How not to fall for your grumpy best friend

Sophie stood in front of her full-length mirror, hands on her hips, eyeing the outfit she had picked for her date with Tom. It was bold—too bold. She had chosen a sleek, black dress with a daring slit on the side. She had never worn anything this revealing, and honestly, she wasn't sure if she could pull it off. She didn't care about makeup, but tonight was different. She swiped on just a hint of mascara and lip gloss. Not too much, she told herself.

"Okay, Sophie. You got this," she muttered, trying to calm her nerves. She was about to meet Tom, her boyfriend of six months, for dinner. They'd met through a mutual friend at work, and he seemed... okay, at first. He was a bit too obsessed with his career, always talking about his next big project or how much he could drink without getting a headache. But she'd gone along with it. Besides, he made her feel special in his own way. She liked the idea of having someone.

The text she'd sent to Tom earlier that day was a desperate attempt to add some spice to their date. Maybe it was time to step out of her comfort zone.

Sophie: I'm dressing up tonight. You better be ready for a different side of me. Can't wait to see you!

Now, she was second-guessing herself. Was she trying too hard? Maybe Tom would just say, Oh, you look fine, and move on.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She opened it to find Ethan, dressed in his usual sharp suit. His eyes flicked over her briefly—his expression unreadable.

"Ready to go?" he asked, his deep voice cutting through her nerves like a knife.

"Uh, yeah, I think so." Sophie straightened her dress. "Can you drive me? Tom's meeting me at that new French restaurant downtown."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You've got a date?" There was a slight edge to his voice that Sophie couldn't quite place, but she shrugged it off. After all, Ethan was Ethan—always stoic, always looking at everyone like they were beneath him. Except for when it was just the two of them. When it was just the two of them, he was... different. A little softer.

"Yeah," she said, adjusting her hair one more time. "Big night. New look. Trying something bold for Tom."

Ethan's gaze lingered on her a bit longer than usual. For a brief moment, Sophie caught the faintest hint of something in his eyes—something she couldn't name.

"Alright," he said, finally breaking the silence. "Let's go."

---

The drive to the restaurant was filled with a strange quiet, Sophie trying to focus on the city lights outside, Ethan trying to avoid making eye contact. He hadn't said a word about her dress, which was... odd. He usually had something sarcastic to throw at her.

"So... you and Tom. How long have you been dating now?" Ethan asked casually, but Sophie could hear the faint hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Six months," Sophie replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. "We met at work. He's not bad, you know? A little... focused on work sometimes, but... good guy. He makes me feel like I matter."

Ethan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he just drove, his hands gripping the wheel a little too tightly. Sophie couldn't tell if it was the silence or the strange tension between them, but she couldn't help but wonder if Ethan was... bothered?

"I hope you don't think this dress is too much," Sophie said nervously, shifting in her seat. "I usually don't wear stuff like this. But I wanted to... well, impress him, you know? It's a big deal tonight. New dress, new vibe, new me."

Ethan glanced over at her, his eyes quickly flicking back to the road. "You'll do fine," he said flatly, but Sophie couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more in his tone. She laughed it off, though.

"You know, I can't believe I'm asking you for dating advice," she teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Of all people, you."

Ethan let out a dry chuckle. "Don't get used to it. I don't do advice."

---

When they finally reached the restaurant, Tom was already waiting outside, looking up from his phone. Sophie smiled and gave him a wave. Tom was tall, with neatly styled hair and a perfectly tailored suit that screamed "workaholic." He looked like a man who had just gotten off a long conference call—and yet, he managed to throw on a charming smile when he saw her.

"Wow, Sophie," Tom said, eyes wide as he took her in. "You look incredible. I didn't expect you to—"

"Yeah, I thought I'd go for something different," Sophie said, feeling both proud and a little self-conscious.

"I'm impressed," Tom said with a grin. "I hope I can keep up."

Sophie smiled, but it didn't feel like the smile she'd had in the past. There was a nagging voice in her head that wouldn't shut up, and it wasn't about Tom. It was about Ethan, who'd barely said a word since dropping her off. Was he upset about something? Why was he so... distant tonight?

As she walked into the restaurant with Tom, she glanced over her shoulder one last time. Ethan was still sitting in his car, watching her. His eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses, but she could feel his gaze lingering on her as if he had something to say but was keeping it locked inside.

---

Back in the restaurant, Sophie and Tom sat down, but Sophie's thoughts kept drifting. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy Tom's company. It wasn't that at all. But something felt off. She couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. Maybe it was the way Tom was glued to his phone, typing away as though this dinner was just another item on his to-do list.

She caught herself glancing out the window every now and then, hoping to catch one last look at Ethan's car—hoping to find some sign that he cared.

But he wasn't there. He was long gone.