Friends ForNever

by Melissa Baldwin

  "Don't worry, Mother. She will be back in a few weeks, and we can all get together again."

  Aiden reaches over and puts his hand on my leg. I give him a grateful smile. I'm not going to say a word about Bre tonight. I'm trying to make a good impression, and I'm sure bashing Harry's girlfriend would not be the best decision.

  "Don't you all work together at the magazine? So you must know one another pretty well," Mrs. Thomas asks. I don't say anything, and thankfully, Aiden jumps in and saves me.

  "Yes, Mother," he says. "Bre is just working on location for a few weeks."

  His mother looks impressed. "Really? She must be very talented if they sent her to Paris." I'm dying. I need to excuse myself and fast. I look at my phone.

  "If you will all excuse me, my mother just called. I'm going to make sure everything is alright," I announce abruptly. When I stand up, I almost trip over the long tablecloth. Thankfully I catch myself from a potentially humiliating moment at one of the most famous restaurants in the world. I make a mad dash for the bathroom before I embarrass myself further.

  Okay, pull yourself together. It doesn't matter what happened with Bre or Aly. I need to enjoy myself and not let them win. I check my makeup, take a few deep breaths, and return to the table.

  When I return, Mr. Thomas is reprimanding Harry. "Harrison, you shouldn't make such a bold move just yet, especially with your track record." I give Aiden a curious look, and he rolls his eyes.

  "Are you all right, dear?" Mrs. Thomas asks me.

  I smile and nod.

  "Now, Erin, tell me what you do at the magazine. Is it the same as Bre?" she asks. I force a smile. Why are we still talking about this? I was hoping my escape to the bathroom would make everyone forget about Bre and our friendship. At the same time, I should be happy that Aiden's mother cares enough to ask about my life.

  "Um…yes. We're both journalists. Thankfully, I've been with Strike a Pose so long that I basically have carte blanche to choose topics to write about. I'm very blessed to be able to do something I love." That sounded pretty good. I'm impressed with myself. Aiden pretends to give a golf clap, and I punch him on the leg.

  "Well, it sounds fascinating," she replies. "Will you have the same opportunity as Bre to work abroad?"

  Harry's eyes get wide. I can tell he's afraid I'm about to throw Bre under the bus. Wow, he must really like her. Truthfully, I'm torn. This may be my only chance to let them know how conniving Bre can be, and revenge would be so sweet. But I know this isn't the place. While I'm having immense inner turmoil, Aiden once again steps in and saves the day.

  "Erin had the chance to go to Paris as well," Aiden interrupts. "But she's extremely loyal to Strike a Pose and has been working very hard to promote within our magazine here. I've seen some of her work, and it's spectacular. I see a huge future here in San Fran, and personally, I'm happy she didn't go to Paris."

  Harry has obviously relaxed thanks to Aiden and me not revealing Bre's true colors. I'm trying my best not to crawl into Aiden's lap and kiss him. I can see how much their parents adore Aiden, although I get the impression that he rarely disappoints them. Now I understand why Harry says that Aiden's the favorite son.

  "I'm impressed. It sounds like our boys have impeccable taste in young ladies," Mr. Thomas says loudly.

  After that moment, there's no more mention of my job, Bre, or Paris. I can hardly eat my dinner because all I keep thinking about is Aiden. I'm starting to wonder if this is really happening. Is it possible for this man to be this perfect?

  "Psst…what are you thinking about?" Aiden whispers, which startles me out of my daydream. "You were staring off into space."

  I shrug. "Just happy to be here," I whisper. He gives me a questioning look. I just smile.

  I can understand why this place has a reputation of being one of the best restaurants in the world. The food is unbelievable, and the wine is even better. Actually, the wine is probably too good. I think everyone is a little buzzed. Harry and Aiden start arguing about who was a better soccer player ten years ago. Their parents are telling stories about when they first started dating.

  "Erin, how long have your parents been married?" Mrs. Thomas asks.

