Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned 3)

Forever.

If only.

This morning, I felt lighter and happier than I had been in a long time. Longer than I can remember. So when I came to work cheery as cheery is, you can imagine my shock when a grim looking James called me into his office and started the conversation with, “I’m sorry, Helena. This isn’t going to work.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Helena

“What?” I ask, mouth suddenly parched.

James taps his pen on his desk, avoiding my eyes. “Max called me last night. You’re dating. It’s officially a conflict of interest. The center can’t support your work with Ceecee anymore.”

I’m surprised at the disappointment I feel. Dread forms a cold, hard stone in my gut. I reach up and rub absently at my temple. “I’m so sorry, James. I didn’t plan this thing with Max; it just happened.”

James finally looks up at me. “He’s the guy, isn’t he?” When I don’t respond, he adds, “The one who didn’t see you. It was Max, wasn’t it?” I smile sadly, but don’t say a word. James sighs. “Ceecee’s doing good now. She’s motivated, and I think she’ll be okay without you.”

Bitterness runs cold in my veins.

She’s only better because of me, and given time, I would’ve helped her be great.

Wow. I have no idea where that thought came from. I know James works hard with her. I guess I’m just jealous of the working relationship he still has with her that I’ll no longer be allowed to have.

He raises a brow in question. “What? You’re not even going to fight me?”

I let out a tired sigh. “Would it help?”

Shaking his head, he utters, “Not even a little.”

Pissed, I stand. “I’m sorry, James. Like I said, I didn’t see this coming myself.” As I take a step towards the door, something holds me back. I turn and add, “But as Max’s girlfriend, I’m going to be seeing Ceecee on a regular basis. I’m teaching her to cook. I promised her. I’ll also be supervising her home sessions. Tell me if you have a problem with this, James.” My blood boils. “Tell me you have a problem with this, so I can break promises to a thirteen-year-old girl with abandonment issues.”

Sometime during my rant, a small smile has broken through James’s disappointment. “The center doesn’t have anything against client/PT relationships, and based on her current enthusiasm, I can’t see an issue with you maintaining a close friendship with Ceecee.” He stands and walks over to the window, looking out. “And if you, I don’t know, decided to exercise in the same place and at the same time Ceecee should happen to exercise, I can’t stop that.” He turns to me and says pointedly, “I just don’t have that kind of power, unfortunately.”

I still. Is he saying what I think he’s saying?

Blinking down at the ground, I confirm, “So if I were to, say, do cardio in the park at the same time Ceecee decided to do cardio at the same park, and we happened to bump into each other, I wouldn’t be risking my job.”

James nods slowly. “Like I said, I just don’t have that kind of power.”

It’s times like this when I really wish I hadn’t agreed to not hug James. I move to step out of his office, but as I do, I mutter a hushed, “Thank you, James.”

His, “You’re welcome,” is just as quiet.

I shuffle over to my desk and take a seat, staring into my computer screen. When it hits me that I can still train with Ceecee, a beaming smile spreads across my face. Felicity skips over and sits on my desk. I look up to see her smiling down at me. “I told you he’d notice you. He just needed to see you at a different angle.” She stands and starts skipping away. “White Rabbit this Saturday?”

Typing in my computer password, I call out, “I’m there.”

I don’t see her, but I hear her singsong response. “Holla!”

***

Max

When the elevator opens, I walk down the hall wearing a smile I thought was buried deep inside of me. Turns out, Helena found it and dug it out against my will. I lift my coffee to my lips as I walk into my office. Just as I move to sip, I still. An angry looking Asher and a stern-faced Nat are standing by my desk, obviously waiting for me. My eyes widen. I don’t like this. I greet them hesitantly, “Hey, guys. What’s up?”

Nat steps forward, crossing her arms over her chest. She stands tall and asks firmly, “What are your intentions with my sister?”

Well, shit. And I thought it would be a good morning.