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“Arthur hasn’t even left work.” He straightens, and I’m reminded of the staggering height difference between us. He looks down at me. “Why do you hate me, Marcy?”
“I don’t hate you.” A lump lodges in my throat and I swallow it. “I just don’t have time for playboys.”
Rob scoffs. “I’m not a playboy.”
“Whatever. Now shoo. This party doesn’t include you.” I press my hand against his chest, urging him back toward the door. He’s like a brick wall beneath my hand. I ignore the way his body flexes beneath my touch.
“Fine. We’ll be at the bar, then crash at my place.” He collides with the wall by the door and rests his hand on the knob. “Enjoy your evening.”
The moment the door closes behind him, relief and regret simultaneously slam into me. Why does he make me feel this way—twisted up and confused to the point I can’t think clearly? I know there’s sexual tension between us, but exploring it is not an option. Period.
I return to the party. The half dozen ladies I’ve gathered to celebrate Kate’s status as bride-to-be are ready for food and booze. By the time we cut the cake, the tension between Rob and me has lessened to a nagging pinprick in the back of my mind.
Kate curls up on the couch beside me, balancing her plate in one hand and stabbing bits of cake with a fork. “Thanks for the party, Marcy. You didn’t have to do this.”
I wave my hand. “Don’t worry about it. I like the idea of this much more than a stuffy, boring bridal shower.”
“The only thing missing is some strippers.” Kate laughs and stuffs a bite of cake in her mouth.
“Strippers?” I gawk at her before chuckling. “Why didn’t I think of that?” My voice drops low so only she can hear me. “Is that a big thing in the future?”
She nods adamantly.
“The future sounds like a wild trip.”
Kate’s mood sobers, her eyes glistening with tears. “It’s...different.”
My heart goes out to her. I have no frame of reference for the emotions she must be feeling—torn from her life and thrown into the past. It must be terrifying and heartbreaking. She doesn’t offer any details, but she doesn’t have to. Arthur’s told me enough to know she felt like an outsider in her own time.
I wrap my arm around her and pull her against me. She leans her head on my shoulder. We’ve all felt that way at some point, and even though she can’t talk about it, I want her to know I’m here if she needs me.
“So what’s going on with you and Rob?”
Well, that shatters the heartwarming moment. Kate sits up, her gaze curious when it fixes on me.
“Nothing. Why?” I sip my drink and focus on a streamer hanging on the far wall.
“Come on. I may have been here less than six months, but I’m not blind. You two have some kind of thing going on.”
“We most certainly do not have a thing,” I growl. “He’s my brother’s best friend. That’s it.”
“Really?” She looks unconvinced.
“Look, it’s simple. The only thing we have in common is Arthur. That’s it. There is nothing between us.”
“Would you want something?”
“With Rob?” I scoff. “Not in a million years.”
“Why?” Kate’s question is like a blade through my heart. “He’s a nice guy. I think you two would make a great couple.”
“I just don’t look at him that way.”
“Why not? He looks at you like he wants to—”
“It’s complicated,” I snap.
Hurt fills her eyes at my harsh response.
