Page 117 of Friend Zoned

“I gave her plenty, but I saved some for my son. And these aren’t your mom’s style. She likes the latest things, but I think Jeannie will appreciate the old and sentimental. She’s not about the flash.” I hand him the ring and pick up the necklace. “Not only do I like Jeannie, but I like her for you. These family heirlooms are timeless. One day, I hope you’ll pass them on to your children.”

I put everything down and turn to my father. He’s trying and I know that our fraught relationship is partly my fault. He’s right about Jeannie. My father has his flaws, but he’s always been good about reading people.

“Thanks, Dad. I think the ring will fit Jeannie perfectly. She’ll love it.” He visibly exhales and takes me into a hug.

“You’re gonna need a haircut,” he says, but I hear the emotion in his voice. He lets out a laugh and hugs me again.

Chapter 63

Aiden

“Phew,” I say the moment we step inside the empty private plane. We’ve been engaged for six weeks, but only our close friends and family know. It’s been bliss being at home with Jeannie every day and night. She went back to work a couple of weeks ago to help interview for her replacement.

She’s coming to the corporate headquarters, but she’s going before me. They’ve created a position for Layla too, but she won’t start until next year. My retirement from coaching was announced a few weeks ago, and it went as expected. It was the talk of sports shows for a while until they moved on. The only surprise was Seth who practically cried at the news. He calmed down a little when I told him he can always come to me to talk. He still hasn’t seen his baby, but he has a lawyer working on a shared custody agreement.

“How’s your wrist?” I ask as I help her to her seat. The flight attendant hands each of us a glass of champagne.

She moves her left wrist around. She’s been so eager to go to Morocco, and I’m happy to be able to give her that. “I’m so excited, Aid.” She puts the glass down and jumps into my arms. “Thank you.” She peppers my face with kisses, and I lift her off her feet while kissing her soundly. After putting her back in her seat, I get on one knee in front of her. “You’ve already proposed, fiancé,” she reminds me.

“I did, and you’ve been so patient walking around without a ring because of that damn cast.” I hold back my anger at Camille and Quintin. This isn’t about them. Camille’s trial hasn’t been scheduled, and the district attorney hasn’t offered a deal. Especially not in an election year where he needs my family’s donation. “It was impromptu, and I don’t know if I said everything I should have said.” I wanted to give her this ring weeks ago, but she wanted to wait for her wrist to heal first. I take her hands in mine. “Jeannie Dubois, soon to be Walsh, you are the single most beautiful woman on earth, and I’m the luckiest man. You deserve so much, and I’m going to be the one to give it to you. I think my life began the day we met, and even though you put me in the friend zone, it was exactly where I needed to be at the time. Being your bestie has been one of the greatest honors of my life. The trust that you’ve given me is priceless. Jeannie, will you—”

“Yes,” she screams in the airplane. “A billion times yes.” With tears streaming down her face, I slide my grandmother’s ring onto her finger. The flight crew cheers and more champagne is poured. “It’s perfect. I love it, and I love you. The love that you’ve given me is priceless. Everyone should take a page out of our book and marry their bestie.” She cups my face and rests her forehead on mine. “Besties for life, baby,” she whispers.

“Besties for life.”

I sit next to her and we hug and kiss for what seems like hours. We send pictures of the ring to our friends and family.

“One more for the world,” I say. I hold up my phone and snap a picture of us with Jeannie holding up her left hand. She points at the ring with her right index finger. I type ‘she said yes’ before posting it on my social media and tagging her.

Seconds later, Jeannie’s phone rings.

“Oh my God!” Layla screams when Jeannie puts her on speaker. “You guys are about to go viral again. God, I wish the douchebag was around so I could see his head explode. Maybe I’ll go find him myself.”

“Layla,” Jeannie warns.

“Right. This isn’t about him. I have to go,” she whispers. “This new manager sucks.” She ends the call.

“Aid,” Jeannie says, leaning into my side. “I’ve never been so happy in my life.”

I pull her tight against me. “This is only the beginning.”

Epilogue

Jeannie

“Behave,” I whisper in my husband’s ear. I know he won’t listen, and I’m happy about it. One of his large hands cups my ass and pushes me further into him. There’s not a sliver of space between us. I know people are watching, but I don’t care. All I care about is holding on to my man and feeling his body pressed against mine.

“Is it time to go home yet?” I yell into his ear, over the loud music.

“Mrs. Walsh, we’ve only been here forty-five minutes. You’re getting the Valentine’s Day you didn’t get last year.”

“But I loved last year. It was perfect. I don’t regret anything about us or how we did things.” I look into his eyes, and despite the fast-paced song that’s playing, we’re moving slowly, but completely in sync.

“Me neither,” he admits. I get on my toes to brush my lips on his, but the kiss turns passionate. I know someone is probably watching and recording. I don’t know what it is about us, but people are always posting us on their social media. Aiden is no less famous even though he’s no longer a coach.

“Hey, you two, get a room,” Colt Chastain yells. We break the kiss just as Vickie and Colt arrive in our secluded VIP section. We hug our friends, and Aiden asks our server for two more bottles of champagne and sparkling water for Colt.

“Leave them alone. They’re still honeymooners,” Vickie says while Colt helps her remove her long white fur coat. She’s in a short black leather skirt, fishnet stockings and ankle boots. Her outfit is complete with a tight, red lacy top. “Tara’s so mad she and Ethan can’t join us. I told her she should be at home resting with her eight-month pregnant self.”

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