Read Online Friend-Zoned by Belle Aurora - Free Book Online

art.
It’s a little like Max’s. He has a single dimple which is totally
yummy. And his teeth are so straight and white, I want to lick
him.
But his smile transforms his whole face. Gone is any hardness I
once saw in his face; now whenever I see him I will remember this
beautiful smile. I feel sorry for anyone who hasn’t seen it.
He turns to Mimi and asks, “Can you lock up?”
She nods and walks to the staff room. Keys in hand, she shuffles us
out the door and locks it.
Nik takes my hand, puts it in the crook of his elbow and walks us
across the street, girls in tow.
We arrive at what Nik calls the ‘chill out’ room and there are at
least ten other people there.
Max is the first to spot us arrive. He swoops up to us and picks me
up, hugging me hard. What the heck is
it with these guys and picking me up? Max exclaims, “Oh, doll face, you are a sight for sore eyes!”
He looks at my girls and asks, “Have you tried this girl’s
cupcakes?” They all nod and he continues, “They should win awards
or some shit!”
From across the room, an older lady yells out to Max, “You watch
your mouth, young man. You’re not too old for me to spank you, niño
travieso!” She has a slight accent. She is also beautiful. I would
guess she is in her mid to late fifties with salt and pepper hair,
olive skin tone, and dark brown eyes.
Nik walks me over to her. He introduces me to her. “Mom, this is
Tina.” He looks proud to introduce me. I melt a little.
She looks at me curiously and questions, “So this is your
new friend ?” She
says friend in a teasing way. I don’t know what to make of
it.
I clear my throat and respond, “It’s lovely to meet you…”
She takes my hand in hers and introduces herself with a kind voice.
“Cecilia. But you girls can call me Mama.” She winks at me then
goes to get my friends names.
Trick approaches with three other girls. They are all smiling big
as Trick introduces them. “Tina, these are Max and Nik’s sisters.
Leticia, Maria, and Isabel.”
Leticia looks the oldest. Not quite as old as Max or Nik but she is
the oldest sister. She looks a lot like her Mom. As does Maria. She
says, “Please call me Leti.”
I take her hand and shake it. I say with an awe-filled voice, “Wow,
you’re all so beautiful. You must have great genes.”
Maria takes my hand next and responds, “We get told that a bit but
it’s hard to see that in yourself.” She is humble and sweet. She
looks about my age.
Isabel is the youngest. And I mean young . She is maybe eighteen. Nik
has to be at least twelve years older than her. She looks a little
like her sisters but shares the same eye color as Nik and Max. She
gently takes my hand and shoots me a shy smile, “Call me
Isa.”
Leti asks me about Safira’s. I tell them I’m the manager and which
brands we currently stock. I also invite them to come see the store
sometime. They all listen intently and seem genuinely interested. I
like them instantly.
Ghost appears in the doorway carrying platters upon platters of
sushi. Oh dear lord, I’m in sushi
heaven! I freakin’ love sushi! I don’t love the raw fish bits but give me Teriyaki
and Satay chicken any day. Ooh, and spicy tuna rolls. And spring
rolls. And maybe the edamame beans.
Okay, so I love a lot of Japanese food items. Nik comes up behind me and
catches me staring with wide eyes at the platters. He smiles, I get
the dimple again, and he says teasingly, “I promised you sushi,
right?”
I nod up at him and he tells me, “Go eat then, sweetheart.” He
gives me a little shove to move me along.
Looking around the room I see everyone chatting and laughing.
Cecilia and Trick in one corner. Nat, Lola, and Max on the lounge,
Ghost sitting on the arm of the sofa listening in. Mimi is chatting
away to the sisters. Everyone seems to be having a good time and
I’m glad we came. It seemed to be important to Nik.
I make a move to the table with the now open platters when a voice
startles