'Not Every Time' by Alexa Milne
“... For every day good or bad you'll always be in my head. …You're everything I need and everything to me. ...This is why I love you, I've made a huge list. The list goes on forever and never will it end. Neither will our relationship you'll always be my friend.” - Love Poem by Katie
It is obvious to everyone, except Jack, that he and Raz of 'Not Every Time' by Alexa Milne are more than friends. Raz has been in love with Jack for a long time, but Jack seems to be oblivious. Jack either doesn't want to know or is afraid to know for fear of losing his best friend. Raz resigns himself to loving his straight best friend from afar, but unrequited love is a painful burden. Over the years, Raz has given up a lot in order to be with Jack and it doesn't look like that is going to change anytime soon, if ever.
Jack agrees to go to his office Christmas party on the condition that Raz will go with him; Jack is so bad at small talk and is constantly afraid he will say or do something wrong when he is with a woman. Raz usually keeps the conversation going and puts Jack at ease. Raz reluctantly agrees although it makes his heart ache when he thinks of Jack finding someone to love. However, since he loves Jack so much, he wants him to be happy, even if it means Raz will eventually lose Jack.
At the party, Jack meets a recently single woman and they hit it off. Raz extricates himself from the situation and ends up with a handsome, but aggressive guy who makes no secret of his desire to get Raz in bed. Raz tolerates him, but isn't interested and turns his proposition down. When Raz looks back in Jack's direction to check on him, he has disappeared. When Raz arrives home, he's not at all prepared for the “greeting” he gets from Jack; he is furious, full of resentment, and quite obviously jealous! Raz is baffled by this new turn of events until he gets to the bottom of what flipped Jack out, when he's usually okay with Raz being with other men. Raz dares to wonder if Jack has finally figured out how much Raz loves him and, just possibly, might realize he loves him back. Christmas Miracles do happen.
This is a short, sexy, friends-to-lovers story that is entertaining and a tiny bit intriguing. Jack and Raz are so obviously good together that I was frustrated when Jack took Raz for granted, assuming he'd always be there, regardless. If you like Christmas wishes, best friends becoming lovers, a reminder to appreciate what you have, and that sometimes the thing we seek most is right under our noses, then you may enjoy this story. Thanks, Alexa, for the sexy men and for the nice helping of Christmas cheer.