Page 48 of Friend Zoned

“You have no idea. I’m one second away from slamming my hand on your counter like this.” She slaps her hand on the kitchen island. I pick it up, examine it, and kiss her palm.

“In that case, I guess I better go get us coffee. I usually order some when I’m home, but since I only have fifteen minutes—”

“Fourteen now.”

“Okay. Let me go change.” I shock her by picking her up, throwing her over my shoulder, and running up the stairs. I drop her on the bed and go into my closet. She’s on her back in my robe holding the remote in her hand. “Text me what you want. We’ll have coffee at home, and we’ll go have breakfast.”

“Don’t you have to work today?”

“I don’t have anything until my meeting this afternoon. I want you to spend the night with me again.”

“Can we have food in the house? And I’ll need to run home and get my work uniform, but I can do that while you’re at your meeting.”

Chapter 26

Jeannie

He’s been kissing a part of me since we got into his car. At first, it was the back of my hand while he talked on the phone. Then, he tossed the phone aside, pulled the neck of my coat down, and has been slowly kissing my neck for the past two minutes.

“I think you’re going to make Jimmy uncomfortable,” I whisper to him.

Jimmy snorts from his seat.

“You two might fog up the windows, but that’s it. Jimmy has seen it all.” He looks at the rearview mirror and widens his eyes. “Not with Coach. Just in general. Coach is a saint. In fact, you’re the first woman—”

Aiden finally pulls his lips from my neck to say, “Enough, Jimmy. You’re laying it on pretty thick.” My hand runs along his cheek once the kissing resumes. “I’m going to miss you,” he says against the shell of my ear. It sends shockwaves through my body. “I wish you were coming with me after we finish tonight’s game.”

“To Philly? It’s colder there than it is here, but I’ll miss you too.” I turn my head and he gives me a gentle kiss on the lips. He looks into my eyes and smiles at me.

“Will you at least watch?”

I shrug. “Meh. We’ll see.” His large hands grab my waist and squeeze me tight. I let out a surprised shriek when he starts to tickle me. I try to push him away, but it’s like fighting a brick wall.

“We’re here,” Jimmy says, clearing his throat. I look around and realize he’s pulled up to The Pierre. I sigh with resignation.

“Back to reality. Our bubble’s been burst, Coach. One more kiss.” After a lingering kiss, my door opens, and I step out while Jimmy holds the door open for me. I only get to take two steps before he follows beside me and takes my hand. I should have known he’d do this. This new phase of our relationship is only a couple of days old, but the difference between friendship and romance is stark.

Aiden Walsh is a lot of things. He’s gentle but gruff when he wants. He’s a man who loves to show affection. I don’t think he’s stopped touching me since I got in his car two days ago, and for someone who’s been without male companionship for two years, it’s more than welcome. He’s attentive to my needs. After we had brunch yesterday, we went back to my place for me to pick up more clothes, and by the time we got back to his townhouse, it was stocked with groceries, a fancy coffeemaker, and about half a dozen flavors of coffee. I made us dinner while he took some work calls that evening.

The instant we step through the automatic doors of the hotel, I can feel the real-world creeping in. The front desk has a line of guests and Layla waves at me, but then her jaw almost drops to the floor when she sees Aiden. She’s training a new employee, and she whispers something to her. The new girl nods, and Layla walks away. I know her nosy little ass is about to interrogate me, so I guide Aiden to my tiny office, but she bursts in before I can close the door.

Aiden helps me with my coat, and to his credit, he ignores the woman in my office standing there with her mouth hanging open. Once he puts my coat on the coat rack, he cups my face and gives me a chaste kiss.

Layla clears her throat, but I ignore her and hug Aiden. “Excuse me,” she says. “Are you going to explain why you walked in here holding hands with Aiden Walsh? And why is he kissing and hugging you right now?” She walks to my desk and crosses her arms. Resigned, I sigh and pull away.

“Aid, this is Layla. She works here and she’s like a nosy little sister, but I love her anyway. Layla, Aiden Walsh.”

Her mouth hangs open for a full minute. Finally, she says, “Aid? You call him Aid?”

“He’s my boyfriend.”

She makes a sound that’s a combination of a shriek and a croak. Aiden leaves my side and offers him her hand. She looks at him up and down before she takes it.

“It’s nice to meet you, Layla.”

He smiles at her, and she freezes. “How do you two know each other?” She lets Aiden’s hand go and pinches me. “How could you keep this from me?” The fire is back in her voice now. “Oh my God. I saw him here a few weeks ago. Was he here for you? Did you sneak upstairs for a quickie?” She tries to pinch me again, but I swat her hand and move away.

“Calm down,” I tell her. She takes a dramatic breath and loudly exhales. “We met last month. My mom works for Colt Chastain as his personal chef, and he invited her to his wedding. I was her plus one, and I met Aiden there. We were friends until a couple of days ago. This is new. You’re the first person to know.” She puts a hand to her heart. I don’t know if that’s because I’ve upset her or made her happy.

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