Struggle to Forever: a friends to lovers duet

by Lilliana Anderson

  His eyes widen in happy surprise before he leans in and lowers his voice. “Maybe you could bring an overnight bag?”

  My heart rate quickens my breath. “I can make that happen. But will I need it? I mean, will I even be wearing clothes?”

  He groans lightly as his eyes darken, his reaction sending an excited thrill through my veins. “I bloody well hope not.”

  I giggle. “Me too.”

  “Katrina.”

  “Yes?”

  His eyes skim over my flushed body as he bites his lip. “You need to throw that medicine ball before I make a spectacle of myself and get us banned from the gym.”

  After a long couple of days, five o’clock on Friday rolls around and Kayley swiftly escorts me to the ladies' room where we change and she helps me with hair and makeup.

  “You’re a supermodel,” she says when she’s done, standing back to admire her handy work.

  When I turn to face the mirror, I find an almost recognisable version of myself. With dark smokey eyeshadow, the blue of my irises pops, and my cheekbones look high and sharp with the help of a little contouring. My lips are a neutral pink, and my hair is braided on one side and scrunched into messy curls on the other. Coupled with the black strapless dress I'm wearing with a thick belt to cinch in my waist, I look badarse.

  “You are quite literally my fairy godmother,” I say.

  She grins, clapping her hands together. “I think we need a selfie for prosperity.” Holding out her phone, we pose in the mirror as she snaps a pic. “That one’s going on my Instagram.”

  I have a moment when I remember Elliot’s comment about not liking Instagram girls and their excessive makeup and wonder if I should wash my face. But I decide against it because that would upset Kayley after all her hard work, plus I’m not going out with Elliot tonight. If he doesn’t like my look, it’ll make it easier for him to stay on his side of the room.

  “Whoa-ho-ho. Baby girl, is that you?” I find David waiting for me at the empty reception desk as we head for the conference room. He lets out a low whistle. “You look a-ma-zing. Stunning.”

  “David.” I grin. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

  “Figured I should come and keep you out of trouble. Thank god since you’re going out in that,” he comments, taking me by the hand and twirling me around, his hand sliding around my waist as he leans in to kiss my cheek. I catch the familiar scent of his cologne, and I inhale contentedly. “You really look gorgeous, Trina.”

  “Thank you.” I blush.

  “And what about me?” Kayley asks. “Am I not stunning too?”

  Releasing his grip on me, David leans down to kiss Kayley on the cheek. “Exquisite,” he says, his lips hovering near her ear.

  She giggles and swats him on the chest. “Oh, you.”

  When he’s done melting panties, I take him by the hand and we all head into the conference room. People are already milling about and chatting amicably and we head straight for our usual group, greeting each other like we haven’t just spent all day working together. Someone laughs to my left, and David talks about his office flooding with Albina and Carl. Something else happens, but I don’t catch it, because across the room sits Elliot. His eyes find mine and I struggle to maintain focus. Maybe this was a terrible idea.

  The surrounding conversation becomes more of a humming, despite the energy I’m exerting to listen to it. I feel his eyes on me; the awareness filling my body and numbing the sounds around me to silence. I’m attuned only to him.

  “Katrina.”

  I blink, surprised. “What? Huh?” I bumble as my attention drags back by David, standing in front of me, attempting to hand me a drink, looking annoyed.

  “Where the hell were you just now?” He frowns. “I was trying to hand that thing to you for a while.”

  “I don’t know. I just kind of switched off for a while. Long week, you know?” With a thanks, I relieve him of the glass and take a mouthful of the cold liquid.

  “I’ll bet.” David glances over his shoulder to where Elliot is talking to a couple of senior solicitors from his department. They catch each other’s eye and nod out of respect. “Let’s move you over here,” he says, steering me so my back is facing Elliot instead. It doesn’t stop me from being aware of him, but it stops me from doing something stupid. David was right. I need him looking out for me.

