Page 40 of Only You and Me

“You both are ridiculous,” Trina adds. “I should’ve known you two would be unbearable hanging out together in a small group.” Her tone sounds annoyed, but she wears a hint of a smile.

“Ben, you have no idea how glad I am to have another sunshine here to even out this grumpy sunshine dynamic.” Emily gestures between the four of us.

Her smile is bright, and I don’t miss the way Fitz watches her, as if her smile lights up his world.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not grumpy,” Trina objects.

I give her the side-eye.

“Okay, sure,” Emily says. “And the pope’s not catholic.”

Fitz laughs out loud now, and Trina turns her glare to him. Hey, at least it’s not focused on me this time. “I’m not sure why you’re laughing. They’re calling you grumpy, too.” Trina offers him a satisfied smirk.

“What? No, I’m one of the sunshines,” Fitz feigns. “Right, Em?”

Emily simply widens her eyes and bites at her lower lip. “Well, you’re grumpy sometimes. But not as grumpy as Trina. You’re more the quiet, introspective type.”

We all chuckle at that, and even Trina relents.

The doorbell rings and Trina stands. “You can all kiss my grumpy ass. I’m gonna go get the door.”

My heart races at the fact that Trina’s going to answer the door with all that is going on right now. I can’t think of an excuse to follow her quickly enough without raising suspicion. Just as I’m about to say that I need to use the restroom to go check on her, I see her approaching through the sliding doors. There’s a woman I presume is the realtor in tow.

Two and a half hours later, the realtor has come and gone, and Emily has treated us to a delicious meal. After the most enjoyable evening I’ve had in a long time, Trina and I say goodbye and head out.

As we’re walking to the car, I tease Trina. “So, Emily got all the cooking talent in the family, yeah?”

“Screw you.” Her ensuing laughter makes me happy. “I can cook some things.”

“Not from what I remember. You’re the only person I’ve ever met who has burned scrambled eggs.”

“It was the pan! And it was a decade ago.”

We’re both smiling and laughing when we get in the car and for the first few minutes on the drive to her house. Damn, I’ve missed this.

I clear my throat. I know what I need to say next might make her irritated, but it needs to be said. “Trina, I don’t think you should be alone.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t think you should be alone at night with this person sending you those kinds of texts. I think you should stay with Fitz… or me.”

The air in my SUV suddenly feels thick with tension. I take my eyes off the road for a split second to glance at her. Her rigid posture and the way her lips purse as she stares out the passenger window tell me she’s not happy.

“Tri—”

“No. I’m not telling Fitz, and I’m certainly not staying at your house. Just because we had one pleasant evening doesn’t mean you get to tell me what to do.”

“I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I’m worried about you.”

“Well, get over that. I’m not yours to worry about. I can take care of myself.”

In my frustration, I slam the heel of my hand down on the steering wheel and swear under my breath.

We’re silent for the last few minutes it takes to get to her house. When I pull into her drive, she’s got her door open before I even have the vehicle in park. Then she jumps out of the car.

“Trina, wait.” She must hear the pleading in my voice because she stops and looks up at me, though she says nothing. “I’m not trying to upset you. I just…” I pause for a moment to figure out how to express myself. When I don’t find the words fast enough, Trina slams the car door shut and walks away.

Well, that went to hell in a handbasket quick.

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