Life in the Friend Zone

Chapter 5- My life in ruins

“SO then Emmy here…” that was what I heard before I spaced out again. The coffee mug had become the most interesting thing ever since Jason had begun telling Alex stories of our childhood.

This was exactly what I had been avoiding-Jason meeting Alex. I knew it would happen eventually, but I hadn’t planned on it happening this soon. I could hear Alex’s laughter, but I knew that he was just being polite; in reality he couldn’t wait to get away from us.

“So how many children do you plan on making my Emmy here carry for 9 months?” Jason asked with a big smile. I choked on the sip of coffee I had just drunk. My eyes went wide with worry as I glanced back and forth between Ale and Jason. Surely Alex was done with me now.

“Alex…I…Jason…” I struggled to form a coherent sentence. I was literally mumbling, and even I didn’t know what I was saying.

Alex took my hand and rubbed it soothingly, he actually looked worried. “Hey, are you okay” he asked me, sounding genuinely concerned.

I nodded and then shook my head, “Yes, uh, no…I don’t think so” I ended in a whisper.

Alex turned to face Jason. I could see a polite smile on his lips, but I couldn’t exactly trust my vision in my state of shock so I assumed I was just seeing things-Alex should have been running by now.

“Hey man, no disrespect, but I actually wanted to spend some alone time with this beautiful woman. If you don’t mind?” in my head, that was what I heard Alex saying.

“No problem bro, it was nice meeting you. Keep her smiling,” was Jason’s reply-which was also a figment of my imagination. The handshake that followed, Jason walking out of the café, all of it was just my imagination…I think.

“Finally alone.” Alex’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. I looked around for any sign of Jason, but he had really left.

I pointed at the door worriedly, “Did that just happen? Did Jason just leave?”

“Yeah, I came all this way to see you, and three’s a crowd,” Alex said with a charming smile on his face.

“I’m really sorry about him. He gets ahead of himself all the time, kids? Ha ha, we’re not even dating yet and he’s going off talking about kids. I promise you, not everyone in my family is that crazy, it’s just him…okay Kylie is kind of like Jason, she just goes off talking on and on and on…” I rambled nervously.

He was quiet throughout my ramble. He was still smiling and rubbing my hand, which I took as a good sign-I hoped it was a good sign. “Your rambling is cute,” he chuckled, “Come on, let’s go for a walk.” He stood up taking my hand in his as we walked out of the café.

“I’m sorry,” I blurted. He looked at me questioningly. “You know, for rambling. I don’t know what happens to me when I’m around you. I’m usually this strong, assertive. Confident woman, but I can’t seem to keep my trail of thought even whenever you’re around.” I lowered my head so that my hair could hide the blush that had crept on my face.

He chuckled lightly, “Well, I forget my name whenever I see you-if that makes you feel better.” I laughed and rubbed the back of his hand with my thumb.

“I’m going to Japan in three weeks.” I broke the silence. Alex stopped mid-step and turned to face me. “I have to be there, I have no choice really. They refuse to deal with anyone but the boss, and that happens to be me.”

After staring silently for a few seconds, he asked me, “How long will you be gone?”

“A week”