AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He’s really enthusiastic to see you.”
“I’m sure it has more to do with you than me,” I said dryly.
“Why was he in such a hurry to come over?”
The crazy fucker was still pounding away on the door. “I know you’re in there, Dixon!” he shouted.
Trish covered her mouth and snorted. I held my finger up to my lips with wide eyes. She squeezed hers shut, her cheeks puffing out. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, and she buried her head into my chest. A sweet sounding giggle escaped as she peeked at Patrick.
“He’s going to spot us,” I whispered, fighting my own laughter.
“What is he doing?”
Patrick continued depressing the doorbell in a rapid rhythm, though he’d stopped knocking. My ringtone sliced through the night, and he spun.
“You bastard,” he said, stalking toward us.
Trish and I looked at each other. “Busted,” she said before we both erupted into laughter.
“You think this is funny?” Patrick’s grin betrayed his irritation.
Without preamble, he snatched the abandoned box of mini-cakes and helped himself. Trish watched him with fascination as he chewed.
“By all means, help yourself,” I said.
He paused and shoved another bite into his mouth. “This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
“Go away, and I’ll tell you where it came from,” I said.
He pointed the fork at me. “You’re on my shit list.”
“I thought I just saved your ass?”
He looked up toward the sky. “Damn you.” And then his face morphed into one I knew so well. “Hello, love. I’m Patrick.”
He’d been hanging around my dad too long. We all had picked up his winking habit, but now Patrick was calling ladies love?
“Trish.” She tucked herself closer to my side. My ego inflated. She felt safe with me. She wantedme.
“What do you say you ditch this one and let me show you how a lady should be treated?” His grin was of the panty-melting variety.
“Watch it.”
Patrick was all wide-eyed innocence when he looked at me. “I thought this was serious, but I had to be sure.” I scowled. “What? You needed a little test.” He turned toward Trish. “Now you know he really likes you.”
“Because he didn’t like you hitting on me?” Her hand found my knee. “Maybe it says more about you than it does about me.”
“I see exactly why she does it for you.” Patrick shoved the last of the cake in his mouth.
“That was for Trish.”
“Good thing I know where to get more.” There was a lightness in her eyes that I needed to keep there.
“Is this a secret club you two are trying to keep me out of?” He glanced back and forth between us.
“You’re a pain in the ass. We can’t just let you in.”
Patrick threw his hands in the air.
