All I Ask(43)

“Because?”

I point to Chastity’s door. “Because we should work.”

“Ohh,” she says very unconvincingly. “Right. Work. We should get going.”

“You really need to work on your acting skills.”

She shrugs and heads down the stairs. “You know I’m not equipped with the gift of sarcasm and snark like you and Chastity.”

“You’re a mess.”

She laughs. “Have you seen yourself, sweetheart? I wouldn’t be calling anyone else a mess.”

We get into the store and I flop on the sofa.

“Spill,” Nina says after a minute.

“That about killed you to wait, didn’t it?”

“You know it did. Now, spill.”

I release a heavy sigh and decide to tell her everything. If nothing else, maybe she can help me figure out what any of it means. “Your perfect match from the online site of creepers texted me while I was at the bar waiting, with some bullshit excuse of work—an hour after he was supposed to be there—however, Derek was at the bar. He somehow seemed to know I was on a date and wanted to make sure I didn’t get murdered.”

Her grin spreads even wider. “So you ended up on a date with your best-friend-who-you’ve-been-in-love-with-for-your-whole-life! Oh, my God, you’re living an actual rom-com movie right now! This is amazing. Tell me more.”

“I’m not living anything but a pretty pathetic life.”

Nina scoffs. “You’ve loved that man since you were in high school, even if you didn’t know it then, and he’s back, and you’re trying to act like that’s pathetic?”

“What’s pathetic is thinking it was anything more than just us being drunk!”

“More? What more happened, Tea?”

Ugh. Me and my big mouth. “He kissed me.”

“He kissed you!” she screams, and I grab the sides of my head. “Oh my God!”

“Nina! Voices.”

She huffs and waves her hand at me. “I don’t care that I’m yelling because he kissed you! Did you kiss him back?”

I sure as hell did. The feel of his lips on mine was more than I ever had the ability to conjure up, though. I had no idea the way his hand would feel on my back, holding me against his solid chest.

The truth was, I never wanted to open my eyes. I would’ve stayed fused to his mouth if I could, but when he spoke, when he told me to ask him my questions, it broke the spell.

I couldn’t ask. I didn’t want to know.

“It was a mistake.”

“So that’s a yes.”

“Nina.” I sigh. “It was stupid and—”

“And it was a long time coming, my friend. You and Derek Hartz have been in love with each other longer than either of you idiots would admit. This is your time.”

So what if that first part is true? It still doesn’t mean it’s our time. “Our kids hate each other, Nina. This isn’t time for anything.”

“Kids fight and don’t like each other. That doesn’t change the feelings and love you and Derek have for each other. You’re just talking crazy.”

This conversation is what’s crazy. I love her, but Jesus. She can’t possibly believe this is real. “He doesn’t love me. He doesn’t even know me!” I tell her.

We know the Teagan and Derek of a million years ago. I am nothing like the girl I used to be. He clearly isn’t who I knew either. He fell in love with someone else, married her, raised a kid, and all those life experiences changed him at his core.

“You’re an idiot.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“There have never been two people who have cared about and known each other more than you and Derek.”

“A long-ass time ago, yes. Now? No.”

“Then get to know him.”

I lift my head to the ceiling. “It was a kiss. It wasn’t anything more than that.”

If she buys that I’ll be impressed. It was so much more than a kiss.

“Well.” Nina gets up and smiles. “It shouldn’t be a big deal to start looking for a new match.”

“A what?”

“A new date, since it wasn’t anything more than that. There’s no reason you can’t get your ass back in the saddle.”

She can’t be serious. I’m not going on another blind date. The last setup did not go well and I have no desire to try again. “Not happening.”

“Because? Hmm? Could it be a man you happen to have given your heart to who has returned to claim it?”

She’s ridiculous. “It’s not because of the kiss with Derek if that’s what you’re thinking!” I yell at her and point. “That kiss meant nothing!”

A loud thump hits the door from the apartment and both of our heads turn. Shit. I pray to God Chastity didn’t hear me. Nina’s eyes are wide as she looks at me. “Do you think she—?”

“I don’t know.”

A heartbeat passes between us and the door handle rattles.

My voice is a whisper. “Don’t say anything.”

“I’ve got this.”

I have zero faith. Nina’s the world’s worst liar. Chastity will see through her like glass.