“Much.”
“Here.” He set a plate with three slices of pizza in front of Trent. “All the meats.”
“The only way to eat pizza.” He took a bite and savored the zesty blend of sausage, pepperoni, and bacon on his tongue. Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
And Tina had worked in his house all damn day, and he hadn’t offered her so much as a glass of water. What an ass.
Logan poured two glasses of Coke and joined him at the table. “How’s the house coming along?”
“I think the place might be haunted.”
Logan raised his eyebrows and leaned forward. “Really?”
“Nothing violent like your ghost.” The spirit that haunted Logan’s house when he moved in had nearly killed Allison out of jealousy. “Just some weird noises and stuff moving around. Tina freaked out on the third floor, and we haven’t been up there since.”
“Why’d she freak out?”
“She got locked in the room. Said she saw something, but she didn’t elaborate. I’ve been trying to play it off like it’s nothing so she doesn’t get scared, but I’m pretty sure it’s something. Can you swing by one day and check it out? See if it’s safe enough for Allison to do her thing?”
Logan chuckled. “She’s already planning to go out there this weekend. She told me all about it.”
Trent fisted his hand on the table. “Damn it. I told Tina to wait until I talked to you before she brought Allison in.”
“Those two are the most head-strong, stubborn women I’ve ever met. Don’t think for a second that you have any control over what they do.”
“It’s infuriating.”
“And damn sexy.”
“True.” Logan was right about that. As much as her actions irked him, Trent had to admit her strength and persistence turned him on. He loved a strong woman, and Tina was one step away from being Wonder Woman in his eyes.
“Everything else going okay?”
“It’s all good. We’ll get the big stuff done in the next few days. I’ll be back at the office next week.”
“And Tina?”
He let out a long sigh. “Man, she put me in the friend zone.”
“Ouch.”
“Tell me about it. One minute, we’re making out in the study. Then we go upstairs and she tells me she wants to be friends.”
“Any idea why?”
“Hell if I know. That woman sends so many mixed signals, I don’t know which way is up anymore. I can’t be friends with her.”
“Why not?”
“Because every time I look at her, I…” He clenched his jaw and shook his head.
Logan chuckled. “I know the feeling.”
“What would you do?”
He took Trent’s plate and carried it to the sink. “Since I’ve only been in one relationship in my entire life, I’m not the best person to be giving you advice.”
“Maybe not, but you’re in the only one that matters.”
“True. You think Tina’s the one?”
“I think so. I want her to be.” He ran a hand down his face. He might as well admit it. “I know she is. Without a doubt. And all this back and forth is such a waste of time.”
“Well, man. My advice is this: if she wants to be friends, be friends. Slow down. Give her time to realize on her own that she can’t live without you. It’s what Allison did for me when I was scared, and look at us now.”
Slow down. He was chomping at the bit to make that woman his own. But it made sense. If she wanted to be in the friend zone, he’d keep her there. He’d be the best goddamn friend she ever had.
* * *
Tina finished off her burger and did her best to steer the conversation in every direction but Trent’s. Allison played along, listening to her ramble on about nothing, nibbling on her club sandwich and being a good sport like the best friend she was. Tina dragged her to Molly’s Place every time she needed a distraction, and, while Allison grumbled from time to time, she was always there for her. Always. Tina felt lucky to have such a good friend, but she could see by the look on Allison’s face that she was done playing along.
“All right.” Allison smoothed the napkin in her lap and rested her elbows on the table. “You’ve been grumbling under your breath all evening, and that fake smile isn’t fooling anyone. Spill.”
Tina widened her fake smile and shoved the last French fry into her mouth. “There’s nothing to spill. I just needed some girl time.”
Allison crossed her arms. “I’m not buying what you’re selling, girl.”
Tina scanned the crowd, avoiding her friend’s gaze. A familiar face smiled at her from across the room, and she returned the gesture. What was his name again? Jason? No…Jake. The volunteer firefighter. Last time she hooked up with him, he didn’t have a lot going on in the real job department. But his sexy firefighter body might be just what she needed to get her mind off the lawyer.
She waved at Jake and turned her gaze to Allison. “I haven’t had sex in more than a month. I think that’s my problem. I need to get laid.”
Allison rolled her eyes. “Seriously? You dragged me out to dinner, and you’re going leave me here so you can go home with some random guy?”
“He’s not random, and I’m not leaving you here. I’ll take you home first. Let’s go dance.”
“I don’t want to dance.”
“Please? I need to relieve some stress. Maybe dancing will do the trick.”
Allison sighed and shook her head. “All right. But only because I love this song.”
“Yay!” Tina took Allison’s hand and wove her way through the tables to the bar at the front of the restaurant. A Top Forty cover band played their own version of Pharrell’s “Happy,” and she and Allison joined the mass of people on the dance floor. She caught Jake’s eye and winked, and he set down his beer and sauntered toward her.
All those muscles and tanned skin. This was exactly the distraction she needed. The band switched tunes to a slow, sultry version of Awolnation’s “Sail,” and Jake wrapped his arms around her waist. “Mind if I join you?”