  I completely freeze. Besides Bre, this would be the other topic I'd rather not talk about.

  "My parents? Oh…um…forty years."

  I'm not really lying. They were married forty years before they divorced, and since they're getting remarried maybe we can just forget the past two years. Aiden gives me a look. I can tell he doesn't want me to lie.

  "Actually, it's kind of complicated. My parents have been married for forty years, but then two years ago, they decided they needed a break or something, and they divorced."

  Mrs. Thomas gives me an apologetic look. "Oh, please excuse me for being so presumptuous."

  "No, don't apologize." I pause. "In a bizarre twist, my parents told us the other night that they're getting remarried."

  "Yes, they're getting remarried on a cruise ship, and they've invited me," Aiden adds.

  Aiden's parents look surprised, and I can't blame them. I'm still completely lost when it comes to my parents' relationship. At the same time, I guess it will be nice to have my family back together again.

  "Aiden made quite a lasting impression on my family," I tell them. "You raised a great man."

  "They sure did," Harry says loudly, holding out his wine glass. He's definitely buzzed. Aiden hits him hard on the back.

  "I need to make a toast," Harry says. "Here's to two influential people who raised an awesome son and Aiden, too."

  Everyone at the table cheers, and their parents lovingly look at each other and kiss. I get tears in my eyes. I hope when I find the right one we are able to have a long life together.

  When we're leaving the restaurant, Mrs. Thomas gives me a hug. "I hope that we will see you again, Erin."

  "Thank you. I would love that."

  When we return to my apartment, Aiden walks me to my door.

  "I better get going," he says. I nod my head, but I don't want him to leave. He leans in to kiss me good-bye.

  "You want to hang out for a bit?"

  He smiles. "I thought you'd never ask."

  * * *

  Once again, the phone rings at five thirty a.m. I'm going to kill this girl.

  "What?" I answer.

  "Um, hello. French Laundry? Once again, I wait up to hear all about your enchanted evening and no phone call or text. I'm assuming you have a good reason?"

  Do I ever. But considering I once again didn't fall asleep until the middle of the night, I'd rather not get into it now.

  "How about I call you back when it's not the middle of the night?" I beg.

  I can hear her let out a frustrated sigh. "I've been up for hours."

  She can't be serious.

  "Yes, but have you forgotten that Eastern Standard Time and Pacific Standard Time are different—as in three hours different?"

  "Whatever. Tell me about your date."

  She does this all the time. She calls me early, gets me engaged in a conversation until I'm awake, and then expects me to tell her about my date. Once again, her grand plan works.

  "When did you tell Jack that you were in love with him?" I ask.

  I must catch her completely off guard because she doesn't say a word for a few seconds.

  "Why are you asking?" she questions.

  "Just curious," I say playfully.

  She screams loudly. "Are you ready to tell him?"

  According to her, I suck at hiding my feelings. Last night, after we came back to my apartment, I almost told him how I feel but totally chickened out.

  After I tell her a few of the details of my evening, I get back on the subject of being in love. "Should I wait for him to say something?" I ask. "I mean, assuming he feels the same way."

  "He does feel the same way," she exclaims. "At least, it sounds that way from what you've said."

  I curl up under my blanket and smile. I hope
so, I think to myself.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  I feel like I'm a different person. I guess I've become one of those annoying women who are madly in love. I'm not sure if the new me is because I'm in love or because I love my job right now. I've been working so hard that I haven't turned on the TV in days. I may have actually beaten my TV addiction without any kind of therapy.

  "Erin, are you listening to me?" my mom asks frustratingly. I'm having lunch with her and Liza, and I keep daydreaming. As soon as I sat down it's been nonstop wedding discussion.

  "Of course I am," I lie.

  "You didn't answer my question. How do you like these dresses?"

  I can't believe this—my mom has become a bridezilla. I never imagined that I would be a bridesmaid in my parents' wedding, but she has decided that she needs to have a full-blown wedding with all the tradition. She claims that forty years ago they didn't have everything she wanted, but I've seen the pictures, and it looked pretty grand to me.

