Never Meant to (Book one of series)

| Platonic |

Zhi

"Okay can we make sure Zhion's mic is turned up this time, there were a lot of complaints from viewers about not being able to hear him at times." Malani snapped.

The camera and sound crew were scrambling around to get everything in order before going live. "Can I have some water please?" Zhi asked.

"Let's get Zhion some water, he's supposed to have a cooler with water ready to go."

"It's cool Malani, everyone is doing a good job."

"I just hate when people don't do what they are hired to do, if one person slacks off, it throws everything off."

"Is this about your mom?" Zhi whispered.

"Yes, she's not doing too good and I'm not even sure when I'll be able to fly out to see her."

"Have Jaliah fill in for you, you need to go see your mom." Zhi thanked the person who handed him a bottle of water.

"I'll think about it. We're on in 5!" She went right back into work mode.

After debating with Steven A for an hour he was ready to go home. He checked his account and six thousand was deposited, for his monthly salary from his internship. He smiled, there was nothing like payday. He would go grocery shopping and then pay his rent online. He picked up Coco from the airport because she wanted to visit New York and see how he was living. They were spending more time together; their relationship was more platonic than intimate. They weren't looking for anything serious, it was just nice company.

"So, when they killed off Ghost you stopped watching 'Power' all together?"

"Yeah, Ghost made the show and Tariq a lil bitch." Zhi was making his and her plates. She wanted some steak, a salad, loaded baked potato and corn on the cob.

"You are unbelievably." He pulled out her chair at the dining table.

"Mmhmm," He cut a piece of his steak, he had already diced hers up for her because of her right hand.

"You are so thoughtful." She blushed when she realized his small gesture.

"I pay attention to detail." He hopped up. "Forgot I had mail. His phone chimed. He placed the mail on the table and glanced down at his phone, he wasn't going to worry about who it was until he saw the name.

Ace: Hey Zhi
I hope everything has been good for you.

He quickly picked up his phone and opened the message.

Ace:
Sure, you are aware I'm getting married, and I didn't send you an invite...given the circumstances you could see why.... Anyways
It will be March 16 of next year in DC at Mayflower.
3:00 pm.
You can invite someone.
Hope to see you there!

"Someone from work?" Coco asked.

"Na, actually it was Ace."

"Oh," she looked a little worried. "What did he want?"

"He invited me to his wedding."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he put on a fake smile. "I'm happy for him."

"You can be honest with me,"

"I'm being honest Coco, and he said I have a plus one, so you're coming with me."

In that moment her smile was different, she was thankful that he would take her as his date. "Okay, I won't object."

What was he doing? Should he really go? Would he even be able to watch Ace walk into forever with someone else? He thought he had more time, he thought Trouble, and his relationship would burnout eventually. How would he react when seeing Ace? Hug him, shake his hand, just say congratulations, with no physical contact? How does he still have so much control over him after it's been so long? Coco was laying asleep in his arms, but Ace was running through every thought, every memory, everything.
Damn, is this what he went through when Zhi cut him off in high school? This shit sucked. He slowly moved from under Coco and went to get a glass of after. What was it about him particular? There was no way, he'd be able to go to his wedding.