Page 101 of The Friend Zone

I can’t help but smile at the satisfied expressions on Cole and Ryker’s faces.

“We got your text, and we thought we’d come over to celebrate the new Zeta house.” Ryker explains, lifting the bottle of champagne in his hand.

“By the looks of it, though,” Cole chuckles. “The party started without us.”

Jagger sighs, moving to the side to let his friends in. “No good deed goes unpunished with you two. I was being nice by letting you know that the meeting with my dad went well and this is my reward.”

Ryker shows the bottle of champagne again. “But we come bearing champagne.”

“And Bay’s favorite cupcakes and cinnamon rolls.” Cole says, presenting a box from the best bakery in town.

That doesn’t do much to appease Jagger. “I was about to have dessert before you two rudely interrupted.”

I brace myself for an argument. Lakyn warned me that juggling a relationship with three guys might take some work until boundaries are established.

To my surprise, the fight I was dreading doesn’t come.

“Sorry.” Cole sets the box of pastries on my desk. “We didn’t think we’d be interrupting. I guess it’s good you guys finally made up, though, right?”

Jagger’s stance softens as he claps his teammate on the shoulder. “We did. And even though you’re the worst cock blocker in history, I owe you one. If you hadn’t encouraged me to talk to Bay and to my dad, I’d still be miserable and alone.”

Ryker smiles, pulling Jagger into a hug. “Nah, give yourself some credit. I helped you get out of your own head, but the idea of talking to your dad about the Zeta house was all you. Besides, I owed you for making me apologize to Bay after the pool thing. We’re even.”

Cole slaps Jagger on the back, like I’ve seen him doing countless times after a good play on the ice. “I’m glad you and Bay are alright, but what are you going to do about Topher? He could still release that video.”

“My dad said he’ll handle it if it happens. Now that my parents know, and that Bay didn’t run the other way after I told her what I did, I feel much better. I don’t even have to worry about the potential backlash hurting my family’s company. Do you think your agent would still be interested in representing me, Ryker?”

Ryker nods. “I’m sure he would be. But I thought you had a job lined up in San Francisco after graduation?”

Jagger explains what happened at brunch. “Turns out Dad didn’t want me to work for him if it isn’t what I really want. I owe it all to Bay.”

Heat rises to my face when all three of my men look at me. “I didn’t do anything. I recently learned that if you don’t go for what you want, no one will serve you your dreams on a silver platter. I knew this was true when it came to work, but sometimes you have to dare in your personal life too. You taughtme that, Jagger. So I didn’t do anything other than apply that to your situation.”

Jagger pulls me into his arms. “We learned from each other. I showed you how to be more assertive in bed and you showed me that carrying the whole world on my shoulders isn’t always the best way forward.”

He’s right. Jagger had no issues getting what he wanted in bed, but lacked that courage when he thought he might disappoint the people he loves. I had the opposite problem. “You’re right,” I smile, tracing his perfect jaw with my fingers. “We’re perfect together.”

We look at each other for a long moment, captive to the intense feelings that make the air between us crackle with electricity.

“Uh, maybe we can come back.” Ryker says. “We should let you guys have some time alone.”

Jagger turns me in his arms, tucking me into his side. “Or maybe you and Cole could stay,” he offers. “I was about to have dessert.”

“Were you? I don’t see any food in here.” Cole sounds perplexed.

“When I say dessert,” Jagger chuckles. “I mean the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted. I was about to go down on Bay and then she was gonna let me fuck her tits.”

The way Cole and Jagger look at my chest makes my nipples harden under the silky fabric of my shirt.

“Fuck,” Ryker murmurs. “That sounds hot. I would love to stay and get a taste of my sweet Cinnamon.”

Cole agrees. “Me too. As long as Bay is happy with us staying.”

Today has been about dreams coming true and it looks like one of my biggest dreams might be about to become reality. “I would love it if you both stayed.”

COLE

I watch with bated breath as Ryker steps up to Bay’s other side and pulls her into his arms.

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