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Steph watched him walk away. What was going on? Should she follow him?
Just then, the pizza arrived, and everyone busied themselves with arranging food, pouring drinks, and eating.
Cal returned and sat by Pops after fetching him a plate of pizza. Steph had planned to do the same, but now Cal was there. So she sat on the other side of Pops and listened with half an ear to her friends talking about the bridal shower, while trying to follow Cal and Pops talking about tonight’s baseball game.
Steph wanted to jump in and ask Cal if he’d come over and watch the game. Maybe he would stay overnight at Rachel’s like he’d suggested earlier, and tomorrow they could do something. What, she didn’t know … And what was she thinking? Asking him on a date? When she’d so firmly friend-zoned him?
She was tired, that was all. From stressing all day about Pops—well, all week, to be exact. From having so many moving parts in her life with friends, work, and the adjusted wedding plans. Why shouldshebe so stressed, though? Everly should be the one wigging out. But she sat close to Austin, hand in hand, as they joked together.
Steph’s gaze slid once more to Cal. Maybe he really did like hanging out with Pops. They were like bosom buddies. Maybe with her out of the picture, Cal would still come around to help Pops.
No …
She bit her lip and looked away from Cal’s brown eyes, handsome face, and easygoing manner. She couldn’t let herself get too attached to him, become dependent on him. It was how all those other men duped her. She didn’t want Cal to disappear. Not even for a week. But there was nothing she could do about that. It was his job, after all … and when this job was done, there’d be another.
And she was fine with that. It wasn’t like they were dating or anything. Missing him as a friend was much easier than missing him if they were something more. Which they weren’t.
After the pizza, and after cleanup, Steph told Cal, “I can take Pops home if you need to get on the road.”
He gazed at her for a heartbeat, then two. “If you’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” She wasn’t sure, and the words tasted sour in her mouth. “Unless you really wanted to watch the game with him?”Or stay overnight?
“I think he’s going to be falling asleep in front of that game.”
Steph smiled a smile she didn’t feel. “True. He’s had quite the day.”
“I’m not getting any younger,” Pops said, coming around the corner on Brandy’s arm. “Cal, got your car warmed up?”
“I’m taking you, Pops, so Cal can get on the road.” Steph wanted to kick herself the second the words were out. She should have let Cal answer, because maybe it would have been different.
Pops’s step slowed, and he released Brandy’s arm. “Are you two fighting again?”
“No one’s fighting.” Steph’s cheeks were blazing. “Cal’s been here all day, doing double-duty, that’s all.” She peeked over at him.
He simply stood there, hands in his pockets, his dark eyes on her. Letting her take the heat.
“Come on.” She stepped forward and took Pops’s arm. “What time does the game start?”
But he shook her off. “I need to speak to Cal, man-to-man, then I’ll meet you at your car.”
Nothing could have surprised Steph more. “What about?” she asked before she could stop herself.
“Never you mind.”
She held back a frustrated sigh. She glanced at Brandy, who shrugged.
“All right,” Steph said. Now, she had no choice but to head to her car, with Brandy right behind her.
“Everything okay?” Brandy asked quietly.
“Pops gets cranky sometimes,” Steph said. “I don’t think he’s too happy about Cal leaving, but the guy has been here all day and then some. He’s always doing us favors, and I can’t return them—” Her voice choked off, and she hated that her eyes were burning with tears.
At least she’d reached her car and could hide there until Pops deigned to show up.
“Hey,” Brandy said in a gentle tone, grasping her arm. “You okay? What’s going on?”
Steph took a shuddering breath, then turned to her friend. The kindness in Brandy’s blue eyes was her undoing.
