Men are always going to have an issue of physical attraction. "Just friends" is possible, but either the male or female are going to harbor some feelings of attraction, it's natural, it's how we are wired. Do relationships exist, where two people are "Just friends" and these feelings are present but nothing ever happens? Of course. However, I'd say more than half the time that there are men and women present here that have had friends that at one time or another wish they could've had something more with that person. My story, which I'll share with you, is about my co-worker who trained me in at my previous job of two years. We worked together constantly throughout that first year, quickly becoming friends. We didn't interact much outside of work, but that's generally how most job friendships work, in my experience. During this time I was living with my current girlfriend of a year and we were struggling with our relationship. During the summer of my second year, are business was holding a annual brewer's celebration at the local park. I, unfortunately, was condemned to work while my co-workers and my friend helped host it. I was rummaging in the back for some things while on duty and was approached by my friend, who was drunk, and asked if I would give her a ride home. Being at work, I asked the shift supervisor if this was all right, she granted me leave to take my friend home. I drove her home and we shared a cigarette on her front porch, she told me that she wanted me to stay and revealed to me that she was jealous of my girlfriend. I knowing that she was drunk and that I was due back at work refused and left. The next day I discovered she had left her license in my car, so the following evening when we closed together I told her I had found it. She had been distant all day, hardly speaking a word to me. That evening she followed me out to my car and I gave her, her license back asking her if she remembered me giving her a ride home and what she had said. She said that she couldn't remember anything and that was that. We were a little estranged after that, but after a week or two we went back to being friends. It had shocked me and I admitted to myself that I always felt very comfortable around her. Eventually, admitting to myself that I indeed had feelings for her, but reasoning that we were both in long term relationships and should not jeopardize them. Several months later at another local outing for a mutual friend, she admitted to me that she had lied the night I returned her license. We had some drinks together and discussed different avenues of what might have happened had I stayed that day back in the summer. Time progressed my long time girlfriend moved out west to be with a friend who had fallen ill. I stayed behind to save up money and prepare to follow her. It was then that I found myself thinking of my co-worker again, how well we got along. We began to spend more and more time together. Many a night, while her boyfriend was away or still at work, we spent watching movies together, having dinner together, and enjoying each others company. Several times we ended up on the same couch together under the same blanket. Sharing space like that, I felt it because we were so lonely yet I couldn't help but wish she were staying there with me each night she left. A couple of nights things almost went too far, but I stopped her on one occasion and her, me on the other. The time came when it was time for me to leave, my money was saved up and I had left my job where we both worked together. I had hoped to spend one more evening with her but she wouldn't return my calls and generally avoided me. I left, came out here to be with my girlfriend of four years and now I can't help but wonder if I made a mistake. Sadly, I don't know if I'll ever get to find out or see her again. We would call each other occasionally, since I've been out here but now I don't hear from her at all. I guess the point of all this is be wary, or more daring than I, if you have feelings for someone you've been friends with for a long time. Don't hide them, share them with that person because you may find a more fulfilling relationship with that person.