“Sure.” She slid her hands to his shoulders and glanced at her friend.
Allison pursed her lips and let out a sigh. “I’m going to get a drink. Do you want anything?”
“I’m good.”
Jake pulled her closer to his hard, warm body, and she held him tighter. If she remembered correctly, he was pretty good between the sheets. Maybe a night with him would satisfy her feminine urges so she wouldn’t be lusting after Trent every time she looked at him.
He pressed his lips against her ear and inhaled a deep breath before whispering, “I missed you, Tina.”
She closed her eyes as the words danced in her ears. He missed her. He’d told her that himself before she’d pushed him away. “I missed you too, Trent.”
Jake chuckled. “Did you forget my name, or is Trent your boyfriend?”
Her heart thudded, and she pulled away. “Who said anything about Trent?”
He tried to hold her close again, but she stepped back. “You did, sweetheart. You just told Trent you missed him.”
“Oh, no.” She pressed her fingers to her lips. She did call him Trent, didn’t she? Damn it, Jake’s chiseled body was supposed to take her mind off him, but all it did was make her want the sexy lawyer even more. “I’m so sorry, Jake. I didn’t forget your name.”
He grinned. “No worries. My place or yours?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t.” Heat flushed her cheeks, and she lowered her gaze to the ground and sulked toward the bar. She didn’t need to sleep with a man tonight. She needed to go home, take a cold shower, and sort out her emotions so she could get back to living her life.
Turning to give her would-be distraction one last good-bye wave, she found him already dancing with another woman. She shook her head as she approached her friend. “I’m ready to go.”
Allison took a big gulp of her drink and left the half-empty glass
on the bar before she followed her to the car. Tina slid into the driver’s seat and leaned her head back against the head rest.
What was her problem? Why couldn’t she get Trent off her mind? This was so not like her. Not at all.
Allison closed her door and buckled her seatbelt. “What happened with Jake?”
Tina lifted one shoulder in a dismissive shrug. “I decided I’m not in the mood for a man tonight.”
“You’re never not in the mood for men.” She rested a hand on Tina’s shoulder, her tone turning serious. “It’s time to talk about it.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“What happened with Trent today? There was so much tension between the two of you, I could hardly breathe when you came in.”
Why was she trying to hide her emotions from her best friend? Even if Allison weren’t psychic, Tina always told her everything. But she was so mixed up, she didn’t know where to begin. She chewed her bottom lip and let out a long sigh. “He started acting bitchy for no reason in the car on the way to your house. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
Allison twisted in her seat to face her. “Really? You can’t think of any reason at all?”
“His house burned down, and he didn’t tell me. We spent the entire day together, and he didn’t even mention it until I had to bring him to your house.”
“And you’re mad at him for that?”
Gripping the steering wheel, she kneaded the soft leather. “Well, yeah. He should’ve told me.” A heaviness formed in her chest. Was she mad, or utterly disappointed?
“What happened before that?”
She stared out the windshield at a couple kissing on the sidewalk. “Nothing.”
Allison tilted her head to the side and flashed a you’re not fooling anyone look.
Tina slumped her shoulders. The only person she was fooling was herself. “He kissed me earlier in the day, and later I told him I thought we should just be friends.”
“I thought you liked him.”
“I do, Allie. That’s the problem. I like him way too much, and I don’t want to end up like my mom.”
Allison shook her head. “You’re not going to end up like your mom. You’re stronger than that.”
“I will if I let myself fall for him. I’m already starting to change myself. I ordered a salad for lunch the other day. I don’t eat salad.”
“Does Trent eat salad?”
“No.”
“Did he mention he wanted you to eat healthier?”
“No, but it was right after I kissed him. When he told me not to do it again.”
She laughed. “Tina, you’re being ridiculous.”
“Allie, you know my mom. She fell in love with every man she dated, and she completely lost herself. And she died inside a little bit every time someone left her.” She traced her finger along the stitching in the beige leather seat. “I don’t want to die inside.”
Allison folded her hands in her lap. “You are a confident, independent, kick-ass woman. No man in his right mind would even attempt to change you, and I have a feeling Trent likes you exactly the way you are.”
“But what if he doesn’t? I’m thirty now.”
“That’s what this is about, isn’t it? Did you find another gray hair?”
Tina straightened her spine. “It was a strand of silver glitter, thank you very much.”
“Exactly. And you’re only getting better with age.”
“But Trent is hot and rich. He could have any woman he wanted.”
“And you always get any man you want. How convenient that you both want each other.”
“I guess you’re right.” She started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. Trent was obviously interested in her. Even without the kissing, every time he looked at her she felt like she’d melt under his heated gaze. He wanted her now, but what about in a few months or years? What would happen when her hair held more glitter strands than black ones?
And he was keeping something from her. His excuses for Allison driving him, his car being in the shop but still sitting in the driveway, the kitchen fire. Something else was going on with him. “I’m going to ask you something, and I want total honesty, okay?”
