Friend-Zoned(6)

He rolls up the sleeves to his elbows. I think he’s done this to make me a little more comfortable around him. I’m surprised that it works. The simple move has made him much less intimidating and I feel myself loosen up.

He sounds bored when he says, “I’m Nik.”

He already thinks you’re a weirdo, don’t you dare freeze up now. It’s just talking.

I reply a little too loudly, “I’m Tina.”

His lips twitch. He asks, “You work at Safira’s Boutique?”

I simply nod.

He points to the note which now sits on his desk and asks, “Can you tell me who gave me this note?”

Immediately I respond, “I did.” Just like ripping off a band aid, the quicker you do it the less painful it is.

His brow furrows in confusion, he taps his pen on the desk and says, “Oh. I guess you could say I’m a little curious about the note. And what’s written on it.”#p#分页标题#e#

I flush even warmer and slide deeper into the chair.

I’m so embarrassed!

I quickly respond, “I’m so sorry if I offended you in any way. I, ah, I think I should just go.” I move to stand but he reaches over the table and takes my hand in his huge one.

He says, “Sit down, please.” This is not a request.

He places my hand back on the desk and I park my butt back down. He reaches for the note and reads aloud, “Smile sometime, handsome.”

Yep. I’m an Idiot.

***

This Tina woman closes her eyes and cringes when I read the note aloud; it’s so cute I have to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

She straightens up, looks me in the eye and says matter-of-factly, “It’s just that every day you come outside for your cigarette break which, by the way, smoking kills.” She scrunches her nose, and says quietly, “But at least it didn’t stunt your growth.” She looks thoughtful, places her fingers to her chin and tilts her head slightly. Her head straightens suddenly as if she just remembered she wasn’t done and she continues, “And I see you out there every day but you’re never happy. And you never smile. Like ever. And I just wanted to, anonymously, make your day a bit better and make you smile because, frankly, watching you is a bit depressing. And I know it’s none of my business and you have the right to be as broody as you damn well please, but I like when people smile and I like making people smile!” She finishes a little louder than she needs to be. I have to stop myself from running my hands down my face.

Yeah, too cute.

I feel a frown form.

I don’t do cute. She has a great ass that I would definitely like in my bed but I don’t do cute.

Cute girls wanna kiss. I don’t do that shit. Kissing means special things like relationships and girlfriends. And I don’t have relationships or girlfriends. I have fuck buddies. Because I fuck. Often. I most definitely don’t make love. I might not screw hard all the time but even slow screwing is just screwing.

I don’t have the time or the inclination to make the effort to keep a girlfriend.

One day, when I’m not knee deep in nightclub bullshit, I’ll find a nice girl and settle down. I’ll make sure that girl will be worth it. But that time is not now.

Tina is looking at my eyes and asks, “What color are your eyes?”

Uh oh, she’s making goo-goo eyes at me. Crap, cut her loose and let her be on her way.

***

Nik shifts in his chair almost nervously as he replies, “Uh, I don’t really know. Like a gold-ish brown or somethin’.”

I push the eye color thing. I tell him, “I’ve never seen eyes that color. It’s like warm honey.”

He looks away and swallows hard before he says, “Uh, yeah, I guess.”

Oh my, he is nervous.

As he looks toward the bookcase in the corner and I spy ink travelling up the back of his neck past the back of his ear. It’s black, thick, and looks tribal.

Yummy.

He won’t look me in the eye now and I wonder what I said to get a reaction like the one he’s giving me.

I’m confused.

Frowning, I take a look around his office while I try to figure him out. It’s nice. The walls are a pale sandy color. His desk is wooden and looks heavy. This desk was not bought at Ikea. This was the type of desk you bought at an antique store and had re-finished. It’s clearly mahogany (La dee dah!). And I notice the whole room is neat; not a stray paper in sight. I can’t even see my desk in Safira’s store room! It’s covered in papers, stock, and trash.#p#分页标题#e#

Mental note; find your desk.

There are two framed photos on the mahogany bookshelf in the corner of the office.