The Friends Zone

by Tarrah Anders

  We both went back to work this week and Sterling has been struggling with one of her kids parents. She’s worked overtime to get caught up on files for the week vacation for the holidays and she’s been scheduling extra meetings to help a 9 year old get better grades in school because the foster family she is assigned to doesn’t seem to want to help. At least that’s the gist that Sterling has confided. Most of the time, she can’t go into details due to confidentiality, but with this particular case, she’s struggling as well as feeling like she’s back in the 4th grade and learning how to do things entirely different with the new structure the schools have placed upon the students. From the sounds of all the stresses that is occurring with this particular case, this may unfortunately not become a permanent placement for this case of Sterling’s and I know that is weighing heavily on her mind.

  I switch off the television, remove her book, lean down to put my arms under Sterling, and lift her to carry her to bed. She doesn’t wake but her head snuggles against my chest and she takes a deep breath in. I gently place her on her side of the bed and cover her with the blanket. I get myself ready for bed and soon follow suit. I turn so I’m facing her and I lean over to kiss her cheek. She must be exhausted, as she doesn’t even change her breathing. She has a peaceful smile on her face and with that I smile and fade off to sleep as well.

  ***

  I’ve worked late every night this week and not to sound like a girl Thanks Mitch! I miss Sterling. By the time I’ve gotten home at night, she’s fallen asleep on the couch either reading or watching television. Every night this week, I’ve carried her into bed. I’m sitting at my desk, almost ready to call it quits for the day, as I am going home and eating dinner with my fiancé. The guys and I submitted the bid first thing this morning after polishing it a few times. Lukas met with the landscape engineers on the placement of shrubs and trees and it turns out they made a mistake on that feature. Lukas coordinated a change in the model and we posted a part time position for the front desk.

  “Hey Max, ya got a minute?” I ask via intercom.

  “Be right over.” He quips.

  Max jogs into my office. “Shut the door.” I instruct as I stand and walk over to the table beside the window and motion for him to sit down.

  “I’ve been thinking. We’ve got this huge project in the East Village, like huuuuuuuuuge. Then we have a potential with this multi-suites spot in the valley. What are your thoughts on expansion?” I ask.

  “I think it’s do-able. If we continue some of the smaller bids as well as the big ones.” Max offers.

  “Any word yet on the bids you worked on before Christmas? What was it, a restaurant?”

  “No word yet, there was a new build restaurant in east county and then a full reno of a chain of real estate offices throughout the county. The reno would be awesome since it’s several locations.”

  “What do you think the odds are for the valley project?” I ask.

  “Juniper pulled out according to my inside source. She said they ignored the scope and over-priced themselves by over a hundo grand. So I think our odds just went up.”

  “Your inside source, did she give any sort of idea how long it would take the owners to decide on this? I mean I know it’s generally a few weeks, but you know…” I smile. “Inpatient.”

  Max laughs. “Naw man, I think we can sit tight for a little bit before I push for anything. We’ve got a solid 5 bids out, including the go on the East Village project. I think you’re right in that we need to expand internally. Speaking of which, did you post the part time position for the front?”

  “Yeah, I did earlier this afternoon. I think come Monday, we’ll have some resumes and we’ll have Melissa go over, choose and schedule interviews. I want her sitting in and having input.”

  “Agreed. Let’s get drunk this weekend and while the girls talk wedding, we can re-work our business plan?” Max smiles.

  “Let’s do it. But not tonight, I haven’t had any time with Sterling all week. Sunday lunch, football and booze?”

  “It’s a date! Let’s invite Lukas. I want to start including him in on some of these business decisions.” Max says standing.

  “Go invite him, my house Sunday, 10ish?”

  “See you then brother.” Max exits my office as I close up my laptop and pack it up. I shut off the lights and bid farewell to Melissa for the weekend and head home to my girl.

  STERLING

  Dane, Max and their new guy, Lukas are sitting in the living room doing some serious multi-tasking between mountains of papers, bottles of beer and yelling at the television at whichever football game that’s on at this moment. Betsy and I are sitting out on the back patio sipping on margaritas with stacks of bridal magazines surrounding the table and the seats next to us.

