“Sucks he has a girlfriend.”
“Yeah.”
“Steal him away from her.”
I glared at Toni. She was ruthless when it came to men and getting what she wanted. Me, not so much. I respected people’s relationships. I wouldn’t appreciate a woman trying to take my man away from me, like the bitch who stole my dad away from my mom.
“No.”
“Don’t be such a goody-goody.”
“I’m not. But I do live by a code.”
Toni snorted, tossing her blonde locks off her shoulder. “If the boy cheats on his woman, he was never really hers to begin with.”
“I don’t agree.” Not entirely anyway. Even if a person wasn’t really in love with their significant other, they should end it and not cheat. I never thought my dad really loved my mom. The way he yelled at her and hit her was proof. But did he leave? Divorce her? Hell no. He fucked around all the time until Soria forced him to leave my mom.
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Nothing. He’s my neighbor. Bea’s grandson. I’ll treat him as a friend.”
“Ooh, you friend-zoned him.”
“Yup.” And it was torture every time I saw him.
“Good luck not crossing your imaginary line.”
“I don’t need luck.” I tapped my hand on the steering wheel. “Granny wouldn’t want me with him anyway.”
“How do you know?”
“I just know.”
“You’re an idiot. You don’t know shit.”
“And you’re a bitch. Now get out of my car. Granny is waiting for me.” I wasn’t angry at Toni. Just irritated because she might be right like always.
She laughed, shoving my shoulder. “Neighbor Nik has you all moody and sexually frustrated. He’ll be taken out of the friend zone in a week.” She winked and got out of the car. Before closing the door, she said, “I can’t wait to meet him!”
I rolled my eyes at my best friend. She was probably right about Nik getting out of the friend zone, but only if he ended it with his girlfriend.
I wouldn’t be the other woman or the reason a relationship ended.
4
Nik
I RAPPED ON my boss’s office door like a respectful employee. When Wolf said,the boss wants your ass in his office, I had nearly punched him… for no reason. I just needed to blow off some steam. Of course, I hadn’t hit Wolf. He was a scary motherfucker, and I valued my life.
“Enter.”
“What’s up?” I stayed in the doorway, hoping this wouldn’t be a long talk. I hated talking.
“Shut the door and sit.” Derek folded his hands on his desk.
“What’s going on?” I dropped into the chair beside him and eyed the monitors on the table. Derek was in charge of security and the bouncers at Club Rendezvous. He was a good guy. We weren’t all that close, but we sometimes partied together after hours.
“You tell me. I hear you’re meaner than usual these days.”