Page 64 of Friend Zoned

The call ends, and I take a seat in my chair, unsure of how this day has gotten away from me, but I brace my spine, unwilling to let Quintin take another thing from me. Today is about love, and I want to focus on the man in my life now, not the one from my past.

There is another half dozen bouquets of flowers delivered minutes after I get home. My entire place smells like a flower shop, and I can’t get enough of it. I have the lights dimmed with soft music playing in the background and my gifts to him are set on the kitchen table.

After leaving work, I had a hair appointment. Now my newly done hair has loose curls. I run a hand through it, happy with how it came out. I add red lipstick, and it’s almost the exact color of my red, lacy top that comes to mid-thigh over black leggings.

It was Aiden’s idea to have a late-night dinner and go dancing tonight. The game ended about an hour ago, so I know he’ll be here soon. The team won, and that will only enhance our evening.

The doorbell rings, and I run to the front of the apartment to buzz him in. He comes charging in about a minute later holding a huge gift bag. He puts it down, wraps an arm around my waist, pulls me flush against him, and kisses me until I’m dizzy.

“Hey,” I say once he pulls away.

“Hey, yourself. It should be illegal for someone to look and smell as good as you do.” He spins me around, pulls me to him and we dance. As always, we’re in perfect rhythm.

“I can say the same thing about you.” He spins and dips me. When he stands, he unbuttons his coat and takes it off. He’s changed since I saw him on TV. He’s in dark blue button-down shirt and gray slacks.

“Blue only for you,” he says.

“I was kidding,” I remind him.

“I wasn’t, but we have reservations. Let me use the bathroom, and then we’ll go.” Instead of walking down the hall to the bathroom, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me.

“You ruined my lipstick,” I complain when he finally pulls away.

“Fix it so I can ruin it again.”

“I’m so excited,” I say while I rummage through my purse for my lipstick. “I don’t remember the last time I went out dancing. I think it’s been years.”

“Sounds like you’re out of practice. You better be able to keep up with me.” He slaps my ass and walks down the hall to the bathroom.

Once he’s gone, I reapply my lipstick and wipe some of the shine from my nose. I eye the gift bag, and my curiosity gets the better of me. I pick it up and look inside, but everything is wrapped, and I have no idea what anything is. I put it on the table next to my gifts to him.

I put on my heels and my coat. A few minutes later, he’s still not back.

“Babe,” I yell from the living room. “Are you okay?”

When I get no response, I look down the hall. The door to the bathroom is wide open, but the light is off, and Aiden is nowhere in sight.

“Aid.” I go down the hall to my bedroom. I open the door and spot him. He’s in the middle of the bed, fully clothed and fast asleep. His feet are planted on the floor, and he has an arm thrown over his face while he snores.

I sigh and close the bedroom door behind me. After undressing and washing the makeup off my face, I take off his shoes. Once I unbuckle his belt, I manage to wake him up long enough for him to stand up. He stands there while I undress him. As soon as I’m done, he gets back in my bed and climbs under the covers.

“Just give me five minutes and then we’ll go,” he mutters while he rubs his eyes.

“Sure, baby. I’ll give you ten.”

He starts to snore the instant his head hits the pillow. I leave the room, turn off the lights in the apartment, and return to bed. I cuddle next to him and fall asleep almost immediately.

Chapter 36

Aiden

I blink twice into the bright bedroom. The bed’s comfortable, but it’s not what I’m used to. It’s much smaller and if I extend my legs, I’ll be too long for it, so I know I’m not in a hotel room. The sheets also smell different. They’re more perfumy than the detergent my housekeeper uses.

My brain starts to clear, and I realize I’m in Jeannie’s bed, only she’s not next to me. Her pillow is cold, and so is her side of the bed. The woman can never stay in bed once she wakes up.

“Oh, shit.” We never went out last night. Our first Valentine’s Day and I fell asleep on her. I run my hands over my face as the memories of last night come flooding back. I was out of town until yesterday morning. I didn’t sleep well in the hotel the night before, and between practice, meetings and yesterday’s game, I’ve gone almost twenty-four hours with no sleep. After using the bathroom, I remember looking longingly at her neat bed. I was only going to close my eyes for two minutes, but the clock on the nightstand says differently. I’ve been asleep for about eleven hours.

I don’t hear any noise in the apartment, and I wonder if she’s so fed up with me that she left, but that doesn’t sound like something she would do. Besides, this is her place, so why would she leave?

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