Page 22 of Friend Zoned

“Not at all. I have dessert if you’re interested.” I’d love to drip some white chocolate drizzle between her breasts.

“Always.” After rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher, she orders me to the couch. While there, I turn on the television to the local news. A few minutes later, she returns with two bowls full of cake and ice cream.

“My mom likes to bake occasionally. Luckily, you showed up or I’d end up eating this all by myself. Vanilla lime rum cake,” she announces. “It was a staple in our house growing up whenever there was a party.”

It’s delicious, and I eat it in record time. She puts hers down after a few bites, and I finish that too.

Chapter 10

Jeannie

I can’t remember the last time I had company here. The only people who have been inside this apartment since I moved have been my close family members. Whenever I know they’re coming, I’ll put a painting over the word bitch on the wall, but once they leave, it comes down.

I need to remember every bad decision and judgment I’ve made in my life. After every lonely night, I wake up and look at that word left there by a man who pledged in front of family, friends, and God to love, honor and to cherish me. Only to break every one of those vows within a few years.

Quintin expected me to take it. He never thought I’d leave him. Maybe that’s the kind of vibe I gave. Maybe he chose me because he thought I would put up with his bullshit, but he miscalculated. I grew up sheltered but was taught to know my worth at an early age.

“You want to watch something?” I take the remote from the coffee table and turn on Netflix. I don’t bother to ask him what he wants to watch. I find the new Shonda Rhimes limited series about a con artist and put on episode one. While it starts, I get up, dim the lights and grab a large throw blanket.

He gets comfortable, takes off his shoes, and puts his huge feet on my coffee table. I put the blanket on us both and say, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such big feet before in my life. Are you part hobbit?”

He wiggles his toes and says, “Size fourteen and a half.”

“Don’t tell me you’re proud of that?” I ask, horrified. “Your shoes are taking up half the space in my living room. Your big feet better not break my coffee table.”

“You know what they say about men with big feet, don’t you?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“What?”

“They wear really big shoes. What did you think I was going to say, you pervert?”

“Why am I a pervert?”

“Oh, I know what you were thinking.” He elbows me in the ribs, and I pretend to be hurt.

“Ouch. You’re like a giant,” I tell him. I elbow him back, and he rolls his eyes.

“Was that supposed to hurt?” I guess not. All I feel is muscle. I try to elbow him again, but he moves closer and throws an arm around me, making it impossible for me to move.

It’s so simple a gesture and so surprising that I freeze and don’t know what to do. Then I get a whiff of his cologne and I relax against him. It’s okay. Friends cuddle all the time, I reassure myself.

“Shh,” he whispers. He points to the television as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world. All I can do is hope he can’t hear the rapid beating of my heart.

“Do you want some coffee?”

“Oh my God, woman. Do you not understand the concept of shushing?” He puts an index finger to his lips to show me. “No coffee for me this late but thank you.” I don’t know if I imagine it, but I think he pulls me closer.

Yeah, friends definitely do this.

I get through the first episode of the show, but something happens during the second. He shifts and I end up with my head on his lap. So close to his dick. If I move an inch, I would be able to feel it. I could, and then pretend it was an accident, but I don’t do that. That would only backfire on me. Instead, I get comfortable on his muscular thighs as my eyes get heavy.

It’s been so long since I’ve been this close to a man. Even before my marriage imploded, I was alone.

Aiden is so strong and comfortable. He puts a hand on my hip, and I swear I’ve never felt so content in my life. My eyes become heavy, and I decide to shut them for a few minutes.

“Jeannie. Jeannie.” I hear the whisper, but my eyes are too heavy to open. A big hand runs down my side and I shiver. I don’t ever want him to stop touching me. “You missed most of the second episode.” He talks so close to my ear, I get goosebumps. I sit up, dazed and a little confused.

“Oh, I’m sorry. What did Anna Delvey, or whatever her name is, do now?”

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