Page 24 of Pretend You're Mine
My expression softened as I reached over to squeeze Teren’s hand. “You’re going to have to tell them eventually.”
Teren’s gaze sagged. “I know.”
He flashed another one of those heartbreaking smiles. “I’d just prefer to put off being banished from the family for as long as possible.”
“You know they wouldn’t do that,” I said, although I wasn’t so sure.
Finishing his milkshake, Teren extended his hand up high. “Where is our waitress when you need her?”
She was, as it turned out, gone. We had to wait a good fifteen minutes before we realized that no one was coming. So, taking matters into my own hands, I got up and talked to one of the other servers.
Before we knew it, we were getting our bill and on our way out. Although, on the short trip toward the door, I still managed to drop something.
“Careful now,” a deep voice said.
I was startled to find myself face to face with a gorgeous Ashton Kutcher lookalike smiling down at me, holding my change purse.
“Thanks,” I said.
“No problem,” he said. “I’m Andy.” His eyes widened bit, as if he realized how incongruous him randomly introducing himself was. “Sorry. You’re trying to leave and I’m… anyway. Good to meet you.”
He paused, and I turned away with another super-awkward, “Thanks.”
Once we were outside, Teren spun to fix me with an incredulous gaze as he flung his scarf over his shoulder. “What the hell was that?”
“What?” I said.
“That guy was hitting on you.”
“He was not,” I sighed. “Even if he were, it’s not like I can go for him. There’s the whole Xander thing…”
I trailed off, seeing it written all over my brother’s face before he said it.
Shaking his head, he said, “Seriously Naomi, you really need to get this figured out.”
All the way home, as we drove our separate ways, I couldn’t shake the way the hairs on my neck were still standing up straight. Teren was right. As much as I hated to admit it, he was completely right. This whole thing was Xander was messing with my head. But what could I do about it? Cut him off, freeze him out? Hopefully, I’d figure it out soon.
That night, when my phone rang, I couldn’t stop myself from bounding up in excitement. And from feeling a ripple of annoyance at the disappointing realization that it was just Teren: I’m at the door.
“Don’t be mad.”
At the door, was Teren, along with our two friends Melanie and Jessica.
“Mad?” I asked. “Why would I be mad?”
“Because you hate surprises,” Teren said automatically. “Remember when you were six and we hired a dressed-up panda and you….”
“Cried,” I said, “I know. You and Mom have told the story about fifty times by now.”
Melanie and Jessica had been watching our exchange with amused smiles.
“I can’t believe you two are here!” I told them.
“It’s good to see you,” Melanie hooked her arm through mine. “Sorry I’ve been crazy busy with all the baby stuff these past few months.”
“Really,” I told her, “It’s fine. Babies take a lot of work.”
“You have no idea,” she said dryly. She let out a sigh. “So do husbands, for that matter. Charlie insisted we join this weightlifting class together, and between that and Marjorie, I barely have time to myself.”
“Anyway, Teren planned a girl’s night,” Jessica said.
“But if you’re not up for it, we can totally call it off,” Melanie said. “Just play some board games.”
“Board games?” I sputtered. “What are we, sixty?”
Everyone laughed.
“Just give me a few minutes to get changed and do something with this hair and I’ll be ready to go.”
I turned and flashed a grateful smile at my brother. He always seemed to know what I needed before I did.
12
Xander
Trying to read over case notes in my office was no use. Naomi invaded my thoughts like an unwanted mosquito. I couldn’t figure out why she was so pissed last night. Everything was going beautifully… or as beautifully as could be expected as far as my family was concerned. Apparently, there were some murmurings about whoever they’d brought to set me up with this time, but the verdict on Naomi had been unanimous. My family had loved her.
I shoved the paperwork away so it slid to the end of my desk, tipping over the edge precariously. Not unlike the situation with Naomi now, I reflected dryly. Why couldn’t she just be like how she was before, the morning after we…
I frowned. Nope. Not going there.
I rifled through the drawer beside me absentmindedly – stapler, paper clips, tape, some receipt from somewhere – but it was no use. My mind was back at that night that probably shouldn’t have happened, recalling every touch, smell, sound.
For fuck’s sake, I was getting a goddamn erection just thinking about her.
A buzzing from my phone cut through my attention.
You comin’ out tonight? my friend Carlos asked.
