by Tina Gayle
My Best Friend’s Ex
Blurb
She loved him first, but her best friend married him. Now, divorced Brooke must choose between her best friend and the man of her dreams.
Brooke Janson has loved Garrett Sawyer since she met him on her first day of high school. Now, he’s free to love her too. Except, his ex-wife happens to be her best friend.
How can Brooke choose between a friend she’s known since kindergarten and the man her heart wants?
(This is part of a box set with 6 other authors call #Fling)
My Best Friend’s Ex
(A hot short story)
By Tina Gayle
Dedication
To everyone who’s ever gotten a divorce, I hope you find your one true love.
Also special thanks to Fling authors:
Kathleen Rowland, Michele Barrow-Belisle, Geralyn Corcillo,
Elena Dillon,L. Kirk, and Tracy Reed.
It’s an honor to have this book included in the Fling box set.
Dear Reader, at the end of this book, you will find a link to the Fling collection!
* * * * * *
Published by: Tina Gayle
Text copyright © May 16, 2015
Tina Gayle
All Rights Reserved
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
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Chapter One
Strolling down the grocery aisle, Brooke Janson spotted a familiar man dressed in black. Garrett Sawyer was the one person in the world, she didn’t expect to meet, see, or run into in a huge superstore.
Memories flooded through her mind, and she adjusted the spaghetti strap of her shirt. Unable to pull her gaze from his lean, muscular frame encased in a black T-shirt and jeans, she silently wished she’d worn something sexier than an old pair of jeans and a tank top. She glanced down and remembered what she looked like in high school when they met.
As an overweight teen, she’d worked hard to get his attention, had even helped him pass a few classes. They had become friends, and she’d decided he was everything she ever wanted in a man.
At the end of the school year, he’d left for college. After graduating, he’d returned. They had reconnected at a party where she introduced him to her best friend, Janet. They started dating and married not long after her first year of community college. Sadly, less than a year later, it ended in a divorce because she cheated on him with one of her classmates.
Suddenly unsure how to handle the situation, she choked out his name. To her ultimate horror, he turned.
His forehead wrinkled into a frown before he smiled and pushed his cart down the aisle. “Hello, Brooke.”
Ignoring the sudden butterflies in her stomach, she waved a casual hand. “Hi, Garrett. It’s been awhile.”
“I believe it was just a few weeks before Janet moved out. It’s been almost a year.” He stepped forward.
“Janet told me about the divorce. I debated whether to call, but, well...I didn’t know what to say.” To cover her awkwardness, Brooke allowed the words to flow from her mouth as if she had vocal diarrhea. “I always considered you, my friend, too. We had such fun together. I wanted to see if I could do anything for you, but I...”
Embarrassed by her rambling, she stared at the stuff in her cart; lettuce, fruit, protein bars, each one good for her.
Man, I need to pick up a box of cookies.
Forcing back the urge to binge on any tasty treat available, she recalled how his face lit up when he was excited, his deep belly laughter, and his willingness to listen when she had a problem.
Damn it, she didn’t blame him for the breakup. Well, maybe for not listening to her warning. She had told him that her friend had a natural tendency to throw responsibility to the wind. Still, Brook hadn’t wanted to take sides. Because it was incredibly hard to choose between two people she cared about, one a friend since kindergarten and the other the man of her dreams. Guilt sparked inside her.
Why? Did she still want more than just to be his friend? Was this her chance?
“Don’t worry, I’m over it now. I bought a house, which requires most of my time. I spent last weekend putting in a new hot-water heater. The old one leaked.” Garrett brushed a hand through his dark, curly hair. The silky strands fell back into place without distracting from the perfect picture he represented.
Sexy, hot, and totally off limits.
Brooke gripped the handle of her cart and fought the overwhelming urge to touch him. Instead, she asked about the house and listened with interest to the changes he’d made. Janet had hated the way he’d helped his friends and family with their home improvement projects.
“Excuse me.” A woman with two small children edged passed them.
“It looks like we’re holding up traffic.” Brooke pushed her cart to one side and allowed them room to pass. “I’m sure you also have other shopping to do.”
He nodded and hesitated a moment. “Maybe we can get together and do something fun?”
Thrilled with the idea of pursuing a relationship with him, Brooke tempered her enthusiasm with a breezy reply. “Sure, call me.”
Fighting not to look back, she made her way across the store to the pharmacy area. She needed to pick up toothpaste and deodorant. With each step, she relived the fun times she had with Garrett and Janet. Her pulse danced at the possibilities of him calling. The man of her dreams with his incredible, sexy, teddy-bear-brown eyes and friendly attitude made everyone feel special.
If he called, would Janet be upset if they went out?
Damn, this could get complicated.
“It really doesn’t matter,” she muttered to herself. “He won’t call.”
