Sweet Spot (Summer Rush #1) (20 page)

“What is?” Stacey asked, tucking her legs under her as she set her eReader down and reached for her coffee.

“Getting flowers,” Tenley said, sitting on the chair while Stacey hogged the couch.

She frowned. “No one has ever given you flowers before?”

“Nope.” Tenley guessed she just wasn’t the kind of girl who made a guy think she’d appreciate romantic gestures. Though she certainly appreciated this one.

She fired off a quick text to Rowan.
Thx for flowers. Beautiful.
Her fingers hovered over the screen before she finally added a little heart emoji. God, she was getting so sappy.

Stacey’s expression was thoughtful when she finally looked up. Tenley didn’t have to ask what she was thinking. She just knew.

“Don’t,” she warned, knowing her friend was going to tell her how perfect she and Rowan were for each other.

“What?” she asked, all wide-eyed innocence. “I was just thinking how nice it is to see you happy for a change.”

Tenley frowned, wondering if she’d wasted every day since they met being miserable. She didn’t think so, but maybe Stacey saw things more clearly from the outside looking in, than she did. “For a change? What does that mean?”

“I couldn’t figure out what had happened to make you so sullen most of the time. Now that you told me about your douche of an ex, I get it. But the way you’ve been since you met Rowan…” With a slight shake of her head, she said, “I don’t know. I’ve just never seen you like this. I like it. I hope the new Tenley sticks around for a while.”

She would as long as Rowan was in her life, but there was no telling how long that would last. It was still too new to assume it would last. Forever was a word she’d stopped using a long time ago. Nothing lasted forever. Especially love and marriage.

Tenley’s cell buzzed, and she could have sworn her heart stopped beating when she read Rowan’s response:
What flowers?

“Are you sure those flowers are for me?” she asked Stacey, without looking up from her phone.

“Yeah, the delivery guy said they were. Why? Rowan didn’t send them?”

She shook her head slowly, knowing if Rowan hadn’t sent them, only one other person would have. Godammit! She was never going to be rid of that monster. Just when she thought she was finally getting her life back on track, he came back to remind her she’d never really be rid of him or free from her past.

Tenley’s phone rang, and Rowan’s face flashed across the screen. She considered hitting Ignore. Not because she didn’t want to talk to him, but because she didn’t know what to say. He’d be concerned, just as she was, but she didn’t want to feed his paranoia while trying to quash her own.

“Hey,” she said, trying to sound relaxed. “I just left your place. Admit it. You can’t get enough of me.”

“Who the hell sent you flowers, Tenley?”

She could hear the tension in his voice, could almost see him pacing his massive great room with the high ceilings and light filtering through the wall-to-wall windows. But she had no doubt he was ignoring his breathtaking view. He was too busy worrying about her, which was the last thing she wanted.

“Are you jealous?” she asked, trying to play it off as insignificant, though they both knew the flowers meant Justin was sending her a message. He wasn’t going away.

“This isn’t a joke! You think that bastard sent them, don’t you?”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” she said, forcing a smile that she hoped he could hear. “It could have been my other boyfriend.”

“This isn’t funny! Maybe you should call Brant and tell him—”

“No!” Her brothers were already worried sick about her. She didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. “No,” she said, her voice softening. “They’ve got enough on their plates. I don’t want them to worry about this. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“You don’t believe that any more than I do.” When she didn’t respond, he sighed. “Baby, just make sure your doors are locked. Keep your eyes open when you step outside, and make sure you’re armed at all times. I’m picking you up from work tonight.”

“But—”

“No buts, Tenley. I’m picking you up from work.”

Before she could argue, he was gone. She scowled at the phone, hating that Justin was once again calling the shots, forcing her to live in fear of him.

“Are you okay?” Stacey asked gently.

She growled, covering her face with her hands. “I don’t want to talk about that son of a bitch I was engaged to. I want to talk about something else. Anything else.”

“How about the fact that Ace asked me to move in with him? Do you want to talk about that?”

Tenley gaped at her friend, feeling a little as though the rug had been pulled out from under her. “Seriously? But you guys haven’t been seeing each other that long.”

