A Friendly Flirtation (Friends First #3)

by Christine Warner

  “I’m sorry you’re not happy. I know you’re upset about Jared and me, but you need to hear me out.”

  He shook his head. “Nothing you say will convince me that what you two are doing is good. Jared said he was helping you out, but I sense there’s more to it than what either of you are saying. I love you. I don’t want to see you get hurt, and Jared is the type of guy who’ll hurt you.”

  Her temper bristled. “How can you say that about your best friend?”

  “Because I know him. I know his rep. Not that he’s a bad guy, but he’s a ladies’ man. He’s not interested in anything long-term.”

  “You don’t know that.” Why was she even arguing the fact? What Nick said was true, but hearing it versus thinking it had her wanting to make it a great debate.

  “And you do?”

  “Who says I want anything long-term? At least with him.” She ran her free hand through her hair. The idea of having something long-term with someone other than Jared didn’t feel right, but more than likely it was nerves. She was comfortable with Jared. When she eventually met the man she could have a future with, she’d grow comfortable with him, too. Jared was just giving her the tools to get there.

  Right? Right.

  “I know you’re both telling me you’re working toward personal changes. And I remember what you said when you asked for my help. I know you want to build your confidence, social skills—I get that, Al. But I feel like you’re setting yourself up for disaster. I can see it in your eyes. You’re already past the friendship mark. If you keep walking this path, you’re going to fall in deeper.”

  She smiled, tilting her head to the side. No doubt his concerns were valid, but… “Can’t you let me learn all of this on my own? I know Jared is a ladies’ man. I know he doesn’t want anything more. I haven’t dated much, you know that. I’m certainly not in the market to settle down before I’ve had a chance to date around a bit. I want to have fun.” But that partial lie tasted bitter. If Jared even gave her an inkling he might be interested, she’d definitely go for it. Who wouldn’t? The man ticked all the boxes off almost every girl’s wish list. But she wasn’t stupid, and she also wasn’t that naive. Not any longer, anyway.

  “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I won’t, but you need to understand I’m a big girl. Life is all about taking chances, and sometimes those chances lead to hurt.” She shook her head as he opened his mouth to speak. “I’m saying that figuratively. I’m not saying Jared will hurt me, or that there’s even a chance of that. I’m saying it’s part of life. Truthfully, I love you, but I don’t always want your protection or advice.”

  “But—”

  “In the future, if I do, I’ll ask for it. But this isn’t up to you. You don’t get a vote.” She squared her shoulders, loving the strength in her voice. If nothing else, knowing she had finally stood up to Nick proved she’d grown.

  His face darkened, but she wouldn’t budge or be intimated. “Al, I want you to stay away from him. I really—”

  She shushed him with her hand. “I don’t want to argue with you. Like I said, I appreciate all the help you’ve given me through the years, but from now on, if I need your advice, I’ll ask.”

  She turned on her heels and walked out his office door.

  Maureen sat at her desk and gave Allison a wink as she walked past. For sure she’d caught every word of their conversation since the door hadn’t been closed tightly, but she didn’t care. She actually felt good that Maureen had heard and had shown her quiet support.

  Telling Nick to stay out of her business had been easier than she thought. Hopefully he’d listen. She should have said it yesterday. Even so, the moment she made her way into the hall and rounded the corner, she leaned against the wall and shook out her limbs.

  Confidence could accomplish a lot. Too bad she hadn’t realized it years ago.

  ...

  Jared clenched the neck of his beer bottle until his knuckles turned white. He’d switched over from nonalcoholic to alcohol with this last beer. He’d needed every damn drop to stop from getting up and pounding that guy twirling Allison around by the pool table.

  They’d arrived only forty-five minutes ago, and she hadn’t even bothered to sit down with him to work up her courage, instead marching straight over to the four men circling the pool table to strike up a conversation.

