Her friends were organizing a get-together on Friday at Wade’s. She knew Dale was going to be there. During her weekend her friend and Dale had gotten close. She didn’t know how she felt about that. Wade would be heartbroken, but what about Connie?
Dale never treated her differently when she saw him in the office or took him a file. There was nothing wrong between them, but Amber had been rooting for Wade to get his act together.
For the rest of the week she basked in being a couple with Elijah. He didn’t have any bad habits, and he put the toilet seat down after he used it. There was no mess. If anything, it was the horror collection in DVDs she would change. The guy really had something with horror movies.
When he was watching a horror, she’d taken to strolling na**d around their apartment. Every time, without fail, he’d get distracted and the movie would be turned off while he f**ked her.
It had become a little game for her. She wondered if she should start dressing up in some saucy clothing. Elijah never complained about her being who she was.
By the time Friday came around she was nervous and a little apprehensive. The door to Dale’s office had been open that day, and she’d spotted Connie straddling his lap, kissing him. She’d never seen her friend so openly sexual.
Wade may not even be in with a chance to win back her affection.
She told Elijah about it when he picked her up. They were going straight to Wade’s place, but she’d declined a lift from Dale. After what she witnessed with her friend she didn’t want to be sitting close to him.
“Connie was dry humping your boss?” Elijah asked.
“Pretty much. Nothing else was happening. What can we do?”
“There’s nothing we can do,” he said. His arm went around her waist as they began walking. She loved snuggling against him, and the cold months were starting to press on them.
“But Wade has been in love with her for a lifetime.”
“He’s missed his shot,” he said.
She pouted, hating the cold words.
“You’re tense, baby. There’s nothing we can do. When you went on that date with Dale, I saw you slipping through my fingers. That was my shot, my moment to either let you go or claim you. I took my shot. Wade’s had his shot and let it pass him by.”
“I don’t like it. He was always supposed to be with Connie. They’ve got the chemistry.”
He let out a sigh. “Do you want me to talk to him?” he asked.
“Yes, I want you to talk to him and make him see sense. Please, Elijah. This will break his heart.”
“Should I be worried about your concern?” he asked.
She hit his stomach. “No. I know who I belong to and who owns me. I’m your woman, Elijah.”
“Good.”
They walked in silence until he asked her about her day. She gave him an update, and by the time she was finished they were outside Wade’s. The guard on the door let them inside, and Amber spotted Wade behind the bar. He was glaring at the table where they sat. Dale and Connie were already there with the others. Heather was with Julian while Ashley was alone.
Seating herself at the table she smiled at Dale. There was a tension among all the friends.
“Elijah, how are you doing?” Heather asked, trying to break through.
“Living with the woman I love. I’m going to order me a drink. Does anyone want one?” he asked.
Several orders were put toward him. Amber pulled him down and kissed his lips. She gave him a look to let him know he was to talk to Wade.
“I didn’t see you today,” Connie said, smiling at her and bringing her attention back to her boss and her friend.
If Wade hadn’t shown much of an interest in Connie, Amber wouldn’t be feeling like she was betraying him.
“I was busy. It was a hectic day.”
She gazed down at her hands and looked behind her to where Elijah was talking with Wade.
“So, are you two exclusive and f**king?” Ashley asked.
Amber glanced up at her blunt friend. Ashley rested her head on her hand, looking at the couple.
She glanced at Connie to see her face was red.
“Ashley, don’t. You know I’m not like that,” Connie said.
Dale looked angry.
“Look, you’re both here on a date, and you’ve already cancelled next week because you’re both going away together. I’m looking out for you, Connie. If you and Dale are taking it to the next level then he needs the girlfriend treatment,” Ashley said. “No one gets near our friend without getting through us.”
All three of them had done the same to Wade.
Glancing behind her, Amber saw Wade shaking his head.
“It’s not necessary to be overprotective. I can look after myself,” Connie said.
Ashley rolled her eyes and turned on Dale. “You hurt her in any way, and I’ll cut your balls off. Deal with it. I’m one of her best friends, and this is who I am.”
Heather agreed, and Amber added in her thoughts as well. She hoped this night out got better.
****
Elijah waited for Wade to serve him. The other man was glaring at the table. His emotions were clear to see, and Elijah saw what Amber saw. Wade was totally in love with Connie.
“If you don’t act soon you’re going to lose her completely,” he said, gaining the other man’s attention.
“What?” Wade walked over to him.
He ordered the drinks and waited for him to finish before talking with him.
“You’re in love with Connie.”
“She’s taken up with the suit. I f**king hated him on sight with Amber, but now I’m tempted to ban the ass**le from my club.”
“Ban Dale and you’ll ban Connie.”
“She’ll come in with her friends.”
Elijah shrugged. “Maybe? Or maybe not. There’s only so much a friendship can take. You’ve got to act fast to win her back.”
He glanced behind him to see his woman tense. This was not the atmosphere he wanted for tonight. He’d asked Heather to organize everything for him.
“I can’t do this. She was always supposed to be mine. There was a moment some months ago. The bar was closed, and it was only the two of us. She was singing up on that stage. Her voice is amazing. When she was finished she didn’t look happy. We were talking, and I reached out to put up some of her hair and then she was staring into my eyes and I was doing the same to her. In the next moment it was gone. I should have kissed her or done something. I bailed, and ever since then she finds a reason not to come to me,” Wade said, opening up.