  “I think an early fall wedding will be brilliant!” Betsy gushes showing me a picture of a fall wedding with fallen leaves everywhere.

  “Dane and I are going for a winter wedding. That way we can honeymoon in the off season!” I giggle. The margaritas might be getting to me, so I should slow down and stop trying to keep up with Betsy.

  “Pfft.” She slumps as she takes another gulp of her drink.

  I hear a noise behind me as the guys tumble out of the doorway.

  “It’s BBQ time ladies.” Dane announces as he approaches the grill.

  Lukas sits between Betsy and I and picks up a bridal magazine.

  “That means it’s halftime! Hey who’s getting married?” He asks looking back and forth.

  “Shit! I forgot to mention it buddy. Sterling and I got engaged over Christmas.” Dane stills.

  I hold up my left hand showing Lukas my bling. “Congrats!” He smiles looking at my ring.

  “Sorry man, I thought I announced it when I came back.” Dane continues to try to explain, obviously feeling bad.

  “No worries.” Lukas laughs as Betsy giggles. “That’s awesome guys!” He says genuinely.

  I like this kid. Dane and Max have been having what they’re calling ‘off the record’ conversations about bringing Lukas up front and center and making him a 3rd partner in their company. Lukas seems smart and eager, but I’ve steered the two of them to hold off to have him make it through a solid project before making such a big step. The mounds of papers on the coffee table and scattered alongside the living room floor is them re-working their business plan to expand the company. This will allow them to hire a few more people and actually have departments. I briefly mentioned that Lukas get certified in a few areas in preparation for partner, and while I can honestly say I know nothing of engineering in any sense, I felt confident of my suggestions and Dane listened intently to each one and even agreed with me.

  “Thank you Lukas. How are you liking working with these two boneheads? They treating you nice?” I ask nodding over at Max and Dane who have started up some conversation in front of the grill.

  “Oh you know, working long hours, building things playing in the dirt and ordering lunches is tough work!” He jokes.

  “Did you stay late with them all last week too?” I ask curious how much he’s getting involved.

  “Yeah. I don’t know how you ladies put up with it. If I had a girlfriend, she would not have been happy with me working so late.” He offers.

  “Eh, it’s not all the time. So it’s no big deal.” I shrug. “In fact, I’m so busy with my job that it’s been easy to deal with.” I smile.

  “Dane says you work with kids?” He asks.

  “Yeah, I am a Foster Care caseworker. I have all ages that I work with and that includes the parents.” I laugh. Let’s face it, the most difficultly sometimes are the parents.

  “That’s tough work. In a way, it’s like you’re an extra parent.”

  “It is. It’s rewarding and stressful at the same time, exactly like parenting!” I laugh. Lukas then turns to Betsy who is focused on an article in one of the magazines.

  “And Betsy, what is it that you do?” He asks. “Max says something
about courts.”

  “I am a paralegal down at the DA’s office. I do a lot of research for the lawyers and then I run and get them coffee too!” She pretends to be excited for a second. I can feel the sarcasm dripping from her.

  “But then you have the inside scoop to the cases.” He offers as an optimistic point of view.

  “That’s true. Although, its not like I can openly gossip about it” She nods as she goes back to her article. I offer him a smile as Max sets a spatula on the table in front of us.

  “Harris. You done yacking with the ladies yet?” Max jokes slugging back his beer.

  Lukas smiles as he gets up from his seat and rears the table to go stand in front of the grill and do manly things with the guys.

  “He’s really nice.” Betsy observes.

  “I like him; I think he’s good for them. He’s shy and kinda nerdy, next to all that sexy and very un-shy. He levels them out a little.” I state.

  “He’s really cute too.” Betsy offers.

  “Bets!” I whisper-shout at her as I swat her arm playfully. We both fall into a fit of laughter as the guys watch us like we’re wild animals at the zoo.

