Free Out Of The Friend Zone by Stephanie Nicole Page A

overreacting since I didn't get enough sleep last night," Brynn said. Chandler gave her a look that said he obviously wasn't convinced.
    "Well, when you're ready to tell me what's really bothering you, let me know," he told her, and let go of her arms.
    Brynn took one step away from him. They looked at each other for a long, awkward moment.
    "I'm sorry," she said again.
    "How about we go out for breakfast instead?"
    "That's probably a good idea. Are you sure you want to put up with me though? I'm not much use when I've had no sleep."
    "I think I can handle you," he said with a smile.
    "Chandler..."
    "If you apologize again, we'll go to your house and you will have to cook for me."
    That made her smile.
    "Come on, let's go," Chandler said, and pulled her out the front door. They got in his SUV, and headed to the diner a few minutes away. Leaving his house made Brynn feel a lot better, but she worried that she would never feel comfortable there with all the memories that haunted it. Only time would tell.

Chapter 9

    A fter breakfast, Chandler and Brynn strolled down the street filled with small shops, going into the ones of interest and looking around. Brynn had bought a few knick-knacks for her house, some clothes, and even managed to buy something for Chandler when he wasn't looking.
    "So, I take it you like shopping?" Chandler asked as he helped her carry some of her many bags.
    "Not really. That's why when I shop, I really shop. I don't think I could shop in stores or a mall more than once every month or two. Just another reason why I love the internet. There are no crowded stores to deal with, and I can wear my pajamas while buying!"
    "So then you won't make me come out shopping with you all the time?"
    "Well, no! We'll do this as little as possible!" Brynn reassured him. "Speaking of which, I've had it for the day. How about we head home and enjoy our time left until the kids come back from the beach?"
    "Music to my ears!" Chandler said, and led her back to his vehicle. He put her packages in the back, and helped her into the passenger seat. As he drove them back to their houses, he reached over and took Brynn's hand in his, content to just touch her.
    Chandler and Brynn spent the rest of the afternoon at her house relaxing. They were taking the time to get to know each other better, sharing stories from their childhood, and reliving old memories. Shortly after lunch, Chandler got a call on his cell phone.
    "Hi Chandler, it's Mom. I just wanted to let you know we're on our way back from the beach. I wanted to make sure you were home before I dropped Willow and Barrett off."
    "Yeah, I'm home, Mom. You can drop them off at Brynn's," Chandler said into his phone.
    "We'll be there in about 15 minutes. See you then. Love you," she said.
    "Love you too," he told her, before closing his flip-phone.
    "Mom said they'll be here in about fifteen minutes," Chandler told Brynn.
    "Sounds good. I feel like I haven't seen Barrett for a long time," Brynn laughed.
    "Well, how about we spend some quality time with our kids, then meet up again after they've gone to sleep?"
    "Good plan." She thought about being alone with Chandler at night. "You know, I still haven't used my hot tub. Maybe we can break it in tonight after they go to sleep. Why don't you bring Willow over here to spend the night, so that you aren't too far away from her?"
    "I think I like the sounds of that." Chandler pulled Brynn down so that she was sitting in his lap, then captured her mouth with his. "Mmm, this is going to be the last time I can kiss you like this until later tonight. I don't know if I can wait that long!"
    Brynn laughed. "You went for months without kissing me when we met. I think you can handle waiting until later tonight."
    "Yeah, but that was all before I got to experience how good it feels to kiss you. Now I never want to stop."
    "I'll give you that one. It does feel pretty good to kiss you. But I still think it's not going to kill us to wait until