Seducing Simon(15)

“If you frown any harder, something is going to go up in smoke,” Matt piped up. “And if you don’t flip those burgers, the kitchen’s going to go up in smoke as well.”

“You mean you guys aren’t bothered by the fact Mike asked her out?” A.J. raised an eyebrow. “Should we be?”

“Come on. Mike has a different woman every week. Do you really think we ought to be letting him take Toni out? You’ve heard him talk about how many times he’s gotten laid.” Matt and A.J. exchanged amused glances, which only served to irritate him further. “What’s wrong with you two? I’m being serious.”

“Oh, yes, we can see,” Matt chortled.

“Toni’s a big girl. She’s pregnant for Pete’s sake. She’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She knows all about Mike, and if she wants to go out with him, who are we to say anything?” A.J. pointed out.

Simon couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Any other time the two of them would be growling like a pair of Pit Bulls if Toni was going out with the wrong guy.

He didn’t like it. Didn’t like it one bit. He turned back to the skillet and flipped over a burned hamburger patty. That one was going to be A.J.’s.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” A.J. said with a groan. “I gave up a date with Mindy Sue Stevens. I was assured of scoring too.”

“Quit complaining and keep a look out,” Simon snarled from behind his menu.

He edged the menu down and peered over the top across the restaurant where Toni and Mike were eating. So far they had appeared to talk, and Toni was picking at her meal. Why wasn’t she eating? Was Mike bothering her?

The waitress stopped at their table temporarily obscuring Simon’s view. He quickly ordered a dessert and waited impatiently as A.J. rattled off what he wanted to eat. When the waitress finally sashayed off, his eyes flitted back to Toni’s table.

His eyes narrowed as he saw Mike’s hand reaching across to cover Toni’s. She smiled at him in return, but didn’t make any effort to move her hand. This was not going as he’d envisioned.

“Looks like it’s going well to me,” A.J said with a shrug.

“Yeah, up until Mike tries to get her in the sack.”

“Well, if that’s where they end up, I am sure it will have been what Toni wanted.”

“She’s pregnant for Christ sake!”

“Lower your voice or we’re going to be busted,” A.J. warned. “Have you forgotten that getting in the sack is what got her pregnant to begin with?”

Simon gritted his teeth but lowered his voice to a loud whisper. “I can’t believe you’re so calm about this.” A.J. laughed. “You’re worked up enough for both of us. Why should it bother you for Toni to move on and find someone? I mean, she’s going to need someone. I can’t imagine she wants to raise her baby alone.”

“Yeah, but I don’t see Mike as a likely candidate,” Simon grumbled.

“Don’t you think that should be up to Toni? Maybe you should step up to the plate,” A.J. finished innocently.

He glared at A.J. across the table. This wasn’t the first time A.J. had hinted he should ask Toni out. But it wouldn’t work. If it was a disaster how would their friendship fare? And most of all, why would he be asking her out? Just to prevent her from making a mistake with someone else?

Or could it be he couldn’t stand the thought of her with anyone else?

Panic gripped his stomach. What a mess. He couldn’t explain his sense of urgency where she was concerned, just as he couldn’t make sense of his muddled feelings.

“Shit! They’re coming this way,” A.J. hissed.

They both lunged for their menus and flipped them open, sliding further down into the booth. Simon watched underneath as they walked by then scowled when he saw their entwined hands.

Toni slid into the passenger seat of Mike’s truck and took a deep breath. The evening had been surprisingly pleasant, but she had to tell him. It wasn’t fair not to let him know what he was in for. And where he stood.

“Want me to take you home now, or would you like to take a drive?” he asked as he started the engine.

“Is there somewhere we can talk? There’s something I need to tell you.”

He looked at her curiously. “Sure. Why don’t we go get some ice cream and sit in the truck and eat it?” She smiled at him. “Sounds good.”

They stopped at the local ice cream parlor that had been in business since the fifties and got cones. They settled back into the truck and Mike rolled down the windows to let the evening breeze in.

He was handsome. Probably considered downright yummy by most women, and Toni was well aware of his playboy reputation. But she was pretty much ruined for any other man but Simon.

Mike slurped at his cone then ran a hand through his dirty blond hair. “So what’s on your mind?” he asked, sitting back in the seat and resting his arm on the back. His fingers dangled inches from her shoulders.

She took a deep breath and looked earnestly at him. “I enjoyed tonight. I really did,” she began.

“I hear a ‘but’ coming,” he said with a smile.

“I’m pregnant,” she said baldly.

“Isn’t that supposed to come after we have sex?” he teased.