Friend-Zoned by Belle Aurora

face flush.
Max speaks up, “I thought I recognized that squeal.”
I bite my lip, scrunch my brows, and look at them through squinted
eyes. I quietly apologize, “I’m sorry. I hope I wasn’t interrupting
anything.”
Ghost sits down and states, “You were.”
Nik throws a pen at Ghost, shoots him a dirty look, and says, “She
was not, bonehead.”
I walk over to Ghost, place the container in front of him, and open
the lid just a little so the smell of sugar and cinnamon waft up to
him. I speak in an overly bored tone, “Oh, that’s okay. I can take
my cinnamon glazed donuts back to the Safira if you don’t want
them.”
His eyes widen before he glares up at me and mutters, “You don’t
fight fair.”
I smile brightly at him and stroke his hair, “Never said I would,
honey.”
Trick is up and by my side in a jiffy and asks, “Wha- wha- what
kind of donuts?”
Laughing, I open the container to show him the twelve cinnamon
glazed donuts. He groans dramatically, hunches over and puts a hand
on his knee as if to steady himself.
He straightens up and begs in a whisper, “I need one of those
donuts.” He sounds like a junkie.
I hold out the container to him and he takes two straight
away. Greedy
guts. I know Ghost is dying for one;
he keeps swallowing because he’s salivating. I walk over to the end
of the table where there are clean plates, pick them up and place
one in front of each of the guys. I put two donuts on each plate,
apart from Trick’s. Then comes my favorite part; watching them
enjoy.
They each take a bite and the room erupts in moans and
groans.
I start giggling at their over enthusiasm.
Trick speaks around his donut, “They’re like little clouds of
cinnamon goodness.”
Ghost moans in agreement.
Max looks up at me and says, “These are so freakin’ good. Why the
heck didn’t you open a bakery?”
Nik finishes his first donut. He has glaze all over his lips and
doesn’t even know.
He looks adorable and adds, “Yeah, Tina, you’ve got a real talent
for baking. I know we’ve only tried the cupcakes and donuts but
I’ve never tried anything so good in my life.” Nik looks at Max and
threatens, “If you tell Mom I said that I’ll kick your ass.”
I’m a little uncomfortable with all the praise so I explain, “I
love working at Safira. It’s my whole life. Every girl’s dream is
to work at a clothing store. Don’t get me wrong, there was a time
in my life when I was actually considering opening a bakery. But
this,” I point to the donuts, “is all me. And when I bake for
someone, I give them a little part of myself. It’s like giving
someone a part of my heart every time.” I look up thoughtfully and
shrug, “I don’t know if I like the idea of people buying pieces of
me. They’re mine to give away when I feel like it. And that makes
them special.”
All the guys have stopped eating and stare at me.
“That actually makes sense,” Nik says, his face soft.
I’m embarrassed and decide to cut my visit short.
I clear my throat and utter, “I need to get back so I’ll see you
guys later.” I turn and leave without waiting for their
goodbyes.
Halfway down the hall I’m stopped by a hand on my shoulder. I turn
and face Nik.
“Tina, I actually wanted to see you for a minute.” His face is
serious and I’m a little worried by it.
He looks so handsome today. He’s rocking day old stubble on his
cheeks and I want to put my fingers to it. Must you be so beautiful, Nik? I nod, “Uh, sure.” Am I in
trouble? “Am I in trouble?” I
ask.
I must sound apprehensive because he puts an arm around my
shoulders and chuckles, “No, sweetheart.”
Still caught up in a Nik hold, he leads me down the hall to his
office. I’m even more nervous when he shuts the door behind
us.
He pulls out a chair for me, ever the gentleman, then sits himself
behind the large mahogany desk.
Looking a little anxious, he starts ,“So we’ve known each other a
few weeks now, right?” Where is this
going? I