Always(Time for Love Book 4)(26)

“You got my text?”

“Yeah. What have you got on?”

“Um, I have to see someone tonight. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you at lunch tomorrow.”

“Is everything okay?”

There was a moment’s pause.

“Yes,” Brenna answered.

“Doesn’t sound like it,” he said softly, fear starting to spread in his body.

Brenna chuckled, which sounded a bit forced to him.

“It’s going to be a long story, honey,” she said. “I’d much rather talk about it in person. And I have to go to a meeting with my boss now.”

“Okay,” he said, sorrow tapping at his heart.

“See ya. Bye,” Brenna said.

He hung up. He didn’t want to say goodbye.

*****

“Make sure you talk about everything.”

Ash chuckled at Connor dishing out relationship advice he hadn’t asked for. He knew what his future brother-in-law meant. The start of Connor’s relationship with Amanda had been rocky due to the things Connor had felt he had to keep from Amanda.

“I’m serious, bro. That’s the key,” Connor said.

Ash sighed. “I know.”

“Dinner’s ready!” Amanda called from the kitchen.

Ash made his way to the dining table, grateful that his sister and Connor didn’t mind him turning up for dinner without notice. He needed to talk to people who could give him enough information to help alleviate his worry. Tomorrow was too far away. He’d go crazy figuring out scenarios in his head if he were alone in his house.

“So, Ash,” Amanda said as they all sat down. “What brings you here tonight?”

“Couldn’t I check up on my sister from time to time? Make sure her fiancé is still treating her like a princess?” he joked.

Connor snorted. “Princess? What are you talking about? I treat your sister like a queen. Don’t I, babe?”

Ash snickered, but Amanda didn’t respond to Connor. She just looked at Ash with a frown.

“You’ve never turned up before without calling, Ash. Is anything wrong?” Amanda asked.

Ash repressed a sigh. He and Amanda were as close as any brother and sister could be. Problem with that was, he couldn’t hide anything from her. He wanted to keep this fact-finding light and under the radar so as not to make the guys worry unnecessarily.

“I was supposed to have dinner with Bren,” he said casually as he heaped pasta on his plate. “But she has something else to do tonight.”

“Oh. What?” Amanda asked.

“She said she has to see someone.”

“Who?” Amanda prodded.

Well, that was that. Amanda didn’t know anything. Ah, damn. “She said she’ll tell me all about it tomorrow,” he answered.

“Hm. Is it to do with work?” Amanda asked, but she seemed less worried now.

“I think so,” he said, lying. “She had to go to a meeting so she didn’t get to tell me.”

“For a while there I thought there was something wrong,” Amanda said, smiling at him. “When you came in, you had this look on your face.”

“What look?”

“That you’re worried about something.”

“I’m just missing her,” he said, not wanting to share anything more at this point if the guys didn’t know anything about Darren.

“Oh, how sweet,” Amanda said with a sigh. “I haven’t told you this before, Ash, but I’m so glad you two are finally together.”

“You never told me you suspected I’ve had a crush on Brenna for a long time.”

“Crush?” Amanda said in a teasing tone. “Wasn’t it more than that?”

He simply smiled.

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think there was anything I could do to influence Brenna,” Amanda continued. “Mind you, I did feel sorry for you a lot of times.”

“Gee, thanks,” he said sarcastically, not liking having been the object of pity.

“Hey, you know I love you both. I thought bringing out your feelings for her could ruin your friendship. That was why I—and the other girls—kept our mouths shut.”

“I know. She was really into Darren for many years. You probably didn’t think she’d ever get over him, huh?” he said, putting out feelers.

“Yeah. And I didn’t want you hoping,” Amanda agreed. “But I’m glad things are different now,” she added with a grin.

He grinned back, even as he worried that Darren was chasing Brenna again for another reconciliation.

On top of that, a new disturbing thought had surfaced. If he and Brenna didn’t work out, it would also devastate Amanda and the other three women he considered as sisters. The whole dynamic amongst the best friends might change, especially between Amanda and Brenna.

His protectiveness kicked in, and he found himself making a silent promise. Whatever might happen to him and Brenna, he’d shield the five from anything that might disrupt their tight-knit friendship of over twenty years.





CHAPTER TEN


Brenna stepped out of Darren’s car, staring up ahead at his mother Patty’s house.

She had fond memories of this place. She’d been made to feel very welcome here by Darren’s parents.