Chapter Two
Fifteen minutes later, Brooke stood staring at the DVDs on display in the electronic section of the store. By only taking one class at the community college this spring semester, she had a little more time on her hands and wanted a movie to watch when she had nothing else plan. Sadly, she spent way too many evenings alone.
Immediately, her thoughts turned to her best friend. Over the last year, they’d grown apart. Even though, they talked and got together, occasionally. With Janet enrolling and moving into a dorm room at Creighton this fall, they weren’t as close. She had other interest and new friends.
Brooke had even met a few, and they were a fun group. Still, she had an eight-to-five job, classes to attend in the evenings, and a rigid workout regimen. Janet, on the other hand, went to school during the day and partied at night. Their schedules just didn’t mesh anymore.
Shifting her gaze between the two movies in her hands, she debated which to buy. The good-looking actor on one tempted her, making her think of Garrett. What did he do in the evenings, on the weekend, or at night?
DIY projects or was he dating someone?
Didn’t Janet say he was seeing a woman he worked with?
“I’d pick the comedy. The heavy drama stuff is too depressing.” The rich, baritone voice over her left shoulder caught her off-guard.
Spinning around, she brushed against Garrett’s muscular bicep. The brief contact shot through her, and she fought to control her intense response to his sensual presence. “Fancy meeting you here.”
His quick grin and the spark of interest in his eyes lightened the discouraging possibility of spending another night alone.
“I decided I wanted to watch a few movies this weekend. With it the middle of the week, I thought I beat the crowds and get them today.” She offered both DVDs to him to see which one he’d choose.
He studied them both for a moment, then plucked the comedy from her hand and dropped it into his cart. “I’ll buy this one. Then you can come over Friday night and enjoy it with me.”
“Whoa, wait a minute. What if I’m busy?” She stared into his eyes, trying her best to calm her racing pulse. It’d been over a year since they’d spent any time together.
Also, what if Janet found out? Would she end their friendship over this?
“Okay, we’ll make it Saturday night. I’ll even grill steaks if you want?” The smile on his face indicated he had no doubt of his ability to convince her to accept his offer.
She shook her head, trying to give herself more time to think. “I’m not sure us getting together is a good idea. Janet might...”
“Janet doesn’t care what we do. She so busy partying and going to school, she doesn’t keep in contact with any of her old friends.” He yanked the other DVD from her hand and tossed it into his basket, too. Before she had a chance to react, his hands slid around her waist and he drew her to his chest.
The hard line of his body offered such warmth, she found herself leaning into him. Her arms automatically circled him. Her head hit his shoulder. She snuggled closer as her mind raced with how much she’d missed their spontaneous hugs.
Yes, he was her best friend’s ex-husband, but he was also her friend.
His grip tightened when she shifted back to study his face. A few extra lines marked the corner of his eyes and revealed his tendency to laugh at life. His bright smile softened his resistant to comply with her demand to be free. “I’m not letting you go until you agree to come over this weekend.”
His words exposed his desire to reconnect and fought against the sound reasons she’d compiled to keep her distance. Her traitorous body joined forces with him and responded to his alluring touch. Her nipples tightened. Her skin tingled. She wanted nothing more than to stay exactly where she was for as long as she could. “Garrett, I’m sure your new girlfriend wouldn’t like you standing here with your arms around me.”
He chuckled, “I don’t think she’ll mind, seeing as I’m holding her.”
Brooke blinked and curled her fingers into his T-shirt, clutching the fabric to keep herself upright. Air fled from her lungs. She gasped, “Garrett, you don’t even know me anymore. We haven’t seen each other for over a year.”
“That means nothing. You were in my art class in high school. You sat right next to me and help me finish that awful clay vase so I wouldn’t flunk the course.” He rubbed his hands over her back. The soothing touch didn’t exactly cool the need raging inside her. Instead, it incited ideas of how great it would feel to have her shirt off and have his hand against her naked skin.
“Yes, and you thought I was a real pain in the ass.” She released her hold on his shirt and worked her hands up between them. “You told me so multiple times.”
“Yes, well, I was a cocky S.O.B.” He tilted his head to the right and gave her a shit-eating grin, “But that also proves I know you. Everyone else thinks you’re a sweet, young thing without a care in the world. I know better.”
“Watch it. You’re not winning points here.” She rested her hands on his chest. Pictures of spending time at his and Janet’s apartment flashed through her head. The three of them had discussed many times what they wanted to do with their life. He respected her dreams of getting an education and becoming a teacher.
“I don’t need points because I know where the bodies are buried.” He leaned closer and whispered, “By the way, you’re looking very sexy.”
She ignored the compliment and pretended to be angry. “Very funny, the weight I lost might be enough for another person, but I guarantee no one will ever go looking for it, especially not me.”
“Yes, well, I think we both can say we’ve lost some dead weight. Yours was from sweat and exercise, mine with a divorce.” He shifted his hold and clamped his hands around her wrists. “Now, what time are you coming over?”
