Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

Wow!

I whisper, “Wow. ” And I feel his smile on my lips.

Rather than answer him, I kiss him deeply and nip his bottom lip. I nod.

He chuckles and says, “Finally. More than friends. ”

I put on the most serious face I can muster and offer, “Yeah, more than friends…Best friends forever!”

His face turns terrified. I burst out laughing and kiss his pouting lips. I say, “Kidding, honey. ”

Looking slightly relieved he mutters a sarcastic, “You’re so hilarious…Goofball. ”

We resume walking and make our way back to the club.

***

We walk back to the booth wrapped up in each other. All the guys and gals are sitting at the booth talking, laughing, and sipping on drinks.

When they see us approach their faces turn serious. Nik sits then pulls me down sideways onto his lap. I put my arm around his back and play with the short hair on the nape of his neck. We mustn’t look any different than how we were acting before because no one is looking at us any differently.

Max is the first to ask, “Are you okay, T?”

I smile big and nod. It’s genuine, too. I’m fine. I’m more than fine. I’m wonderful.

Mimi’s face is still frowning. She looks really upset and says apologetically, “It was all my fault. Teasing you while you were walking away was dumb. I’m so sorry, Tina. ”

Lola softly asks, “How bad was it? There was a lot of blood. ”

Nat smiles and tells me, “I told them all you were a bleeder but they wouldn’t listen to me. They thought you’d need to go to hospital. But luckily, Superman over here,” she nods her head to Nik, “scooped you up and saved you. ”

I speak loudly so everyone can hear me, “I’m absolutely fine guys, really. Nat’s right. I am a bleeder. I’m hemophilic. My blood doesn’t clot like everyone else’s. It was just a little cut and Nik cleaned me up. It was my fault, Meems. The poor waitress was mortified. I’m fine. Here look. ” I lift my leg to show them my bright pink Barbie Band-Aid and we all burst into laughter.

Ghost eyes Nik and me slyly and says, “You look like you’re both out of your bad moods. ”

Nik and I lean away slightly to look at each other. We both share startled expression. At the same time we ask each other, “You were in a bad mood?”

Nik looks awkward and confirms, “Yeah, someone had a date the other night. ” He smiles then says, “Why were you in a bad mood?”

I lower my eyes, play with his lapel and say, “I couldn’t find you. ”

He smiles big and whispers, “Sweetheart. ” Then leans forward, runs his nose the length of mine and kisses me lightly on the lips.

The table quiets and everyone looks around at each other shocked.

Lola shrieks, “Does this mean…?” She doesn’t finish her question but nods her head vigorously.

Nik and I both smile like the idiots we are and nod and the table erupts into whoops and cheers. There is a chorus of “About damn time!”, “I knew it!”, and “That’s great you guys!”

All but one person looks happy. Natalie is wiping tears from her eyes. I’m so startled by this I hop off Nik’s lap, sit on hers and wrap her up tight. Her shoulders shake in to me as she cries. I feel myself become teary and I ask shakily, “Honey, what is it?”

She lifts her tear streaked face and puts her mouth to my ear. She whispers, “Never thought I’d see the day. ” Even quieter she says, “After everything, you deserve to be happy, Tina. I love you. ”

I lower my face to her neck and we cry together for a minute. Then I straighten up, clear my throat and tell everyone, “I think we need a round of drinks to celebrate!”

Trick smiles, winks, and shoots me with imaginary guns. He gets up and walks over to the bar to place the order.

I kiss Nat’s hand and she smiles an adorable wobbly smile. I touch her cheek affectionately, move off her and climb back onto Nik. I’m a little surprised when I see Ghost move to sit beside Nat and hand her a napkin. He puts an arm around her shoulders and pulls her to him. I’m even more surprised when she goes willingly. He whispers something in her ear and she nods into his chest. Ghost smiles a small smile at no one in particular and strokes her violet hair with his free hand. My heart swells. Nat somehow got through to this abrupt and broody man. She has a way of doing that and I’m glad Ghost has her as a friend.