Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned 3)

Felicity was in shock. She turned to me and asked in awe, “How did you do that?

I shrugged at her. I’ve always made people feel comfortable with talking to me. Instead of responding, I dug further, “And why have you done nothing about this?”

I was almost surprised when her pretty hazel eyes glared at me from across the table. Almost, but not. “And what on earth would I say, Lena? Hi, James, mind if we step into your office to discuss a matter that’s been bothering me for a while? What matter, you ask? Oh, the one where I almost s

woon when you smile at me.” She rolled her eyes. “Please. I know I’m not his type.” Her face fell. “I’m not anyone’s type.”

Felicity pushed her shoulder and grinned, “Oh my Lord, there’s so much attitude hiding behind that sweet face. I am going to have so much fun with you.”

Swallowing my mouthful, I asked, “How can you be sure if you’ve never given him the signs?”

Felicity nodded in agreement while Willa’s face turned guarded. “What signs?”

“The subtle ones.” I shrugged my shoulders as I thought. “You know? Light touches. Eye contact. Smiles that are just for him.”

Felicity gasped. “I have a great idea!” Willa groaned and threw her head down onto the table, forcing a laugh out of me. Felicity rubbed her back, chuckling, and uttered, “This afternoon, we’ll run an experiment. Willa, you’re going to flirt with Whit. Today.”

Lifting her face, mouth gaping, Willa sputtered, “I am not!” Felicity nodded slowly, smiling larger every second. Willa shook her head. “You’re crazy.”

Felicity admitted on a shrug, “It’s my best quality.”

I asked sagely, “What do you have to lose?”

Later that afternoon, Felicity and I instructed Willa on what to do. First, we had her approach James and talk to him about a client. She did this, but it didn’t work out as we hoped. Instead of approaching him, he came to her to talk about something, and when he did, she was seated at her desk. Not a lot of opportunities to discreetly touch him there.

But mid-conversation, James came up behind her to show her something on her computer, and he did this all up in her grill. I mean, his chin was almost resting on her shoulder. It looked like Willa wasn’t going to be playing this game one-sided.

Next, we planned a run in. Yes, exactly as it sounded. They would run into each other. So when James came walking down the hall, looking down at his papers and not paying attention to what he was doing, Felicity and I mouthed, “Go!” shooing her away. She stood in his path, and that was that.

Next thing, James had his arms around her, holding her up a moment before she hit the ground from the impact of collision. He looked into her eyes and muttered, “Are you okay?”

They were close. Closer than they should’ve been. She whispered, “Yes.”

But his brows narrowed as he stood her up, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Are you sure? I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

Willa shrugged, smiling sadly. “A lot of people don’t.”

Then something miraculous happened. James placed his hands on his hips, looking down to the ground. After a moment’s hesitation, he muttered, “Then they’re missing out,” before walking away.

Willa turned to us, dumbstruck. Felicity and I silently danced and cheered. James Whittaker was totally into Willa, and Felicity and I were going to make it happen. Somehow.

Then came Friday, and Willa was still a nervous mess around James. But during our lunch break, we dragged Willa out of the office and swore blind that James liked her. However, Willa, being the shy little violet, wasn’t having it. “He’s just being nice.”

We were becoming exasperated. There was one thing left to do. I asked, “Do you have a tank under that shirt?” Willa nodded. “Good,” I uttered a moment before I reached forward and tugged at her shirt so hard that the buttons went flying. Felicity gaped a moment before she burst into laughter.

Willa looked down at her ruined shirt and whispered, “I can’t believe you did that.” She turned to a still laughing Felicity. “I can’t believe she did that.”

I put on my best embarrassed expression. “Oops.”

This left Willa dressed in short athletic shorts and a skin-tight white tank, showing enough skin to make any man stop and stare. When we arrived back at the office, talking and laughing, we bumped into James on the way to our desks. I pointed back at Willa, who was now hugging herself, and stated, “Don’t be hard on her. I accidentally ripped her shirt.”

James frowned down at me. “How did you accidentally rip her shirt?”

I shrugged. “The Hulk doesn’t know his own strength.”

When Willa went to move by James, he blocked her path and not on purpose. He was eyeing her body, getting his fill, and I’d guess he didn’t even know he was doing it. When she swallowed hard, blushed, and muttered, “Excuse me,” James moved. A little. As she walked by him, she brushed against him.

My brain smiled smugly, and just as she passed me, I flicked my pen off of my desk. Willa immediately bent down to pick it up, giving James a front view seat to her firm ass. James looked down, gripped the side of my desk, then turned and walked away. Fast.