A Friendly Flirtation (Friends First #3)

by Christine Warner

  Dad turned on Nick. “Why are you so worried about what either Allison or Jared are up to? What busin—”

  “The better question might be why aren’t you worried about what’s happening between them?”

  “Jared’s family, and Allison’s a smart girl.” Dad used his greater height to intimidate Nick as he stood over him.

  “But everyone makes mistakes. I don’t think Allison knows what the hell she’s getting mixed up in tangling with Jared.” Nick lowered his voice a few octaves.

  “And you think you know better than her? You have no right trying to run your sister’s life. Get over it, Nick.”

  Nick actually had the good sense to sink back against the counter, expelling a large breath of air. “But—”

  “Thanks, Dad.” She might be a chicken, but Allison took that opportunity to make a quick exit. From there she dropped a kiss on Gramps’s head, mouthed an apology to Jared, and raced out the door.

  She couldn’t handle this. Not today. She hated coming between Jared and Nick. And now Dad was involved, but at least he was on her side. The right thing to do would be to put an end to things now. It was going to have to come to an end sometime anyway.

  But could she do it? In such a short time, she’d already formed a sweet addiction to her brother’s best friend. Her boss.

  She slid behind the wheel of her car and dropped her face into her palms, squeezing her eyes tight.

  Good thing there’d be no Sunday dinner next week or she’d have opted out. Maybe renovations would take a few weeks, months. How about years? Heck, maybe she’d move across the state, across the country.

  How had this become such a big mess?

  Her passenger door squeaked open, and she peered sideways between her fingers as Gramps slid in beside her, patting her knee.

  “Hi, Gramps. What are you doing here?” She sat upright, licking her lips and wiping a frustrated tear from her cheek.

  “Checking on my Allygirl. I didn’t like the way you left. I don’t like seeing my girl caught between a rock and a hard place.”

  “I know I should be used to being at the bottom of the pecking order in our testosterone-laden household, but I can’t take much more of Nick. I’m so angry at him I could burst.” She flung her head back against her seat, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyelids to block out the tears.

  Gramps squeezed her hand as he sighed. The leather of his seat moaned as he shifted his weight. “As far as Nick goes, he will always think you’re a babe in the woods. He loves you.”

  “I understand that, but he has to let me live my life. Even if he thinks I might be making mistakes.”

  Gramps nodded. “Nobody can learn if they don’t make their own mistakes.”

  Her heart stalled as she sat forward, twisting in her seat. “Are you saying I’m making a mistake?”

  “Don’t go getting a bee in your bonnet.” He laughed. “Who are any of us to say that what’s happening between you and Jared isn’t the best thing since sliced bread?”

  She huffed out a breath of air. “So we’re that obvious. Or I’m that obvious?”

  “We’d all have to be blind if we didn’t pick up on the heat between you two.”

  “I like him, Gramps.”

  “And he likes you.”

  “You think?”

  “I know.”

  “Nick is so pissed. And he’s making me angry. I don’t know what I’m doing when it comes to men, but I like how Jared makes me feel. Can’t we just coast along the road we’re on and see where it leads? Why does Nick have to get—”

  Gramps laughed. “You gotta admit, Jared has a reputation when it comes to women.”

  She blinked. “You know—”

  “I’m not hard of hearing, Allygirl. You know, years ago your dad went through something similar when he started dating your mom.” His tone held a tinge of reminiscent humor. “Your mom’s dad and brothers wanted her to have nothing to do with him. You know, your dad had quite the reputation as a ladies’ man himself.”

  “Dad?” How come she’d never heard any of this before?

  Gramps nodded, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. His smile lit up his face. “Over time, as Neal got to know them, showed how much he cared for Amanda, everyone calmed down. Maybe that’s going to be the case here.”

  “But Nick—”

  “Can’t see his ass from his elbow. Give him time to get used to the situation.”

  She groaned in frustration. “That’s the problem, Gramps. I don’t even know if there is a situation.”