  The house is finally quiet. There is no more yelling at the television, there is no giggling in the corner at whatever crude thing Betsy or I are saying at that moment. It’s just quiet and I like it. With Dane working late all last week and us not finding time to be awake together, I’m happy to have him to myself right now. Albeit, I may have had my share of margaritas for the day.

  “Truth or dare?” I ask him straddling him on the couch. His arms automatically go around my waist as he pulls me in for a kiss. He smiles.

  “Truth.” He whispers continuing to kiss me.

  “How much did you miss me last week?” I know the answer as he’s been very forthcoming with me all over the house in the mornings and for the past 24 hours.

  “An insane amount.” He continues to kiss up and down my neck. “Truth or Dare?” He asks switching sides.

  “Truth.” I answer, very slowly rocking on his lap.

  “While I was working late last week, did you… touch yourself?”

  “Not once. Truth or dare?” I supply.

  “Truth.”

  “Same question.” I ask, actually interested in knowing but I might be slightly jealous of his hand if he says he did.

  “Didn’t even cross my mind.” He licks from behind my ear and down my neck, then blows on the wet trail he left. “Truth or dare?”

  My speed is slightly picking up on his lap and my breathing is slightly getting ragged. “Dare.” I say changing it up. Dane’s smile is electrifying as I can see the desire in his eyes and the wheels turning.

  “Touch yourself for me.” He instructs hoarsely.

  I don’t skip a beat, as my hand goes to the waistband of my shorts as I slip my fingers past and into my panties. Dane stops my hand. “No, I want to see you.” Registering what he means, I slide off of him, noticing the bulge in his track pants. I shimmy out of my shorts and underwear and then go back to my place straddling his lap. My hand slides down my stomach slowly as I cup my center and very slowly nestle my fingers at my opening.

  I’m watching Dane’s eyes as they fill with lust and as he licks his lips. He’s watching every movement of mine like it’s the countdown to the New Year and the clock is in its final 10 seconds. Two of my fingers have now disappeared into my center and I slowly pull them out to show Dane how wet I am for him already. My fingers are glistening with my need and I pull them up to my lips and lick as his eyes follow every movement of my fingers. He licks his lips, groans and I feel his hips push up. My hand goes back to my center and my fingers are enveloped within my warmth. I pump my hand and soon, I’m riding it with my head thrown back. Dane’s firm grasp is digging into my hips as my other hand is grabbing his shoulder for additional steadying. I swirl my fingers against the bundle of nerves and suddenly I’m going off. I am still slowly pumping in, out as the echoes of my orgasm subsides, and Dane’s biting down on his lower lip and watching my face.

  “I don’t know what’s hotter, you riding your hand on my lap, or watching your face as you came.” He smiles pulling my hand from myself and taking my fingers to his lips to lap up my juices.

  “So, how’s the expansion settling with you guys?” I ask completely changing the subject.

  Dane smiles as he slowly pulls my fingers out of his mouth. “We’ve become that couple, haven’t we?” He laughs.

  “Huh?”

  “You just got yourself off, while sitting on my lap. Then you go and ask me about work, isn’t that like a married couple?” He jokes.

  “I’m just practicing. If you would rather…” As I move lower on his thighs, my hand is drifting to his bulge and he stops me.

  “No, you brought up work, I can’t maintain while you do something to me down there.” He explains.

  “Let’s test that out.” I smile removing his hand from mine and proceeding to place my hand on his bulge. I rub it lightly and feel it harden more so to my touch. I look to the side of his pants, and thank my lucky stars. Tear-away track pants, these we need to invest more in. I smile as I start to unbutton the sides. “Go on.” I edge him.

  “Yeah, well… yeah we rebuilt the frame of our business plan and added a projected overhead with adding new staff…. Mmmmmmm” He trails off as he closes his eyes.

  I’ve released him from his pants and now I’m stoking him, I lick my lips and I lift myself slowly on his thighs. His eyes are carefully watching my hand. I situate his cock directly below my opening and I seat myself fully. Both of us let out a hiss of satisfaction, as I rock back and forth for a moment before moving up and down as I impale myself on him.

