Finding Mr Right Now_The Right Now Series Read online

  “You could wear a garbage bag and make it look glamorous. I’m particularly fond of the ratty T and sweats look of old, but dressed up you’re a knockout.” He thinks I’m a knockout? His compliment made me glow, but I tried to not let my surprise show on my face. “I’m sure you’ll look great no matter what,” he stood and took his now empty plate to the sink and rinsed it.

  “You can leave it. I have to run this dishwasher before I can load more into it.” I finished my own plate and carried it over to the sink. Then I opened up the dishwasher and took one more look to make sure there was nothing I could tetrisize to make these new plates fit. But, alas, it was full. I grabbed a dishwasher tablet out from the container under the sink, set it in the dispenser and pushed the start button.

  I turned and leaned against the counter. What happens now? Baz made the decision for me.

  “I’m gonna head out. Gotta go over those investment opportunities before the party. I’ll pick you up around 5:30?” He turned towards the front of the house.

  “I’ll be ready.” I followed him through the living room and glanced at the couch as he grabbed his shoes from next to it. We had fit so well on it. My face flushed thinking about just how hard and big he had felt against my thigh. I shook the thought from my head. Inappropriate, Gemma.

  “Thanks again for last night, Bastian. You helped open my eyes, distract me from my problems and, as always, were here to comfort me when I needed it most,” I opened the door for him.

  “Hey, what’re best friends for?” He tugged me in for a quick, but oh-so-welcome, hug and I melted into him easily. He kissed the top of my head and released me. “Catch ya in a bit.”

  I watched as he strode down my walkway and gave me a small wave, then I closed the door behind me and leaned on it, sighing audibly.

  You are only thinking these thoughts about him because Geoff put them in your head. You and Bastian have always been just friends. There is no reason to think that should, or would, ever change. I again shook the thoughts from my brain.

  I decided it was time to call Harper.

  “Hey, Gem.” Harper was always so happy when she answered the phone.

  “Hey. What’re you doing?”

  “Just hangin’. Enjoying some coffee and a good book. Actually, I just dragged my ass outta bed like half an hour ago.” I could hear her sipping through the line.

  “Late night?” I asked intrigued.

  “More like early morning. Eli woke me up extra early for some breakfast sex and it turned into a marathon. He was like a wild man. I was more than happy to comply, but I fell right back asleep afterwards,” she giggled. “He’s still sleeping so I guess I wore him out too.”

  “I hope I find something like what you guys have someday,” I said it wistfully. I wasn’t jealous, there was definitely no resentment involved, but I was envious that I didn’t have anyone to do that to me. To make me feel like that.

  “Who knows, maybe Geoff is that guy,” she sounded so hopeful. My phone chimed with an incoming text, but I ignored it.

  “He’s not. I broke it off with him last night. It’s kind of a long story. Are you free right now? I need to go buy a dress for a party tonight, and I could use the company.”

  “A party? Ok, I’m in. What time will you be ready to head out? You wanna ride together? I can pick you up.”

  “Um, shit, my car is still at The Vig. It’d be great if you could come and get me.” I can’t believe I forgot I left it there last night. I should’ve walked back with Baz this morning to get it.

  “Hmmm, you’re like a puzzle this morning. Broke up with Geoff. Left your car at The Vig. Going to a party tonight. I’m going to enjoy hearing all about your night. I’ll be there in half an hour. Be ready to spill.”

  “Ok. See ya soon.” I knew better than to argue, plus I wanted to share it all with her.

  My incoming text had been from Baz asking about if I needed my car. Such a gentleman. I text back that Harper was coming to get me and I’d grab it before he picked me up for the party. I grabbed clean clothes from my closet and headed into the bathroom. I turned on the shower and turned back to grab my toothpaste and toothbrush while I waited for the water to get warm.

