The Friends We Keep

He stood as she approached, then removed the glasses. His brown eyes were warm, his smile welcoming.

“Right on time,” he said, then bent down and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. We’re not having sex tonight.”

She hadn’t meant to say that, exactly, but there was no way to call back the words.

Jairus looked at her for a couple of seconds, then smiled. “I can’t wait to meet your friends.”

“What?”

“Your friends. I look forward to meeting them. I’ll bet they’re a lot of fun.”

“I don’t understand.”

He put his arm around her. “Someone said something about how long you’re supposed to wait, right? Which got you thinking about dating rules and how long it had been since you had to worry about that. You freaked out, because you’re not sure about any of this.”

She pulled away. “How do you know that? Guys aren’t supposed to be insightful. Stop it right now.”

He laughed. “Sorry. I’m a writer. I observe people. I think about things. It can’t be helped.” The humor faded. He stepped closer to her and touched her cheek.

“Nicole, I get it. You’re nervous. Hell, I’m nervous, too. You’re really hot and if you were offering, I’d be there in a heartbeat. But you’re not and that’s okay. I can wait.”

“What if it’s a long wait?” she asked, her voice a whisper. “We both know you’re not into hookers.”

He laughed again. “I’ll live, okay? I want to get to know you. I want you to get to know me. The rest of it will happen in its own time. You don’t have to worry. I’ll never pressure you.”

She wanted to believe him because it all sounded so amazing. And she wanted him to be lying because if he was telling the truth, then she was in way over her head. How was she supposed to stay safe if he was really that honest, decent and nice?

“You look concerned,” he said.

“I am, but I’ll live, too.”

He pointed to the restaurant. “Ready to go get your summer barbecue on?”

“I am.”

They turned toward McGrath’s. Nicole sucked in a breath, then, as casually as she could, reached for Jairus’s hand. He laced his fingers with hers and they walked inside.

While they waited to be seated, Jairus turned to her. “You know I have a new book coming out.”

“Yes. It’s very exciting.”

“Liar. I’ll be going on tour. That means I’ll be traveling on and off over the next few weeks. There’s going to be a local signing. I thought you and Tyler would like to come. I can get you VIP tickets.”

That was a lot of information, she thought. “There are VIP tickets?”

“Of course. Brad’s a VIP kind of guy.” He squeezed her fingers. “He wouldn’t have to know about us, Nicole. It would just be a signing.”

There was an us? A them? As in... She didn’t know as in what, but knew there was no way she could ask.

“That would be very nice,” she told him. “Tyler would love that. Thank you.”

“Anytime.” He winked. “You’ve made it to Brad’s inner circle. Hang on, babe. It’s a hell of a ride.”

She was still laughing when they were shown to their table.

*

Hayley started the cleanup as soon as the last of the clients finished with a station. It had been another busy evening at Supper’s in the Bag, with lots of happy people taking home meals for their family. She stored away the leftover food and made a note of which pantry staples they were low on. Tomorrow they would do the same thing again.

She had no idea how much money her sister made on the business, but she would guess it did reasonably well. Especially considering that Morgan only had to work about thirty hours a week.

When the customers had left, Morgan pulled out a chair and sat down. “I’m exhausted. Being a small business owner is crap. I wish I’d married someone rich so I could stay home and not have responsibilities.”

“Would be nice,” Hayley said, joining her sister. Normally she was anxious to get home, but tonight there was no reason to hurry. “Being taken care of.”

Morgan snorted. “Like you’d ever let that happen. You’re always working.”

Not because she wanted to, Hayley thought. To earn money to pay for her various treatments. No one enjoyed working sixty hours a week.

Morgan leaned forward and pulled another chair close, then put her feet up and sighed. “Brent is making me crazy. That man. He’s just so into the kids. There are too many activities and he wants to be a part of them all. But on Saturday morning he never remembers I need him.”

“Most women would be thrilled their husband was devoted to the children.”

“That’s a crock. What about me? What about my needs? Maybe I made a mistake picking him.”