I wanted to kiss her, but not like the peck she gave me before. I wanted to give her a kiss that made her think of me differently. I wanted her to think about me and that kiss for the rest of the night. I wanted that kiss to make her as vulnerable and confused as I was feeling right now. But I couldn't do what I wanted.
Becca’s eyes flicked up at me. She didn’t have to say anything, her face always said what she was thinking and feeling. She was wondering why I stopped her, why I was holding her. But I couldn’t tell her why, so I let her go.
I watched her as she walked away. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. How did I never notice that wiggle in her ass before? Why didn't I ever look at her this way before? It wasn't just her being dressed up, there was something more.
Eddie Salvador knocked on the bar to get the bartender’s attention. He worked in an office down the hall from Becca. He was in his early thirties, but the deep grooves in his weathered skin made him look older.
"Hey, Gideon, how have you been?" he asked, his voice gravelly.
"I’m alright, Eddie. Good to see you tonight. We appreciate your support," I said, reciting the lines I knew Becca would approve of.
He leaned with his back against the bar. I didn’t turn to look at him even though I knew I was being impolite. I just couldn’t take my eyes off Becca.
"Was that Becca I saw you talking to before?" he asked. "She’s looking good tonight."
Eddie suddenly had my full attention. I tried to think about my other conversations with him. Was he married? Did he have a girlfriend? Maybe he was gay. The thought of another man looking at my Becca the way I was sent a flash of anger through me.
"Yes, she is," I growled.
"She seeing anyone? Because, you know, maybe I should show her a good time."
My hands balled up into fists. In my mind, I imagined myself beating Eddie to a pulp, and it made me feel better. But I had to remind myself of my place. Becca was just my friend, my best friend. I had no claim on her, but I didn't want anyone else looking at her the way I was.
"I don’t think that would be a good idea," I said. "She’s pretty serious with someone right now."
"Oh, that’s too bad. I’ve never seen anyone else around her, other than you of course. I thought maybe she was available."
"She’s not," I lied. "And he’s very jealous too so if I were you, I wouldn’t flirt with her or even compliment her. I don’t think you should talk to her at all. Just keep things professional."
Out of the corner of my eye, Becca finished talking to the Winslows and was making her way farther into the party. My plan of finding a woman to take home that night was out the window. I couldn't have the one I wanted. My new plan was to keep an eye on my best friend.
I couldn’t explain what was going on in my mind. Was this just a one-night thing with Becca? Would things go back to normal tomorrow? Or was this the start of something new?
As I followed her from a distance, I kept reminding myself of one thing — Becca was my best friend. I’d be an idiot to screw that up.
Tonight, I would make sure no one bothered her, no one got too close to her, and I'd enjoy the view while I did. Tomorrow, everything would go back to normal. But even as I tried to convince myself of that, I knew I was wrong.
Chapter Two
Becca
Three Months Later
Iwas running around the house in a new pair of black yoga pants and a light blue t-shirt doing some last-minute clean up when the doorbell rang. As I slid towards the door in my socks, I spotted my lopsided pile of mail on the counter. Clutching the pile to my chest, I raced into the kitchen, opened a drawer, and dumped the mail in. Carefully closing the drawer, I made sure none of the envelopes slipped out.
"I'll be right there," I called out.
Cinder, my ten-year-old black Lab, tilted her head as she watched me run over to the Christmas tree in the corner. I had visited the shelter several months ago as part of the revitalization project and once I saw her, I had to have her. She reminded me of a dog I had growing up, there was no way I could leave her there.
Once I plugged in the lights, the tree gave the room a warm glow. It was the day after Christmas, and I wanted to light the tree as often as I could before I had to pack it back up.
The doorknob twisted before Cassie knocked on the door impatiently.
"Come on, Becca," she said. "It's cold out here. Let me in."
"I'm coming," I said as I turned around and gave the room a final once over.
It was Cassie's first time there since the renovations had been completed a month ago and I was excited to have her over. Cassie and I met when she answered my ad for a roommate. We hit it off immediately and I convinced my uncle, a mixed martial arts trainer, to interview her when he was looking for a physical therapist for his team. My uncle's boss was Gabriel Kohl, and now he and Cassie were married and raising his daughter. It was another of my favorite couple stories, especially because I had a hand in it.