  My appearance was scary, no wonder Baz hightailed it out of here so quickly after breakfast. I grabbed a Q-tip and cleaned up some of the smudge that was under my eyes. My hair was tragic, so I piled it on top of my head and then hopped into the shower to rinse off my lady bits. I didn’t want to try on clothes without at least a quick shower. By the time I was out and dressed, I heard the doorbell ringing. Perfect timing.

  I grabbed my purse, phone and keys and yanked open the door. Harper’s attire looked eerily similar to my own, we were like two peas in a pod.

  “Hey, girly!” Her perfect smile was beyond wide and her eyes twinkled with mischief, like she was about to be let in on some big secret.

  “You’re prompt, as always.” I smiled back and locked the door behind me.

  “You know it! Especially when I’m about to hear some juicy news. Tell me everything.” She smiled at me over the top of her blue Mustang.

  So I did. As we drove to the mall, I told her about Geoff kissing me the other night and how, as much as it didn’t make me want to puke, I couldn’t fathom doing anything more. I told her about the photoshoot and how the couple was so in love. As we walked through the mall I told her about meeting Bastian for happy hour, him inviting me to his step-mother’s party tonight, drinking way too much, and about Baz and I walking home and finding Geoff.

  “What happened? I mean he knows you and Baz have been friends literally since childhood. Don’t tell me he started some sort of fight or something.” She stopped shuffling through the rack in front of her and looked up.

  “No. Well, maybe a little bit.” I told her about him trying to get Baz a cab and not wanting him to be there with me. “I could tell he was hurt. And I know I should’ve called rather than text him back, but I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do with the whole situation. After talking to you the night before, and then the way I felt after you left when I was alone with him. Ah, I just needed to get another perspective. And I remembered what you said about cutting him free if I wasn’t into him that way. Baz made me see that you were completely right. If I stayed just so I could avoid hurting him, that would’ve been wrong. I was torn, but, then it was all so crystal clear. I figured I’d call him today after I had time to figure out how to let him down easy. Instead, he caught me completely off guard. And drunk. I tried to soften the blow and told him he’d find someone someday that would feel the same way about him too. Then he said…” I looked away and took a breath.

  “What? What did he say? You can’t just stop there.” Harper’s hands were up by her shoulders in a what gives motion.

  “Well, thankfully at this point Bastian had gone in the house, but he was watching from the front window. He said it was because of Baz. That I was in love with him and that’s why I didn’t have those types of feelings for him. I mean, seriously, could he have been any more wrong?” I continued shoving dresses to the side, but stopped when Harper didn’t confirm what I had just stated. I looked up to find her staring at me with her mouth gaping open in surprise. “I know, right?! He’s totally lost his mind.” I waited again for her to agree, but instead she snapped her mouth closed and looked almost thoughtful.

  “I don’t know why I didn’t see it before,” is what ended up coming out of her mouth in a loud murmur. She was shaking her head in disbelief. “The two of you would be so perfect together. Who better to share your life with than your best friend?”

  “Well, yeah, that’s a great thought and all, except he doesn’t believe in love and he doesn’t look at me like that.” I bit my lip.

  “But you didn’t say you don’t look at him like that…” she trailed off, waiting for me to confirm or deny.

  “Honestly, I don’t know how I look at him. He’s my best friend. He’s been there for me through so much and
he’s never once made me feel like I wasn’t important. I feel like I’m confusing my feelings of friendship for something more. And I feel like I’m only doing it because Geoff put those thoughts in my head,” I sighed.

  “Maybe you should make a pros and cons list?” The look I shot her must’ve showed her that I thought she was crazy. “Hear me out. I think this might be a really helpful tool for you. It will show you if your feelings for Baz are more than just friendship. Once you figure that out, the rest should be easy,” she shrugged.

  “Unless it confirms that he was right. Then I won’t know how I’m supposed to act around him anymore and it could make things really awkward between us. I don’t want to lose my friend.” She walked around the rack and handed me a gorgeous red lace dress. It was sleeveless and had sheer lace around the midsection and hem line.

