A/N: Still don't own it. BIG thank you to tktktk for being a lovely beta! Special nod to GoodKing0 in this chapter.
Chapter 3
Annie glanced in the mirror one last time. In deference to the heat she wore a sleeveless button-down blouse in mango with cobalt blue designs that looked like swirls from a distance but were actually little octopuses. Octopods? Octopi? Whatever. She'd paired it with a pair of pleated twill shorts in the same blue and sleek strappy wedges with coral accents that put her at a nice 5'7". She'd pulled her hair back for once and it fell from her low ponytail in long loose waves. She put the finishing touches on her makeup and gave herself a smile of approval before heading out of her room to help with dinner.
Abed looked up from where he was slicing onions. "Hey Annie. I'm almost done here but Rachel asked me to pick her up since her car needs an oil change and she hasn't gotten around to getting it done yet. I'll be back by eight. Cool?"
"No problem, sorry I took so long getting ready." she replied breezily as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out the chicken and steak she had marinating. "Did you start the grill?"
"Yep, should be about ready for the chicken. And the rice is done. Do we need anything while I'm out?" He asked as he skillfully slid the onion slivers into a bowl and washed the cutting board and knife.
Annie thought about it for a minute but couldn't think of anything they had forgotten. "Nope I think we're good. See you in an hour or so."
As Abed left she went onto their tiny balcony and the small red grill that they'd set up. The coals were perfect so she set the chicken on to cook and went back inside to start making a salad. She'd finished it and just come back inside from swapping the finished chicken for steaks when the doorbell rang. Glancing at the clock she saw that it wasn't even 7:30 yet. With a small frown she looked through the peephole, wondering if Abed had come back early. Instead she saw Jeff standing in the hallway.
God he was handsome. Even now her heart raced just seeing him. Keep it cool, Edison. Just friends, she reminded herself. She opened the door and gave Jeff a tight smile. She could do this.
When she opened the door Jeff was struck again by how beautiful Annie was. She wasn't cute anymore. She was a gorgeous woman. He gave her his most charming smile and a half bow as he held out the two bottles of Patron he'd brought. "Milady."
Her eyes tightened and she looked almost sad for a moment. It was over so quickly he thought maybe he'd only imagined it. With a polite smile she took the offered tequila. "You're early so make yourself comfortable. Abed's picking up Rachel and I'm in the middle of making dinner."
Jeff watched her walk away and couldn't help but notice how her little shorts were hugging her as she swayed with each step. He hurried to catch up with her as she walked towards the kitchen. "I'll help," he offered with a smile. "It's just us so I think I can let you in on a secret." He leaned in closer and gave her a conspirational grin before whispering, "I can cook." God she smelled good. Like orange blossoms.
Annie was momentarily overwhelmed by Jeff's closeness. Was it even fair for a man to smell so damn good? Even though she was wearing four inch heels he towered over her, making her feel delicate and feminine. For just a second she imagined stepping closer to him. Grabbing his face and pulling him into a deep kiss. Forgetting everything and dragging him to her bedroom. This was going to be harder than she'd thought.
To his surprise Annie actually closed her eyes then sighed at him before she responded curtly. "In that case you're on pepper duty," she said as she pointed to a cutting board with several peppers and a knife sitting on it. Next to it was a bowl with slivers of onion already cut up. "Just put the slices in the bowl and I'll get them started in a few minutes. I've got steaks on the grill, be back in a few."
Jeff's eyes followed Annie as she walked quickly over to the door leading to the apartment's tiny balcony and the equally tiny grill set up on one side. When she shut the door behind her he turned to the peppers sitting out. She was acting so indifferent. Had he done or said something to piss her off? He hadn't even talked to her in over a week. What was going on with Annie?
Annie shut the door behind her and sagged against it as she released a ragged breath. Damn his charming, handsome face. The evening hadn't even started and she was already having a hard time not responding to Jeff. Gripping the plate she carried more firmly in her hands she checked the steaks and turned them over to finish cooking. She had about five minutes before they would be done. She took several more deep breaths. Was he being more charming than usual or was it that she was so determined to keep him at arm's length? Closing her eyes she gave herself a mental pep talk. Get it together, Edison. He's your friend. He's also naturally charming and sexy and forceful. But you don't have to respond. It's not fair to think about being with him because you're just fooling yourself. He doesn't mean anything by it. Even if he did hit on you you'd be a diversion for him at best. Focus on your own future because you don't have one with Jeff Winger. She managed to talk down her libido and calm her chaotic thoughts just as the steaks were finishing up. She snagged them with the tongs and piled them on the plate to bring back inside. With a last reminder to herself to focus on her future and firm nod she slid the glass open and walked back in. "So!" she said with false enthusiasm. "How are those peppers coming along?"
Before Jeff could respond the doorbell rang again and Annie set the plate on the counter before running to answer it. From the kitchen Jeff hear a cheerful, "Ring a Dean Dean Dean!" and rolled his eyes. He liked Craig but the man was early and Jeff hadn't had a chance to actually talk to Annie yet.
