Friends ForNever

by Melissa Baldwin

  "I'm sorry we interrupted your girls' night," Aiden whispers.

  I shrug my shoulders. "Don't be," I insist. "Watching the girls flirt with your brother is definitely more entertaining than girl talk."

  He laughs. "This is nothing new," he says, pointing to my three friends swooning over Harry.

  Hmmm…I get the feeling that Harry is quite the ladies' man.

  "So women are constantly throwing themselves at him?" I ask. "I suppose you look up to your big brother then?" Wow, did I just say that? Now I feel stupid.

  He gives me a gorgeous smile. "Nah, I'm a one-woman type of guy." Okay, I think my heart skips a beat. This might be the best girls' night I've ever had.

  CHAPTER THREE

  This is pretty much the longest week ever. It almost feels like Groundhog Day every day, and I'm starting to wonder if Friday is ever going to come. Running into Aiden and Harry at the sushi bar made things a little more bearable. I, for one, didn't mind that they interrupted girls' night, although I don't think the others minded too much either.

  Harry ended up getting quite a bit of attention, and I have no doubt that Bre has set her sights on him. Although she may have to battle Aly for his affections. Regardless, Bre didn't care for Aly before meeting Harry, and now they're on the brink of fighting over the same guy. And I know I will be stuck in the middle.

  "Thanks again for your help yesterday," Aly says, distracting me from my daydream. "It makes me so much more comfortable to understand how this magazine runs."

  "Of course," I reply. "Like I said, I've been in your shoes, so I'm happy to help anytime."

  I really like Aly, and I guess I've kind of taken her under my wing. I've taken plenty of time away from my own work to help her transition smoothly. Including walking her through all our procedures, introducing her to almost everyone on staff, and most importantly, sharing some insider details about Strike a Pose. I remember what it was like to be new, and I wish someone had shown me the ropes of the magazine business. At the same time, I have known Bre for a long time, so I should probably be a supportive friend. Either way, it's not a good situation.

  "So, I have a brilliant idea," Bre says as soon as she sits down at her desk. I haven't had a sip of coffee yet, so I don't think I have the strength to deal with her this early. "What would you think about asking Aiden if Harry and I could join you on your date? How fun would it be for us to come to Sonoma with you?" she says excitedly. This girl has lost her mind. She knows how long I have wanted to go out with Aiden, and now she's asking to join us?

  "So, will you talk to him?" I don't know what to say, so I just nod my head even though I have no intention of letting her crash our date.

  "Um…I will mention something to him, but if you don't mind, I'd like him all to myself this time…"

  "Shhhhhh!" she interrupts me. I give her a questioning look, then I realize Aly has just walked in.

  "Good morning," Aly says cheerfully. No doubt she has had her coffee.

  "How are you so cheerful this early in the morning?" I ask her. "How many cups of coffee have you had?"

  She laughs. "Why does everyone ask me that?"

  I don't know? Maybe it's because she's practically dancing around the office.

  "I actually don't drink coffee." She continues, "I make my own hot water-lemon detoxifying drink and do yoga, Pilates, or run in the mornings. It's an amazing way to start the day."

  I'm completely exhausted by what she just said—something about detox and yoga?

  "Anyway," Bre says, ignoring Aly, "let me know what he says." She's totally serious. I can't believe she wants to join us on our date, and not only that, we don't even know if Harry is interested in her.

  Bre answers her phone and hurries toward the elevator. It's obvious she doesn't want us to listen in on her conversation. I smile at Aly and quickly turn toward my desk. As much as I try to work, I feel like I'm being watched. I turn back to Aly who, as I guessed, is staring at me. I let out a sigh.

  "Okay, what's up, Aly?" I ask. I try not to sound irritated, but I am. I'm never going to get any work done. I have to do something to be able to concentrate. I'm considering locking myself in a bathroom stall with my computer.

  "I'm sorry. I know you're trying to work. I was just wondering if you could do something for me." She cringes, and I have a feeling I'm not going to like this.