  “You could wear your red stilettos with the spikes all over them with this. Just sayin’ maybe it’s time to make your friend take notice, too?” She gave me her most innocent look. “Go try it on. What’ll it hurt?”

  I turned for the dressing room, thinking about the advice she had given me. I also thought about how Baz had said I was a knockout earlier. I tried on the dress and it was a perfect fit; my legs looked long, my ass looked round and my breasts stood at attention. I could picture the stilettos she was talking about, and they would be perfect. Maybe she was right. I did feel that spark… Fuck it, I was going to open his eyes tonight. And even if I wasn’t in love with him, who knows, with all his experience, he might be the perfect Mr. Right Now.

  10

  Baz

  As I walked back to The Vig, I couldn’t stop smiling. This morning was nothing I ever anticipated, or ever thought I would enjoy, and yet I did. All of it. Waking up with Gem pressed against me. Coffee and breakfast. Gemma dancing and singing. Flirting. I know when a woman is flirting with me and, whether it was intentional on her part or not, she was definitely flirting with me. It was an innocent type of flirting that was so different from what I was used to, but somehow that made it even better.

  I approached my Beemer in the nearly empty parking lot and saw Gemma’s SUV sitting across the way. I forgot she left it here too. I shot off a quick text to her. It took her a few minutes to respond but, big girl that she is, she already had it all figured out. I hopped in the car and pulled out of the lot.

  She doesn’t always need you to be her knight in shining armor. You just like being her knight. Ha, I thought to myself. You’d be more like her dark knight than one in shining armor. You’d destroy her. She is your friend. She is only your friend. I had told myself these last five words repeatedly for years.

  When I first started to notice the opposite sex, like really notice them, I had no clue how to approach her. I thought she was beautiful, but I had no clue how to transition from friend to more. I had always had a secret thing for Gemma and I walked around sporting a boner bungee literally for years. Through most of high school, she dated the captain of the football team and was off limits because that alone would’ve gotten my ass kicked. I was into sports, but I didn’t want to face-off with the entire football team. I was no wimp though. I had to work out on a regular basis because I played baseball and I wrestled. All that working out had paid off when I found her at that party our senior year.

  My thoughts were cut short by my ringtone alerting me to my father’s call. I loved him, and was more than happy to help, but his micromanaging was going to be the death of me. I hit the button on my steering wheel to connect the call. “Hello, Father.”

  “Good morning, Bastian. I’m following up to see if you got everything handled with the caterer for me. I don’t want there to be any extra surprises tonight.” His voice was deep and patronizing.

  I took a deep breath before answering. “Yes, Father. I told you I would handle it,” I couldn’t help it if my voice sounded clipped and was verging on annoyed.

  “Wonderful, I knew I could count on you,” I could hear the pride coming through the line.

  Then why do you keep riding me? “Yes, and you know you always can.” I got ready to press the button to sign off, when his voice came through once more.

  “What time should I expect you again?” Was he getting senile in his old age? He was only 50, so surely that wasn’t the case.

  “I told you I’ll be there around 6:00pm. I won’t be alone though, I’m bringing Gemma with me,” I paused waiting for his reaction.

  “Wonderful! It’s been far too long since you’ve brought that amazing young woman around. I always said she would be one for you to grab hold of and never let go. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time together.” I could hear his uncontained joy coming through the line.

  “We’re just friends, Father. But I’m sure we will have a great time. We always do. Anyways, I’m pulling up to the penthouse, I’ll see you tonight.” My finger hovered over the disconnect.

  “See you soon. Thanks again, son.” I heard my father hang up.

  I grabbed my briefcase and headed up to the penthouse. I smiled again when the private elevator dinged as my doors opened. I loved my space, it was two levels and encompassed the entire 17th floor. The views through my large windows were amazing, mountains on one side and downtown Phoenix on the other side. I often took advantage of both the fitness center and yoga studio that were on site. And my private terrace was my favorite place to unwind with a drink and watch the sunset.