Amused by his stubborn persistent, Brooke stared into his velvety brown eyes and melted. “Okay, on one condition.”
Chapter Three
Garrett waited for her to say she needed to talk to Janet first. His ex-wife didn’t care. She only thought about herself, always had, always would, but he couldn’t convince Brooke of that fact. She still believed Janet cared. He knew better. “And that is?”
“That I bring something.” She shifted back and gained a little distance between them.
“As in food?” He released her hands and glanced around. Somehow, he’d forgotten where they were. His only thought had been to hold her close and enjoy the soft caress of her body against his. Now, he realized they were standing in the middle of a superstore. Luckily, he’d decided not to rush her and had resisted the urge to kiss her.
“Yes. You said you’d grill steaks, didn’t you?”
His gaze ran over her bobbed, auburn hair and locked in on her emerald green eyes. He noted the anticipation in their depths and smiled. “Certainly, we can head to the meat department right now, and you can pick out the one you want.”
She laughed, the sweet sound playing across his skin like a lover’s tantalizing touch.
For months, he’d wanted to contact her and suggest they meet for dinner. Each time, he’d punched in her number, he’d paused. The likelihood of her hanging up on him had kept him from following through with the call.
After seeing her earlier, he tracked her across the store. He walked away initially so she wouldn’t become alarmed. Next, he’d circled back around to follow her. Meeting her here today seemed like a sign that they might have a chance.
“I know I can trust you to pick out the steaks, but I could bring the salad or a dessert.”
“Dessert?” He lowered his gaze to her lips and wondered at their flavor. Since his divorce, he’d spend very little time dating mainly because of a lack of interest. Yes, he missed the sex and indulged when the opportunity presented itself. But he didn’t trust himself to get involve with someone, not after making such a big mistake the first time around.
“I can make a strawberry cheesecake. That use to be your favorite.” Brooke licked her lips and stepped to her cart. “Or I can pick a cake up from the bakery.”
Thoughts of how many times she’d cook for him flashed through his head. Janet had informed him before they got married she had little experience in the kitchen. He’d mistakenly believed she’d learn. Instead, she invited Brooke over and let her do the chore while she chatted away concerning some trivial event in her life.
“I’d prefer if you made the cheesecake, but I don’t want you to go to a lot of trouble.” He spotted the few items in her basket and shifted several packages to give her room in his. “Why don’t you move your stuff over here? Then we can finish up our shopping without having to push two carts around the store.”
“It’s not that big of a deal. I don’t have much more to pick up.” She stepped forward to continue down the aisle.
He wrapped a hand around her arm and drew her to a stop. “But you need to help me decide on what steaks to get, and what I should serve with it.”
She tilted her head and lifted an inquiring brow. “Meaning, you still don’t like to grocery shop alone.”
Shifting by her, he bent and retrieved her things from the metal carriage. He dropped each item into his cart before he lifted his gaze. Noticing the spark of amusement in her green eyes and the indulgent grin on her kissable lips, he fought the temptation to draw her back into his arms. With his body tightening with need, he succumbed to the overpowering urge and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
She rocked against him as if thrown off-
balance by the embrace. The soft cushion of her breasts hit his chest, and her hand landed over his heart.
He tightened his hold, and her head swayed back enough for him to catch her gaze. A spark of desire shimmered in the emerald depths before her chin dropped. He edged closer. “I’ll let you drive.”
Brooke shifted out of his embrace and pointed a finger at the handle. “No. If we’re going to do this, I’ll lead the way. You can follow with the cart. Otherwise, we’ll be here all day. Now, where to first?”
Happy to see she was finally agreeing with his plan for them to get together, he waved for her to lead the way. “Wherever you go, I will follow.”
With a slight frown, she stepped back and eyed him. A wave of doubt hit him. She might have agreed to dinner, but she didn’t credit him with seeing her as anything other than a friend.
He wanted to admit that he’d missed her a lot more than he ever had Janet but held his tongue when her gaze drifted to his chest and dipped even lower. The frown on her face deepened when her scrutiny of his body fell on the zipper of his jeans. The hard bulge behind the fabric twitched, eager for a chance to show her how serious he was to have her in his life.
She stepped forward and commented with a sheepish grin, “Let’s walk over to the meat department? I want to find out what kind of beef they have to offer.”
His mind guttered out. Ae fought the sudden ache in his groin. Stepping forward, he wrapped his hands around the handle of the cart and tried to focus on something else. The gentle sway of her hips caught his attention, and his gaze ran over the long length of her legs.
Damn, I’ll never make it until this weekend.
Chapter Four
The persistent ringing noise had Brooke fumbling in the dark for her cell phone. Her hand ran over the surface of her nightstand until she found the offensive object that had woken her from an erotic dream. Lifting the device to her ear, she moaned, “Hello.”
