Chapter 66
She glanced away from Nick. No way in hell she could look at him and continue to talk to his brother. Not when she could still feel the promise of his kiss on her lips. Taste it on her tongue. “No, not really. I’m just relaxing at home.”
“That sounds like a perfect evening. Especially if I could spend it with you,” Stoner said, his voice lowering, deepening.
Wisps of pleasure shivered inside her, and warmth flowed into her cheeks. She couldn’t misread the flirtation in that statement. Flirtation, hell. Stoner wanted to spend time with her. Part of her delighted in his words.
“I’m sure you have more exciting plans on a Friday night then spending it bingeing on Netflix,” she murmured.
The nape of her neck prickled with awareness. She didn’t need to peek over her shoulder to confirm that Nick's stare would be pinned on her. It touched her. Branded her.
“You’d be surprised at how exciting that sounds.” Stoner's chuckle resounded in her ear. “But, unfortunately, you’re right about me having plans tonight that I can’t get out of. Which is why I’m calling to see if I can claim your time for next Friday. I want to see you outside of a party or Nick's house. I’d like to take you out, Michelle.”
“Oh, um...” This was what she wanted, right? Stoner's interest. His attention. His desire. But now she hesitated. She didn’t bother asking herself why. The “why” stood behind her.
No. She pinched the bridge of her nose. Nick didn’t want her; other than that kiss, which he’d brushed off as part of their charade, he’d never given her any indication he felt the same inconvenient and inexplicable lust that had coursed through her just a few minutes ago. He’d always been affectionate, touching her, hugging her. It wasn’t his fault that her hormones had decided to throw their panties at him.
God, this was wrong. On so many levels.
Nick was her best friend. That’s it. She didn't have permission to survey the landscape of his hard body. Exhaling a long, silent breath, she nodded, even though Stoner couldn’t see the gesture. “Yes, I’d love to go out with you.”
“Wonderful.” His satisfaction and delight reached out to her. She should be enjoying this moment. But the knots twisting her stomach wouldn’t permit it. “I’ll call you next week with details.”
“Sounds good.”
“Michelle...” He paused, and she closed her eyes, as if that could somehow fill the emptiness that yawned inside her. “I’m already counting down the days until Friday. I’ll talk to you later.”
She murmured a goodbye and ended the call. A deep silence filled the room, and its heavy, icy weight pressed down on her chest. She’d done it; she’d grabbed Stoner's attention. She was going on a date with him. The elation, the effervescent happiness that came from victory, would fill her at any moment. Yes, any moment it would replace the edginess. Scrub away the cloying, grimy sense of betrayal.
Tossing the phone to the couch, she turned around and forced herself to meet Nick's gaze. What had she expected? Anger? Irritation? Satisfaction, even?
Anything but a cold blankness that completely blocked her out of his thoughts. Shock and hurt punched her in the gut. He’d never looked at her like that before. He’d never shut her out.
“Congratulations,” he murmured. “This is what you wanted.”
Yes, it was...wasn’t it? Confusion swirled within her. She should be celebrating.
And yet all she wanted was...what? To return to that easy camaraderie they’d shared for so long now? To thank him for helping her obtain Stoner? To cross the space that separated them and return to his arms? Beg him to ease the ache, satisfy this nagging need...?
“Thank you for dinner. I’m about to head out.” He pivoted and strode for her front door, snatching up his coat and shrugging into it.
“Nick,” she called out, unsure what else to say, just that she couldn’t let him leave. Didn’t want him to leave. Not like this.
But he didn’t stop, didn’t turn around. Instead, he paused, his hand on the doorknob.
“Enjoy yourself, Michelle,” he said. “You deserve it.”
She stood, frozen, as he let himself out of her apartment. And she continued to stare at that door long moments after he closed it behind him.
Enjoy herself, he’d said. Right. Now she just had to find a way to accomplish that while worrying if she’d lost her best friend.
____________
She’d had fun with Stoner. So much fun.
Who would’ve thought she could be so at ease in his presence and speak without her words tripping all over each other like a drunken frat boy?
The hideously expensive steakhouse, with its sumptuous decor, had only increased her nerves when she’d first arrived. Being led to a private room where Stoner waited with a heart-stoppingly romantic setting of candles, roses and soft music only heightened her anxiety. What if she spilled the wine? What if the dolman sleeve of her off-the-shoulder dress dipped into the olive oil when she reached for the bread? What if she accidentally choked and couldn’t talk?
But she shouldn’t have worried.
Charming, funny and kind, Stoner had put her at ease. With a beautiful restaurant, exquisite cuisine and a handsome, amazing gentleman for company, the evening had been beyond what she’d imagined. Utterly perfect. Nothing like the man she'd expected him to be or the man Nick had described him to be.
And yet she couldn’t wait to leave…
Regret and guilt clogged her throat, and even a sip of freshly brewed, delicious coffee couldn’t dislodge them. All through the evening of wonderful conversation and laughter, she should’ve been focused on the man across from her. But her mind kept drifting to his brother. What was Nick doing? How was he doing? Was he mad at her? Was that why he’d been avoiding her this week? And why hadn't he mentioned that Stoner just wasn't visiting, but he'd moved to Quinley permanently and even moved into his own apartment that week.
The questions trampled through her head, loudly, rudely and with not one damn care when or where they did it. Like now. And if that wasn’t the definition of fucked up—that her thoughts were preoccupied with one man while she dated another—then Webster’s needed to update their latest edition.