Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

When she shakes her head and he puts a hand over his chest and looks pathetically at her, I know she refused whatever he just offered her. He concedes but not before taking her hand and kissing it. Tina smiles politely and the guy walks away.

That’s right, jerkoff. Keep walking.

I see another man approach her, this one African American. He extends his hand to her and she takes it, smiling politely yet again. The man turns to the side and I freeze.

FUUUUUUUUUCK ME!

***

After refusing a drink from a man I don’t know (yeah, not that stupid!), I felt a hand on my arm. I turn to a very handsome African American man. He looks about my age and wears his hair in short, neat dreadlocks. He’s dressed nicely in black jeans and a tight white t-shirt and his eyes are the color of toffee, warm and easy.

He smiles at me and I’m temporarily blinded. This guy has a killer smile! Its wide and his teeth are bright and gleaming.

He says, “Excuse me, miss. I couldn’t help but notice you were with an old friend of mine upstairs. Nikolai Leokov. ”

His voice is smooth as aged whisky. I like it.

I take his extended hand in mine and shake it. I confirm, “Yes, you’d be right. I’m a friend of Nik’s. ”

He smiles wider and says, “That’s great. My name’s Omarr. Nice to meet you. ”

I respond “Nice to meet you too, Omarr. I’m Tina. ”

“Tina. ” He says it like he’s trying it out and I like the way it sounds in his voice. He asks, “Can I get you a drink, Tina?”

I explain, “Thanks but I’m a VIP so my drinks are on the house. ” I give him a small shrug.

He chuckles and shakes his head, “You don’t make it easy for a guy to get an in, do you?”

Uh, What?

Confusion settles over me. I ask, “Um, sorry…what?”

He steps closer to me responds quietly, “I think you’re beautiful. I want to get to know you. And I definitely want you in my bed, mami. ” I felt myself shrink away from him. The odd thing is what he just said appealed to me. He leans even closer and whispers, “The things I could do to you, baby. ”

Wow…Maybe he’ll help you get over Nik?

Yes.

No.

No.

Maybe.

Possibly?

I was about to excuse myself when I felt an arm around my waist.

Oh, thank god.

Nik found me.

I’m stunned to see Ghost when I look up and he is glaring at Omarr.

His voice is steely as he says, “You in the wrong hood, O. ”

All the warmth I saw in Omarr’s eyes seconds ago fizzles. With hard eyes he says, “Ghost. Haven’t seen you in an age, man. ” With a chin lift in my direction he continues, “This one yours?”