  “You were saying?” I gasp as I move on him.

  “Fuck work! Faster!” He urges.

  His eyes are hooded and he opens them to look at my face. He’s grinding his jaw and concentrating on my movements with his hands grasping at my hips. I move faster as he throws his head back again and moans. Suddenly, lights flash behind my eyelids and as I am moving up and down, with a slight drag against my clit – I am seeing stars. I moan loudly, Dane’s grip gets tighter, he pushes up with his hips, and then he slows and stills. He leans his head against my chest as he catches his breath. I’m slowly still moving to milk his cock as much as possible. He taps my hip and I look down upon him with a drunk smile.

  “Let’s clean ourselves up and then crawl into bed. We can talk about work as much as you want now.” He laughs.

  DANE

  Over the next week, Max, Lukas and I took some fine tooth brushing to the business plan. I wanted to start grooming Lukas to become a third partner, Max was all for it, but when I was briefly discussing it with Sterling last weekend, she brought up some good points. In our business plan, alongside the general continuing education that Max and I complete over a time, we have added some certifications for Lukas to start tackling and adding to his resume. After some discussions with Max, we are letting Lukas take the lead on a lot of the decisions with the East Village project. He’ll still defer to us, but ultimately we’re letting him get his feet wet which will allow us to focus on more projects. We’re still impatiently waiting for the news as to who will be awarded the bid on the Valley project, but we’re chugging along in the meantime. It’s exciting, the thoughts of expansion.

  Melissa knocks on my doorframe. I motion for her to come in and stand to motion to the side table that I like to sit with others at. My desk is too formal, and I’m not that kind of boss, it still irks me that she still uses our last names when addressing us.

  She places a stack of stapled papers in front of me. “These are the candidates that I feel would be best.” She smiles nervously.

  “About that.” I start. She’s now biting her lower lip and fidgeting. “Over the past week or so, we’ve been redoing the company business plan. As you know, our workload is increasing steadily. As that happens, we plan to be hiring additional staff that way Max
and I can still sleep and such. That’s why we brought Lukas on, as well as the mention of a 2nd up front person.”

  “That would make sense.” She stammers nervously as her hands fidget with the hem of her blouse.

  “So along with that, what I haven’t told you yet is that I re-did the job posting for a full time receptionist over a part time receptionist.” I know that I’m approaching this wrong, but I’m spitballing here. “Max and I have discussed this and your position in depth. I am aware that your major is in accounting, is that still where you are at?”

  “Yes sir. If all pans out with my classes, I should be set on track for graduation in two years, a year and half if I don’t take a summer break.”She says with her head up and her back straight.

  “Good. But take a summer break.” I stand and reach over to my desk. I grab the folder with our new business plan that we have been working on. I rummage through the papers and located the handwritten one indicated for what we have envisioned for Melissa and hand it to her.

  “This is what we are proposing for you. It’s still being worked on, and will eventually get typed up and it will be an official offer, but I wanted to know your thoughts and any additions if you had any.” I say as I lean back in my chair leaving the ball in her court.

  “You mean, you… you aren’t firing me?” she looks like she may pass out.

  “Of course not! It’s a promotion as well as something more in your desired field.”

  She looks over the paper, her facial features go from speculative, to concentrative to wide eyes. “Shut the front door!” She exclaims.

  I laugh. “Like I said, this is a rough draft of what we’ll be offering you, that is – if you are interested.”

  “That Dog’ll work!” She smiles sticking out her chin.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “I mean, that’ll work! I like this, and really, thank you for the opportunity.” Her Texan is showing.

  “Great, we’re planning on the expansion by mid-February if all goes to plan, so that just means we’ll start to create this as a team together and then once we have someone hired for the front and fully trained, I think that we will be ready for your new slot. Max and I are going to give you a median raise after we officially give you the offer, and then once you take seat in your new position, the full salary we indicated at the bottom there will go into effect. Yeah?”