  "What?" I say. I didn't mean to sound so rude, but it kind of slipped out.

  "I know you have your big date with Aiden, but I was wondering if you could get the scoop on Harry for me."

  I groan. I don't believe this. My first date with Aiden, and we're going to end up talking about his brother the entire time.

  "Um, sure, I will see what I can find out," I say as I plaster a fake smile on my face.

  Thankfully, the girls leave me alone for the remainder of the day, and there is no more mention of Harry or double dates.

  When I finally get home, I practically fall on the couch I'm so exhausted. On my way home, I ate three peanut butter cookies and a bag of salt and vinegar chips, so I'm not hungry for dinner. I'm just about to doze off when my phone rings. Without moving from the couch, I reach into my bag and grab my phone.

  "Hello?" I sound like I'm half asleep.

  "There you are. Don't you think it would be nice if you would call your mother sometime?"

  I groan. "Hi, Mom."

  "Where have you been?"

  I give my mom the standard apology complete with the "I've been so busy" spiel. Of course, that's not good enough for her. My mom and I have an interesting relationship. She has always expected the best from her children, and although I have been successful in my career, my relationship status—or lack thereof—really stresses her out. My brother is an extremely successful lawyer and has the perfect wife and two children, so that makes her very happy. I, on the other hand, have never lived up to her expectations, or at least it feels that way.

  "Busy or not, you should always call your mother," she replies. I roll my eyes because this isn't the first time I've heard this lecture.

  "I know mom," I say with a sigh.

  "Anyway, I have great news for you," she says ignoring my response. "I have found the perfect man for you. When can I arrange the date?"

  This is not the first blind date that she has tried to set me up on. I actually have a long list of excruciating dating experiences thanks to her.

  "Mom, I told you no more. I think the last blind date was enough torture for one lifetime."

  She has conveniently forgotten about the last guy she tried to set me up with. He was her neighbors' son, and she insisted that he was perfect for me. I noticed all throughout dinner that he was very flirtatious with our server. He even went as far as to ask her to join us on our date after she got off work. Needless to say, I walked out of the restaurant in the middle of my crème brûlée.

  "Erin, it was one bad night. This one is good. I feel it in my gut."

  I roll my eyes. She says that every time. I could get her off my back if I tell her about my date with Aiden, but I'd rather not deal with the nonstop phone calls and texts about what I'm going to wear and how to do my hair.

  "Honey, don't you think it's about time you got into a serious relationship? Come on, you are almost thirty," she says, as if my life is almost over. "Everyone I know is asking me if you are seeing anyone. What am I supposed to tell my friends?"

  Really, everyone she knows? I'm twisting a pillow in my hand because we have this same conversation weekly. I pry myself off the couch and stumble to the kitchen. I need a glass of wine, or maybe a bottle.

  "Mom, I'm sure your friends don't care about my love life. And I'm twenty-eight, so I'm not almost thirty," I insist. I pour myself a glass and head back to my couch. On second thought, I grab the bottle in my other hand while cradling the phone in my neck.

  "That's where you're wrong. My friends love you like their own children. They want you to be happy."

  What am I supposed to say to that? />
  "Okay, Mom, I promise once I become seriously involved in a relationship I will let you know so you can post it on Facebook."

  She laughs. I'm so glad she finds this so funny.

  "So, will you go out with Wilbur?" she asks.

  Wilbur? Seriously?

  "Is that really his name?" I ask.

  "Erin, be nice. You can't afford to be picky about a man's name."

  I foresee this bottle of wine draining fast. I will do anything to get off the phone, so I agree to let her give Wilbur my phone number. If anything, it's a free dinner.

  I'm immersed in a rerun of Beverly Hills, 90210 when my phone rings. I really don't want to answer it in case it happens to be Wilbur, or even worse, mommy dearest again.

  "Hello," I say cautiously.

  "What's wrong, ET?" says a familiar voice. Yes! It's Aiden. I jump up from the couch so fast I get dizzy.