Allison drew a cross over her heart. “Always.”
“Why did you drive Trent to the house this morning?”
She inhaled deeply and stared out the window. “What did he tell you?”
“Truth, Allie.”
She pressed her lips together and let out her breath. “He wasn’t feeling well from the day before, so I drove him.”
Her stomach sank. “What’s wrong with him?”
Allison groaned. “He’ll have to tell you that himself.”
“Why won’t you tell me?”
“Because he’s a client now. You know I can’t discuss a client’s private information with anyone. Not even my BFF.”
“You and your stupid morals. I don’t think there are any laws governing Reiki healing.”
“Please understand.”
She sighed. “I do…So it wasn’t food poisoning?”
“No.”
“Is it life-threatening? Is he going to die?” Her heart dropped at the thought. Could he have a debilitating disease and not want her to know?
Her friend patted her shoulder. “It’s not life-threatening. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“But you’re not even going to give me a hint?”
Allison shook her head and looked at her with sad puppy eyes. “Do you still love me?”
“I don’t know. You’re kind of a bitch sometimes.”
She laughed. “That’s why you love me.”
“True.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
The next few days went by in a dizzying blur. Tina met Trent at the Victorian manor each morning, and she did her best to keep her mouth shut about whatever ailment Allison was treating him for. It hurt that he’d lied about being sick and his car being in the shop, and the fact that he didn’t trust her enough to confide in her about his illness stung.
Then again, she hadn’t exactly given him a reason to trust her. She’d drawn him in and shut it down twice now. She couldn’t blame him for holding back.
Except for the creepy room on the third floor, they’d cleaned the house from top to bottom. They seemed to have a silent agreement that they’d avoid that room until Allison gave them the all clear. Trent had stocked the fridge with snacks and drinks, and the movers had finally brought in all the staging furniture. This old Victorian house was starting to feel like a home.
And the more time Tina spent in this place, the more she felt like she belonged here. Belonged with Trent. Would it be so terrible to be in a relationship? Trent was nothing like the men her mother had paraded through their house when she was growing up. He was strong, confident, and kind. And her own strong will didn’t seem to bother him one bit. Even when he’d tried to act annoyed that she’d started the renovations on the house without him, he obviously wasn’t too perturbed.
She chewed her bottom lip and admired the fluid way his body moved as he sauntered into the living room. Though she’d never seen him naked, she could tell by the way his clothes fit he was solid muscle underneath. Built, but not too built. And that smile…She melted inside every time he grinned at her. What was she going to do about this man?
He dropped onto the new, white sofa and turned on the TV. “It’s a shame all this furniture is a rental. It looks good in here.”
She sat down a few inches away and tried to ignore the way her heart pounded when she was near him. She needed to do something about this man. “I’m a little sad you have to sell the place. It’s a great house. It’ll be a good home for someone.”
“It will. It already feels like a home.” He gazed at her with a strange intensity, his dark eyes pulling her in. She felt herself sway toward him, and she couldn’t stop. Sitting here with Trent, in this living room, in this house…everything about the moment felt right. If she kiss
ed him again, she’d have to mean it this time. There’d be no turning back. If her lips touched his one more time, she’d have to be sure she was in it for good. She could be in it for good, couldn’t she?
His gaze slid to her mouth, and he smiled. “Logan and Allison will be here at one.” He shot to his feet and pulled his phone from his pocket. “Want to order a pizza while we wait? I’m starving.”
Damn. She sat up straight and brushed her hair from her shoulder. “Sure. Sounds great.”
“All the meats?”
“Is there any other kind?”
He grinned and punched in the order. “You’re my kind of girl.”
Her heart fluttered. “Am I?”
“I mean…We have similar tastes. We like the same kind of food. The way you decorated this place is perfect.” He shrugged and slipped the phone into his pocket. “We get along. I guess that’s what I mean.”
She tried to hide her disappointment with a smile. “Yeah, we do.”
“When one of us isn’t trying to kiss the other one.”
She stood and stepped toward him. “The kissing was nice though.” So nice, she might like to do it again. Who was she kidding? She needed to do it again.
He stepped back. “Meh. It was okay.”
She paused, about to be offended, but the playfulness in his eyes made her laugh. “Meh? Did you just call me a meh kisser?”
He winked. “I said the kiss was meh. Not that you were.”
She fisted her hands on her hips. “That sounds like a challenge to me, and I never back down from a challenge. You want a wow kiss? I can show you a wow kiss.”
“I’m sure you could.” He bumped his shoulder to hers as he sauntered past her to the kitchen. “Too bad we’re just friends.”
Too bad, indeed.
The doorbell rang at exactly one o’clock, and Tina padded into the foyer to answer it. She swung open the door as Trent moved to stand beside her, like they were a couple welcoming their dinner guests into their home. It was a feeling she wouldn’t mind getting used to.
“Wow, guys, I love what you’ve done with the house.” Allison pulled Logan through the door and hung her coat on the rack. “The way Tina described the place, I was expecting a house of horrors.”
To Stop a Shadow Page 10
