Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned #3)(21)
Author: Belle Aurora

Suddenly, he’s in my face. A dangerous smile on that gorgeous face, he whispers, “I’m all ears, babe.”

I think that’s the exact moment we both realize this conversation is extremely inappropriate. My eyes widen. So do his. We start at the same time.

“Oh my gosh, James!”

“Crap. I’m so sorry, Helena.”

“That was…”

“….really not cool. I-uh…I don’t know what I was thinking. Shoot.”

Laughter lines my voice. “It’s okay. You’re funny. I think you’re a hoot.” I dip my chin and laugh quietly. I am not offended; I’m amused. Really damn amused. I like him! But he doesn’t laugh in return as expected. I look up to find him incensed. I quickly put my hand on his forearm. “Hey.”

He pulls away from my touch. “Uh, it’s probably best if that didn’t happen again. I’ve never acted that way in my life. I am—” he coughs, “so sorry. I’m usually quite professional. It’s not like me to flirt with an employee.” His eyes hold a clear apology. “I should go.”

I can’t believe this is the same man I was laughing with a few minutes ago. Where did he go and who is this stiff? I reach out a second time and wrap a hand around his wrist tightly. “Hey, don’t leave. I’m just as much to blame. I’m sorry.” His body loses some of its tenseness. I add slowly, “I thought you were funny. I mean, I don’t offend that easily. And just for your information, I’m not your employee.” He raises a brow in my direction. I lift my shoulder. “Not yet. Not for another two days.”

His other brow rises to join the first. A low chuckle escapes him, and I smile knowing I’ve eased the tension. Shaking his head, he lets out a long sigh. “I can say this has been a very interesting evening.” He stills and his eyes dart from side to side. “I should probably mention I don’t date employees.” A sudden rush of embarrassment disguised as anger clenches my gut. I’m just about to lie through my teeth and tell him I wasn’t coming onto him, when he adds, “I’m screwing this up again. Sorry.”

My middle unclenches with a slow exhale. I reply, “I don’t date, James. I’m just looking for a friend.”

With an easy smile, he utters, “That, I can do.”

Chapter Ten

Helena

Safely seated two booths away from my sister and the rest of the guys, James and I sit, drink, and get to know each other in our comfortable surroundings. “So you’ve got two sisters. One is the loud-mouthed brunette over there, and the other is a hairdresser back home. Both of your parents are still alive and kicking, and are still together after twenty-five years.” He squints. “Did I get that right?” I nod with smiling eyes.

He tells me, “Well, my family really only consists of two people. It’s just me and my brother, Trent. Both our parents have passed on. Dad, when Trent was a baby, and Mom just last year.” Just as I’m about to offer my condolences, he mutters, “You really weren’t kidding when you said you guys are like a family.”

Fiddling with my straw, I smile warmly. “I was never really part of the family myself until recently. Very recently. Tina was, and my sister was, so I guess when they told the guys I was going to be living here,” I shrug, “they just sort of included me.”

James responds to me, but looks over at the booth filled with laughing women and their men. “Must be nice.” I look over at the booth myself and smile at the scene they don’t even know they’re making. He adds, “To be included just as you are.”

I turn back to him. “May I be frank?” He nods, lifting his beer to his mouth. I mutter, “It’s fucking awesome.”

He chokes on his beer and I laugh. He bangs on his chest with a closed fist and wheezes out, “Potty mouth.” Then shoots me a thumbs up. “Nice.”

Still laughing, I cringe at myself. Who the heck did I think I was having drinks with? “I’m sorry. I’m not exactly making the best first impression. Especially since I’m supposed to be making a good impression. I just…I guess you just make me feel like I can talk freely with you, you know?” I look down at the table. My cheeks heat as I mumble, “I already feel very comfortable with you.”

A warm hand covers mine. I peek up at him. He confides, “The feeling’s mutual. And as far as I’m concerned, as long as we’re off the clock, you can cuss like a damn sailor and pour rum down your throat. It’s all good.”

Eyes full of awe, I confess, “I think I just fell in love with you a little.”

He suavely leans back in the booth and shoots me with a finger gun. “It happens.”

I couldn’t get the damn smile off of my face if I wanted to. Not that I want to.

I think working with James Whittaker will be a treat.

***

Max

The sound of vibrating wakes me. I squint over at the clock. 1:14 am. What the fuck? I open the message sent from Nik.

Nik: Not that you care or anything.

Attached is a photo. The hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Well, she don’t waste any time, does she? Helena, looking something like an angel, leans over a booth, laughing. Her hand rests on the man’s forearm. He’s smiling down at her, looking at her like she’s the most beautiful girl in the world.

Wait. Is that…?

My gut knots in what I refuse to believe is jealousy. That’s Whit, Ceecee’s PT, and she’s looking up at him like he’s a god. My chest aches. I quickly type a response.

Me: Glad she’s having fun.

I switch off my phone and try to get back to sleep. But sleep doesn’t come. Instead, I wonder what it’ll take to get the green-eyed hothead to smile at me like that.

***

Helena

It’s close to two am, and now that James has left, I’m moving back over to the booth with everyone else. As soon as I get into hearing distance, my sister calls out, “So how big is his cock?”

I shoot her daggers. “Shut your whore mouth. He was a gentleman.”

She smirks. “So you tried and he plead innocence?”

Nik cuts in with a curious, “You tryin’ to bake cookies with Whit?”

I wave a hand in his direction to shut him up, and get back to bickering with my sister. “No, dumbass. He’s my boss. I wouldn’t do anything with my boss. That’s just stupid. He’s my boss.” Her eyes narrow at me in a bullshit gesture. I point a finger at her. “Thinking about it is not the same as doing it!”