“But you’re not like _him_…” Layla spilled these jagged words to Ronan her friend of 5 years as they stood in the dim light of her front porch. The night air standing still and the crickets around them harmonizing their song. Ronan had come to profess his love for his close friend after seeing that her being with another man was destroying him.

My gaze is fixed on Layla as the words that fell out of her mouth punched my gut. I shouldn’t have come, my heart whispered in hurt. Tears well in my eyes and suddenly I couldn’t breathe.

“Of course I’m not!” I shout, “I still care when I shouldn’t, I love when it’s hard, and I stay when all you do is push me away now a days… I’m not _him_ at all, I’m your _best friend_.”

Layla knows he’s right but this fire that’s been made in her heart can’t be put out. “I’m sorry Ronan… I know you love me I see that now, but you weren’t the one to bring me flowers, to talk about our relationship, to take me out for a candlelight dinner, to be the first man who says he wants me.”

I reach out in faith and take Laylas hand in mine, “I’m sorry I was scared I’ll admit and I should have been the first man to tell you this but my love for you goes deeper than romance. My love would move the earth for you, make the stars dance, and cause flowers to grow in your name. So please… give me a chance to show you that I can be more than your friend. That I don’t have to be _him _to be _good_.”

The fire in Laylas heart flickered, then burned brighter with a different kind of flame. Layla looked taken aback as if this was her first time _really_ seeing him. Ronan tilted her head up with his finger ever so gently. Leaning in they kissed and the long burning flame in Ronans heart finally met hers.