Page 83 of Friend Zoned

“Why not?”

“Because my name is not Aiden Walsh. Someone will take one look at that and call the police on me.” I toss the card and my wallet onto the bed.

“Damn, you’re right. And I have no time to come bail you out. You’d have to sit in that jail cell for hours.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Anyway, you brought me on vacation and bought me a bunch of stuff already. I can handle one thing.” She lowers her eyes back to the phone. I take that from her and toss it on the bed with my discarded wallet.

“You know what? Hold on.” I let her go and return to my nightstand. I grab another credit card and hand it to her. “I think this one has your name on it.” While she stands there, stunned, I kiss her forehead and walk to the bathroom. She comes in right as I pull down my shorts. “And this is not a vacation. It’s a weekend where I have to work. I’ll take you anywhere in the world in July.” I turn on the shower and wait for it to heat up. She’s still staring at the credit card.

“You also got me a new kitchen, new bathroom, couch, and new bedroom furniture. I don’t care what you say, thisisa vacation. Don’t forget, you’re leaving this job soon.”

“So?” I shrug, unsure of what her point is.

“So, don’t you think you need to start cutting back?”

“No.” I get in the shower and close the door, but she opens it.

“But—”

“No buts. I’m a Walsh heir, remember? I have a nine-figure trust fund.” She snorts and rolls her eyes.

“What are you going to do after you finish coaching?”

“Run The Walsh Group with my sister. I told you this the night we met.”

“Fine. Don’t tell me, but—”

“Keep talking and I’ll drag you in this shower with me and give you that longie. Take the card and have fun with your new friends. They’re waiting for you. And don’t buy one thing. Buy whatever the hell you want.”

She looks at the card again, and then she looks at me. I hold her stare, and she exhales and says, “Thank you, Aiden.”

“You’re welcome. And buy whatever you want whenever. And for the love of God, talk to the decorator about a new table and chairs for your kitchen. The chairs you have are too small for me.”

“I don’t need this,” she says holding the card.

“I know you don’t. I know, but I love you and I want to share everything with you. Now, I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything.”

“Can you pick out some clothes for me? Find a shirt with the team logo. I have no idea where my clothes are.” I hold back my laugh while she rolls her eyes. “Jeannie’s man baby needs help.”

“Fine, but I’m going to spend all your money.”

“You couldn’t even if you tried,” I yell after her.

Chapter 46

Aiden

Miami was our own little bubble of warmth. Despite my hectic schedule, we managed to find some time for just the two of us. We spent Sunday morning sitting by the pool sipping coffee while we held hands and snuck kisses. There was one perfect moment of contentment when Jeannie sighed and rested her head on my shoulder. If I could bottle up a single moment and hold onto it forever, it would be that one.

But the night before was pretty damn perfect too.

“I love this balcony,” she says. She giggles right after the words leave her mouth. I know she’s tipsy. She had several drinks tonight. I love it when she’s unguarded like she is right now. She picks up her phone and seconds later Beyonce’s Naughty Girl starts to play. When she starts moving her hips like a professional dancer, I pick up my phone and turn on the camera.

I almost drop the phone when she starts to dance to the beat of the song, thrusting her hips right on cue. But I hold it up, determined to capture her just like this. She’s in a long red skirt and a matching red top that I’m sure came from my personal shopper. The top is cropped and leaves her lower belly exposed. She pops her hips from side to side, then she turns, giving me her profile, and slowly rolls her pelvis. The entire time, she looks at me and sings along, promising to be my naughty girl and to work her body.

“Why don’t you bring those hips over here?”

---