Page 74 of Just Friends

Her hands wandered over his shoulders and chest, sending his mind elsewhere. “Not reallyfancy, just a French stew…and I used the deer. Picked it up from my place after getting some groceries. Hope you like it.” She tugged away from him, toward the stove. “I know you always say you do.”

Weasel wrapped his arms around her waist. “Cause, I always do.” He trailed kisses from her shoulder to her ear and got satisfaction in the shiver that went through her. “Do I have time to clean up before dinner?”

Twenty-Six

Rebecca was an idiot. Of course, she freaked Weasel out acting all domestic; she should have known better. He’d recovered fast, but she’d clearly,overstepped boundaries. The only purpose of the meal was to thank him for the support, and letting her stay there, and nothing more. But he’d read more into it. Besides, her real life was calling, and it was past time to return to it. After dinner, Weasel helped clean the dishes, and then they snuggled up to watch television, but she reminded herself not to get used to it.

The next morning, Rebecca gathered up her belongings and returned to work at Ellis Diner and to her apartment that afternoon. Now thatshe didn’t have to check in on Stanley and help, she had little to occupy her life. She sat on the sofa, staring at the blank television. Choosing the position in Chicago, she’d be following her intended career path when she attended culinary school and making good on the agreement to her mom. But she’d be giving up her friends, her new home, and Weasel. There isn’t a future with Weasel. The reaction to her cooking in his kitchen proved that. What choice was there, but to accept the dream job and go. That was the practical thing; not hanging around for Weasel to tire of her, and it would happen. Autumn and Hannah would become upset. It wouldn’t be easy, but she realized what her mom expected. And Ellen would become relentless.

Rebecca tapped out a text to her friends.I need a girl’s dinner tonight.

Rebecca entered the Mexican restaurant and found Hannah, Autumn, and Brandon waiting. She hadn’t wanted to have this discussion with him there, because his significant other was Weasel’s best friend. Autumn threw her arms around Rebecca, and she hugged her, and then Hannah and Brandon.

“I’m so glad you texted,” Autumn said.

“I feared y’all couldn’t get together on such short notice,” Rebecca admitted.

“You were silent after your dad’s funeral, so we’re a little worried,” Hannah said.

They all gathered at a corner table, and a waiter placed a large pitcher of margaritas down, then poured and distributed glasses among them.

“She just needed a chance to grieve,” Autumn said, once the waiter left.

“Yeah, I did and spent a few days hiding at Weasel’s,” Rebecca said and sipped her drink. The other three sat their glasses down staring wide-eyed and slack-jawed. “What?”

“You were at Weasel’s cabin?” Hannah asked.

“Yeah…why?”

“No one has been to Weasel’s cabin,” Brandon said.

“That’s ridiculous…”

“Ben’s never been there,” Brandon stated. “He’s invited none of us.”

“He didn’t want to sleep with any of us,” Autumn said smiling.

“Wait,” Hannah said, “after your dad dies, Weasel takes you to his cabin to stay with him?”

Not to get into the fact she’d been there many times prior… “Yeah.”

“That son of a bitch,” Hannah said. The waiter who had walked up spun and retreated. “He used your grief to get you into bed with him.”

“That’s not— “

“I can’t believe that sneaky bastard would stoop that low…”

“Wait––”

“To use your pain…. I mean he was after you, but he seemed to have some morals about it and some real feelings toward you, but to turn around and do…”

“Hannah— “

“When I see him, I’m going to give him a piece of my mind. You don’t do that— “

“Stop and listen.”

“What?”

---