probably should have told you earlier, but... I love you, Naomi — I really do. I realized it when I saw you laughing and joking with that guy. I don’t want to lose you, for any reason in the world. I wanted you to know before making any decision...»

It might sound like a dramatic cliché, but I’ve never been this sincere in my life. I love her — deeply, madly, just like I love Veronica.

I’d give my life for both of them, and this is how I get treated? Pushed aside the moment the first guy who walks down the street shows interest in her? No. I don’t deserve this.

But her reaction isn’t what I expected. Thin streams of tears run down her flushed cheeks — but they’re not tears of joy. They’re tears of frustration.

«J-Jace... I thought I knew you, but I was dead wrong. And it all started with that stupid night at my place, when I agreed to fuck you... I thought it would be fun after all these years we’ve known each other. But for me, it ended that night, and when I told you not to get strange ideas, I wasn’t joking — even though I never imagined it would end like this. With all the girls and women chasing after you... why me? Why play with my feelings? I never thought you’d go this far — to say you love me just because I stopped being your sex toy! I... I...» Naomi starts sobbing. «I always saw you as something more than a friend, Jace! You were like a brother to me, and you ruined everything just because you’re selfish! It’s not fair! It’s not fair!»

«Like a brother? Pff... so you’d give your brother a blowjob?» I snap, irritated by her absurdities. «The truth is that I’m the one who got used, and if it weren’t for Tyler, none of this would have happened! You even went as far as denying and regretting all the special moments we shared, even though apparently they were special only to me! A slut — that’s what you are! A fucking slut who jumps from one cock to another—»

SLAP!

Silence falls — not just between us, but all around. The passersby keep moving, pretending indifference, quickening their pace after the slap Naomi gave me echoes through all of Times Square.

«How could you... how could you say something like that to me?!» Naomi screams, furious. «You were the person I trusted most in the world. My only, true friend! I would have died for you, and now you call me a slut just because I don’t want to be your ball-drainer anymore?! You’re sick, Jace! You’re fucking sick! Take this as advice from a friend — get help. And never dare to speak to me again! Goodbye, Jace!»

Naomi yanks herself free and runs away, crying into the crowd.

Okay... maybe I went too far calling her that. Just because she’s confused about what she wants doesn’t mean she deserves to be treated like shit. Maybe I should have just played along with her lovestruck phase and waited for her to get tired of that guy.

Damn it... why do I always have to be so impulsive? Either way, I can’t let our friendship end like this!

But just as I’m about to get up from the bench to run after her, an alarmed voice rings out behind me. Kimberly’s voice.