We were friends with benefits who ended up falling in love
SOMETIMES good friends who indulge in a no-strings fling unexpectedly find their happy ever after.
This week Hollywood star Mila Kunis revealed that her relationship with Ashton Kutcher started off as mates having a bit of fun – just like in her 2011 film Friends With Benefits and in his romcom No Strings Attached.
Then life imitated art when the friends fell in love for real.
They got married a year ago and Mila is now expecting their second child.
Here, CLAIRE DUNWELL and LYNSEY CLARKE talk to three couples for whom casual sex saw a solid friendship blossom into true romance.
Leanne Sims and Tony Crookes
LEANNE SIMS, 26, ran out on friend Tony Crookes, 31, after they slept together for the first time.
Four years on, the pair are engaged and parents to daughter Poppy, two.
Student Leanne, from Shirebrook, Derbys, says:
“Tony was a nice bloke and although I wanted him in my life, I enjoyed the freedom of being single.
“He was keen to turn our friendship into romance.
“When we went out, I always made sure we were with a group of friends.
“But five weeks after we met, we kissed – and a month after we ended up in bed together.
“I got up early and didn’t even brush my teeth because I wanted to get home as quickly as I could.
“After that, I felt my feelings towards Tony change.
“I was falling for him.
“We were soon talking every day and I couldn’t imagine him not being part of my life as more than just a friend.
“We both had children from our previous relationships so I wanted to be sure about who I brought into their lives.
“A few months on we became an official couple.”
Tony, a martial arts instructor, says: “Our relationship works because we started out as best friends, so we know each other inside-out.
“Leanne did take some convincing in the beginning but I’m so glad she gave our relationship a go.
“I can’t wait until she’s my wife.”
Jenna Cotterill and Ryan Rylah
MEDICAL secretary Jenna Cotterill, 31, never saw Ryan Rylah, 32, as boyfriend material.
But after months of casual sex, they are now a couple.
They have two children – Kayse, six, and Jake, four. Jenna, from Leeds, says:
"We went to school together and bumped into each other again in a bar nine years ago.
“When he gave me a lift home we were both very flirty, but I just saw him as a friend.
“Ryan was “one of the lads” so I guessed he had lots of girls on his list.
“I didn’t see him as boyfriend material.
“We had an honest conversation about how we both just wanted some no-strings-attached fun.
“For the next four months, Ryan and I had sex most weekends.
“He’d give me a lift home and we’d end up in bed together.
“It was easy.
“On the days in between we kept in touch by text but when people asked if we were a couple, we both flatly denied it.
“When Ryan asked me out on a proper date I was flattered that he saw me as more than just a friend.
“It went from there.
“Ryan proposed in February 2015 and we’re getting married next June.
“We’re best friends and partners.
“Ryan knows me better than anyone.”
Ryan, an electrician, says: “I fancied Jenna at school but she wasn’t interested, so when I bumped into her in the bar I was made up.
“Neither of us was looking for anything serious but we fell for each other.
“It’s amazing falling for your friend.”
Ashleigh and David King
FULL-time mum Ashleigh King, 27, from Bridlington, East Yorks, never really saw a future with David, 30, until they briefly separated and she realised she loved him. She is now expecting their second child.
She says:
“David wasn’t my type because while I took pride in my appearance, he was a bit slobby and lazy.
“But when I was around him I didn’t stop laughing.
“I just knew he wasn’t going to be the person I’d spend the rest of my life with because we were total opposites.
“We were in a bar with a group of friends when we first kissed.
“I told David I didn’t want a relationship and he was happy to stay friends.
“Over the next five months we started sleeping together in secret.
“I never stayed overnight with David and if anyone asked we denied anything was going on.
“When I was ill one day and David asked if I might be pregnant I had visions of our future together with kids.
“I panicked and sent him home.
“We distanced ourselves from each other but I felt as though I’d lost my other half.
“We met up on Bonfire Night and watched fireworks from his car.
“I couldn’t imagine my life without him and from then we were inseparable.
“We got married in 2013.
“We have a daughter Lillie, who is three, and our second is due next month.”
David, a carpet-fitter, says: “We’re still best friends.
“We still have fun.
“I wouldn’t want to live a day without Ashleigh.”