Out Of The Friend Zone (19 page)

A few hours after Nyla left, she called Brynn. "Hey, how about you and I have a girl's night out tonight? We'll go out, have a nice dinner, then hit the clubs, just you and me. Sort of an apology for the way I acted today?"

Brynn smiled. "You don't have to apologize. I know that I'm putting you in the middle, and you must be sick to death of hearing about my problems. I don't blame you one bit. I'm sick of hearing about it too!"

"So, can I consider that a yes?"

"Yeah, as long as I can find a babysitter. I'm sure that won't be a problem though," Brynn replied, going over the list of babysitters in her head.

"Great! Meet me at Le Jardin at seven. I'll have a table for two. Just give them your name. Oh, and dress to kill!" Nyla said, and quickly hung up.

Brynn chuckled to herself at Nyla's behavior. She was always the impulsive one, but a source of great fun when you needed it most!

Brynn managed to get a babysitter, even though she had such short notice. After that was done, Brynn ran upstairs to get ready for the night out. When she passed by Barrett's room, she stuck her head in to let him know that she was going out, and that he would have a baby sitter for the night. When she told him of the plans, Barrett let out a groan, and asked if Willow could spend the night to make having a babysitter more fun.

Brynn couldn't simply say no. What would be a good reason? There was none. So she agreed that she would call Chandler and ask if it would be ok.

Brynn nervously dialed the number to the house next door. When she heard his deep voice answer the phone, she felt as though the wind was knocked out of her.

"Brynn? Is that you?"Brynn pulled herself together. "Yeah, it's me." She took a deep breath and continued. "I'm going out to dinner with Nyla tonight, so I had to get a babysitter for Barrett. He wanted to know if Willow could spend the night with him, like before."

Chandler was disappointed in the reason for Brynn's call, but he tried to hide it. "Sure, that works out well because I'm going out with Zaiden tonight. Must be they both needed some time apart?"

"Ok, good. Barrett will be happy. Just send Willow over whenever she's ready. Have fun tonight," Brynn told him, feeling a little nervous that he was going out too. What if he met someone else? What if he decided that Brynn wasn't worth waiting around for?

"You have fun too, and be careful," he told her.

"I will. Thanks."

"Hey Brynn?" he asked quickly, before she hung up.

"Yeah?"

"You'll let me know before you forget about us and move on, won't you?"

Brynn was silent for a minute. She didn't know how to handle him being so candid and putting his feelings on the line. "Well, I'll tell you that I'm not ready for that yet, but if I ever feel that way, then yes, I'll let you know. Just as long as you do the same."

Chandler smiled. "It's a deal. I'll send Willow over soon. Have fun tonight and don't forget...I love you." With that last phrase, he hung up the phone.

A smile slowly spread across Brynn's face as his words sunk in.

Brynn arrived at the restaurant promptly at seven. She knew there was no point in getting there early; Nyla always ran late. She was wearing a pair of navy blue satin hip-hugging capris, trimmed in baby blue, along with a matching halter top. Brynn thought she looked pretty good for a night out on the town with her best friend.

Brynn gave her name to the matre-d, who escorted her to a table for two. Brynn scanned the room she was in. It was done in white and gold, and looked very elegant. It was the perfect contrast to the colorful garden that sat just outside the windows. Brynn looked up and admired the gorgeous chandeliers, then thought about how nice it would be to take Chandler here on a date.

"Damn it, stop thinking about him," she muttered to herself.

Just then, the maitre-d came back to her table. Brynn saw who was following him, and her jaw dropped. She didn't know whether to smile or run.

"Well, I guess I'm not having a night out with Zaiden tonight," he said as he sat down, shock written all over his face.

"And it looks like I won't be going out with Nyla...."

"I think we've been set up," Chandler laughed. "Are you okay with this?"

"Why, do you want to leave?" "Are you kidding? This wasn't my idea, but I'm happy they did this." He paused. "Are you ever going to forgive me?"

Brynn sighed. "I already have. I was just waiting for you to forgive me."

"Forgive you? For what?" Chandler looked confused.

"For being such an idiot and blowing things out of proportion. And then for being so stubborn. Do you need me to continue, because I'm sure we could be here all night listing everything I need to apologize for..."

Chandler reached over and took her hand. "No, stop right there. You have no reason to apologize, but if it makes you feel better, then I forgive you. Can we just move on from this and get back to the way things were, please?"

"I'm willing to give it a shot," Brynn said, with a smile growing across her face. She felt like this was the first time she had truly smiled since the morning of the fight. It felt good to be back to herself again.

"Good, now let's order," Chandler said, picking up the menu.

They talked and laughed throughout dinner, feeling like nothing had changed between them since before their fight. They both relaxed, and let their feelings for each other overcome the possible tension of the situation. By the end of dinner, they were holding hands and looking lovingly into each other's eyes.

As they walked out to the parking lot together, Brynn's cell phone rang. She answered it to hear a hesitant voice on the other end saying, "So, do you hate me now?"

"No. Actually, Chandler and I both want to thank you and Zaiden for bringing us back to our senses," Brynn told her.

"Good, so you guys will meet us for a few drinks then?"

Brynn asked Chandler if he wanted to meet them, and he told her that it was the least they could do to thank them for arranging the dinner. "Yeah, we'll meet you at the club soon. I think we're going to go drop one of our cars off at home, but we'll be right over."

Brynn hung up the phone, and put it in her purse. When she looked back up, her eyes met his. He grabbed her hand, and pulled her close to him. "You look beautiful tonight. Have I told you that yet?" Before Brynn could answer, Chandler blanketed her lips in a kiss. He didn't stop until they were both gasping for air. .

"God, I've missed you." Chandler groaned.