She knew it didn’t take Stacey long to decide a guy was “the one,” but she usually turned out to be wrong. And she’d never made this kind of commitment to anyone. Tenley couldn’t believe she was actually considering it.

“He told me last night that he’s falling in love with me,” Stacey said, smiling. “Can you believe that? He actually said he loves me.”

She didn’t know what had happened in Stacey’s past that made her crave love the way most people craved fresh air and water, but Tenley was sure there was a story there. One she may never hear. “Of course I can believe that. You’re easy to love.”

“Thanks.” Stacey set her empty mug on the table before raking her hand through her long, blond hair. “He said it makes sense since we spend all of our time together anyhow.”

They had been together almost every night since they started dating, but making it official required a huge leap of faith. Especially so soon.

“I just want you to be happy,” Tenley said, trying to choose her words carefully. “You know that. But maybe you should take your time with this one, Stace. Don’t rush into anything.”

“I hear what you’re saying,” she said, nodding. “But when am I going to get another chance with a guy like Ace? Someone who actually says he loves me and wants to commit to me?”

Tenley still thought that, at twenty-seven, she had plenty of time left for marriage and babies, but Stacey didn’t see it that way. She wanted stability in her life. Stability she assumed only a man could provide apparently.

“I can’t tell you what to do,” Tenley said, trying to be the supportive friend Stacey had always been to her. “If Ace makes you happy and you’re sure you’re ready, then go for it.”

“But I don’t want to leave you high and dry.” She worried her bottom lip. “Especially now, with your ex—”

“Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.” A part of her would be relieved if she didn’t have to worry about Stacey getting caught in the cross fire if she wasn’t there when Justin came calling. Tenley would never forgive herself if something happened to her friend.

“You say that,” Stacey said, nudging the leg Tenley had propped up on the coffee table with her toe. “And I know you’re a tough chick. But you’re no match for a madman with a gun, sweetie.”

“Trust me,” she said, standing. “My Glock is a match for just about anything life throws at me.”

***

Tenley was surprised when Andrew walked into the bar that night. He’d made himself scarce lately, and she’d assumed it was because he’d lost interest in her. Judging by the way he looked her up and down, with his eyes landing on her cleavage before her face, she’d thought wrong.

“Hey,” she said with a tight smile. “The usual?” They were slammed tonight, and she didn’t have time for small talk.

“Sure,” he said, unbuttoning his dark suit jacket before claiming the last seat at the bar. “Can you take a break?”

One look around should have answered that question. The place was so packed she expected the fire department to show up and slap them on the wrist for violating code.

“Not any time soon,” she said, passing him his drink of choice… a chipotle grapefruit margarita.

“That’s okay,” he said before taking a sip of his drink. “I can wait.”

She didn’t want to encourage him to stick around, but she should explain to him that she was seeing someone now and wouldn’t be available for that dinner he kept texting her about. She’d always replied with a two-word response:
Sorry, busy.
But it wasn’t fair to let him go on thinking she was interested when she wasn’t and never would be.

Five minutes after Andrew claimed a table and told her to come find him when she could, her brother slipped behind the bar. “You can take a break, if you want,” he said. “I can cover for you.”

Her eyes drifted to Andrew as she removed her black apron with a sigh.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Walker asked, frowning. “If he’s giving you a hard time, I’d be happy to kick him out on his arrogant ass.”

“It’s fine,” she said, curling her hand around his forearm to ward off trouble. “I can handle him.”

Andrew was chatting up the waitress when Tenley approached, so he didn’t even notice her until she’d slid into his booth.

“Oh, hey,” he said, grinning at her. “You finally got a break.”

“What can I get you, Tenley?” Maura asked.

“I’m fine,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ll just grab a water in a bit. Thanks.”

Andrew reached for Tenley’s hands. “So how’ve you been?”

“Um, fine,” she said, trying to withdraw her hands without making this any more awkward than it had to be. “You?”

He frowned but slid back in his seat, putting a respectable distance between them. “I’ve been okay, I guess. I’ve missed you.”