  "I picked pink and turquoise because those are good cruise colors. They're very tropical, don't you think? And what about the style? Do you like it or not?" she asks again.

  I look at the magazine that Liza is holding up. "They're really pretty, Mom. I'm fine with whatever you decide."

  I chew on a piece of bread while she and Liza flip through a magazine, looking at shoes. I guess I shouldn't complain because her wedding plans have taken precedence over my life. I guess I should be grateful that I'm able to enjoy a meal with my mother and not get the third degree.

  "Eric will be calling Aiden to set up all of their arrangements," Liza says excitedly. "They will look so dashing." I give her a confused look.

  "What arrangements?" I ask. I really don't want my brother calling Aiden. Even though Aiden claims to have liked Eric, I know after a while my brother is really annoying.

  "The arrangements, you know, for the tuxedo fittings," she replies. She and Mom look at each other. Tuxedo? They can't be serious.

  "Honey, you know he will need to match Eric for the pictures."

  Am I hallucinating? It sounds like they are talking about Aiden being a groomsman.

  "Mom, please tell me you aren't expecting Aiden to be in the bridal party?" Of course I already know the answer—how silly of me to even ask.

  She looks at me as if I've lost it. Why does it feel like everyone is giving me this look lately?

  "I most certainly am having him in the bridal party. I know he would be incredibly offended if we didn't ask," she exclaims. "Most importantly, that man loves you, so I'm sure he would do anything for your dear mother."

  I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. Did she just say that Aiden loves me? I wonder what makes her think that. Maybe it's some kind of mother's intuition…or it could be wishful thinking on her part.

  "You don't know that for sure. We haven't been together that long," I tell her.

  She lets out a huge sigh. "Erin Marjorie Taylor, I know love when I see it, and that man loves you." She looks at Liza who's nodding her head in agreement.

  I can't help but smile. For once I hope she's right when it comes to my love life.

  * * *

  "I have to tell you that I've been really impressed by you lately," Chelsie says, handing me another cup of the world's best coffee. "Not that you haven't impressed me in the past, but lately there's something different. I'm not sure what it is exactly—a spark or a newfound confidence. Whatever it is, it's good."

  I smile proudly. I knew I felt different, but it's nice that someone else notices.

  "So, when am I going to see this spectacular article you've been raving about?"

  I raise my eyebrows and give her a big smile.

  "Don't you mean articles?" I say excitedly. "I have several done. I guess you could call it a series."

  I definitely spark her interest.

  "Series of articles, huh?" she says thoughtfully. "That's very interesting. You're working very hard to get that office, aren't you?"

  I laugh. "Yes. Especially when certain people return from Paris." I've been trying not to think about Bre and Aly's return. It's been so nice since Kimmy moved her stuff to Bre's desk. We still haven't moved Aly's stuff. Soon. I will just have to refrain myself from moving it to the Dumpster.

  "You never did tell me what happened with those girls. I know Bre is difficult to deal with on a daily basis, but what else happened?"

  Normally Chelsie stays out of office drama, but she needs to know what really happened so she can be prepared for the fallout, especially when Bre finds out we moved her desk. I tell Chelsie the whole story of how both girls stabbed me in the back.

  "Okay. Now I can see why you want that office so badly," she says. "You know I try not to listen to the rumors and gossip, but I did hear something about Aiden and Aly hooking up. Apparently, Aly was telling everyone about it."

  I let out a loud laugh. "Oh, yeah, I heard all about it at the good-bye party. She was trying very hard to antagonize me. She even told Aiden that I was involved with another guy. He's a family friend, and we ran into Aly while we were having lunch. She took that and ran with it."

  Chelsie seems really interested in this gossip. "Well, I wish I could tell you that she's not returning, but she is."

  Bummer. I was hoping that she would piss off Madeline Bufont so much that it would get her fired, but obviously I'm not that lucky.