  "Hey, Aiden," I say casually, well as casually as I can. I'm glad he can't see me because I look ridiculously happy to hear his voice.

  "Okay, I have a question for you." He sounds annoyed. "I'm apologizing in advance, but my brother won't get off my back."

  His brother? What's with this guy? I feel like he is taking over my life.

  "Wait, let me guess," I interrupt. "He's interested in someone and wants me to set him up?" I wonder which girl he's interested in.

  "Yes," he exclaims. "How did you know?"

  I tell him all about Bre and Aly both begging me to talk to him about Harry. He laughs.

  "Okay, so, is he interested in Aly or Bre?" I ask finally. Either way it puts me in a terribly awkward place.

  "That's part of the problem, he really liked both of them," he replies. "I love my brother, but he's exhausting."

  What? Is he joking? He wants to date both of these girls and throw Aiden and me in the middle.

  "Both of them? You can't be serious," I exclaim. "There is no way in hell I'm going into work and sitting those girls down and telling them that Harry wants to date both of them."

  I'm so frustrated. This should be the time that Aiden and I are getting to know each other, not playing matchmaker for other people.

  "I know. That's why I'm calling. What do you think we should do?" he asks.

  I think for a few seconds. "I think you should give him both their numbers and let them hash it out. We shouldn't have to worry about it."

  Aiden agrees with me, so I give him both the girls' numbers. I will let them fight over him, and may the best woman win.

  "So, we set for Friday?" I ask, casually changing the subject.

  "Yes. I'm really looking forward to it," he says. I can almost hear him smiling.

  "Me, too."

  When we get off the phone, I'm so happy. I think I fall asleep with a permanent smile on my face. Only one more day to go.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Friday is my favorite day of the week, and I'm not just saying that because tonight is my first date with Aiden. I wake up early and don't even hit snooze four times like on a typical morning. I just have to make it through a few hours of work. Yesterday, I actually asked Chelsie if I could work in the conference room so I could concentrate. It was a gloriously peaceful day. Bre called in sick, and Aly isn't bold enough to wander around looking for me. I admit I'm a little curious to find out if Harry called them, but I don't want to bring it up.

  The only thing to darken my mood would be a missed call and text from Wilbur, who thankfully goes by Will. Apparently, my meddling mother told him I love sushi, so of course he invited me out for sushi. I feel like such a jerk because I haven't texted him back yet. I consider deleting the text but my mother's incessant nagging will never let me get away with it.

  When I get to the office, Bre is walking around the office bragging that she finished her article, and she's ready for the interview. I can't believe she is done already. I have been working nonstop, and I'm still not satisfied with it.

  "Hey, girl. Are you feeling better?" Aly asks as soon as she arrives. "I thought you and Bre were both sick."

  How do I tell her that I went into hiding to avoid them?

  "No. I'm fine."

  "Well, I have some exciting news," she says. She looks like she's about to explode if she doesn't say something. "I decided to take your advice. I'm going to apply for the international project." She barely takes a breath. "Do you think I'm crazy, honestly?"

  Wow. I thought for sure she was going to tell me that she talked to Harry. At least someone is taking work seriously.

  "Not crazy at all," I reply. "I told you that I think you have just as much of a chance as anyone else."

  She looks relieved.

  I manage to get some more writing done, even though I feel like I'm watching the clock every minute. It's just like those sleepless nights where you somehow manage to look at the clock every hour on the hour. Finally, it's time to get ready. I brought another outfit (a pair of dark skinny jeans with an off the shoulder sweater and black booties), makeup, and my flatiron. The bathroom has practically turned into a salon. I look in the mirror, and I'm starting to freak out. Normally, I'm pretty content with how I look, but considering I've been out of the dating game for a while, I'm extra uptight about it. I know I'm being ridiculous because Aiden sees me at work practically every day. I continue to stare at myself in the mirror. I was blessed with clear skin, which I know not everyone is. One of these days I should thank my mom for that. I run the hairbrush through my light brown hair one more time and add some fresh lipstick. Hmmm…I guess this is as good as it gets.