  He admired her determination and the way she dove in headfirst, but at the same time he hated the reaction she’d received. The guys hadn’t even hesitated, enveloping her into the folds of their group like they’d all been friends forever. And one in particular couldn’t seem to keep his eyes—or hands—off her.

  The sound of her laughter vibrated the air around him, and he sat taut on the edge of his seat. The clock behind the bar clicked onto the hour. He’d sat here, mouth shut, sweating through each second as Al cozied up with her new friends. He didn’t like that another man made her laugh so easily. He also didn’t like that the same man had whipped out his cell and was punching in numbers that Allison doled out. He’d have to school her about not giving her number to just anyone. Especially some guy she’d just met. In a bar, no less.

  He forced a smile onto his stiff lips as she made her way across the busy floor, weaving between tables with a little wiggle of her hips. She looked so damn cute and happy he couldn’t stop staring, even though steam blew out his ears as he looked over her shoulder to the four guys she’d left by the pool table—all with their eyes glued to her backside.

  She dropped into the chair beside him with a satisfied smile.

  “Well, that was fun. And for the first time in my life some guy in a bar asked for my number.” She practically bounced in her seat as she grabbed his hand.

  “The first time?” Now he felt like even more of a heel for getting annoyed. She wasn’t his property. The only reason he was here at all was to help her. And now that she’d found herself, could experience some of what she thought was missing from her life, he wanted to ruin it by getting jealous.

  Jealous?

  Yes. I’m jealous.

  That hadn’t been part of their deal. But then again, what did he expect? After all they’d gone through, wasn’t it natural to develop these types of feelings?

  He might be jealous, but that didn’t mean he thought of her with long-term intentions. Did he? Well, sometimes his mind drifted to daydreams involving a future, and Allison’s face was always part of those dreams. He shook off the thought quickly. Any guy would be jealous when the woman he slept with a few nights ago wanted to move on to someone else. Right?

  “I know. I’m behind, aren’t I?”

  “Nothing wrong with that.” Spoken like an overprotective jerk. Of course she wanted to have someone ask for her number. Hell, he fucking liked it when it happened to him, why wouldn’t she? But that didn’t mean he liked it happening right in his face.

  She sobered, and the light filling her eyes dimmed as she leaned in. “Can I tell you a secret? But you have to promise you won’t judge.”

  “Never.” He sat forward, more than curious at what she wanted to share.

  “I gave him a made-up number.” She covered her face with her hand, her eyes full of mischief as she peered at him from over her thumb. “I know that’s bad. I’d hate it if someone did it to me but, truthfully, he’s not my type, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings by saying no. I wasn’t sure what to do, I’ve never been in that situation and—”

  He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Forget it, Al. There are worse things that could happen, and I think he’ll live.” No denying that his heart galloped a little at her words. She hadn’t liked the guy. Good. He hadn’t, either. At least what he’d seen from across the room.

  She dropped her hand, and her eyes grew wide. “Oh my God. Maybe I should go tell him. I really feel bad now that I think about it.”

  “Like I said, he’ll live. Anyway, I’m starving. Let’s go grab a burger or something.” He stood, and she grabbed what was
left of his beer on the table and chugged it down with a grimace.

  She shook her head, her lip curled. “I still don’t like beer. When we grab that burger, let’s get a soda, too. I need something to wash that bitter taste out of my mouth.”

  He laughed and turned her toward the door.

  She glanced back at him over her shoulder, her brown eyes soft. “Are you sure I shouldn’t say—”

  “Move.” He pushed her forward with his hands on her shoulders. “I know the perfect burger place.” He leaned forward to whisper in her ear, drinking in her cherry blossom scent. The perfect place where he could have her all to himself. The perfect place where he could ask her the question that had been on his mind for a few days.

  “Good. I’m starved.”

  He followed her out the door, his eyes instantly drawn to her ass. She’d worn those damn jeans again. They formed to her rear like they’d been tailor-made for her body. No wonder every guy in the place had checked her out.

