Page 8 of Ask Me Something

I was afforded a moment of satisfaction in watching Jamie blanch. Uh, yeah, sweetie, Catherine is a big deal, and you could take a cue from her about being humble.

Jamie attempted to recover. “I, wow, yes, I guess you would. I absolutely love fashion.” She attempted to soften her approach, clearly impressed with Catherine’s title.

Brian looked at me apologetically and took advantage of the other two women talking to each other. “It was never a bad thing, Sasha. We were talking about you in a pitch and how you’re fearless.”

Giving him a tight smile, I endeavored to tamp down on the urge to storm out of the restaurant. Pride was a powerful thing, and I willed myself to stay where I was. “I’m not offended. I was merely taken off guard to hear about it from someone I don’t know rather than from someone I’d thought I was close to.”

The direct hit registered on his face, and he swallowed hard.

Our eyes were locked with a storm of emotions passing between us, and I didn’t give a damn in that moment if his little girlfriend was part of the audience or not.

“What is everyone doing for the holidays?” Jamie asked, trying to change the subject.

Halfway listening while everyone chatted a bit about plans, I was beyond the point of being very good company. Brian’s intense looks toward me weren’t helping the situation and neither was Jamie’s hand, which kept rubbing his thigh as if to remind him who he was going home with tonight.

The waitress thankfully came along to check on us, which provided the perfect opportunity to get the hell out of here.

“No more for me. Matter of fact, I need get home and get packed. Early morning flight tomorrow,” I explained.

Catherine did the same. “I need to head out, too. Nice meeting you, Jamie. Will we see you at the wedding?”

Damn, I hadn’t considered that possibility. Josh and Haylee were getting married down in Tortola on New Year’s Eve. Catherine, Brian, and I were traveling down as guests. Don’t look alarmed, don’t look annoyed and, whatever you do, don’t look devastated at the thought of him bringing Jamie.

“Oh, you must mean Josh’s wedding. Talk about last minute and to a twenty-three-year-old. Makes you wonder, don’t you think?” Jamie mused in a conspiratorial tone.

Before I could say anything, Brian lost his temper. “Actually, we all know and love Haylee, so we don’t wonder at all. In fact, Josh is damn lucky.”

Jamie appeared taken aback by his response. “I didn’t mean anything by it. And in answer to your question, Catherine, that depends on if Brian invites me as his date. There’s still time, you know.” The last part was said with the first glimpse of vulnerability I’d seen from her all night.

Averting my eyes from her fingers curled around his bicep, I glanced at my watch.

“Oh, I thought you were a good friend who went way back with Josh. You weren’t invited?” Catherine threw out casually.

I’d never witnessed a passive-aggressive comment leave my friend’s lips before, and yet there had been two in the last ten minutes. I was shocked.

Brian must have felt the same, considering the amused look he shared with her across the table. I wondered if he realized that his friend had pushed the buttons of the nicest woman in this place.

Jamie managed a strained smile. “It’s been a number of years. Anyhow, I hope you ladies have a good evening and a Merry Christmas.”

I could’ve hugged the waitress when she delivered the check. “Yes, Merry Christmas. Take care.” Getting up, I attempted to shrug into my coat.

Brian stood and, before I knew it, was assisting me with it from behind.

Always the gentleman, I thought, watching him hug Catherine first, kissing her on the cheek and then turn toward me again. To say it was awkward wasn’t even scratching the surface.

His eyes searched mine, and I looked away, unwilling to address the situation in front of Jamie, who was observing us closely.

As I pulled out some cash from my purse, his hand touched my wrist, stopping my motion and making me flustered.

“This is on me, ladies,” he insisted.

I didn’t bother to argue as that meant I could get out faster. “Thanks, Bri.” I was so frazzled in trying to leave that it took his slight intake of breath for me to realize I’d used a nickname that I hadn’t called him in three years. If I thought for a moment that he hadn’t noticed, the heat in his eyes refuted that possibility.

I practically tripped over myself to get out of the restaurant and into the night air.

* * *

Catherine joinedme at the curb and didn’t say anything until her car pulled up. “Come on, I’ll drop you by your place.”

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