Page 119 of Friend Zoned

“Well, he is. He always beats me in the gift giving department.”

“Not true. She made me a picture collage of us. Other than you saying I do, that’s the second-best gift I ever got.”

“And I made his favorite breakfast.” I don’t tell them that he had his way with me on the stairs on our way to the kitchen.

“Second favorite,” he corrects. “You’remy favorite breakfast.” He kisses the side of my neck and sucks on the skin. “And favorite lunch. Favorite dinner. Favorite appetizer. Favorite snack. Definitely favorite dessert.” He picks up my hand and kisses the inside of my wrist. Our eyes lock, and I start to lower my mouth to his, but Colt clears his throat.

“I did this,” Vickie proudly proclaims.

“Don’t take all the credit. My coach and my Myra,” Colt reminds his wife.

“I’m pretty sure Coach and Myra are both mine,” I tell him.

“All I’m sayin’ is that you two met because of me, not my wife, who had to be dragged down the aisle.”

“Well, I thank you both,” I tell them.

“Okay, I’m sick of hearing about how perfect Coach is. Tell us another flaw,” Colt says.

“Another? What was the first one?” Aiden asks. Vickie giggles while she refills our champagne flutes.

“Oh, I got one.” Aiden puts down his champagne and crosses his arms while he waits to hear what I have to say. “So, there’s this new Cuban restaurant that opened in our neighborhood, and I told him I wanted to try it. He agrees to go.”

“Because I never turn down time with my wife,” Aiden adds.

“I made it clear thatIwas takinghimout to dinner. I make a reservation, and we go. The food was amazing, and it was just a perfect date night with my hubby.” I cup his face and plant a chaste kiss on his lips. “While we wait for the check, I excuse myself and go to the ladies’ room. When I get back, he’s already paid.” I try to pinch his side, but he grabs both my wrists and holds me in place.

“Um, Jeannie, I’m not sure that’s a flaw, but I know what you mean. Colt’s the same way,” Vickie says.

“I misunderstood. I didn’t know she wanted—”

Colt interrupts him and says, “Coach, I’ve known you for almost a decade. You’re about the sharpest guy I know. You’ve never misunderstood anythang.”

Aiden shrugs and says, “So, nobody’s buying that I misunderstood?”

“No!” The three of us say at once.

“Okay, then. I forgot. Is that more believable?”

“You’re not one to forget either, Coach,” Colt says.

Aiden shocks me by pulling me onto his lap. He tightens his arms around me. “Fine, I knew exactly what you meant, and I paid anyway. That was my plan all along, and I’m not going to apologize for treating my wife like the queen that she is. Deal with it.”

“Well, I can’t argue with that,” Vickie says.

“I can. There’s only one queen here, and that’s the original Queen Vee. Let’s all bow down to her.” He takes her hand and brings it to his lips. “My queen, my liege.”

“Oh, shut up,” Vickie says, but she kisses his cheek.

“Tell us one of Jeannie’s flaws,” Colt says while giving his wife a sly grin.

“Hey, now,” I say.

“Well, she’s pretty close to perfect,” Aiden says against the base of my neck.

“Pretty close?” I ask. Vickie giggles at our interaction.

“Except she sneaks candy and water in the movie theatre.” Our friends burst out in laughter.

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