"Not a euphemism. It was my subtle way of asking if I could come over and make you dinner," Brian said, shooting Renee a wink.
Renee narrowed her eyes and I braced myself for her rejection. When she’d found out about Norah she’d sworn off men for good. I watched her shoot down every attempt at flirtation with detachment.
"I have a huge deadline this week. If you want to come over and cook this Friday, that would be nice."
My jaw unhinged at Renee's acceptance.
"Sounds like a plan. I'll be over here at six-thirty? It takes a while to assemble them."
"I don't know if I’ll be done by then," Renee added, her eyes locked on him.
This was a test. I knew Renee too well. Friday night Trip and Brian were known to party. An early dinner would give them plenty of time to go out and party afterward. Renee wasn't going to make any of this easy for him, but I was proud she was giving him a chance.
"That's fine. Norah can help me in the kitchen so you can get your work done."
"Are you going to come too, Uncle Trip?" Norah asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Norah, Trip’s a busy man. I'm sure he has better things to do on a Friday night, than come eat dinner with us," I said, hoping she’d get the hint and stop scheming.
"Actually, I wouldn't miss a chance for Brian's enchiladas. I'll be here."
“Once again, euphemism? Is there something going on between you two?” I asked, wishing I’d stop talking.
Brian and Trip chuckled and shook their heads.
“He’s not my type,” Brian said, not taking his eyes off Renee.
“He doesn’t like the strong sexy type,” Trip added, flexing his delicious arms.
My back teeth throbbed from being clenched so tight. How was I supposed to start thinking of Trip as a coach if he kept showing up at my house and flexing?
"Do you think that’s a good idea? Being you're my coach and all." My voice sounded squeaky and it made Trip smile wider.
"It's a friendly dinner, Raine. Nothing more. Besides, how can I decline an invitation from such a beautiful girl?" Trip hugged Norah tightly. His eyes locked on mine as if daring me to acknowledge the dinner was something more.
"Come on, Trip, I need to get you to the practice field before I go to the gym."
"See you at practice, Raine. Don't be late." Trip got up and put his plate in the dishwasher before following Brian to the front door. "Oh and, Raine. You might want to change before practice."
I looked down and groaned. I was wearing Trip's jersey and sweatpants. The same thing I had worn to bed since high school. His number and name plastered all over me for him to see.
"Holy shit, I mean shoot. Did Trip Butler just flirt with you?" Renee leaned across the table so her face was in mine.
"No, he's my coach," I gritted out.
"But not for much longer. And why did he have your keys? And why didn't you tell me?" she replied in a sing-song voice.
"He likes you, Aunt Kenna. He really is going to be my Uncle Trip," Norah added.
"Stop. There’s nothing going on between us. I was helping him out. It was friendly."
"If you say so. Just be careful."
"Me, what about you? You just accepted a date from Brian Wright."
Renee shrugged her shoulder and started braiding Norah's hair. This was the tactic Renee used to keep her hands busy when she was mulling something over. Poor Norah had her hair in braids every day when Renee debated whether she should launch her clothing website.
"He was nice and he fixed my sewing machine." Renee stared down at the top of Norah's head. "Don't you have practice?"
I glanced at the clock on my phone and scrambled to get up from the table.
"We’ll talk about this later," I yelled, running into my room and stripping off my clothes with Trip's name on it as I did.
