Page 7 of Drawn to You
“So, how’s LA?” she asks.
“It’s great,” I say, moving out of the bathroom and sitting down on my bed. “Andrew’s gym is amazing. It’s got everything from machines to a sauna.”
“I know,” she says. “I was there last year. I even took a yoga class with, what’s his name, Darrell?”
“Yes, he still works there,” I say. “He’s so hot!”
She giggles. “Hotter than my brother?”
Uh-oh. I fall silent. This is unexpected. I don’t know what to say. Dana has never asked my opinion about her brother’s physical appearance. “Err, they’re about the same temperature,” I say stupidly.
Dana laughs louder. “Come on, silly, just how long are you going to hide your feelings for Andrew from me?”
I gasp. “What’re you talking about?”
“You have the hots for him since junior high, Britt. Your eyes were always glued to him when he was around you.”
Oh, God. I want to hide in the closet, even though Dana isn’t even next to me. Since there’s no need to deny, I sigh. “Jeez, was I so obvious?”
“Not obvious to everyone, but I happened to be your best friend, and you weren’t hard to read.
“Does Andrew know too?” If he did, then I would have to find a place to move to tomorrow.
“I don’t think so,” she says. “I’ve never told him.”
Either way, I can’t stay here for long. “Good,” I say. “It’d be embarrassing if he did, considering he’s my boss now.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about it,” she says. “He’s used to girls having crushes on him, you know?”
“Of course,” I mumble, not pleased by the fact.
“Anyway,” Dana changes the topic back to her brother’s gym. “I’m glad he’s made it. In the beginning, it was hard to get clients because of the competition.”
“Really? He didn’t mention it.”
“Connor was a great help. He spread the word among his celebrity friends.”
We fall silent after that. Connor used to be Dana’s crush, and she hasn’t completely gotten over him yet. I’m careful not to mention him in front of Dana because I don’t want to make her sad, but since she mentions him first, I say, “Speaking of Connor, Andrew says he’s planning for a barbeque party on Labor Day. Connor will be here. I thought it would be nice if you could come too.”
Dana takes a second to answer. “I’m not sure. They might need me at the clinic.” She works as a veterinary assistant at Clover Valley Animal Hospital, which is owned by Connor’s dad Mike.
I know it’s just an excuse. “You’re not the only nurse there. Besides, Mike could take care of emergencies.”
“Mike is planning to get away. He’s going to Vegas with his girlfriend.”
“That’s too bad. I really want to hang out with you in LA. Just give it some thought, okay? In case you can make it,” I say, not wanting to press her about it. “Now, tell me about your day.”
Dana is always eager to share stories about her patients with me.
“I treated the cutest spaniel today, Britt,” she says and goes on to describe the experience.
I listen to her like I’ve been doing in the last year, ever since she got the job, and laugh with her. I’ve envied Dana for doing what she always wanted to do, but now I don’t feel envy anymore because I’m happy with my new job, too.
After hanging up, it’s still only nine, too early for bed, especially given all the excitement during the day. I walk toward the living room, planning to join Andrew for TV. But he isn’t there.
Thinking he might be outside, I go to the yard. It’s nice and cool. The night view of the city is breath-taking, so glittering that it shadows the stars in the sky.
I stretch for a moment, and then I hear the sound of water and turn around toward the hot tub.
