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I got back in my car, frowning as I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel. What could have been so important to drag Gavin back to town? There was only one way to find out.
When I pulled up outside of Gavin’s townhouse, the warmth of his lights spread out into the evening. He appeared at a window and I quickly opened my door, waving to him. But he turned his back before he saw me. My confidence renewed, I made my way to his front door and pressed the doorbell.
“Hi, Gavin—” I began as the door opened. But it wasn’t Gavin who stood on the other side of the door. It was a woman. Pretty. Thin. My age. I faltered over my words, scanning her face for some explanation as to why she was there. When one didn’t come, I mumbled an apology. “I’m sorry. I must have the wrong house.”
“Oh, wait,” she said, offering a smile that made her look even more beautiful. “Are you looking for Gavin? We were just about to have a late dinner, but I can get him for you.”
I stepped back off the step, stumbling back a few paces before getting my balance. “Gavin—uh, no—I’m not looking for him. Wait—do you live here?”
“Pardon?” she said, frowning.
“I just meant—”
Before I could finish a little girl no more than five or six ran up behind her. “Mommy, I’m hungry.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, shaking my head. “I should go.”
I turned, moving as quickly as I could to my car praying that Gavin didn’t see me. I didn’t need things to get even more awkward. I was already on the brink of utter embarrassment. I got into my car, started the ignition and threw it into gear. Without looking back, I peeled down the street, escaping my total humiliation. Who was that woman? Gavin’s girlfriend? And if she was, then what did that make me? I’d never been the other woman before—at least not that I’d known.
My cell phone rang and I immediately imagined it was Gavin. But my nav’s caller display showed it was someone else—another surprise. It was Kyle. I rejected his call, but he called right back. With a sigh, I gave up and took the call.
“What’s up, Kyle?”
“Hey, Cher,” he said, his voice muffled from the other end by a ton of other voices. “I saw Gavin earlier, so I guessed you were back in town too.”
“You guessed right,” I said, turning back to my apartment.
“I’m down at the bonfire. You should come and have some fun.”
“No thanks,” I said. “I’m not in the mood.”
“Awe,” he groaned. “Don’t tell me the old guy got under your skin too.”
“Old guy?”
“Yeah, Gavin,” Kyle continued. “He’s being a dick today. But I’m not going to let him ruin my night, and you shouldn’t either. Come on, please. Let’s let loose and have some fun.”
I slammed on my brakes. Kyle was right; my night shouldn’t be ruined. It wasn’t my fault Gavin was hiding something. I spent a lot of time to look this good; I should be able to have a little fun. I cranked my wheel and aimed for the bonfire area.
***
I parked on the outskirts of the field, before making my way down to the fire. Heels were a bitch to walk in the outdoors. Usually I kept a pair of sneakers in my trunk—camping guides being nothing if not always prepared. Unfortunately for me, the entire Gavin debacle had knocked me off whatever bit of game I thought I had.
It wasn’t hard to find Kyle once I got closer to the crowd. His height instantly gave him away, and as I got closer I could see he was surrounded by a group of young girls all doe-eyed as they listened to him talk. I sidelined the group and made my way straight for the keg.
Pumping my cup full of beer, I thought back to the woman at Gavin’s door. What a fool I was, to think I’d finally found someone special in an old friend. And was he really a friend? I mean I didn’t know he was seeing someone—or God, were they living together? Guilt and humiliation spun clashed in my gut as my eyes teared up. I had to stop getting so hopeful every time a guy looked my way.
“Hey there, gorgeous.” Kyle’s voice came from behind me as his arms wrapped around my waist. I spun around, my breasts pressing against his chest. His eyes looked from mine, down to my low-cut dress, and back up again. “That dress makes you the sexiest girl out here tonight.”
I stifled a giggle. “I wasn’t planning on coming to the bonfire tonight.”
His head dipped down, nuzzling my neck. “Then I’m going to consider myself lucky. Hopefully in more ways than one.”
The feel of Kyle’s breath against my neck brought back images of my hike with Gavin. His kiss. His touch. His smell. Being here with Kyle felt wrong. Gavin made me feel special for me. Kyle made me feel special for him.
Kyle’s hand ran down my bare arm, but instead of feel-good goosebumps, it made my skin crawl. A shudder ran down my spine. Kyle took it as an invitation for more. His hand moved to my ass, and as he squeezed it he pulled me closer. “As hot as you look, I can’t wait to get you out of this dress.”
This was a big mistake. What was I thinking? I wriggled out of his grasp, pulling myself away. “Not yet, Kyle. Let me have a few beers first.”
