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Running off that morning and continuing to evade all my attempts to contact her sent a clear message. Now, she’s telling me she wants me to be with Cat—to pretend as if she hadn’t rocked my world when she walked into it. But I still feel this unease. Probably because, given the choice, I’d choose Lori. I know that’s not fair to Cat, but it’s not my choice, it’s Lori’s. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that her decision is less about not choosing me and more about not choosing herself.
6
Lori
My body feels sluggish by the time I stand up from my desk and gather my things to go home. Sleep and I were not on speaking terms last night. On top of that, I ended up working through lunch, then stayed late to make sure I finished my article about the local soup kitchen. Every Thanksgiving they serve a big turkey dinner, helping to feed the hungry and homeless. Every year they struggle to find volunteers to serve them as well as the funds to purchase the food. It’s sad really, humanity’s unwillingness to help others. In my restlessness last night, I decided to write an article about it. I’m hoping it will inspire some people to be more giving this holiday season.
It also kept my mind off the Cat and Spencer situation.
I wish I could say the fact that she’s dating Spencer wiped him and our brief yet impactful time together out of my mind. It’s not from my lack of trying. After the three of us finished that awkward and extremely uncomfortable dinner, I left thinking my little infatuation with him was over—that I would finally be able to stop comparing every man I came across to him. It wasn’t, and I couldn’t.
It’s dumb, really. I don’t know what my issue is. Cat is happy, and it’s not as if I wanted Spencer for myself. Still, there’s this feeling of agitation I can’t seem to shake.
I make my way through the exit and into the parking lot, digging into my bag for my keys. My footsteps come to a halt, my stomach flipping at the sight of the police cruiser and the man standing next to it.
Spencer.
Taking a deep breath, I straighten my posture and smooth my clothes before my feet begin to move again. He’s the last person I want to see or speak to right now, but given his involvement with my best friend, I can’t avoid him forever. We might as well get this inevitable conversation out of the way.
He appears a little ashen as I come to a stop in front of him, though it doesn’t do anything to dampen how unfairly sexy he looks in that damn uniform—his crossed arms causing his biceps to look as if they might bust through the seams of his sleeves. I thought cops like this only existed in movies. I wonder if people think he’s a male stripper when he shows up at their door.
“Do you always walk out here this late at night alone?”
Placing a hand on my hip, I scoff. What is the deal with this guy? I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. I don’t need some man looking out for me.
“What can I help you with, Officer Duncan?”
He huffs out a laugh, his head shaking as it drops. He runs a hand through his hair before meeting my eyes again.
“I thought we should talk,” he says.
“Isn’t that what a telephone is for?”
“Would you have answered?” He lifts an eyebrow, and I press my lips, my eyes narrowing. “That’s what I thought.”
“So, tell me whatever it is you need to say.” I urge him to hurry with a wave of my hand. “I’m tired and it’s getting cold out here.”
He gestures to the cruiser. “We can sit in there. It’s warm. Have you eaten? I’m off duty, we could—”
“No,” I interrupt, shaking my head.
“Okay…” His gaze falls as he rubs the back of his neck, looking as if he’s trying to gather his thoughts. My chest tightens as his eyes meet mine again. “I want you to know I really like Cat. She’s an incredible person.”
I bite the inside of my bottom lip, fighting the urge to snap at him. If he came here to tell me Cat is a better human being than me, he’s wasted his time. The woman is a freaking bleeding heart, always wanting to help people and trying to take on everyone’s troubles as her own. She pretends to be a cynic like me when it comes to love, but in truth, she believes in true love and happily ever after. It’s no wonder she fell for the officer. Lord knows he’s got some good lines.
“But…it was you I was looking for,” he says. His words are like a knife twisting in my side, and I try to hide my quick intake of breath as he continues. “The day I met Cat, I was at the coffee shop where we first met, looking for you. You’d been ignoring my calls, and I thought if I could see you again…” His words trail off as he lets out an exasperated puff of air, tugging at the hair on his chin. “When I asked Cat out, it was only with the best intentions. I swear. I’m not the type of guy who dates one girl while chasing another.”
“I believe you.” His eyebrows lift, obviously as surprised by my admission as I am. His calls stopped around the time he met Cat, so I trust what he’s telling me.
His lips curve into a soft smile, and I frown, hating the way it makes my heart flutter.
He clears his throat. “Good, so there won’t be any weirdness between us?”
I shrug and shake my head. “Nope. Why would there be?”
It’s not like the guy I can’t stop thinking and fantasizing about is dating my best friend. Oh wait, he is.
He laughs, the patronizing tone of it causing my lips to draw back into a snarl. “I guess I was worried the fact that my hands have been on your ass and my tongue down your throat might make things a little uncomfortable.”