"Dean! I'm so glad you could make it!" Annie was beyond grateful to have someone else here.
"Now now, Annie. School is out! I insist that you call me Craig. We're friends, after all." Craig said as he walked farther into the small apartment. Seeing Jeff he smiled broadly, "Jeffrey! Thank you again for telling me about this evening! I knocked on your door before I left thinking we could ride together but I must have just missed you! And look at you two. Cooking a meal together. So cozy! I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
Both Jeff and Annie immediately said "No!" before giving each other a quizzical look. Jeff's no was a bit harsh and Annie's a bit frantic. But they were saved from any further comments by the doorbell ringing again. In fact they didn't get another chance to talk to each other alone before the apartment was full of their friends.
After the last of the dishes from their leisurely dinner had long been cleared away and the third pitcher of margaritas had been consumed over laughs and stories they moved into the living room and Abed pulled out two movies. "Tonight we can choose between two quintessential summer vacation movies, National Lampoon's Vacation and The Sandlot."
Britta loudly claimed The Sandlot and they all piled around the TV. Jeff tried to sit next to Annie on the couch but before he got the chance she'd pulled Craig down next to her. With a grimace he sat on the Dean's other side and settled in to watch the movie.
Britta wobbled to her feet after about fifteen minutes and made her way into the kitchen. Once there she loudly started rooting around in the cupboards. Annie smiled at her in sober bemusement before calling over to her, "Looking for anything in particular?"
Britta didn't stop her search and just called out, "Shot glasses! We need to do shots! It's summer, damnit!"
Duncan heard her and shouted his approval. "Shots! Splendid idea!"
Rachel and Abed shared a quick look and on the same page started called out, "Drinking game!"
Surprisingly, the Dean also took up the chant. "Shots shots shots!"
Annie capitulated with a smile and walked over to reach above Britta's head to snag the stack of glasses that the blond had somehow missed in her search. Grabbing the second bottle of tequila Jeff had brought and a glass of water for herself she settled back on the couch before setting everything on the coffee table.
Rachel grabbed the bottle and poured everyone a shot. "Okay everyone. Sandlot drinking game. Here are the rules. Take a shot for every time someone mentions Babe Ruth, any time someone scores a point, and any time the ball goes over the fence. Any questions?"
Shirley refused the shot glass offered to her but stayed to watch the movie. Hickey said he was too damn old to drink just to get drunk but this movie was a bit of a soft spot for him so he stayed as well. Annie had been drinking only water all night but at this point everyone else was too deep in their cups to really notice when she only sipped from her shot glass and never refilled it.
Jeff wanted to beg off but when both Britta and Duncan ganged up on him he gave in and started taking shots with everyone else. He wasn't going to get the chance to talk to Annie tonight anyway.
Both the movie and the tequila were nearly done and Jeff had a hell of a buzz. Britta and Duncan were whispering quietly to one another. Aww that was kinda sweet. Both Shirley and Buzz were watching the movie with little smiles on their faces. Abed and Rachel were watching intently and whispering to each other occasionally. Blearily Jeff turned to see if Craig was sober enough to drive since he would probably need to get a ride home. Surprisingly the Dean was curled up on the couch in Annie's vacant seat, sound asleep. Wait, where the hell was Annie?
Jeff craned his head looking for her and saw her in kitchen getting a glass of water. She tipped the glass back and took a long swallow. He was mesmerized by the action. He lurched off of the couch and stalked over to her, his movements slow and deliberate with inebriation. He walked right up to Annie, caging her between his body and the counter. Ever her surprised little squeak was hot. She looked up at him and her eyes seemed nervous. Why was his Annie acting so weird? He had to know. It had been bothering him so much he hadn't slept much the night before. It had been why he'd shown up early that evening. And it had been even worse once he got to her place earlier. She acted like she didn't even want to be around him. He couldn't go another minute without making sure they were okay.
"Annie I need to talk to you." He said as he stared at her intently.
Annie cleared her throat nervously. Jeff was clearly drunk but even so, his closeness made her skin feel hot. Friends. Remember that you're just friends. "Sure thing, pal. What do you need?"
Pal? What the hell was that? No matter. "Annie you've been acting weird. Are you mad at me? Did I do something I need to apologize for? Just let me know and I'll make it right. Promise."
He looked confused and sad and it softened Annie's heart just a little bit. Maybe she had been putting too much distance between them. Just because she was determined not to let herself be in love with him didn't mean she had to drive him away entirely. She had overreacted because it was easier for her. But clearly Jeff had not just noticed, but he was deeply bothered by her change in attitude. She looked up at him and smiled gently. "No, Jeff. You didn't do anything. I'm not mad at you. I promise."
