Page 18 of The Little Black Book

“I’m sure,” I say firmly. “Zoey and I are just friends, and I’m okay with that.”

“And there’s no attraction there?”

“I mean,” I say, shrugging my shoulders, “of course, I find her attractive. Who wouldn’t? She’s beautiful. But we fell into the friend zone from the beginning, and I’m okay with that.”

“If you say so,” he repeats, his tone disbelieving. “Anyway, I should probably get to work.”

We both rise from the table, and I shake his hand. “Thanks for the coffee, boss.”

He nods, the corners of his mouth tilting upward before giving me a little salute. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he walks out, and I plop back down into my chair. Wrapping my fingers around my cup on the table, I spin it slowly as my mind replays our conversation.

Could there be more between Zoey and me? I don’t know. Maybe. But I do know I like having her as a friend too much to risk an attempt at romance. If things didn’t work out…

I could lose her, completely.

Besides, I do believe she has me solidly pegged as a good friend. Even the other night, when I pretended to seduce her and got myself all worked up, she seemed wholly unaffected. But was she? Unaffected, I mean?

Wasn’t I just thinking about the way her breath hitched as I ran my nose along her skin?

I roll my eyes at the thought. That breath could’ve meant anything. That she was surprised. Even annoyed. My own libido tricked me into interpreting it as a positive, lustful reaction to my touch. I was horny, therefore, I assumed Zoey was horny.

Which is ridiculous, right? Of course, it is. Zoey and I are nothing more than friends. Buddies. Buddies whodon’tfuck.

That’s all we’ll ever be, and I am perfectly happy with that.

* * *

Me:Guess what?!

Zoey:You got hair replacement therapy?

Me:What the fuck? My hair is perfect.

Zoey:Youwere abducted by aliens, and now you’re pregnant.

Me:You’re insane.

Zoey:You found Elvis. He’s alive and well in Mexico City.

Me:Stop.

Zoey:Okay, fine. Tell me.

Me:Madison texted me back. She’s single and ready to mingle.

Zoey:Did she actually say that?

Me:No, but she did say things didn’t work out with the ex, and she’d love to have lunch with me.

Zoey:Okay, as long as she didn’t say the words “single and ready to mingle,” I’ll allow it. When is lunch?

Me:What’s wrong with those words? Tomorrow, if that works for you.

Zoey:Tomorrow is fine. And if you have to ask, we have bigger problems than I thought.

Me:Brat.

Zoey:And proud of it. *winky face emoji*

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