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Stacey remembered a text she got earlier. “I can’t. It seems as if I have a visitor who’s going to meet me at my house tonight.” She glanced at her phone. He’d be there in about fifteen minutes. “Maybe another time.”
“Of course. The night my kids and hubby are at their grandma’s, and I get to do something fun, I’ve got to go home, anyway. Oh well. I guess it’s a Hallmark movie night for me.”
“I haven’t watched any Hallmark movies in a while,” Stacey answered as they entered the garage.
“I’ll give you a summary, but if you’re meeting that hot guy you’ve been seeing lately, I’ll say okay. Just tell me all about everything later.” The girls hugged and went on their own way to their cars.
Stacey was jamming to the radio on her short ride home, trying to keep her mind off her meeting, but it wasn’t working. Why is it that every song seems to work against you when you need to get your mind off something? Every song was about being stabbed in the back, starting over, a bitch who ruined your life, anything that kept her seeing that long-legged, dark-haired, bun-wearing, condescending woman, who sat in front of her acting like small town hospitals were beneath her. Just thinking of that witch got Stacey’s blood boiling.
She froze when she pulled into her driveway.
A handsome man leaned against his black truck with his powerful arms crossed across a sexy, muscular chest.
Tristan was here. Her night just got better.
He smiled that deep smile, showing off the crease in his cheek when their eyes met. Damn, why does he have to look so good? Makes this whole—non-relationship thing—much harder to pull off.
Stacey turned off her car and grabbed a quick glimpse in her rearview mirror. Just don’t act like you’re excited to see him. Play it cool.
She bent down as if she was looking for something, but quickly put on some lip color and fluffed her hair a bit. She grabbed her purse and sat up as her door opened. “Shit!”
Those amazing thighs and that chiseled chest were right in front of her.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.” Tristan put his hand out.
She took it. “No, not a big deal. You just scared the living shit out of me.”
He chuckled softly as he closed her door and followed her as she walked to the back deck. “If you weren’t so worried about your hair or lips, you would have noticed me walking toward you.”
She stopped and turned—big mistake.
He caught up and cupped the side of her face. “I don’t know why you were so concerned about putting anything on those lips. I’m just going to kiss it off.”
Her objection was interrupted by his mouth on hers. She tried not to give in to the kiss, but failed miserably. Her hand brushed against his neck as her tongue entered his delicious mouth. So much for playing it cool.
“See. Gone.” The crease in his cheek appeared.
Her insides melted.
“How was your day?” Tristan’s eyes sparkled. She was sure her surprise was the cause.
Stacey cleared her throat. “It was okay. Yours?”
“Amazing, now.” That smile filled his face and made her heart flutter. Damn body, always giving away too much. “Well, it looks like you’re going to meet my brother and Kristen. They’re both home.” Her heart jumped again, but she was pretty sure it was just nerves this time. “Since you insisted on showing up here, I guess we can’t avoid it.”
Stacey walked into the kitchen with apprehension. There was no one there. Good. For now, at least, there will be no interrogation. She stepped aside and gestured widely with her hand for Tristan to follow. He did, and didn’t take his eyes off her as he entered.
Her stomach was on that roller coaster again. She closed the door softly and his hand brushed her arm.
“Is everything alright?” He bent his head low to look at her.
She shook her head. “Yep, it’s all good.” Stacey went to the refrigerator and found the container with leftovers. “I haven’t had dinner yet. You want any? It’s spaghetti and meatballs—Jacob’s specialty.”
She heated it up in the microwave.Stacey, it’s not a big deal if Jacob meets him. He’ll love him. He’s a great guy.The roller coaster rides her stomach was on, sped up like they were going down a large hill into a loop. She needed a drink, and water wasn’t going to be strong enough. She again went back to the fridge. “Want a beer?”
When Tristan nodded, she took out two beers and went to the table to eat. They sat in silence as they ate, and she watched him. Was she nervous for him to meet Jacob, or because they were alone in the house? She really liked him. He seemed amazing.
His gaze locked onto hers and the roller coaster came to an abrupt halt in her stomach and her breath hitched. She was already in deep. That’s what she was scared of.
