Page 76 of Arse Over Irish Teacup
Roan leaned close and whispered to Lauren, “Do you think something is going on between Bethany and Aidan?”
Lauren looked into Roan’s eyes. What she saw wasn’t a man who was heartbroken but one who was envious. The question was, how envious was he? “I do, yes, but Beth isn’t a bone to fight over.”
“I won’t fight.” It was his turn to play and he folded. “Not if we’re right about Aidan. Not that I’d have the chance to fight for her. I like her but if she prefers him, she won’t want me.”
Lauren was relieved to hear it. “You’re a good guy.”
Roan took a drink and sighed. “That’s the second time a woman’s told me that today.”
“Who else said it?” Lauren folded too and they dismissed themselves to the kitchen for a talk.
Roan leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “I ran into an old girlfriend today. We really hit it off but she moved away for work before we got serious and now she’s back.” Roan’s eyes lit up when he spoke of her. Lauren had a good feeling that Roan would not be alone for long. Which was a relief because although he wasn’t the one for Beth, he was much too good to be alone. “Anyway, she invited me for dinner. Do you think Bethany would be angry if I went?”
From the kitchen doorway, Lauren looked at Beth and Aidan elbowing each other in a playful squabble. “No, Beth won’t mind. That doesn’t bother you?”
“I won’t say I’m not disappointed.”
“But you’ve been suspicious?”
“Yeah, since the wedding.” Roan joined Lauren in the doorway spying. “Do you think they know?”
Normally Lauren wouldn’t discuss her friend so candidly but she needed an ally to bring those two eggheads together before everyone grew old and died. “I think they know but need a little push and Beth won’t like that. I’ve already pushed.” Lauren looked at Roan with guilt and shame painted on her face.
“What did you do?”
“What are you two talking about?” Beth asked barging in between them. The game had ended.
“What?” Lauren asked innocently.
“I know that face.”
Lauren needed an out and fast! Luckily Roan had it. “It’s the face of jet lag, love. You were enjoying yourself so Lauren didn’t want to say anything but she’s tired. She was just asking if I would drive her back to the house so you could stay.”
Beth could relate to jet lag and couldn’t blame Lauren for being tired. Although she wanted to stay, her loyalty was to her friend so she offered to call it a night and return to the house with Lauren.
Lauren was quick to reply that all she really wanted was a hot shower and a soft bed and there was no reason Beth needed to cut her evening short for that. Before Beth could make any more fuss Roan hustled Lauren out the door and into his car.
Phew! That was close!
ChapterThirty-Two
Beth and Laurenwere in bed watchingMurder, She Wrotewhen Beth’s phone rang. Lauren, who was on her stomach with the cat laying up her backside with all fours in the air, looked at Beth who was so engrossed in the mystery she hadn’t heard the ringing. Lauren didn’t need to look to know who would be calling at this time of night.
Beth finally answered and when she heard Aidan’s voice suddenly whoever the murderer was didn’t matter one bit.
Lauren muted the television and waited. Beth didn’t say much and the conversation was hardly a minute long before she was up and out of bed and scrambling to get dressed.
“What’s going on?”
“Aidan is coming over. He says there’s something we need to see.”
Lauren highly doubted that he actually wanted anyone beside him but Beth so she cuddled a sleepy Mr. Jameson close and pulled up the covers. “You go. I’m too tired.”
“Are you sure?”
Lauren was absolutely positively sure!
Beth was so excited that she tripped pulling up her jeans and cut her knee. That would need a minute to clean up. Oh, Klutzy …