  The great thing about Friday drinks is that people relax and show a side of themselves they don’t normally show around the office. Even the partners are laughing and smiling, acting more or less human.

  As the night moves on, we all gather around the conference table and talk as though we’re long-time friends.

  One of the named partners, Ken Barlow, a small man with mousy brown, curly hair that bounces as he moves his head, sits in the chair next to me to spark up a conversation. He’s wearing a tie covered in Looney Tunes characters and, finding it a refreshing change to the usual spots and stripes, I compliment him on his choice.

  “Thank you,” he says, running the tie through his fingers as he looks at it himself. “It’s to remind me not to be so serious all the time.”

  “A good way to do it,” I agree.

  “You’re studying at university?”

  “I am. I’m studying law.” I smile.

  “Law, huh?” he comments, sitting back in his chair and looking over me with that tipsy glint people get when they’ve had a few drinks. “Are your grades good?”

  “Decent,” I say. “Mostly Credits and a few Distinctions.”

  “Do you work hard?”

  “Always.”

  “What area of law are you thinking of focusing on at the end of all this study?”

  That answer is easy. “I really like family law. Something about making sure everyone is taken care of speaks to me.”

  “Ah, if you do it right, it’s a noble area of the law to enter. Although, it all depends on how much money you’re looking to make. Being noble isn’t always profitable.”

  “I’m not doing it for the money. I’m doing it because I want to make things right.”

  His eyes narrow slightly as he lifts his glass to his lips and takes a sip. “A lot of emotions involved in family law. I can’t imagine dealing with that on a daily basis. It’s why I handle Trademark law. Not too many emotions there. Tell you what, at the end of your degree, I want you to send me a copy of your grades. Maybe I can open a few doors for you.”

  A happy smile takes over my face. “I’d love that. Thank you.”

  “No problem. I did the same for this young fella here.” He turns his head and looks across the table to where Elliot’s been sitting unobtrusively, nursing his drink and acting as though he’s watching the room. We’re getting better at ignoring each other as the night wears on.

  “You did,” Elliot says, nodding politely.

  “See, I know his father from way back when. We were crownies together when I had a mind for justice. But criminal law was too much for me. I didn’t enjoy putting them away. Didn’t like defending them. Takes a hard heart to put those crooks back out there. I take my hat off to anyone who can separate their work and morals like that.”

  “I like to think we help keep innocent people from going to jail too,” Elliot puts in.

  Ken leans forward. “Yes. But doesn’t it eat at your soul? Picking apart a case and bending the law?”

  Elliot’s eyes drop to the liquid in his glass. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t really gotten to that part yet.”

  “Ah, of course. You’re a glorified paralegal, aren’t you? Give it another year, kid. You’ll get your teeth into some meat soon enough.”

  “Another year?” Elliot keeps his voice even, but I notice the way his eye twitches.

  Ken shrugs and downs the last of his drink. “Give or take.”

  Elliot’s shoulders tense as he looks away, the muscles in his jaw ticking uncomfortably. “It’s almost ten,” he points out, prompting Ken to splutter a few expletives and spring from
his chair.

  “All right, people,” he says, clapping his hands for attention. “I think we better call it a night or my wife will lock me out of the house.” He laughs then sets about shooing everyone out of the conference room.

  I chance a glance at Elliot amid the mass exit and mouth, “Are you OK?” He nods, but he doesn’t look fine. He looks pissed. Finding out from a name partner that you have to work in a position you hate for another year must be a serious blow. He thought he was almost done with grunt work. Shit.

  A huge part of me wants to go over there and give him a hug. But I know that’s the worst thing I could do right now, so I just give him a smile I hope he takes as comfort before I return to the group with David.

  “Hey, baby girl,” David says, sounding a little tipsy as he reaches out and pulls me against him, pressing a kiss to the side of my head. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I was talking to one of the big partners,” I say to him quietly. “He said I should send him my marks at the end of uni and he can open some doors for me.”

  “That’s awesome. He didn’t say it in a creepy way, did he?”