  Chapter Ten

  Monday morning had Jared clock watching.

  Allison was amazing. His mind shifted back twenty-four hours to Sunday morning, after the night they’d made love. She was adventurous, he had to give her that. A grin crossed his face. She’d asked him to try a few positions she’d read about in her book. He’d loved how easily they’d tried new things, and her ability to laugh when a few of the positions hadn’t worked out as expected.

  Her sense of adventure had moved sex from serious to playful, and she’d shown him a new side to lovemaking he’d never imagined. To think he’d learned something from a novice made his smile widen.

  Shit. What was happening to him? Nick wanted Al to have a man in her life who put her first, and Jared wanted to become that man. Would she be receptive?

  He frowned and rolled his shoulders as his mind raced back again to Sunday morning and their lovemaking. So much changed in a few hours’ time.

  The day had gone south after the altercation between Allison and Nick. The way Nick spoke to her had Jared clenching his fists. They had been so loud that their dad had been drawn to the kitchen to calm things down. And Al had stormed off without saying good-bye. She didn’t pick up her phone when he’d called later that night. But who could blame her? No doubt she had a lot on her mind. Her top priority being how to get Nick to mind his own business. He didn’t like coming between her and her brother, and he had no clue if he even had the right to intervene.

  He loved Nick, but he had to let go of the picture in his mind that Al was a little girl who needed protection.

  And now—Jared glanced at his watch again—he counted down the minutes to lunch. She might not have answered his calls last night, but the moment he’d shot her an email this morning asking her to lunch, she’d not only apologized for how she’d left the night before but agreed to try out that new sushi restaurant down the block. But at the end of the email she’d claimed having lunch would give her another chance to get her bearings in a social setting. What the heck was that about? Was she still considering dating someone else, after what they’d shared?

  Or was he reading more into the situation than there was? Maybe her goal all along had been to lose her virginity, and he happened to be the handiest.

  Even as the thought pinged through his brain, he hated himself for thinking she’d do that. But he’d certainly like to know what was on her mind. He could ask her, but part of him feared pissing her off—like Nick had. And then he’d be left with nothing.

  Fuck, this was confusing. A mess.

  He ran his hand through his hair as a light tap sounded on his office door, and Allison peeked in. “You ready?”

  “And waiting.” He’d drive himself crazy with his own thoughts later. For now, he’d enjoy an hour with Al. He slid into his jacket and made his way toward her. Excitement curled in his gut, and he couldn’t resist leaning down to give her a soft kiss on the lips.

  Her mouth parted when she gasped, and a tinge of color stained her cheeks. She quickly looked behind her. “We don’t want gossip, do we?”

  “Would I embarrass you?” Damn, Esterly. Are you a girl now? He cleared his throat. “Nobody’s around. Don’t worry.”

  Just to prove his point he boxed her against the wall and slowly claimed her mouth, parting the seam of her lips with his tongue and deepening the kiss until she moaned. He loved that sound.

  “Jared.” She sn
ort-laughed as she pushed at his chest.

  He grinned. He loved that sound, too. “Okay. Okay. It’ll be a chore, but I’ll try to keep myself under control. Just so you know, you don’t make it easy. Especially with that dress. And those damn shoes. Your legs are a mile long.”

  The proud tilt of her chin and the sparkle in her brown eyes were reward enough, but that didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy the tiny kiss she pressed to his lips. “Thank you. This confidence thing is hard, and I’m not sure I’m always pulling it off. But your words make me feel a whole lot better.”

  “Well, if you were worried about what you chose to wear today, no need.” He slapped her on the rear, and she made a small sound from the back of her throat—one that made it clear she liked how he teased her—as he put his palm on the small of her back to steer her out of the office.

  “Behave yourself.” She rubbed her behind.

  “I’ll try.”

  They both sobered the moment they stepped onto the elevator and turned, spotting Nick standing by the reception desk with his gaze locked on them. Allison stiffened, and a tightness filled Jared’s chest. Thunder boomed across Nick’s face, and his mouth thinned into a straight line.

