The Lost Fisherman (Fisherman #2)(31)

Rose shot me a tight grin. A “are you really going to try to take Fisher away from her too” look. I wasn’t trying to take Fisher away from her.

I. Really. Wasn’t.

Sure, I kissed him, but it was a complete lapse in all coherent thought. I would have kissed anyone standing in front of me when I got the text. Had Angie been there, I would have kissed her.

Really.

As for the kisses that followed that first kiss, they were mutual. Some might have even said they were Fisher’s idea.

“My girl.” Laurie hugged Angie. “We are your family. Always. You’ve felt like one of my own girls since as long as I can remember. And Fisher has loved you since his stubborn little heart knew what it meant to fall in love. And he’s going to remember you. And he’s going to feel like a fool for hesitating for one single second.”

Oh boy …

By that point, I had to wear a fake smile, not blink, and definitely not look at Rose. I had to lock up my most irrational feelings. The ones where my heart felt heavy because Laurie wasn’t hugging me. Laurie wasn’t saying how I was family. Laurie wasn’t reminding me that I owned Fisher’s heart.

To be fair, she had no idea that I was the one who Fisher invited to dinner. I was the one who took Fisher to Target. And I was the one (not that I was proud of it) who very inadvertently encouraged him to have sex with Angie. Basically, I was a superhero, and like all superheroes, nobody knew my true identity. I remained in the shadows being a do-gooder without an ounce of recognition.

So selfless.





Chapter Fourteen





“Where are you headed?” Rory stopped me as I failed in my attempt to sneak out of the house.

“I’m uh … going to Fisher’s to help him finish his shelving unit. Then I suppose we might order pizza or something. Just depends on how long it takes us to finish it.”

“Sounds fun. I need to finish a couple loads of laundry. Then Rose and I will order pizza, our treat, and head over. I found a new beer I think Fisher should try. Will Angie be there too? She prefers something a little sweeter like a Riesling or a Moscato. I can pick up a bottle for her too.”

There went our night, and there was nothing I could do about it. The smirk on Rose’s face confirmed it as she thumbed through a pile of papers from school.

“Sounds great. Give us a couple hours.”

“If we get there early, we’re good with waiting for you two to finish,” Rose said.

“Absolutely.” Rory nodded. “Tell Fisher there’s no rush.”

“Mkay.” I nodded, sulking out the door to my car. I would have walked, but the duo of Terrible Ideas and her sidekick Even Worse Ideas butted in on our night. I wasn’t putting it past them to call Angie just to make sure she’d be there too.

“Hey. Good timing.” Fisher opened the front door and grinned.

“No. Nothing about us is good timing.” Too bad he didn’t know just how much truth I packed into that statement.

“Uh oh … what happened?” He stepped aside.

“Rory saw me leaving and asked what I was doing. And the next thing I knew, she was inviting herself and Rose over for pizza and beer. Maybe Angie too. I’m not sure.” I frowned.

“And you’re upset why?” He shut the door and leaned against it, his good hand in his front pocket.

With a long gaze, I remained silent. Was he really going to make me say it?

“I mean, for me it sucks,” he started. “I’ve been thinking about second base all afternoon. But for you wanting to learn how to use the shelf pin jig, I don’t know how additional company will affect that. Are you worried that everyone else will want to learn how to use it as well, and you don’t want to share the experience with them?”

I’m afraid that Angie is the love of your life and you’re just too confused to see it. I’m afraid our time is limited and I’m only postponing the inevitable heartbreak.

“I’m reneging. If I die, you will not get ten seconds to fondle me.”

“That’s a little harsh. You’re acting like it’s my fault you did such a terrible job of sneaking out of the house. So now we’re down to only two options.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “What two options?”

“Either you don’t die, or I fondle you now.”

Stupid Fisher. There he went again, making me laugh. Indulging me in ridiculous behavior and even more ridiculous conversation. Did he talk about fondling dead bodies with Angie? I couldn’t see that. She seemed a little too sophisticated for that. I thought ninety-nine percent of the world’s adult population was likely too sophisticated to talk about fondling dead bodies. And the other one percent was probably in prison or on a Most Wanted list.

“What if I don’t die and you fondle me now? Why does it have to be a choice?”

Fisher grinned. “See, that’s why we work. Two great minds.” Pushing off the door, he took three steps, slid his good hand behind my neck, and kissed me.

I giggled into his kiss. The kiss lasted longer than I expected, his casted hand idle at his side and his good hand on my neck. Fisher was killing it at first base. It was everything, but not nearly enough. Not when I knew what it felt like to have Fisher sliding into home plate but falling a few inches short.