  I'm on the brink of an anxiety attack when Kimmy comes into the bathroom. "Damn, girl, you look amazing," she says excitedly.

  I look around the bathroom at the primping tornado I have caused. I was hoping everyone had gone home for the day.

  "Thanks," I say with a big silly grin. "It's not too much, right?" She shakes her head quickly.

  "Not at all." She gives me a hug. "Have the best time tonight." Seriously, you would think this was my first date ever.

  I finally head back to my desk, and as I expected, almost everyone has left for the day. I sit down and make myself look busy while I wait for Aiden. I check my phone and see a text from him.

  Be up there in 10.

  I daydream about how our date could go. It will begin with a delicious dinner, tour of a winery, maybe a picnic under the stars, maybe some hot, passionate kissing and…I force myself to snap out of my daydream, and it's a good thing because Aiden arrives right on time.

  "What's going on in that brain of yours?" he asks, giving me a teasing look. OMG, I can only imagine what my facial expression was when he came in. I'm so embarrassed, and there's no chance in hell I will tell him what I was thinking about.

  "What do you mean?" I ask with a nervous laugh. "I was just thinking about, um…this article I'm working on. It's been kind of hard to concentrate."

  He gives me a questioning look as he pulls Bre's desk chair over toward me. "Hard to concentrate? Why?"

  He is sitting so close to me that I shift around in my chair. If I were to tell the truth, I would have to tell him how I have been counting down the days until our date. Of course, there have been other distractions, but this date has been the biggest one.

  "Just a lot going on, you know, with the international project and stuff. It's a lot of pressure." I stare at his face. Damn, he's handsome. "Anyway, I'm ready when you are."

  He doesn't move at first, and suddenly he looks distracted. "Oh yeah, let's go," he says and grabs my hand. Squeal! We walk out of the office hand in hand. This date is already off to a perfect start.

  * * *

  I'm having the best time. Other than Aiden calling me ET a few times, he has been perfect. I notice how he makes subtle gestures, like reaching over to touch my arm, and he even pushed a piece of my hair out of my face. I hope he couldn't hear my heartbeat because it felt like it was going to beat out of my chest.

  "Okay, my turn to ask a question," he says boldly. I have bee
n talking nervously, so I haven't given him much of a chance to get a word in.

  "Sorry," I say.

  "No, it's fine. Don't apologize." He reaches over and puts his hand on my knee. Again, I feel a huge electric shock go through my body when he touches me. This could be a really good thing or a really bad thing. I wait for him to remove his hand, which thankfully he doesn't.

  "Ask me anything you want," I say as I place my hand on top of his. I'm starting to feel more relaxed.

  "Are you close to your family?" he asks. "You've already met my brother, so you know what I have to deal with at family events."

  I laugh. "Well, he must not be that bad considering he has two gorgeous women fighting over him right now."

  He nods his head. "True."

  "My family is interesting," I say finally. "Of course I love them, but they can be frustrating, too. My parents divorced two years ago, which was shocking for all of us." I pull down the sun visor to check my hair. "Anyway, as you can imagine, after almost forty years of marriage, no one saw that coming, but they seem to be doing fine. My dad is retired and plays golf or goes fishing almost every day. My mom is retired, too, and spends all her extra time going to social events and meddling in my personal life. My brother is a successful lawyer with a gorgeous wife and two perfect children. He's always been good at everything he does. The guy that never had to study but still got straight As. It's as if everything he touches turns to gold."

  I stop and think about my description of my family. I didn't exactly make them sound that great, but I really do love them.

  "So, let me guess—you consider yourself the black sheep of the family?" he asks sarcastically. He moves his hand from my knee and takes my hand in his. Now he's holding my hand. For a brief moment, I can't even remember what we were talking about.

  "What?" I ask absently. "Oh, I mean, no. Not the black sheep exactly. It's just that everything has always come easy to Eric, my brother. I had to work a little harder to get where I am."