Beyond Benefriends — Chencia C. Higgins

There wasn't too much in my life that I could complain about; I had a career that I loved, a group of friends that I would do anything for—who had my back in return—and my family wanted for nothing. Most importantly, I was content with pretending that I didn't want something that I couldn't have anyway. The desire was always there, but there were rules in place that were never to be broken. But then those rules were shattered when two of my friends hooked up, and my world instantly tilted on its axis. Once Shad and Aisha became a couple, the urges that I'd suppressed for years not only resurfaced but demanded that I take action. With my number one excuse no longer viable, the only thing standing between me and the woman I love is the fact that she doesn't take me seriously. I've never backed down from a challenge in my life, and I'd be a fool to start when what I want is so close that I can taste her. Instead of trying to explain to Monie that we were perfect for one another, I was going to convince her of it by showing her that I'd always been the man she needed.