"I've missed you too. So much!"

"You know, the sooner we get to the club, the sooner we can get out of there and be alone," Chandler pointed out.

"Good idea. Follow me home so I can drop my car off. No point in both of us driving," Brynn said, and disappeared into her vehicle. She tore out of the parking lot, driving to her house faster than ever. Chandler followed behind, having no trouble keeping up with her.

When she finally got into his SUV, he chuckled. "In a hurry for something?"

Brynn smiled, leaned from the passenger seat to the driver's side, and captured his lips with her own. Their tongues met and danced their own rhythm, while their hands roamed about. As the windows started to fog up, Brynn backed away from him.

"No hurry," she teased.

Chandler shifted in his seat, trying to get as comfortable as possible with the bulge in his pants. "No time for a cold shower though, right?"

Brynn laughed. "Well, if you take one now, you're just taking time away from us later."

"I can deal without the shower," he said quickly, pulling out of the driveway and heading to the club. "You just need to keep your temptress hands and lips to yourself until later."

"I'll try, but I can't promise anything," Brynn said, as she grinned with pleasure. "Oh, but the things I want to do to you right now!"

"You're going to kill me by the end of the night, you know that?" Chandler asked.

"I do think I've heard something along those lines before," she laughed. "We'll just make a quick appearance, thank Nyla and Zaiden, then head home."

"And what will we do once we get home?"

"You want me to tell you what I'm going to do to you once we get home?"

"I mean, whose house are we going to? Are we going to do what I think and hope we're going to do, and are we going to have a sleepover?" he asked, laughing.

"Well, the kids are at my house, so why don't we go to your house, do whatever comes up, then we can head to my house, relieve the babysitter and have another sleepover."

"Do whatever comes up," he snickered, and Brynn blushed.

"Sound good?"

"Sounds very good!" Chandler said, as he parked in the parking lot of the club. He got out of the vehicle, and told Brynn to stay put. He walked to the passenger side and opened her door for her, helping her down and out of the SUV. It gave him an excuse to pull her close and envelop her in a tight hug. "I'm never letting you go, I hope you know that."

"Good, because I don't want you to." After giving him a soft kiss, she smiled into his eyes. "I can't wait to get you alone, all to myself, to do as we please."

"Hmm, sounds good to me. Let's get this over with so we can make that happen!" he said into her ear, his voice husky.

The two walked into the club with their hands laced together. As they made their way to the bar, Brynn felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Nyla standing next to a table.

"Zaiden's at the bar getting some drinks, if you want to help him," Nyla told Chandler, hinting that she wanted a few minutes alone with Brynn.

"Sure, I'll help him and get him some drinks for us while I'm at it," he said, and gave Brynn a quick kiss before he left.

"So, you don't hate me and Zaiden for doing this?" Nyla asked.

"Not at all. I think we are both extremely happy that you set us up like you did. I don't know what I would do without you, girl!" Brynn gave Nyla a hug.

"Well, Zaiden and I were both sick of watching you guys mope around all the time, and we decided it was time for action. But just so you know, this is the last time we are going to get in the middle of your relationship. Got it?" she asked in mock anger.

"Got it. And thanks again. I think we both just needed a little push in the right direction." Brynn smiled as she looked over to the bar and locked eyes with Chandler. He winked back at her, then turned his attention to the bartender to order their drinks.

Brynn watched him as he stood there talking to Zaiden, waiting for their order. As good as he looked in the clothes he was wearing tonight, a pair of black pants and a blue button down shirt that molded to every muscle, Brynn couldn't wait to get him out of them.

Just as she was daydreaming about her plans, she saw a girl in a tight little dress saunter over to Chandler. She looked like she belonged on a street corner, not in a club. She was putting her hands all over his biceps, as he was taking her hands and trying to put them back at her side. Every time he removed her hands, she put them back on his body. Nyla was watching as the slut's friend was doing the same with Zaiden.

"What do you say we go rescue our men?" Nyla asked.

"I think it's time I paid Chandler back for all the times he's rescued me," Brynn told her as they both got up from the table and made their way to the bar.

Brynn walked up to the porker who had her hands on Chandler. She put her hand on the woman's shoulder and pulled her away. "Honey, there was a time I would take you out back and beat the living shit out of you for touching my man like that. But I'm a bit more mature now, and I hope you are too, and that we can both just see the situation for what it is and you can say your goodbyes."

The woman raised an eyebrow and looked from Brynn to Chandler. Then she took a step back and nodded. "Have a good night," she said.

"You too," Brynn said politely.

The woman turned on her heel and walked away, not once looking back. Her friend followed her, leaving Zaiden alone with Nyla.

Chandler watched the scene with a smile on his face, happy that Brynn hadn't kicked the girl's ass, because that was just asking for trouble. He would rather have her in bed with him tonight than sitting in a jail cell for assault. He wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Thanks for saving me," he whispered. "What would I do without you?"

It sent shivers down Brynn's spine, turning her legs to jelly. "I think we've been here long enough. We've thanked Zaiden and Nyla, so let's go home."

"We haven't had our drinks yet," Brynn pointed out.

"I'll give you a long drink of something special when we get home."

"Music to my ears," Brynn laughed, and then turned to say goodbye to her friend.

Zaiden and Nyla watched them as they walked out of the club, knowing that things were finally back on track for their friends, making all their hard work at planning the night more than worth it. They just hoped that everything would work out for Chandler and Brynn, and nothing would get in their way again.

T
he ride home seemed to take forever. The anticipation of what was to happen was driving both Chandler and Brynn to the verge of insanity. Brynn tried to keep her hands to herself while Chandler drove, but the temptation to reach out and touch him was just too strong.