  He ran his hand through his hair. Bullshit. Every guy had checked her out because she’d been the most vibrant woman in the room. Full of life and fun. Her laughter still echoed in his ears. And his question hung on the tip of his tongue until his mouth grew dry. He’d never been nervous about asking a woman a question, but then again, he’d always known what her answer would be.

  ...

  Allison turned the corner, loving the feel of Jared’s arm hooked through hers. Now she understood why everyone who was part of a couple always walked around with a smile—well, for the most part. Human contact felt good. His touch uplifted her. Made her feel beautiful and special. And the fact that she’d actually had fun in a bar, talked to a few guys on her own—and had given out a number, although it hadn’t been hers—didn’t hurt, either.

  “And here we are.” They stopped outside a diner that had her feeling like they’d stepped back in time, circa 1940.

  “Seriously?”

  “You said you wanted to experience someplace different. And don’t you want to be well-rounded in case the guy you start dating likes retro burger joints?”

  “Who’s ever heard of a retro burger joint?” She dropped her hands low on her hips.

  He shrugged, but the corners of his mouth tugged with humor. “Could be the next big thing. Either way, their burgers rule.”

  “I do want to try new things. But I’m not so sure if my stomach is up for the greasy-spoon challenge.”

  “Give me a break. You sound like you’re sixty-three instead of twenty-three.” His eyes twinkled. “You get some of your best eats at greasy spoons.”

  “I’ve heard that, but…”

  “Didn’t you experience any of these in college? In the middle of a late-night cram session, or after pulling an all-nighter, or walking home from the bar at three in the morning starving?”

  She shook her head. All that he mentioned sounded fun, but she’d never done any of those things. “I was the girl who was home by ten. My late-night cram sessions were solo, and all-nighters wouldn’t have involved more than ordering a pizza. And…” Her voice trailed off. She’d never walked home from a bar in the morning starving. For a moment her good mood waned.

  He nudged her in the shoulder before she let herself sink low. “No matter. We’re in the here and now. Pretend it’s four in the morning and you’ve not only studied all night but you’re drunk on top of it.”

  She laughed, rubbing her lips together and pinching the ball of tinfoil in her pocket.

  “Now let’s get in there and order a spoon loaded with grease.”

  She grimaced. “I’ll pass.”

  “Then how about a burger?”

  “I’m in.”

  ...

  Not only could Jared watch her all night, listen to her talk until the sun came up, and just be with her, but the way she ate a burger drained all the blood from his head and sent it down south.

  Her tongue darted out at every opportunity to catch a drip of ketchup before it hit her chin or lick off a dollop of mustard on the corner of her lip. Her eyes sparkled as they talked, and the way she used her hands when she got excited about something mesmerized him. She might not even be aware of the way she teased him with every look, movement, and smile.

  Or maybe she was, and he wasn’t giving her enough credit.

  Either way, he didn’t care. All he knew was he wanted to be with her. Nick wasn’t happy about it, but too bad. He’d have to deal with it.

  His question hung in the air between them, even though she didn’t have a clue he wanted to ask her something. She might be gaining confidence, but he’d started to doubt his. At least where she was concerned. “How do you think tonight went?”

  “Really well. It wasn’t as hard as I thought to walk up to those guys and ask to play pool. I didn’t even need liquid courage to do it. Colleen will be so proud.”

  He cleared his throat and wiped his palms on his jeans. That jumpy feeling in his gut—the same one he’d gotten when he’d asked Sue Stevens to the seventh-grade dance—hit him full force. “Are you ready for a bigger event?”

  The French fry she’d been pushing around her plate fell as she tilted her head to the left. “You’re making me nervous.”

  That makes two of us. “Are you in the mood for a wedding?”

  “A wedding?” she whispered, as if she’d never heard the word before. “Who’s getting married?”

  “Omar.”

  “Your brother.” Her full-on smile returned.

