Page 29 of Pity Parade

“Not married.”

Trent smiles at me. “I understand from Jamie that you’re here on your own, too.”

This is my chance to make it clear to Heath that I’m not going to be lured into anything casual with him. Taking a step toward Trent, I tell him, “All by my lonesome.” Then I take his arm and lead him away from Heath. “Tell me about your work.”

Trent looks back at Heath like he doesn’t want to be rude, but I keep nudging him across the deck. Once we stop moving, he tells me, “I used to mow half the lawns of Elk Creek as a kid. When I grew up, I decided to get my bachelor’s in landscape design, so I could move home and expand my services.”

“That must give you some nice down time in the winter,” I say, although truly I know very little about landscape design.

“You’d think so, but winters are reserved for actual designing and summers are for installation.”

“Do you do mostly residential locations?” I try to appear intrigued even though I’m not really invested in his answer. Right now, I’m only interested in Heath realizing I’m not open to a casual affair.

Trent starts to itemize, “Residential, parks, office buildings …”

“Have you ever done anything with zip-lines?” Super. Heath has snuck up behind me again.

Trent’s eyes widen in obvious excitement. “No, but I’d love to. Elk Lake would be a great place for zip-lining.”

“I zipped over the jungles in Peru,” Heath says. “It was one of the most magical experiences of my life.”

“No kidding?” Trent starts to ask Heath questions, which I take as my cue to leave. While zip-lining in Peru must be an amazing experience, I really don’t want to spend any more time in Heath’s vicinity.

Joining Paige and Faith, I tell them, “Heath has made a new friend.”

“I think Heath’s interested in you,” Paige says.

“I don’t think so. We had coffee this morning.” Before she gets the wrong idea, I add, “Where he once again made it clear that he isn’t looking for anything long term.”

“You had coffee with Heath?” Paige wants to know. “Where?”

“On the dock between our cottages. But don’t get excited. I slept out there last night. Heath probably thought I was a vagrant or something and came to shoo me away.” Of course, I know this isn’t true because he brought me coffee. But even so, I don’t want the ladies to get any ideas.

Before either of them can say anything, Tim calls out, “Nick! Hey, man, glad you could make it.”

That’s when I turn around and lock eyes with a very attractive blond man. He’s already tan like he’s spent an entire month in the sun, and he’s wearing white shorts and a matching polo shirt. I rub my lips together to make sure my lipstick is even, then I shoot my friends an excited smile before turning around to introduce myself to the man I assume is the country club’s tennis pro.

Elk Lake suddenly looks full of opportunities.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

HEATH

For the love of God, where are all these men coming from? First, there was Jeffrey, at supper yesterday. He wasn’t such a threat, but now Trent and this Nick guy? Once again, Jamie makes a point of introducing Trina to his new guest and from all indications she looks positively thrilled.

“Looks like there are a lot of single guys here tonight, huh?” Trent sounds as happy about the situation as I am.

“Yeah, it does.”

“You aren’t by any chance into guys, are you?” He sounds hopeful which makes me wonder if he is.

My posture straightens to the point where I’ve probably just gained a couple of inches. “No. Are you?”

“Nope. That probably means Nick is straight, too.”

“I think our host is trying to set up Trina,” I grumble.

Trent scratches his head. “She’s really beautiful, isn’t she?”

---