Something passed over my best friend’s face, and I decided to investigate Hollie’s claims.
“What about Kristin?” I asked.
Shawn’s head jerked up so fast, I thought for sure he was going to strain something from the movement. “Kristin?”
“Yeah.”
“Kristin who?” James asked.
“Kristin Mills,” I answered.
Alex laughed. “Kristin Mills? Damn, she was fucking hot in high school. James, didn’t you try to get into her pants a few times?”
I watched Shawn as he turned his attention on James, a look of anger moving over his face.
“Sure as shit did,” James said as he stared at his cards. “Tried my moves on her at a company holiday party.”
“You hit on Kristin?” Shawn asked, his voice sounding a little too angry. I raised a brow, but he ignored me.
Not hearing the threatening tone in Shawn’s voice, James nodded, then tossed in some money. “Yeah. Didn’t get anywhere with her, though.”
Shawn seemed to relax a little.
“One of the other lawyers I work with seemed to make a better impression on her, though. I think he said he’s taking her out to dinner tomorrow night.”
And that was when I saw it. Jealousy mixed with anger. He tried to hide it, but I had been watching him. Holy shit. Hollie was right. Shawn nearly crumbled the cards in his hand. He set them down and got up. “Beer?” he asked as he headed toward his kitchen.
“I’ll take one,” James and Alex both said.
Standing, I glanced down at the bowl of chips and another bowl of pretzels. I knew I should have eaten before I came over. “I’m going to see if he has any real food. Don’t look at my cards.”
The bastards both laughed as I got up and shot them each a dirty look.
I found Shawn standing with his hands on the counter, his head bent.
“Want to talk about it?” I asked.
He spun around and forced a smile. “Talk about what?”
“Why you’re in the kitchen trying to calm down.”
Leaning back onto the counter, he crossed his ankles and attempted to look casual. “I’m not doing that at all.”
“Really? Because I saw the way your face nearly turned to stone at the mention of someone taking Kristin out.”
He exhaled and ran his hand through his hair. “It’s just, the woman drives me fucking crazy, Lucas. She argues with me about everything. This whole engagement surprise thing you asked us to help you with… It’s her way or no way.”
“I can ask her to back off some.”
He shook his head. “No, no, don’t do that. Hollie is her best friend, and no one knows her any better besides you. Her ideas are good, and I know they’re coming from the heart.”
“Then what’s the problem?” I asked.
Closing his eyes, he appeared to be debating what to say.
“That time we slept together, I thought I was doing the right thing by leaving. I thought she was just interested in a one-time thing. I mean, I wanted more from her, but she wasn’t making it seem like that was something she wanted as well.” He pushed his hand through his hair. “Why are women so complicated?”
“Not sure,” I answered.