  I kicked off my shoes and headed upstairs to take a quick shower. Once done, I grabbed a drink from the kitchen and my briefcase from where I had deposited it by the front door, then wandered into my den. Time to focus on business.

  I sat down at my mahogany desk and set my briefcase down on top of it, opening it to retrieve my prospects. I jotted down important facts about each one, things I would re-read at the end to help me decide. I made my way through the pile methodically and efficiently. When I finished reading them I went back over my notes. I wrote a few off immediately, but one in particular caught my eye. It was more commercial space, but it was located in Scottsdale in an area that had just started booming with new businesses. This could bring in some amazing returns. I needed to do a little more research, but I moved it to the top of the pile. I opened my laptop and started researching. I glanced at the clock on the wall and was surprised to see that hours had passed.

  Time had flown by and it was now time to get ready for the party. I had selected a pair of slacks and a white button up top for tonight. I touched up my beard and styled my hair in what I like to think of as organized disarray. I took another last glimpse in the mirror, smirked at myself, and left to pick up Gemma.

  * * *

  I had the tunes cranked up on my drive over, trying to ignore the nerves that had somehow started in my gut. I focused on singing the lyrics to each and every song that came on; “One Call Away”, “Photograph”, “Happy”, “Count on Me”. This last song was the exact reason I had to keep in mind we were friends. I wanted us to always have each other to rely on.

  When I pulled up, I parked in her driveway and cut the engine. I was ten minutes early. I rang the bell and heard her yell from somewhere deep in the house to come in. The door was unlocked, so I went in.

  “Baz?” She called out, almost uncertain that it was me. I could hear music floating down the hallway.

  “It’s me.” I reassured her.

  “I’ll be out in a few, I’m almost ready. Help yourself to a drink while you wait. I have wine opened in the kitchen, or feel free to help yourself to whatever else you want. You know where I keep the liquor.”

  That I did. I walked into the kitchen and opened her liquor cabinet. Johnnie Walker Blue Label was staring me in the face. I had bought her this very bottle and a set of lowball tumblers to celebrate when she had finished remodeling her house, and even now, almost two years later, there was hardly any missing from the bottle. I grabbed one of the tumblers from the cabinet as well. I filled it with ice and poured two fingers worth.

  “Do
you want something?” I called down her hallway.

  “I’ve already had some wine, so I’m good. I’m guessing you grabbed the scotch?” What was she, psychic? “And before you ask, I’m not psychic. I just know you.” I could hear her giggling.

  “Ok, smarty-pants. I’ll be waiting, with my scotch, in the living room.” I walked over to the soft, brown leather couch and felt my cock twitch. Was I always going to associate this couch with last night and my dream? I sat and turned on the TV for a distraction.

  Thankfully, I wasn’t sitting long because my brain couldn’t stop the dream visions from dancing before my eyes and my cock was swelling in my slacks. I adjusted myself for the umpteenth time, when I heard her heels clicking on the tile as she walked down the hall.

  “All set?” I asked as I stood quickly, turning off the TV and polishing off my drink. And thank the good Lord above that had I swallowed before I turned to see her or I might’ve choked on it. “Wow.”

  I stood looking at not only my best friend, but the very temptress from last night had returned as well. I couldn’t stop the stupid smile that spread across my face. Her perfume slid through the air and surrounded me with its fruity sweetness.

  “Is that a good wow?” Gemma cocked her head and arched her brow at me.

  “Hmmm… spin for me? Let me get a better look.” As she started her slow pirouette my eyes took in every inch. She was wearing a red lace number that hugged every one of her amazing curves to perfection. Her red stilettos had spikes all over them and made her long legs look even longer and more defined. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail that hung halfway down her back. The things I could do with that ponytail. Her face though, she looked luminous. Her sun-kissed skin was glowing, and her sapphire blue eyes looked even bluer than normal, framed with some smoky look. And her lips, her lips were bright red once again, like rubies, making her smile look that much whiter. This is Gemma. She is your friend. Your best friend.