The Twenty-Six Year Stand-In

Summary

Chase Sterling and I were purely platonic friends for twenty-six years.

We were inseparable, but he was a relentless player who couldn't stand being alone. So, whenever he got a new girlfriend, I would proactively distance myself and cut contact.

On my twenty-seventh birthday, Chase—likely annoyed by his family constantly pressuring him to settle down—showed up at my front door bright and early.

"Quinn, why don't we just make do with each other?"

I was just about to curse him out when he added, "I'm serious."

For the first time ever, Chase crossed the boundary and held his hand out to me.