She wasn’t sure where that was coming from since they’d never had
that
kind of relationship. They’d hooked up a time or two, but it was just that—a hook-up. Neither one of them had thought it was exclusive.

“Busy with work?” she asked, trying to figure out how to let him down gently since he clearly didn’t intend to make it easy for her.

“Always.”

Glancing at the bar, Tenley knew she’d have to rescue her brother soon. He could draw a beer or pour a glass of scotch or vodka, but not much else. Thankfully, he was a better manager than he was a bartender.

“So about your text messages…”

His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the door. “Yeah, that’s why I came in. Hoping we could firm up our plans for dinner.”

She’d been remiss in not having this conversation with him sooner apparently because he was under the mistaken impression they were still seeing each other. “Here’s the thing, Andrew.” She rubbed her thumb against her palm as he fixated all of his attention on her, making her even more uneasy. “I think you’re a great guy. But I’m, um, kind of seeing someone.”

“Who? Please tell me it’s not that guy.” When he gestured toward the bar, Tenley followed his gaze and cringed when she spotted Rowan.

Rowan may have been talking to Walker, but his eyes were locked on her… and her companion. He didn’t look happy, and she knew if she didn’t wrap this up soon, he’d be over to do it for her.

“Rowan and I have gotten close,” she confirmed, trying to find a diplomatic way to tell Andrew he wasn’t interesting enough to hold her attention. Hell, compared to Rowan, he was a snore. “So, um, that’s why I’m not seeing anyone else right now. I hope you understand.”

“No, I don’t understand,” he said, shaking his head as though she was speaking a foreign language. “I don’t understand how a girl like you, who claims to trust no one, could go for someone like that. You think I don’t know who he is? He’s a professional baseball player, for Christ’s sake. He’s probably got women in every city! You really think he’s going to be faithful to you?”

She didn’t care what Andrew thought of Rowan or their relationship so long as he understood what they’d had was over.

“I have to get back to work,” she said, sliding out of the booth. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out the way you wanted them to, but I’d still like to be friends.” It was a perfunctory offer and they both knew it since they’d never really been friends. He didn’t know much about her, nor did he seem to want to. And the feeling was mutual.

“You’re going to regret this, Tenley,” he said, grabbing her hand so she couldn’t walk away. “I can give you things he can’t. The life you could have with me—”

“Uh…”
Like that’s ever gonna happen
. “I’ve got to get back at it. Have a good night, Andrew,” she said, extracting her hand from his before turning and quickly making her way toward the bar.

“What the hell did he want?” Rowan asked as soon as she approached.

Tenley barely resisted the urge to sigh. She was dead on her feet and really didn’t need this shit tonight.

“I’d like to know that too,” Walker said, popping the top off a beer.

“Yeah, well, this isn’t the time or place for this conversation,” she said, smiling at one of their regulars. “I need to get back to work.”

When that asshat was still sitting in the same booth half an hour later, watching Tenley, along with every short skirt in the place, Rowan decided it was time to set him straight.

“What do you want?” he asked, glaring at Rowan when he walked up.

It must be the liquid courage talking, Rowan thought, because surely this little weasel wasn’t stupid enough or brave enough to call him out. “What the hell do
you
want, that’s what I want to know.”

“I want Tenley.” He licked his lips as he leered at her. “Again.”

Rowan felt his heart rate accelerate. “You expect me to believe you slept with Tenley? Come on, we both know she has better taste than that.”

He gave Rowan a once-over, sneering. “I thought she had good taste, but that was before I found out she was hooking up with you too.”

He was going to throttle this loser! “First of all, Tenley’s my girlfriend, not a hook-up, and second of all, there’s no goddamn way she slept with you.”

Andrew downed the contents of his glass before pulling a money clip out of his pocket. He peeled a couple of bills off the top and slipped them under his empty glass. “You don’t believe me?” He shrugged. “Ask your girlfriend. Assuming she’ll tell you the truth. If not, I just might have some proof here for you.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and slid his finger across the screen.