Tease (Tease 1)

“Mia and I ran into each other the other day at the hairdresser’s. Can you believe it?” Nic’s voice startled me. I’d momentarily forgotten we were in a room full of people.

“So, what the hell are you doing back in New York? Are you back permanently?”

“I just moved back. My husband and I divorced, and I wanted to be closer to my parents. That, and I’m starting a new job at Mercy Hospital next week,” she grinned.

“Wow, that’s great. What do you do?” I asked.

“I’m a nurse.” She shook her head again. “I still can’t believe it’s you.” She glanced at Nic and frowned. “And I can’t believe we lost contact. I’ve thought about you guys a lot over the years.”

Nic nodded. She looked the happiest I’d ever seen her. “When I saw you the other day I was so rapt. I hated that we drifted apart after you moved. I’m so glad you could come up here with us.” She raced over and hugged Mia.

God, how I’d love to be the one hugging her. I shook my head again.

Mia-fucking-Westfield. This was unbelievable.

“So tell me everything,” she said as I pulled up a chair. “Married? Kids?”

“No and no,” I replied. “I was married, but things ended badly. Now, I’m just happy being single. I’m too caught up in work for a relationship right now.” Which was true. A relationship combined with my line of work was just asking for trouble.

“He works way too hard,” Nic chimed in. “Hey, are you in contact wit

h anyone from school still? Candace Baker? Sally Bunton?”

She shook her head. “Not really. Moving back, it’s like starting completely over. Most of the people I used to know have either moved on or I’ve lost contact with.” She took another sip of her coffee and I tried not to notice the way her lips parted slightly as they met the edge of the cup. “That’s why I’m so looking forward to starting work. It will give me a chance to meet some people.”

“My friends and I catching up for a drink next weekend. You should come with us,” I said.

Nic glanced at me strangely. Not that I blamed her. Why the hell was I offering to take her friend out?

Coop, what are you doing?

Hell, I had no idea what I was doing. Trying to be nice, I think? What I didn’t consider was how many of my friends were just plain assholes when it came to pretty women. I could just imagine Pete trying to get her into his bed. Pete tried to get everyone into his bed.

“Maybe we could have a drink sometime and really catch up?” she suggested with a tiny shrug. “Pass me your phone and I’ll give you my number.”

I handed it to her.

She added her details and handed the phone back to me. Nic was looking back and forth at us like we were crazy. I began to chuckle; the look on her face was priceless.

“What the hell is going on here?” she demanded.

Mia blushed and looked at me. I was too busy laughing to answer.

“Probably not suitable for me to say with underage people in the room,” I said, hinting that the story wasn’t appropriate for the kids. Nic looked confused as she glanced at the kids and then her expression broke into one of astonishment.

“No! Please tell me you didn’t....” Her voice trailed off as she clapped her hand over her mouth in horror. “God, eww! Seriously?” she frowned, her mouth hanging open.

“It’s probably not what you’re thinking. But close.” I winked at her.

“Mia!” Nic gasped. “With my brother?”

“What?” Mia protested, laughing. “How come I’m in trouble? What about him?” She pointed at me. I stuck my tongue out at her.

“Oh come on. We both knew he had a thing for you—”

“Wait a minute,” I interrupted, holding up my hand. “You knew I had a crush on you?” I repeated. “And here I’ve been thinking all these years that I was the master of deception.”

Nic rolled her eyes. “Come on,” she said. “You followed us everywhere. Everyone knew. Even Mom knew you wanted to get in Mia’s pants.”