AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Fine by me,” Shannon said. “I’m about ten minutes away from needing food, and I think my try on pile is big enough.”
Thirty minutes later Shannon had a gorgeous purple dress, Mara a flowing black jumper, and me, a royal blue dress with a fitted bodice and a skirt perfect for dancing, wrapped up to take with us as we exited the store. “How about burgers?” Shannon pointed to the burger joint across the street and we made our way inside. Shannon inhaled deeply and grinned. “I see a cheeseburger in my immediate future.”
“I guess that’s one good thing about being pregnant,” Mara laughed. “You can eat all day and blame the baby.”
“It is one of many good things,” Shannon assured her. “Just you wait.”
Mara shook her head. “Xander and I have decided to take our time. There’s no need to rush into parenthood when we haven’t had enough time together. Just us.” She turned her curious gaze to me. “The question is, what is Brenna gonna do about her feelings for Grant?”
“Nope. That’s not the question, because I’m not going to do anything. We’re adults who date casually and it’ll end when it stops working for us. No one has to get hurt.”
“Unless one of you catches a case of the feelings,” Shannon said from behind her menu. “Are you coming to the party together?”
“No. He hasn’t asked, and I’ve made plans to go on my own.”
“You’re not seriously this delusional?” Mara shook her head. “He will ask, and you’ll say yes.”
“That,” Shannon said and pointed to Mara. “And don’t let him get away too easily with a last-minute invite.”
“We’re friends. Standard dating rules don’t apply.”
“Ha!” Mara shook her head, taking a break to place her order. “That’s what he wants you to think so he can keep playing Last Minute Larry with you. It’s crap, and you shouldn’t allow it.”
“It’s not that deep, y’all.” I was being careful by being distant and not too needy. “I’m happy when he comes around, but I’m not longing for him when he’s not.”
“Good,” they said at the same time and laughed like schoolgirls while I placed my order.
Considering the dress I just bought, I opted for a salad. A steak salad, but still. “Thanks.” I was just about to tell them that I was fully capable of handling Grant when my phone chimed on the table and Shannon reached for it before I could. “Hey!”
“It’s Grant. Wants to know if he can escort you to the engagement party.” She looked up with arched brows. “You know, the one that’s just a few days away?”
“Just give me the dang phone.” Shannon laughed and then slid it across the table with a shrug. I looked down at the message and replied. “Afraid I’ll find someone better at the party if I don’t let you take me?”
Immediately a few laughing emojis appeared while he typed. “As if there is anyone better.”
“Arrogant, much?” I felt my lips spread into a big, goofy grin and I wasn’t ashamed at all.
“She’s a goner,” Mara groaned.
“Not much, no,” he shot back with a wink.
“You might be right,” Shannon replied, her voice filled with worry. Unnecessary worry. “Just be careful, Brenna.”
“Sure,” I texted back before staring into Shannon’s worried eyes. “I am being careful, I promise. I like Grant, he’s gorgeous and charming and makes me laugh like no other man who isn’t a professional comedian, but I’m under no illusions about who he is. At least, I don’t think I am.”
“Well, he is pretty, so I can see how hard it might be to resist him, and if the sex is as good as you say it is, I’m afraid you might be screwed. Literally and metaphorically.”
“Thanks, Mara. You’re a constant burst of sunshine.”
“Right?” Her deadpan delivery had us all exploding into a fit of giggles. “I’m just being honest about your options. Either jump in and risk getting hurt, or run in the other direction and give up those delicious orgasms.”
“They are delicious.” I leaned forward, suddenly curious. “Is that what you did with Xander?”
She nodded. “After running for years, yes. Basically. Eventually.”
Well, that was no help at all.
Distance. I needed to keep my distance, and I would, after the engagement party.
Grant
When Brenna opened the door and I got my first look of her in that sexy blue dress, it literally stole my breath. The top part hugged her curves, producing the perfect hourglass that made my fingers itch to touch her, but the bottom half was sexy and flowing, with a big split up one side. And instead of those strappy little dainty heels women often preferred, she had on white cowgirl boots.
“Damn woman, you look beautiful.”
A small flush crawled from her chest up to cover her cheeks. “Why, thank you, Grant. You look pretty damn gorgeous yourself.” Just to make her point, big blue eyes scanned the length of my body, she smiled and gave a short nod before she stepped back. “Come in, I’m almost ready.”
