Page 76 of Misunderstood: In Love with the Nerd (Miss 2)

“Four letter word for Barrymore.”

“Drew,” he offered.

“I know.” She turned her pencil over and began to erase a word vigorously. “That would mean marry was wrong and mated was right.”

He chuckled. “I guess not all books are fairy tales.”

She shot him an irritated glare before returning to her puzzle.

“Five letter word for worship.”

“Any clues?”

“Begins with the letter A.”

He glanced over at her with a playful grin. “Aimee.”

“Ha, ha, how about arrogant?”

He through back his head and let out a hoot of laughter. “That’s my girl. No wonder I adore you—you’re quick on the rebound.”

A warm glow heated her cheeks, but she quickly dowsed it. She did not belong to Colin Pearson, no matter what he inadvertently declared. She had to learn to remember that and control her emotions. He was not her lover, he was her brother’s best friend.

An odd smile played across her lips as she scribbled into the crossword and said, “Adore—thank you. That was the word.”

They spent the remainder of the drive guessing the words to the clues and before Aimee knew it, they were pulling into her parent’ driveway. Colin was first to jump out and scooted around to the trunk where he loaded his arms full with Aimee’s afghans before heading into the house. Aimee trailed behind with her overnight bag slung over her shoulder and could hear the sounds of reunion bellow from inside the home. Colin had always been well liked by each member of her family. As far back as Aimee could remember he had always been in the picture. From the days when he started up a friendship with Dennis, then later when he continued one with Aimee, he was around at almost all the family reunions and holidays. Her parents wouldn’t have it any other way.

Which pleased Aimee greatly, except of course when it came for him to marry. The very thought caused her stomach to lurch. Images of Christmas with Sheila sitting at the dinner table made her want to hurl. It would take a lot of begging on Aimee’s part not to have the invitation extended. However, as she watched the joy on their faces as they interacted with Colin, she knew more than likely it would be herself producing excuses on those occasions for not attending.

Looking across at Colin as he exchanged warm welcomes with his old friend, a shadow crossed her heart. The very thought of spending the holidays apart from him was far too miserable to even conceive. Therefore, she scolded herself with a kick in the mental behind, she would enjoy this one before it was the last.

“So where’s this fiancée we heard about?” Dennis asked.

“I’m afraid business comes first.” Colin responded with a grimace.

“That’s too bad. Maybe next time.”

“Ya, maybe.”

From the kitchen her mother emerged wiping her hands on an apron wrapped around her waist. “I thought I heard your voice, Colin.”

“Hello, Mrs. S.” He greeted her with a bright smile and friendly hug.

“It’s been far too long since you came for a visit.” She grinned but gently smacked his arm in false admonishment before angling her head around him. “Where’s your fiancée?”

“She couldn’t make it this weekend. A business client has detained her.”

Gwen Smith frowned slightly before offering him a sweet smile. “Some other time perhaps.”

He simply nodded.

She went over and embraced Aimee, dropping a kiss on her cheek while at the same time addressed a question to them both. “I didn’t realize you were driving up together?”

“My car refused to start.”

Instead of becoming worried as her parents always did when anything went just the slightest bit amiss, Gwen looked rather pleased which made Aimee frown. “It’s so wonderful Colin is there to look after you.”

“I don’t need looking after,” Aimee stated firmly, hating how her parent made her sound like a child. “And please don’t tell Daddy about my car. You know he will only worry.”

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