He didn't believe her. Something had to be going on. His Annie would never intentionally marginalize him like she had done all evening. He'd watched her as she interacted with everyone. She was warm and gracious and gave whoever she was listening to her full attention. Everyone but him. Whenever she'd even looked at him, which was rare, she'd looked frustrated and mad. Shit, had she figured out his secret? Did she know he was in love with her? Had he been that obvious? Maybe not, his tequila-soaked brain reasoned. Maybe it was still okay. If it wasn't something he did then maybe the deal was with her. Maybe there was just something going on with her. Maybe something was wrong. "Then why have you been acting like we're strangers? You haven't been yourself lately. Is there something going on? Do you need help? I'd do anything for you. You just have to tell me what you want."
What she wanted was to hop up on the counter and pull him between her legs. What she wanted was to twine her arms behind his neck and feast on his kisses for a year or two. What she wanted was to find out what it felt like to be completely filled with Jeff Winger. What she wanted was to confess her feelings. But what she needed was to get over this and think about her future. What she needed was to extricate herself from this situation before she lost the fierce hold she had on the last threads of her resistance.
But he looked so worried for her. He really did care, just not in the way she needed. She put a hand on his cheek and softly told him, "I'm fine, Jeff. There's nothing wrong with me. And we're friends still. Promise."
Jeff nuzzled into her hand and fit his body to hers. She felt so damn good. His train of thought ran away from him and he started babbling. "Good. Had me worried. Thought you figured it out and didn't want me around anymore." He leaned in and his lips brushed her ear as he continued in a smoky growl. "Glad we're okay. Take what I can get. Can't scare me like that, k?"
Annie pulled back from him and narrowed her eyes. Her voice was strident and she pushed him away from her. "Figured what out, Jeff? What the hell are you talking about?"
But Jeff was too drunk to really process what she was asking. He laughed and wagged a finger in her face "Nope. Tricky Annie with your giant smart brain. Can't make me tell you. If I tell you then you might run away from me. Can't take that risk so you. can't. know." This last part he said with a smug smile as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Annie had a decision to make. She could respect his privacy, put him in a cab and send him home right now. Or she could push and try to figure out whatever his drunk brain was trying to hide from her. She looked down, unable to keep looking at his stupid handsome face. As her eyes traced down his body they landed on the impressive bulge in his jeans. Oh. Oh that was nice. That was very nice. Wait a minute, THIS was he was hiding? So Jeff wasn't with Britta anymore and wanted to sleep with her? He really did have the worst timing in the world. A year ago, hell two weeks ago she would have listened to her libido and climbed that man like a tree. But that was before. If she were honest with herself she was tempted. God was she tempted. Even one night together with him. One night for her to show him all the things she'd never get to say. One night to throw caution to the wind and take what she'd always wanted and was finally being offered. But if she did she'd be just another notch on Jeff Winger's headboard. And Annie deserved better than that. She had to stop this right now. There was only one thing to do. "Jeff I figured it out. And I'm not interested." Lie. Big lie. Huge. "You're drunk," she continued calmly. "It's time for you to leave." She stepped around him and walked briskly towards her room to grab her phone and call him a cab.
Jeff's heart dropped. She wasn't interested. She'd figured out his secret and she wasn't interested. Shit. He had ruined his chance. Why the hell had he agreed to a stupid drinking game? This was exactly what he'd been trying to avoid and now he'd chased her away. He followed her in desperation. "Annie, don't leave me! ...I love you!" Fuck. That was the thing he wasn't supposed to say. Oh what the hell did it matter now? She already knew and she wasn't interested in him. She'd said it herself.
Neither of them heard the shocked gasps of their friends in the living room as everyone turned to watch the drama play out.
If she'd turned around right then she would have seen the naked emotion on his face. The love that he'd finally accepted. Fear that he'd just ruined everything. But she didn't. She couldn't risk him seeing how much his words had hurt her.
She stormed into her room, hoping he'd take the hint and leave her the hell alone but he stubbornly followed her. She whirled around to face him before he made it past the doorway. "You know what, Jeff Winger? No. You don't get to say that. I get that you're horny and you're not with Britta anymore but I'm nobody's consolation prize and I will not be manipulated with cheap words. What the hell is wrong with you!?"
"Annie, wait!" He sputtered. "Look, all I'm asking for is a chance." He wobbled a bit and leaned against the door-frame for support. Blinking a few times as he tried to figure out how to fix this. "I know we're friends. But I don't want to just be friends anymore. I want to be more than friends." He looked at her again. Confusion plain on his face. "I thought you wanted that, too."
Annie's eyes were softer now as she looked at him. Really she could understand his confusion. Their chemistry was so strong sometimes she was surprised she couldn't actually see it arc between them. Of course he would assume she would want to sleep with him. She gave herself a quick mental pep talk. Stay strong, Annie. Remember. Friends. Not friends with benefits. Just friends. She sighed and moved to stand in front of him. "Jeff we can still be friends. But I'm not interested in what you're offering." She stood up straighter and looked him in the eyes. In a firm voice she said, "I think it's time for you to leave. I can't be around you right now." She gently pushed him through the doorway and closed the door in his face before turning the lock with a loud click that echoed in the silence of the apartment.