  He liked that she remembered his brother.

  “I think I remember Nick mentioning him getting married. Are you sure you want to take me?”

  “I’m positive. It’ll be fun.” He’d originally planned to ask her to boost her confidence, but that was no longer the case. Now he didn’t want to bring anyone else.

  “That means I’d meet your family.” She squeaked out the last word.

  “They don’t bite.”

  She sat forward in her seat, her eyes widening and taking on a faraway look. “That’d be a perfect place to test out my conversation skills. I’ve been scouring through current event magazines and surfing the internet for trending topics.”

  “As in Twitter?” For some reason her response deflated his mood. But what had he expected. They weren’t dating—as in real dating. This wasn’t a relationship.

  “I mean, tonight was awesome, but those guys weren’t interested in discussing anything but beer and pool.”

  “And phone numbers.” Did that sound bitter?

  “If you’re sure, I’d love to go. But I’ll have to go shopping.” She pushed away her plate.

  “I know you’re looking forward to that.”

  “Now that I know a little more about what colors look best on me, and what cuts are most flattering for my body type, it is kind of fun.”

  He smiled at her words. The day they’d shopped, he’d helped her pick out several outfits, but one of the saleswomen had taken a special interest in Allison and had offered her lots of advice. “I haven’t even had to call in any of my friends.”

  “Only Margarite. She’s amazing.”

  “I can’t argue with that.”

  She rubbed her lips together. “Where and when is the wedding?”

  “North Carolina in a couple weeks. We’ll fly in the night before, the wedding is Saturday, and then we’ll leave Sunday morning.” He wanted Al to go with him, but the heaviness invading his gut warned him it’d only add more stress between him and Nick.

  “Will we stay with your family?”

  He shook his head as she took a sip of her soda, chewing on the straw. “Omar and Devi booked several rooms at the hotel where the reception will be held. We can either share a room or you can have your own. Up to you…”

  “Well…” She licked her lips, and the sweet look she gave him made his desire hit him again full force. “I think I have some parts down about pleasing a man—”

  “I can vouch for that.”

  She giggled, and that
soft blush covered her face. She was beautiful. He’d never known a woman like her. Her innocence and sweetness had become a huge attraction.

  “But practice makes perfect.”

  Just the words he wanted to hear.

  He cleared his throat and fought the urge to dive across the table and kiss her. “We’ll have fun. I don’t mean sharing a room—I mean that’ll be fun, too—but you’ll like the wedding.” Since when had he lost his ability to flirt with a woman? For some reason—at least with Allison—he wanted so much to say and do the right thing he tripped over his own damn tongue.

  She covered his hand with hers. “You’re more nervous than I am.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  “I like it. Thank you.”

  He laughed. “You’re welcome. Why do you make me so nervous?”

  “Must be I’m rubbing off on you.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “You’re a tease.”

  “I like to tease you. You turn all pink, your eyes grow wide, and you get flustered.”

  “I was thinking the same thing about you.” She grinned and squeezed his fingers.

  And he wanted to drown in her eyes.

  “I’m excited about the wedding, even though I’m sure there will be hundreds of people. I hope I don’t embarrass you.”

  “Never. You might surprise yourself at how ready you are for this.” The more he talked, the more the excitement of taking her to the wedding knotted his gut. Not that he’d changed his mind, but he wanted the weekend to be about them. He wanted it to be a real date, and the realization sucker punched him until he couldn’t breathe.

  The idea that their little fling would come to an end and she’d move on froze his brain. He didn’t want her to move on to someone else. Would she consider anything with him? Did he really want anything more, or did he just not want anyone else with Allison?

  Chapter Eleven

  Allison sat in the break room. Her table for five was now filled to capacity. Even though the conversation buzzed around her, she wasn’t paying attention. Her thoughts circled on Jared and how she missed him—and not in the way you missed a friend but like you missed someone special—because they’d hardly seen each other the last couple of weeks.