Page 75 of Friend Zoned

“Oh, really? Just like she’s the one who sent me six bouquets of roses on Valentine’s Day? Have you met my mother? Does that sound like something she would do? You think she would bother the person she works for over this? Over you?” I gesture at him. “She doesn’t think you’re worth it.”

“And it was a dozen bouquets,” Layla corrects me. “You told me he had six bouquets sent to you at home too.” I stare at her. She shrugs and says, “I’m just sayin’. Give the man full credit is all. We want D.B. to have all the information since he makes it a point of coming over here so often.”

Aiden reaches over and gives Layla a fist bump.

Like an animal caught in a trap, Quintin’s eyes dart around the room. He’s not done. He won’t leave until he draws blood, but those days are over. They’ve been over for a long time, only he refuses to acknowledge that.

“You are reaching way beyond your—”

Aiden pulls me out of the way and puts me behind him. He does it so fast, it takes my brain a second to catch up. “Say one more word and I’ll break your jaw,” he threatens. His words are low but deadly and when he inches closer to Quintin, I try to jump between them, but Aiden blocks me with his massive arm. They stare at each other, both breathing hard, and only one moment away from turning my small office into total chaos.

“He means it, Quintin. Leave, or I’ll let him do it, and I swear to God, I’ll lie to the police and say you threw the first punch. I won’t even think twice about it.” The office goes deathly quiet. Even Layla must be afraid. Her mouth hangs open as she watches the two guys in my office. There’s no way Quintin can take Aiden on in a fight. He’s all talk, and Aiden would likely knock him out without much effort. I know the muscle underneath his clothes. Quintin doesn’t stand a chance in hell.

A soft knock stalls the storm that’s brewing, and Layla finally moves from the wall to open the door. Alana walks in, and for the first time today, I’m happy to see her.

“Jesus, what the hell are you doing in here? Haven’t you done enough?” She comes in and roughly grabs his elbow. “Leave Jeannie alone, and let’s go. You’re lucky she hasn’t stabbed you yet, you’re so damn obnoxious.”

“It would have been nice if you were here for me today,” he says to his sister. He sounds like a little boy who’s finally calming down after a tantrum.

“I’m here, aren’t I? You think I want to witness this disaster you’ve made of your life. What the hell—”

We don't hear anymore because she pulls him out and closes the door behind them. Layla gives us a wave and practically runs out. Once my office door is closed, I walk into Aiden’s arms and let him envelop me. I press myself to him and put my face against his chest.

“One day soon, I’m going to beat that guy’s ass. It’s going to be one of the best days of my life.”

I laugh into his chest. “Beating his ass is great. I did it once,” I confess. He pulls away and looks down at me. “It’s true. The day I found out about him and Camille, I lost it. I scratched his face, split his lip, and gave him a black eye. I kneed him in the balls too. His face was messed up for a while. I don’t know what he told the people at his job.”

Aiden takes my hand and we walk to my desk. He sits and pulls me down on his lap.

“Did he lay a finger on you? If he did, I’m going to find him right now and kill him.” His tone is light, but I can hear the danger lurking underneath. I have no doubt that he would.

“No. He’s not the type who would use his fists on a woman. If he did, I would have already killed him. If not me, then my mom would for sure.”

“Well, my little fighter, I’ll have to remember to always stay on your good side. I like my balls uninjured.”

I rest my head on top of his, but I wave my fist in his face. “Yeah, you’d better or else.” He covers my entire fist with his hand. “I hate that guy. I hate what he did to you, but I’m also happy that you were free and clear when we met.” He puts a finger underneath my chin. “I love you, Jeannie.”

“I love you, Aiden.” After a few minutes, I say, “As much as I love working for this company, maybe it’s time I find a job somewhere else. I’m sick of him showing up here on a whim.”

“No, don’t do that. You’ve earned this job. You’re not going to quit because of him.”

We sit there in complete silence. He has his strong arms wrapped around me and his head resting on my chest. Every few seconds I kiss the top of his head and ask myself how I ever lived a life without this man. In just a short amount of time, he’s become the center of my universe.

Chapter 42

Aiden

Talk about blowing your life up and regretting it. I recognize regret. I saw it in Quintin’s eyes. I also recognized those hungry looks he gave Jeannie and the hateful looks he gave me. As much regret as he has, he still can’t leave her alone. I guess this is the only way of exerting some sort of power over her. The more he tries, the less she cares, but instead of walking away, he tries harder.

I touch Jeannie’s side of the bed, and it’s cold and empty. She left for work about two hours ago. It’s barely eight, but they called her and asked her to come early. I was reluctant to let her go, but I understand she has a job that’s important to her. Lucky for me, my job isn’t nearly as important as it used to be. I’d quit now if I didn’t have a contract, and if it wouldn’t disappoint the team.

I run my hands over my face at the same time my phone starts to vibrate. I reach for it in case it’s Jeannie, but it’s my sister. I have practice in an hour, and I don’t have it in me to talk to her right now, so I hit ignore. I have over two hundred text messages, and one of my social media apps has over three hundred unread messages. I open it, but my phone vibrates again with a FaceTime request from my sister. Resigned, I accept.

“You look refreshed,” she says.

Lincoln comes onto the screen and waves. “He looks like a man who’s orgasmed recently.”

I roll my eyes at them.

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