  Jared’s gut clenched at the look on his friend’s face. Part of him felt betrayed. Angry that his best friend didn’t think he’d be good enough for his sister. Then that other part of him, the side of doubt, wondered if maybe Nick was right. What if he wasn’t the best guy for Allison?

  He shook off his doubt, but he couldn’t lose the pain in his gut at his friend’s cold eyes. The only other time he’d seen that arctic expression had been the time Allison had brought Lance home for the first time. For a second that internal struggle between friendship and being with Allison twisted through him. He didn’t want to piss off his best friend, but he also didn’t want to ruin his lunch date with Allison. He’d been looking forward to it since the second he opened her email.

  He wouldn’t let anything spoil it. Not even Nick. Jared gave him a solemn-faced nod as the elevator door slid closed. He might have hell to pay for that later, but right now he didn’t give a shit. At some point Nick would have to adjust to the idea that men were going to notice Allison.

  And Jared might have to get used to the idea that he might not be the one she’d want to be with.

  He shook his head. All that mattered was for Al to be happy. If he had to swallow his own desire, help her find the type of guy she wanted, he’d do it. Even if it killed him.

  ...

  “I’m going to burst.” Allison patted her belly. “Now that you know another of my addictions is sushi, will you please remind me to stop next time so I don’t overeat? I’m going to be worthless behind my desk this afternoon because all I want to do is take a nap.”

  She bit her lip. Next time? Presumptuous much?

  But Jared didn’t miss a beat. “I can think about ten other things we could do to pass away the afternoon hours besides a nap.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you can, but I’m afraid to ask for details in case we decide to skip out on the rest of our workday.”

  “Don’t tease me, because as your boss I can make that happen.”

  They laughed as they stepped off the elevator and started down the hall.

  “Even though I’m stuffed, we’re still on for tonight, right?” She could tell herself all day long and six ways to Sunday that going out with Jared tonight was to help her get comfortable in social situations—just as their lunch had been—but she’d only be lying to herself. Not that she’d clue him in to that. If she did, they wouldn’t have a reason for lunch dates or to make plans for after work. Not to mention the sex. Something that new and delicious shouldn’t end so soon. Even though that little voice in the back of her mind reminded her again that this couldn’t last, she wasn’t ready to end things quite yet. Not even for Nick. For now she’d just push that voice of reason right out of her head.

  “Drinks at Concords after work. And, in order to hone your social skills, I challenge you to go up to at least one guy and start a conversation.”

  “Alone?” How come his voice didn’t ring with the same conviction as his words? Or had her wishful thinking kicked in again? If only this thing between them could…

  He rubbed her shoulders. “You got this. All you have to do it ask someone to play a game of pool or darts, or just sit at the bar with them and make small talk. Once you do it a few times it’ll get easier. You up for it?”

  She nodded, squaring her shoulders in an attempt to feel more confident than she did. More excited. She’d prefer hanging with him, laughing with him, making small talk with him. But she also needed to distance herself a little. Already her heart had become too wrapped up in Jared. She couldn’t quit cold turkey, but baby steps might be the smart route to take before she got too attached.

  “I’ve been reading some current events online. I even looked up a few jokes, but I’m not sure I’m ready to break those out.” She gave a shaky laugh. “But I’m game.” Truth be known, even though Jared would be there and she was fine one on one, the idea of approaching someone to ask them to play a game of pool or darts did make her palms grow a teensy bit sweaty.

  But she could do it.

  She jumped when a weight settled across her shoulders and almost choked on her tongue as Nick fell into step beside her.

  “Well, aren’t you two cozy?” His stern gaze swept from her to Jared. “Lunch, now plans after work? But there’s nothing going on, right?”

  “Get a grip, Nick. You’re acting like we eloped and didn’t invite you. It’s lunch. Drinks. Do you want to tag along?” Not that she wanted him to, but at this point if she didn’t ask he’d be angrier than he already was.

