So, there was something brewing between them besides merest friendship.

However, his obligation to Kirk went beyond mere friendship.

Whispers about town coupled the dancer and the gambler in more than mere friendship.

I had lived so long among these kind people that they seemed joined to me by ties closer than those of mere friendship.

He knew now, without doubt, that his feelings for Cherry went far beyond mere friendship.

Nonetheless, they maintain a relationship that, though not full-blown love, is stronger than mere friendship.

I thought it could happen, even when you talked of mere friendship.

Indeed, the relationship has been more than mere friendship, but one of familial depth.

They became friends and slowly began to realize that there was a part of their relationship that could not be explained by mere friendship.

Was there more to her interest in Pankhurst than mere friendship?