Page 97 of Friend Zoned

Chapter 51

Jeannie

April brings not only mild weather but tranquility and more happiness than I’ve ever had in a relationship. Aiden’s busier now with the playoff games and has even missed a couple of our FaceTime dinners. He was so apologetic the first time it happened, and I had to reassure him that I understood. We still spend every night together when he’s in town, and since Quintin showed up at my house, he’s asked that I stay at his place when he’s away too. But I have spent some time at my place since it’s so beautiful now, and all of Quintin has been purged from it.

There hasn’t been so much as a phone call from Quintin, and I hope that he’ll finally slither away and leave me alone. I’m sure Camille has had the baby by now, so maybe he’s occupied with that.

Work’s been busy. My personal life has been busy too. Everyone’s jaw dropped last week when Katherine Walsh Pierce walked into The Pierre. We had no prior warning that she was coming. Layla burst into my office and barely got the words out before she knocked on my open door and dragged me to lunch in the hotel restaurant.

My phone buzzes and it’s a text in the group chat I have with Aiden, Katherine, and Linc.

Katherine: How many more days until we can go dancing? We’re going to Miami with you too.

Greenwich: Why did you tell her about Miami, Jeannie?

Me: I had too much to drink.

Linc: I’m practicing my James Brown moves.

Greenwich: James Brown? Is this guy for real?

Linc: Sorry. I meant to say Bruno Mars. Is that better?

Greenwich: You still can’t dance.

Katherine: Stop bullying my husband. We’re taking lessons together. Mom and Dad too. You two should join us.

Greenwich: We already know how to dance. Have you not seen the videos?

The conversation dies down when Katherine texts that she’s going into a meeting. Relieved to have some time to devote to reviewing a list of supplies, I focus on my desktop. Today’s been quiet considering how busy things have been. Right now, Aid is back in Oklahoma for a game tonight, and I’m considering if I should spend the night at my place or his. His place feels more like home every day. It’s like since I met his family, things between us have slowly started to shift, and I’m being pulled more and more into his world. I have a full-time bodyguard now. I don’t balk especially since more and more people recognize me every day.

I work uninterrupted until there’s a knock on my door, and Walker, my security guard and driver walks in. He’s about six foot five with a bald head and intense blue eyes. “Your lunch, madam,” he says in a fake British accent. Since I’ve barely had time to think about food, I know it’s from Aiden.

“I had no idea it was almost one o’clock,” I say taking the bag from him. “Go have lunch. If I leave this office, I’ll call you first.”

“Okay, but I’m not going far. Before I go, check these out. Staci just texted them to me.” Staci is his wife, and she sent him several pictures and videos of their eight-month-old baby girl. In one video, she’s standing up and trying to walk, but she falls on her butt. I giggle at the videos and swoon appropriately. When the video ends, he takes his phone and leaves my office.

I open the lunch containers of lobster bisque and lobster salad. My phone buzzes and it’s a text from Aiden.

Greenwich: I wanted to have virtual lunch with you, but my schedule won’t let me.

Thinking of you always. Now, take a break and eat.

Instead of sending a text back, I pick up my office phone because I desperately want to hear his voice, but I barely have time to punch in the first three digits of his phone number before my office door opens. The smile on my face drops when Leah comes in. I haven’t seen her since the shower almost three months ago. She still looks the same, but she’s taken her braids out and has her hair bone straight, just barely kissing her shoulders. She’s not dressed in her work uniform, so she must be off today. She works for our competitor. I worked there too until I interviewed for and got this position. Since I started working for The Walsh Group, she’s been trying to get her foot in the door.

I sigh, hang up the phone, and take a seat. Whatever this is, I don’t have time for it today.

“Hey,” she says, taking a tentative step closer to me.

She starts to unbutton her jacket, but before she can take it off, I say, “You won’t be here long enough to need to take off your jacket.” She freezes. I’m sure she’s not used to my bluntness, but she ignores me. She takes off her jacket and sits down.

“It’s been a while,” she says. “I thought some distance would be good for us both.” I snort and pick up my spoon. “You look good. I’m happy for you, Jeannie. You’ve found happiness again.” If this bitch thinks I’m about to talk to her about my relationship, she’s delusional. When I don’t respond, she says, “It’s obvious he adores you.”

“Nothing’s changed, Leah. I still don’t want anything to do with you. Please stop coming here, and since you’re still besties with Camille and Quintin, tell him to leave me alone too.”

“Come on, Jeannie. Look, it’s not like that with them. At least not anymore. Things aren’t so great, you know. The pregnancy was rough, and the baby’s been sick. I think he absorbed all her stress. On top of that, Quintin’s only seen him twice. You know how Camille’s family is. I’m really the only one she has.”

I stare at my ex-friend as I try to decide whether she’s clueless or audacious.

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