Page 63 of Miss Typed

“Uh—” My gaze met Chloe’s. “Now’s not the best time.”

“Tell me about it. I’m worried Vanessa is boarding a plane to come here. She said if I don’t talk to her on the phone tomorrow, she will.”

I was torn between my good friend in crisis and the woman currently sitting in my kitchen. One thing was clear from the way his eyes were glazed and his face flushed. He’d already been drinking. Not a great state if I wanted to reason with him.

But as was typical for Chloe, she alleviated my struggle. “Hi, Reid,” she greeted, getting down off the stool and walking over.

His eyes widened. “I didn’t know you were here. Sorry.”

She gave him a smile. “No need to apologize.”

He cocked his head to the side as if he was trying to figure out the situation. Good, maybe he’d take his leave and call me later. But no, the drunken version of Reid wasn’t picking up on the clues.

“You mentioned having Chloe work overtime, but I didn’t realize you guys would be working on a Thursday night. You cooked? Dude, you never cook. What did you make?”

While he went into the kitchen to investigate my culinary skills, I walked over next to Chloe. “I’m sorry. I’ll ask him to leave.”

She took my hand and squeezed. “No. He’s your best friend, and he could clearly use one about now. I can go.”

“No way.” I was panicked at the thought of her leaving.

“You guys dishing up? This looks good. Chicken parm? I can’t remember the last time I ate.” Reid was already helping himself to a plate.

I wondered if there was any way to persuade him to take it to go.

“Maybe the three of us could eat dinner together?” Chloe murmured to me. “Seems he could use something to soak up the alcohol.”

Officially. The. Worst. First. Date. Ever.

“You’re probably right.” Seeing no other option since my best friend was already at my dining table—set for two—scarfing down dinner, I sighed deeply. “Sorry. This was not on the agenda for tonight.”

She quirked a brow. “Oh, yeah. What was?”

Damn. Her response had me hard. Which would’ve been great if it wasn’t for Reid chowing down in the kitchen. I leaned down to whisper in Chloe’s ear, enjoying the way she leaned into me. “I promise to make this up to you.”

Her husky chuckle almost had me throwing my best friend out on his ass. “I have a feeling this may be a long dinner, but what’s another hour?”

Sounded like forever. “I draw the line at dessert. I’ll throw him a Twinkie in the hallway if I have to.”

She giggled, her hand splaying on my flat stomach. “With abs like yours, you couldn’t possibly have a Twinkie in this place to throw him.”

Her simple touch made me ready to drag her into my bedroom regardless of Reid. But she stepped back and headed for the kitchen before I could act on my irrational thoughts.

After we filled our plates and grabbed another set of silverware, Chloe and I took our seats.

Reid glanced up and between us. “Overtime on a Thursday night sucks, but at least he cooked for you.”

Chloe and I exchanged knowing smiles, not bothering to correct him.

“Better than that. He made my favorite meal,” Chloe said.

“I’ve never known Aiden to cook. You follow a recipe or what?”

“Something like that.” After taking a bite, I realized it wasn’t half bad.

“What can I do about Vanessa? Do I call her?” Reid spoke as though he either didn’t care or had forgotten it wasn’t just the two of us.

“What does Vanessa have to say?” Chloe asked.