Free Out Of The Friend Zone by Stephanie Nicole

the thoughts of their conversation swirled in his head. As Brynn went supple and limp in his arms, he thought once about Brooklyn, and the guilt rose up again. But before it could take hold, the reality of Brynn and how much he wanted her made him forget about everything but this magical moment in her backyard.
    Chandler broke the passionate kiss to place small kisses on Brynn's lips, and rest his forehead against hers. "It feels so good to be able to do that. Especially when it's all I could think about all night," Chandler told her.
    "I've been thinking about it since last week when we went out. How bad is that?"
    "I can't help it if I'm so irresistible," Chandler laughed.
    "You have no idea," she teased.
    "So, when can I take you out on our first official date?"
    She smiled up at him. "Well, how about next weekend? I don't really want to start leaving Barrett with babysitters all weekend. I think once a weekend is more than enough."
    "I agree. I don't want to be unfair to the kids. So next weekend we can go out on our date? But we can still hang out with the kids like we have been, right?"
    "Of course, we can still hang out. I really enjoy the time we spend together, and so do Barrett and Willow," Brynn told him. She looked into his eyes and hesitated for a moment before asking, "So are we going to tell anyone about this, like the kids or our friends?"
    "Good question. I know Nyla will be pumping you for info at some point today, so you can tell her what you want. I don't want to make it public yet with a whole lot of people knowing. Let's see where things go first. Does that bother you?"
    "Not in the least. I completely agree."
    "Good. Now, can I convince you to come over to my house so I can cook you breakfast?"
    "Only if you wear an apron that says 'Kiss the Cook'," Brynn teased.
    Chandler took her hand and led her to his house. Once inside, he told Brynn to make herself comfortable in the living room while he got the food started. He left her with a kiss and she turned to the room, already curious to see what she might find there, what more about him she might learn from his private spaces.
    Brynn made her way over to the mantle that was lined with picture frames. Every single picture was a memory of a time that Chandler spent with Brooklyn. There were wedding pictures, pictures from when Willow was born, and other every day pictures.
    Brynn picked up one of the wedding pictures, and ran her fingertips lightly over the glass. She looked at the smiles on the bride and groom's faces as they looked into each other's eyes over their glasses of champagne. They looked so happy, so in love. It was the kind of love that would make anyone smile, and Brynn did just that as she looked at it. Brynn wondered if she could ever make Chandler as happy as Brooklyn had made him.
    She returned the picture to the mantle, and turned around to see Chandler standing in the doorway, leaning against the wall. She looked at him and flashed a sad smile before her eyes drifted to the floor.
    "I'm just not ready to put her pictures away yet," Chandler told her.
    "I think this may be a mistake Chandler. You aren't ready, and I don't know if you ever will be," Brynn said as she rushed to the door.
    Chandler stepped in front of her and grabbed her arms. "Please, don't go. I can't tell you that I'm going to forget the memories of everything that ever happened with Brooklyn, because I won't. But I think I am ready to put the memories into the past, and move forward with my life. I can't just go from mourning to moving on, and getting rid of all her pictures overnight. This is going to take some adjustment for me," Chandler said, pleading with her to understand.
    "I do understand that. I'm not asking you to forget your life with Brooklyn. I would never do that." Much to her chagrin, Brynn began to cry.
    "Then what is it? What has you so upset?" he asked
    "Nothing, Chandler."
    "That's not true. Please talk to me."
    "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just