  I laugh. “Shockingly, no. He did the same for Elliot from the sounds of things.”

  He frowns at my response then clears his throat. “It’s good you’re making the right friends then.”

  “None that can hold a candle to you,” I say, giving him a nudge. His body relaxes into mine as the smile returns to his face and his eyes soften.

  “Are we really going to Pontoon again?” he asks softly.

  “Seems that way. I think it’s tradition.”

  “OK. But no running away this time?” He brushes a stray curl back into my hair.

  “I promise.”

  He offers his elbow. “We should probably catch up then.”

  Slipping my arm through his, we move into the reception area where the others are gathering so we can walk together. Elliot moves past us all with Andrew and Carmel, saying quick goodbyes on the way to the lifts.

  “You’re not coming with us?” David asks, his eyes moving between all three of them.

  “Not this time,” Elliot answers, his eyes flicking to me and then back to David. “I’m going to a late dinner with these two. Then I have some friends to meet up with. Have a good night, though.” He nods politely.

  David reaches out and shakes his hand, leaning in to kiss Carmel’s cheek and clap Andrew on the shoulder. “Have a good one, guys.”

  There’s all this polite nodding and waving going on as they continue to the elevators.

  David gives my shoulders a squeeze. “You OK?” he asks, as I release a sigh and drop my head on his shoulder

  “I'm fine. Just a little tired.”

  “We can go home if you like.”

  I lift my head and turn to face him. “No, I'll be fine once I get some fresh air.”

  He grins. “Well, I hope you're ready to dance the night away. Although, I don’t know how I’m going to keep the guys away from you in that dress,” he says, biting on his lower lip and shaking his head, making appreciative noises.

  “Do you think it shows too much leg?” I ask seriously.

  “There’s always too much leg with you, Trina. Those things go on forever.”

  “You make me sound like a spider,” I grumble, pushing him on the shoulder.

  He laughs, pulling me closer and planting a kiss on the side of my head. “Your legs are hot, Trina,” he whispers in my ear. “And so is the rest of you.” The comment causes me to blush as butterflies dance within my stomach. I try to suppress my reaction as Bianca and Beth join us because I know he’s just teasing me. This is what we do.

  “Is everyone ready?” Kayley calls out like she’s the tour leader.

  There’s a chorus of 'yes' and 'let’s go' before we all move as a group to catch the next lift down and walk to the bar.

  The bar is even more packed than last time with people spilling out onto the surrounding patio area. As soon as we’re within a few feet of it, Kayley waves her arm above her head animatedly, calling out to her friends and cousin, Connor.

  Oh shit, I totally forgot about him being here.

  They're sitting at one of the outdoor bench tables and move around so we can join them. Baskets of hot chips sit on the table and they’re offered to us. We all dig in ravenously.

  “I don’t know why they don’t have nibbles at work,” Anne says around a mouthful of starchy grease.

  As I sit beside David, listening to the conversation around me, his hand rests protectively on my knee beneath the table. Connor catches my eye occasionally, and I wonder if I should apologise for running off on him last time and explain my situation so I’m not leading him on. Movement against my side draws my attention as David’s body jostles with laughter. I turn to see what’s so funny, feeling slightly deflated when I realise he’s chatting with Beth. They’re sharing some joke that no one else is in on, and I wonder why in the world she and Bianca come out with this group when they don’t have much to do with us within the office.

  Bianca sits across the table, looking like she’s the odd one out. If she wasn’t such a bitch to me, I might feel sorry for her since I’ve been in that situation around David more times than I can count. But now I’ve finally accepted my place in his life, accepted that he can’t help but flirt, I’m just happy he’s having a nice time.

  “I’m going to visit the ladies,” I say to David, giving his hand a tap so he removes it from my legs.

  “Come back to me when you’re done,” he says, squeezing my leg before letting me go. When the majority of the table stands up with me, I can’t help but frown.

  “We’re going to dance,” Kayley says, demonstrating some of her moves. “Meet us on the floor when you’re finished with the loo?”

