Guarding His Heart by J.S. Cooper

upset. “That’s not funny.”
    “I wasn’t trying to be funny.”
    “Dude, do you need to go?” I asked him, feeling slightly irritated.
    “No.” He sighed. “Sorry continue.”
    “If you can’t talk, it’s fine.”
    “I can talk.” He laughed. “Dude, you sound seriously stressed.”
    “Yeah, that’s because I am.”
    “I’ve never heard you like this before. Are you falling for this girl?”
    “No, of course I’m not falling for her. It was just sex.”
    “Then why are you calling me?”
    “I think she wants more.” I sighed.
    “Oh boy. What did she say?”
    “She said she liked me.” I huffed.
    “What?” He sounded confused. “Did she say she liked you or she loved you?”
    “She said she liked me. She’s not a psycho.”
    “Leo, her telling you she liked you means nothing. Lucky was telling me she loved me after a few days.”
    “No, I wasn’t.” Lucky screeched. “Don’t lie, Zane.”
    “Did you or did you not tell me you loved me pretty early on?”
    “I never told you I loved you. Though I did start thinking it.” She said indignantly.
    “Same thing.”
    “It’s not the same thing.” She sighed. “You also told me that—”
    “Hey Zane.” I said letting my annoyance show. “Is this a conversation between you and Lucky or you and me?”
    “Sorry dude. This is what life is like when you’re married, you never have a free minute.”
    “And that’s exactly why I’m not getting married.” I snapped.
    “I hate to tell you this Leo, but I gotta say that I’m not sure that’s true anymore.” Zane laughed. “I want to meet this assistant.”
    “No dude. It’s not going to happen.”
    “Come on, bring her to the picnic.”
    “Nope.”
    “I’ll invite Noah, Robin, and Skylar as well and we can have a big party.”
    “I’ll come, but Hannah will not be coming with me.”
    “Don’t be a party pooper.”
    “Zane, I think you’ve been married too long.” I sighed. “I gotta go.”
    “Wait.” His tone changed.
    “Yes?” I said, not bothering to hide my exasperation.
    “Don’t write this girl off too quick. Don’t jump to conclusions. Yeah, you fucked up by sleeping with your assistant, but it’s not the end of the world. See what happens, Leo.”
    “I don’t want anything to happen.”
    “College was a long time ago, dude. You need to get over that shit with what’s her name.”
    “What?”
    “That girl that dated you and tried to use you ‘cos your dad had money. I knew she hurt you, but that shit was a long time ago.” He sighed. “Dude, it’s so long ago that I can’t even remember her name.”
    “Great best friend you are.”
    “I’m the best friend you have.”
    “Uh huh.”
    “I’m just telling you to allow other possibilities to exist. Trust me, dude. I know where you stand right now. However, love isn’t that bad. In fact, it’s quite possibly the best thing that can happen in your life. I know my life didn’t really begin until I met Lucky. She made me see the world in colors I never knew existed.”
    “Zane.” I groaned. “Are you trying to make me throw up?”
    “Just don’t rule it out.”
    “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. I just fucked her. This has nothing to do with love.” I said angrily. “I gotta go.” I hung up the phone and walked outside into the street to take some deep breaths of fresh air. What the fuck was I going to do?  I stared at the cabs zipping down the street and then I thought about Hannah upstairs in my bed, naked. I wanted to go back upstairs and crawl into bed and lie down next to her. I wanted to hold her in my arms. I was about to go back upstairs when my phone rang.
    “Apology accepted.” I barked into the phone.
    “Leonardo.” It was my father’s deep voice and not Zane on the other end of the line.
    “Oh, hey dad. What’s up?”
    “You tell me. What the fuck is going on? I just heard from Rob Martin and he said you were rude to him and left.”
    “That’s