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21
Elizabeth
“What are you thinking about so intently?” Brenden asks, leaning in close so I can hear him over the loud music.
My stomach flips at his proximity, but I tamp the emotion down. He sits upright in his seat again, locking his eyes on mine, and my heart skips a beat. Traitorous body.
It’s been a week since we kissed at the hockey game, but my body still seems to react every time he gets too close. As if I’m anticipating he’ll kiss me again.
“Nothing really,” I lie, twirling my necklace between my fingers.
I was thinking about my conversation with my mother the other day. Thanks to Cat, she was under the impression Brenden and I were dating. After I cleared that up by explaining he and I are just friends, she said something I can’t seem to shake.
“Please don’t close yourself off to the possibility of your friendship developing into something more. I know you loved Xander, and always will, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find love again.”
“You seem awfully focused on nothing,” he retorts, bringing my attention back to him. He places his hand on my arm, and my eyes dart down to the now overly-hot spot before moving up to meet his eyes.
I pull my arm away from his grasp and put my hands in my lap, forcing my lips to curve into a smile. “I was just wondering how old you are now.”
Since the kids are staying at Xander’s parents for the long Thanksgiving weekend, I agreed to come out with Brenden and his friends to celebrate his birthday. The four of us had dinner downtown at the Spaghetti Factory before heading to some bar on Broadway.
We’ve been having such a good time, but I can’t help wondering if Brenden considers me his date. I’ve been worried all night that he’s starting to think there’s something more than friendship between us. He let his intentions be known with that kiss. It’s possible I gave him the impression I want the same things by kissing him back.
“I’m thirty-four. What of it?” He smirks at me with an eyebrow raised.
“Wow,” I tease, my eyes widening in mock surprise. “You’re an old man.”
“Yeah.” He presses his lips into a hard line, trying to hide the smile still visible in his gleaming eyes. “I’m going out to buy my cane tomorrow.”
This is what I enjoy most about our friendship, the ease and playfulness of our conversations. I feel lighthearted and happy when I’m talking to Brenden. He’s made a positive difference in my life, and in me. It’s like he brought me back to life. The thought of losing him causes a tightness in my chest, but I can’t give him any more than my friendship.
“Good, I got you an entire case of adult diapers for your birthday, so you should be covered there for a while.”
Brenden lets out the hearty laugh I adore so much and leans his head back, smacking the table with his hand. I join him, letting go of my anxieties and concerns long enough to live in the moment.
“All right, smartass,” he huffs, shaking his head as his laughter begins to die down. “When do I get to return the favor? When is your birthday?”
There’s a lopsided smile on his face as he flicks me in the arm. I scoff, rubbing my arm as if he actually hurt me.
I never told him the night he sat down at my table was my thirtieth birthday. My sister and Lori teased me all the way home, saying Brenden was my birthday gift from god.
I feel so close to him now. It’s hard to believe he was no more than a stranger less than two months ago.
“You were there actually. On my birthday, I mean. The night you came over to my table to introduce yourself.” Heat rises on my face as I think about how shamelessly he’d been hitting on me.
“No shit?” He chuckles, but his eyes go vacant, as if the memories of that night are replaying in his mind as well. “That’s crazy.”
“What’s crazy?” Allison asks, sitting in the chair on the other side of me.
I feel my body stiffen, her presence bringing an odd vibe to the table.
“Where’s Jon?” Brenden asks in a curt tone, not bothering to answer her question.
Allison points toward the bar where Jon is standing and rolls her eyes. Things have seemed a little off between the three of them all night, but maybe it’s me. My mood has been all over the place.
Brenden asks if I want anything from the bar before he and Allison exchange an odd look. He glares at her, but her features remain smooth. Excusing himself, Brenden gets up and then walks over to join Jon at the bar, leaving me alone with Allison.
When I pull my eyes from Brenden, I turn to find Allison’s glower fixed on me. I fidget under the weight of her stare, trying to figure out what to say to ease the weird tension between us.
