Page 21 of More Trouble
Seeing everyone’s reaction made me think I must have been a total bitch not to have come home before this. It was only death that lured me back to Cali Cross.
I hugged her back tightly. Andre’s little sister had always been like a baby sister to me as well. When we used to hang out as group, Lyla would be in awe of Scarlett and me and our make-up collections and our clothes. Even back then, she’d had a crush on Maddox—we’d all seen it, well apart from Andre—but it seemed the crush had turned into reality. I would find the time later to talk to her about it.
Scarlett sank onto the other couch, resting her elbows on her knees, her chin on her hands. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered. “I keep expecting Wes to walk through the door.”
It was then that I noticed the ring on her engagement finger. I crossed the room and knelt in front of her, taking her left hand in mine.
“When did this happen?” I asked. The ring was absolutely perfect, classically simple, much like Scarlett herself. I couldn’t believe she hadn’t told me about something so important.
“It didn’t.” She breathed a shuddering gasp of air.
“Wes was coming home to propose to Scarlett when…” began Andre. “When he got hit.”
He swallowed hard and I turned to look at him again. More than anything I wanted to put my arms around him, to comfort him the way he’d been comforting Scarlett. But I couldn’t do it. It was too soon. Maybe too soon ever.
“You guys were with him?” I asked him and Maddox.
Maddox nodded. “Yeah, we’d grabbed dinner. Dre had some issues at work he wanted to talk to us about and…” He ground to a halt and I caught Andre swishing his hand through the air in a cutting motion.
I had no idea what he was talking about, no clue as to what Andre was doing for work and what his issues were. We weren’t in each other’s lives. We didn’t speak. I might see the occasional social media post, but nothing meaningful. I didn’t want to know.
“I’m never taking it off,” Scarlett declared, breaking the awkward silence. “Ever.”
I squeezed her hand, getting back to my feet. “Why don’t I make us some breakfast?” I was pretty sure none of us were particularly hungry, but it gave me a purpose and gave everyone something else to think about for a few minutes.
The kitchen was my home. In the most uncomfortable of situations, I could always find my peace in there.
This was turning out to be one of those times.
Alone again, I took several deep breaths, trying to focus and steady myself. I wished I’d got my phone so I could download one of the mindfulness apps Tori was always talking about. Right now, I could use a bit of Zen in my life.
“Want help?” Andre leaned against the kitchen door jamb. He seemed scared of being rejected, but also determined to speak with me.
My gaze ran over him. He hadn’t changed. Still had the same dark hair, perfectly styled. His body still hinted at being lean under his jeans and sweater. I shook my head. This trip wasn’t to reignite my long-buried feelings for Andre Cash.
Turning away, I answered, “I’ve got this. I run an event and catering business in the city.” I hoped he picked up on the fact that I was an independent businesswoman who was using her kitchen prowess to earn a living in the big city. “In fact, yesterday I was catering a bridal luncheon for twenty-five people.” I don’t know why I felt the need to brag about what I’d done and inflate the actual event. It wasn’t like I was trying to impress him. Was I?
He nodded. “I’ve heard.”
Of course, Scarlett and Lyla knew what I was doing. They tended to celebrate any of my successes with a big push on social media, telling as many of our old friends as possible how successful I had become. I shouldn’t have been surprised.
I opened the refrigerator and surveyed the contents. There were a few eggs, some bacon and not a whole lot else. A small smile fluttered on my lips. Scarlett had never been the best of home cooks. Even with my skills, I couldn’t whip up anything to feed all of us. I let the fridge door shut with a bang and turned back to face Andre.
“Want to go to the grocery store?” I asked.
It would be a relief to have him out from under my feet for a bit. I’d prepared myself to see him, although not so soon. Why hadn’t I showered? Or at least put on a bra? I was suddenly conscious of the way my nipples seemed to tighten as I thought about him. Dammit, he looked good, despite being up all night.
“Sure. Make me a list.”
I couldn’t seem to locate any paper or pens in the kitchen, so headed back into the living room to find my purse. Scarlett’s eyes were closed, and I hoped she was getting some much-needed rest. I grabbed my phone and began to type out what I needed in a text. Once I was happy with the list, I glanced over to Andre, who had followed me.
“Same number?” I asked.
He nodded. I found his contact and sent it, his phone pinging with the notification almost immediately.
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “You didn’t delete me.”
“Makes it easier to see who I don’t want to speak to.”
