Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

He frowns and returns petulantly, “I like cutting her food for her. I’m her daddy. ”

If there were dirt on the floor, he would’ve kicked at it.

Too cute.

I cup his cheek and ask, “You want her to be independent, right?”

He sighs, “Right. ”

I kiss his cheek and say, “Help her by allowing her to help herself. ” I hand him the syrup and butter to take to the table and he skulks away.

We all sit and I look over to see Ceecee cutting a strip of bacon.

She smiles big at Max and tells him, “See, daddy? I can do it!”

I shoot him a smothered smile. He smiles and shakes his head at me.

He responds ,“I know, angel. You’re not a baby anymore. ”

Nik looks at us through narrowed eyes then winks at me.

We eat and when we finish the boys clear the plates. Ceecee and I go to watch some TV.

Ceecee sits next the sofa in her chair and I sit on the edge of the sofa with an arm around my little friend stroking her hair.

Still watching the TV, she says softly, “Is this what it’s like?”

I’m immediately confused.

I ask, “What what’s like, angel?”

She leans her head on my shoulder and whispers, “To have a family. ”

I freeze.

Cue waterworks.

I clear my throat to steady my voice and turn my misty eyes away from her.

I say shakily, “Yes, angel. We are a family. ”

Chapter Twenty

All good Bear’s go to heaven

Monday morning at Safira is busy for the first time in…ever.

We had a new shipment come in. It included a popular blazer worn by one of Hollywood’s elite actresses and there is a crush of women calling and showing up to the store to place orders or buy them. This price of each blazer is close to two hundred dollars and I ordered twenty of them so even though we’re extremely busy, I’m mentally doing the nutbush.

I make my way over to Winnie’s and place a coffee order. I chat to the young girl at the counter for a minute before making my way back to the store.

Rawr Raaawr

Crap. Damn. Poop! I forgot to change the batteries in the doorbell sensor which is slowly dying.

I glare up at it and turn and look to the counter and freeze.

There is another expensive flower arrangement on the counter. Nat stands there glaring because on the opposite side of the counter stands Omarr.