  "Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting these articles. Send them over as soon as they're ready," she says, changing the subject. That's typical of Chelsie. As soon as there's mention of office drama, she quickly changes the subject.

  I can take a hint and leave her office. When I return to my desk, I'm surprised to see a gorgeous bouquet of roses.

  "These were just delivered," Kimmy exclaims. My heart starts to race and I open the card attached.

  Please join me for dinner Friday night. Be ready at 6 p.m.

  Aiden

  I smile and hold the note to my chest.

  "Well?" Kimmy asks.

  I smile. "Just a dinner invitation."

  "Wow, what's the occasion?" she asks.

  I shrug. "I'm not sure, but I'm accepting." I pull out my phone and text Aiden.

  I would love to have dinner with you on Friday night.

  I lean over and smell the gorgeous roses. These are the first flowers he's given me. I have a feeling that Friday night is going to be amazing.

  * * *

  I can't believe I've done it. I just completed my series of articles that I think is going to change my career. I've been working nonstop for the past few days, and I'm really pleased with my work. Now time to proofread and then send it off to Chelsie. Despite the excitement about my new project, the feeling of dread is looming. These past few weeks have flown by, and as the weeks go by, the closer it gets to Aly and Bre returning from Paris. I'm hoping that my latest project pushes me into a new realm and I won't have to interact with them as much as I used to. Aiden keeps telling me that I shouldn't let them bother me. He also continues to remind me that if I had gone to Paris he and I wouldn't have gotten as close as we have. He thinks we should actually thank Bre. I don't think I'm to that point yet, but I'm definitely not as upset as I was a few weeks ago. Apparently, Harry's visit to Paris went very well, so I'm sure Aiden is hoping that we bury the hatchet before we all gather together with his parents. I know I need to just get over it. I'm sure everyone is thinking I'm being ridiculous, but what it comes down to is that she was my friend, and she betrayed me.

  On another note, this betrayal was, in part, inspiration for my new articles, so I may need to thank her later after all.

  Aly, on the other hand, is a different story. We haven't known each other as long as Bre and me, and when it comes to trying to steal a man, there is no excuse.

  It's Friday night, and I'm waiting nervously for Aiden to pick me up for our date. He's been pretty secretive as to the location of our date other than telling me to dress warmly.

  As
usual, Aiden is right on time, and he looks as handsome as ever.

  "Hi," I say flirtatiously when I answer the door.

  "Hello, beautiful lady. Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?"

  He takes my face in his hands and kisses me gently. I'm so mesmerized that it takes me a few seconds to open my eyes.

  "You ready to go?" he whispers.

  I nod my head slowly. He takes my hand and leads me out the door. Surprisingly, we don't say much while we're in the car.

  "Where are we going?" I ask.

  He smiles. "Well, I wanted tonight to be special, and I was going to surprise you, but it's a bit of drive so I'm sure you'll figure it out."

  I look out the window. "We're driving away from the city, but I'm still not sure where we're going."

  Before long, I know where we're going. Aiden is taking me back to the Jacuzzi Winery, the spot of our first date. This has to be one of the most romantic gestures ever.

  "Are we going back to the Jacuzzi Winery?" I ask. A big grin spreads across his face.

  "Maybe," he says playfully.

  Sure enough, we arrive at the site of our first date. Aiden parks and walks around the car to open the door for me. I take a few deep breaths, and I'm ready for my magical night.

  Once again, Aiden has outdone himself with the perfect meal, delicious wine, and chocolate-covered strawberries. I feel like I'm the luckiest woman in the world.

  Aiden just finishes telling me about my brother calling him with all the details about the wedding. "I'm really sorry about this. You probably didn't expect to be in a wedding after having dinner with my family. Believe me, I didn't expect to be a bridesmaid either."

  "I really don't mind. I like your family a lot, and I feel honored to be included," he says.

  I raise my eyebrows. "You're just saying that, but I appreciate it regardless."