Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

***

I’m officially moved in with Nik!

We unpacked the last box and hour ago and it felt good!

This is the happiest I’ve felt in two months. If you asked me two months ago where I’d be and what I’d be doing in two months, my answer would’ve been the exact same thing I was doing the previous month; managing Safira, living with Nat and hanging out with my great friends and awesome boyfriend.

Tonight is special for me. Even though we ordered Chinese food and lounged around in our sweats watching TV, it was awesome.

I ask Nik to give me half hour before he comes to bed. He smirks and kisses me gently.

I rush to shower, do my hair and makeup. I dress in my fabulous new lingerie and lightly apply perfume on my pressure points.

Before I know it, Nik shouts out from the bedroom, “I hope you’re ready soon or I’m coming in there. ”

I touch the puffy scar that blemishes the pale skin under my collar and say, “Almost ready, honey. ”

Just go out there and do it.

Yeah. Just like ripping off a band-aid. Fast and painless.

Using the slow breathing techniques I was taught in hospital, calm washes over me.

I smile to myself and open the door. I step out and walk back into the bedroom dressed in nothing but my sexy new lingerie. The bra is a demi cup with lace frill and the panties are the matching French-cut kind that leaves half your booty exposed both in a cream with black lace.

Nik is sitting back in bed with the sheet pulled up to his belly. His eyes are closed and his hands are folded behind his head.

I clear my throat and he opens his eyes. He croaks, “Holy hell, Tina. You’re going to give me a heart attack. ”

I giggle and move to his side of the bed. As soon as I’m close enough, he pulls me over him so I’m straddling his lap. He sits up straighter and wraps his muscular arms around me. One across my butt and the other crossed over between my shoulders. He pulls me close and kisses me softly.

He murmurs between kisses, “I can’t believe I get you in my bed every night. I’m the luckiest son of a bitch alive. ”

His kisses become urgent and I lean back away from him. His brow furrows but I smile quickly and say, “There’s something I need to discuss with you. ”

He looks at me in disbelief and asks, “Now?!”

I can’t help but laugh at his devastated expression. I smooth the lines on his forehead and smile, “Yes. Now, baby. ”

He leans back and sighs, “Okay, sweetheart. What is it?”

I blurt out, “Do you still want kids, Nik?”

His brow furrows and he begins, “I told you it didn’t matter to me anym—”

I cut him off with, “I’m pregnant. ”

He stills and blinks for a moment. Worry churns my gut.

Then he whispers, “No shit?”

I lower my face and whisper back, “No shit. ”

Before I can react, Nik flips me onto my back so I’m lying on the bed with him towering over my body. His eyes are fixed on my belly. He looks stunned.

I don’t blame him. I never told him I had my birth control device taken out.

His silence fills me with fear. I blurt out, “If you don’t want it—”