  Separating from the group, I use the bathroom, then go and get a drink from the bar. As I line up, I’m forced to push my way forward or risk missing out entirely. It's such an effort I buy four Bacardi and cokes at once. Standing to the side, I hold two drinks stacked in each hand, transferring my straw between each glass as I drain the one before.

  “Thirsty?” an Irish accent asks me. I look up to see Connor standing in front of me smiling.

  Releasing the straw, I let out a nervous laugh. “Well, I didn’t want to drink much at work and I want a buzz while I dance. Plus, I don’t want to keep lining up.”

  “Makes sense. I have to say I like the system you have going on there.” He indicates the glass stacking and straw swapping technique I’m using.

  “Thank you. Laziness is the mother of invention and all that. No. That's not how it goes.” I frown, the alcohol already starting to do its job.

  “I think you mean ‘necessity’: necessity is the mother of all invention.” He laughs.

  I suck on the last of my drink and wink at him. “That’s the one.” By the time I drain the glass, my body is well and truly buzzing with the effects.

  “You planning on dancing tonight? I’ll try not to chase you off this time,” he says, needing to yell over the noise.

  “Oh, that wasn’t you, Connor. It was one hundred percent me.” If I wasn’t such a bundle of confused emotion, I think I would gladly let this Irishman win me over. He has this mischievous glint to his eyes that promises fun.

  “Yes. Well, I heard there were some problems at work over the fella you were kissing outside.”

  “Kayley told you?”

  He nods. “And I’m happy to offer my services as a decoy if it helps. I’m very discreet.”

  I grin. So, that’s why she made a point of mentioning Connor was asking after me. She really was proving to be a good friend.

  “That’s such a nice offer. But I couldn’t do that to you. What if you miss out on meeting someone special because you’re too busy pretending with me?”

  He shrugs. “Then I’ll break up with you in a dramatic display of public humiliation which will prompt this special person to come and console me. No one likes seeing an I
rishman cry. It’ll be a win all round.”

  “You’re crazy,” I say with a laugh, glancing over to the dance floor where I see Kayley and most of our group together, but I don’t see David.

  “Ready to dance?” He waggles his brows and finds a flat surface to put my empty glasses on.

  “Almost. I just want to find David first. I thought he was dancing too.”

  “He’s the best friend, right? The tall guy Beth was talking to?”

  “Yeah. That’s him.”

  “Then you’ll find him right over there.” He points over my shoulder, and I turn to find David standing with Beth near the pool tables. He’s laughing about something while she chalks his cue.

  A familiar pang hits me low in my stomach, but I remind myself that he promised he wouldn’t add any of my work colleagues to his harem, so I have to trust in that.

  “I guess I’ll leave him to it then.”

  Making our way through the crowd, we join the others, bumping and grinding our way into a sweaty mess as the beat vibrates the air. I have a moment where I think my coach should add dancing at a nightclub as an alternate training session once a month or so, because I’m tired on my feet and breathless by the time the bar announces last drinks. There’s still a few hours left of dancing, but the law stems the flow of alcohol.

  Realising I haven’t seen David in over an hour, I search for him in the crowd. Although when I spot him, I wish I hadn't looked. He’s on the dance floor with Beth, his hand around her waist as she leans up against him, her back to his front. Her hand reaches into his hair as they move with the music and he says something in her ear. The way her eyes glaze over tells me he’s saying all the right things. Things he promised he wouldn’t. Liar!

  Bianca spots me watching them and smirks. I shoot her a smile and a shrug of my shoulders to try to play it off. But then she blatantly moves in front of Connor and dances with him, trying to section him off from the group while shooting glances my way. I suppose she’s trying to prove she can steal men from me—perhaps as a payback for my friendship with Elliot. Although, I could never claim to truly know what’s going on inside that girl’s head. She’s a total other breed of human, and I wonder why Beth is such good friends with her. Beth seems kind of nice.