The Hot Nerd in the Friend Zone

"You know she's not worth your tears, right?"

I push my glasses up my nose and hand Liam another tissue. He's sprawled across my couch, red-eyed and disheveled, looking nothing like the confident talent manager who strides through music production studios making deals. Right now, he's just a mess of a man nursing a broken heart—again.

"She's engaged, Aurora." His voice cracks. "Selena is actually marrying someone else."

My stomach knots with conflicting emotions. On one hand, I want to comfort my best friend. On the other, a shameful spark of joy flickers in my chest. Selena Beaumont has finally, truly, moved on.

"Maybe it's for the best," I say, perching beside him. "You've been on this rollercoaster with her since high school."

Liam runs his hands through his sandy brown hair, making it stand up in tufts. "Ten years, Rory. Ten years of my life, just... gone."

Ten years. The exact amount of time I've been waiting in the wings, loving him silently.

"When's the wedding?" I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.

"Three weeks. Some destination thing in Asheville. Apparently, Julian proposed with a five-carat diamond after dating her for six months."

I bite my lip. "Julian?"

"Julian Croft. Investment banker. Drives a Tesla." Liam's voice drips with disdain. "Probably has a perfect credit score and flosses twice a day."

Despite everything, I laugh. "The monster."

A ghost of a smile touches his lips before vanishing. In the dim light of my apartment, his jawline looks even sharper, his green eyes more intense despite their redness. I've memorized every plane of his face over the years, cataloging changes like a scientist documenting a rare specimen.

"What am I going to do, Rory?" he asks, leaning his head against my shoulder. "I can't keep doing this."

I breathe in his familiar scent—cologne mixed with coffee—and try to ignore how my heart races at his proximity. "Maybe you could try dating someone new? Someone who actually appreciates you?"

Someone like me, I think but don't say.

"I can't even think about that right now." He sighs. "No one compares to her."

The words sting, but I'm used to it. For a decade, I've been the best friend, the shoulder to cry on, the late-night phone call after another of Selena's dramatic breakups. I've held him through every reconciliation and subsequent heartbreak, each time hoping he might finally see me.

I stand abruptly. "Let's go out."

Liam looks up, confused. "What?"

"Let's go out. Dancing. Drinking. Something that isn't sitting on this couch wallowing." The words tumble from my mouth before I can stop them. I, Aurora Crestwood—self-proclaimed introvert who prefers sci-fi novels to nightclubs—am suggesting we go clubbing.

"You hate clubs," he says, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes, but you don't. And right now, you need a distraction."

He studies me for a moment, then a slow smile spreads across his face. "You're serious?"

"Completely." I'm already regretting this, but his smile—his genuine smile—makes it worth it.

"Alright, hot nerd." He stands up, suddenly energized. "Let's see what you've got."

Hot nerd. His nickname for me since college. It should be flattering, but somehow it always reminds me of the line I can't seem to cross.

Two hours later, I'm questioning all my life choices. The club is packed, the music is too loud, and I'm painfully aware of how out of place I look in my hastily chosen outfit—black jeans and a sparkly top I bought for my sister's birthday dinner last year. I tug self-consciously at my bob haircut with its signature bangs, wishing I'd at least taken time to style it properly.

Liam, on the other hand, looks completely in his element. He's already downed two shots and is scanning the crowd like a hunter.

"This was a great idea, Rory!" he shouts over the music, squeezing my shoulder. "I feel better already!"

I force a smile, regretting my impulsive suggestion. What was I thinking? That we'd share a magical dance and he'd suddenly realize I'm the one he's been looking for all along?

"I'm going to get another drink!" I yell back, needing a moment away from him.

At the bar, I order a vodka soda, something to take the edge off my nerves. When I turn back around, my heart sinks. Liam is already on the dance floor with a tall, willowy blonde. Her arms are draped around his neck as they move together to the pulsing beat.

I watch, paralyzed, as she whispers something in his ear that makes him laugh. Her hands slide down his chest. My drink suddenly tastes bitter.

After twenty minutes of awkwardly hovering near the bar, I've had enough. I march onto the dance floor, navigating through sweaty bodies until I reach them.

"Hey," I say, tapping Liam's shoulder. "I think I'm going to head home."

He turns, face flushed from dancing and alcohol. "Already? We just got here!"

"It's been two hours," I correct him.

The blonde—who's even more gorgeous up close—looks me up and down with thinly veiled amusement. "Who's this?" she asks Liam.

"This is Aurora," he says, his arm still around her waist. "My best friend. Practically my big sister."

Sister. The word is a slap in the face.

The blonde extends a manicured hand. "I'm Chloe. Nice to meet you."

I shake her hand limply. "You too."

"Aurora's not usually a club person," Liam explains to Chloe. "She's more of a stay-at-home-with-a-book type. Total hot nerd."

"Hot nerd," Chloe repeats, examining me with renewed interest. Her eyes linger on my glasses, my sensible shoes. "I can see that."

Something in her tone makes my skin crawl. It's not mean, exactly, but there's a patronizing edge to it.

"Well, don't let me interrupt," I say stiffly. "I'll get an Uber."

"No, no, stay!" Liam grabs my wrist. "We're having fun! Right, Chloe?"

"Absolutely." Chloe's smile doesn't reach her eyes. "The more the merrier."

Reluctantly, I stay, hovering at the edge of their dance bubble like an awkward satellite. Liam occasionally turns to include me, but his attention keeps drifting back to Chloe. I've never felt more invisible.

After another excruciating half hour, Chloe pulls me into their conversation. "So, Aurora, how long have you two known each other?"

"Ten years," I reply. "We met in college."

"Ten years? Wow." She looks between us with exaggerated surprise. "And you've never...?"

"Never what?" Liam asks, oblivious.

Chloe laughs. "Never mind." She turns back to me. "It must be hard, being the friend zone for so long."

My cheeks burn. "It's not—we're not—"

"Oh, come on," she continues, her voice light but her eyes calculating. "Seriously? You're not even a little tempted to see Aurora naked?"

The question hangs in the air between us, making my heart stop. Liam's expression freezes, and I can't breathe as I wait for his response.