  Jared’s jaw ticked as he looked at Nick. “I think we need to have a talk.”

  Nick shook his head. “Maybe later. My day is full.”

  Guilt gnawed at her ankles at the cool look Nick shot Jared. But when he turned his attention back toward her he smiled, although a little stiffly. “Can I see you in my office?”

  “Now?” She practically choked on the word.

  “Unless you have other plans?” Nick’s arrogant eyebrow shot up in challenge.

  “No. Sure. I’ll be there in a few.” She swallowed heavily as his arm fell off her shoulders, and he moved past them down the hall. All the confidence she’d gained fell to the wayside when it came to her brother. She needed to work on that. And fast.

  She slowed her pace until she stopped dead center in the hallway. The weight settling over her chest had her fighting for air. “I don’t think I’m looking forward to this conversation.”

  “This is more about me than you. How about I talk to Nick and—”

  “Not on your life. Don’t you start treating me the same way Nick does. If I’d spoken up years ago, Nick wouldn’t be pushing me around now. It’s time I start fighting my own wars. I just hadn’t expected a battle today.” She closed her eyes to collect her thoughts. “I’m sorry you got sucked into all of this. I know the tension between you two is because of me, because you helped me.” She touched Jared’s sleeve. “I really appreciate what you’ve done, and I’m going to try to make things right.”

  “Get ready for a fight. He doesn’t like our friendship.”

  For some reason the term friendship hurt her feelings, but that’s exactly what they had. She’d asked for his help. After he’d realized how much help she needed, he’d agreed. As a friend. He didn’t want anything more. And, really, did she honestly think if he did he’d be interested in her?

  Okay, they might have grown closer, shared some laughs and secrets—along with some great sex—but none of that meant he was interested in a relationship. Not the kind she wanted.

  Don’t forget that. No getting caught up in a fantasy about a good-looking guy who happens to be her brother’s best friend. He was there to help her reach her goal. He didn’t want to be that goal.

  Jared put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Let me ta
lk to him first.”

  She waved away his words, forcing a smile. “He asked to see me, and it’s me he’ll see. If he needs to talk to you, believe me, he’s not shy.”

  “I know, but—”

  She pressed her finger to his mouth. “Plus, we have to look at this as another lesson in building my confidence. I just have to channel Margarite and tell myself that I’m awesome.”

  “That you are.” His lopsided smile tugged at her heart. The chickenshit part of her wanted to take him up on his offer. But her chickenshit days were over.

  She moved past him, but not before he swatted her gently on the rear. She jumped, looked around, and snort-giggled. She covered her face. “I hate when I do that.”

  “I love it. It’s sexy.”

  “You’re sick.” She winked, and they parted ways at the break room. When this flingy-thingy was over, she’d miss him.

  Heck, she’d more than miss him, and the thought tugged at her heart again, but this time in a more painful way.

  She walked into the shared waiting area that separated Jared’s and Nick’s offices. Maureen was nowhere in sight, so she tapped on Nick’s door and then pushed it open since he was expecting her. He stood with his back toward her, staring out the windows.

  “What’s up, Nick? I’d rather we didn’t have a repeat of yesterday.” Her voice came out duller than intended. Although she’d planned to stay upbeat, she dreaded this confrontation. His rigid posture foreshadowed what lay ahead.

  “You mean the conversation we didn’t finish?” He turned and pulled at his tie.

  “Nothing is stopping me from walking out that door.”

  He blew out a breath. “Allison, you know I love you, right?”

  She nodded, the rigidness in her back evaporating. She walked toward him and touched his sleeve. “I know, but—”

  “And I love Jared like family, but I’m not happy. Not happy at all.” He shook his head, plopping down on the edge of his desk. He grabbed her hand and absentmindedly rubbed her fingers as he studied her face. She remained standing. All her life she’d given in to Nick’s demands, but she had to cut herself free at some point.