Page 118 of Friend Zoned

“She called me and complained for a full thirty minutes,” I tell Vickie. “I promised to bring her lunch this week. You look great, though,” I tell her. Our server brings two bottles of Cristal and pours three flutes of champagne and one with sparkling water for Colt.

Vickie downs hers and quickly refills it. “Thanks. I’ve been working with Colt’s personal trainer, who I’m convinced is the devil, but my body has never looked so good.”

“Wrong, darlin’. Your body looks best when it’s filled with my baby.” Colt pulls her onto his lap and kisses her neck.

“I still don’t know how I ended up with a Neanderthal for a husband,” Vickie says. “Me of all people.” She points to herself. “It’s a mystery.”

“Not that big of a mystery,” Aiden says. “You said I do. I was there. I heard it.”

Vickie rolls her eyes and waves him off. When Colt tries to kiss her, she blocks his face with her hand. He ends up kissing her palm.

“Thanks for inviting us out, guys,” Colt says. “This is where me and my wife first met. Right there is where she put me in my place about being at a club when I have a kid.” Colt points to a far corner. “Over there is where she tried to break my finger. And just a few feet away, she threatened to stick her stiletto in one of my balls. I’m getting emotional just thinkin’ about it.” He pretends to wipe tears while the rest of us burst into laughter.

“I didn’t try to break your finger until weeks later, but enough about us. We haven’t seen you since the wedding. How was the honeymoon?” Vickie asks.

Aiden pulls me close and kisses my temple. “It was great once I accepted the fact that my wife can’t ski.” Everyone laughs at my expense. We went to Aspen for the first five days of our honeymoon and the Maldives for ten days. After months of planning, the holidays with our families, and our wedding, we were so happy to finally get to be alone together. As much as I loved the sand and beaches at the Maldives, there was something special about cuddling with my husband in front of a fireplace.

“Whatever. I got the hang of it,” I tell him. “We’re going back next weekend.”

“Let me guess. Aiden is super competitive when it comes to anything athletic,” Vickie says. I reach over and give her a high five.

“Not to mention a total showoff.”

“Tell me about it. Colt and his brother were competing to see who could do the most pushups this morning,” Vickie says.

“Who won?” Aiden asks.

“No one. I told them both to knock it off because they were getting Evan riled up, and Johnny was trying to climb on Uncle Charlie’s back.”

“I’m not allowed to have fun now that I’m married,” Colt says. “Darlin', show them the pictures of the kids you took today.” He grins at her, and she takes her phone out of her coat pocket. There are snapshots of the kids. Both boys look happy. There’s one of Johnny giving his big brother a big, sloppy kiss. There are also a few of them with Colt’s mother and brother.

“I hate to be that couple, but we’re going to show you pictures of our dog,” I tell them. Aiden takes out his phone, and I show then pictures of our four-month-old Great Dane. “That’s Sassy, and she’s already forty pounds. I’m the one who wanted her, but she’s a total daddy’s girl.”

Aiden shrugs but doesn’t contradict me. “Look at this one.” I show them a snapshot of Aiden and the dog napping. “They both know Sassy’s not allowed on our bed, but Aid let’s her in it when I’m not around. He also takes her to work some days.” I look at my husband, who is not the least bit ashamed of being wrapped around the dog’s finger.

“She whines whenever I leave. Plus, my assistant loves her.”

“Um, you two plan on having kids, right?” Colt asks.

“Colt! Don’t ask that,” Vickie admonishes.

“Why not? We’re friends and most married people have kids. Why can’t I ask?”

“We are,” Aiden says quickly. “Enough for a basketball team.” He’s been saying that a lot lately. It’s like he forgot we agreed to two. I don’t correct him. I’ll give him as many as he wants.

“You see, my queen? I can ask our friends whatever I want. If you’re making a basketball team, you gotta start now,” Colt warns us.

Vickie elbows him in the ribs and says, “Tell me about your second Valentine’s Day together. I see Coach didn’t fall asleep on you this year.”

“I got a nap in,” Aiden announces.

“It’s been amazing. I woke up and found this on my finger.” I show them my right hand and the huge sapphire Aiden slipped on my middle finger while I slept. Vickie and Colt both let out a loud whistle. “He says it’s real, but it can’t be. There’s a necklace and earrings too,” I tell them.

“Girl, that’s real,” Vickie says. “Not to mention absolutely gorgeous.”

“And that’s not all. Last year he sent me a dozen bouquets of roses, and this year I got two dozen. The house is like a flower shop. He’s very romantic,” I announce. “Did you know that?” I ask Colt.

“Jeannie, there are some things a man doesn’t need to know about another man. How romantic he is, is one of them.”

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