~James's POV~
"I messed up! I messed up!" I screamed at myself for the thousandth time as I paced around my office dramatically. I never should have done that, never should have tried to kiss her. Now our friendship was definitely over, and even if it wasn't, things would never be like they used to between us.
Stressed, I dropped into my chair and dragged both hands down my face, groaning into my palms.
The truth was, I'd always loved her. Not in the casual, best-friend way I'd pretended for years. Not in the teasing, "I'll marry you if you're still single at thirty-five" way I'd hidden behind. I loved her the way that kept me awake at night, the way that made every other relationship feel like a placeholder.
