His Best Friend's Wife (Bachelor Best Friends 2)
Page 37
Because there was nothing more to say about Lucy, she changed the subject. “Emma seemed nice.”
“She is. I consider her a good friend.”
The way he emphasized the last word made her think he was assuring her that there was nothing more than friendship between himself and Emma. Not that it was any of Renae’s concern, of course.
“Anyway,” he said when the silence stretched a bit too long, “I just wanted to tell you it was good to see you today, and I’m sorry I made things awkward for you with Lucy.”
“It’s okay.”
“So, what about lunch Wednesday? Want to join Tate and me with our friends so you can get to know them before the party?”
She moistened her lips. “This is a very busy time at the clinic. I’m not sure I can get away for lunch on Wednesday.”
“That’s cool,” he assured her, his tone studiedly casual. “But you’re welcome, if you’re able. And if not, I’ll be at my place at the usual time Wednesday evening.”
Renae leaned her head back against the headboard and stared at the ceiling, wishing she could find words of wisdom written there. “This is getting too complicated, Evan. I don’t really know what to do.”
“Seems pretty simple to me. Do you want to see me again?”
“It’s not that easy.”
“I know there are issues, but the question still stands.”
Issues. She guessed that was one way of putting it.
“Renae? Do you?”
“Yes,” she said with a sigh.
She heard the satisfaction in his voice when he said, “You know where to find me.”
“You aren’t making this any less confusing for me.”
“I want to be with you. I think I’ve made that clear enough. The next move is up to you.”
“And if I decide it’s just too problematic? We can just go back to being comfortable friends, like you and Emma?”
“You and I have never been comfortable friends, Renae. We tried, and it didn’t work. I don’t see it happening now.”
Her fingers tightened around the phone in response to his somber comment. “And you think this will work? This...what would you call it, Evan?”
“Maybe it’s about time we talk about that.”
A ripple of panic coursed through her. “I—”
“Not now. But the next time we’re together.”
She exhaled quietly. She really wasn’t ready for that talk just now, though it was becoming inevitable if she and Evan were going to continue to see each other. Unless she carefully avoided talking to him by making sure she and Evan weren’t alone together again, of course.
Coward.
“Good night, Renae. Call if you need me for anything.”
She knew he meant that. Just as she knew it was very unlikely that she would call. “Good night, Evan.”
Returning her phone to the nightstand, she groaned and buried her face in her hands, feeling more torn than ever between the two facets of her personality that had emerged in the past weeks. She knew she should focus on her responsible, dutiful, maternal side—but she wasn’t sure how easy it would be to put that long-neglected adventurous, impetuous and sensual part of herself back into the mental closet where it had been safely hidden for so long.
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