Page 28 of Tempted

Not comfortable with where the conversation was going, he stepped away and grabbed some plates. “We’ve been friends for far too long to consider anything else.”

“That’s bullshit.”

Linc plunked the dishes down and flipped the sandwiches. “I love you as my friend and nothing more.”

“Does that redheaded showgirl have anything to do with your sudden change in feelings?”

Telling himself that Julie had no mal intent, he did a four-point breath. “Don’t disrespect Lucy Bennett because your life is in a lull, and you want to stir up trouble. Distracting yourself won’t make facing your next move easier.”

Julie raised her middle finger and then took the plates Linc held out. “She’ll last a week, tops.”

Linc tried another breath and found it didn’t work. His childhood friend talking shit about his girl triggered him in a way he wasn’t expecting. “I want to make this clear; Lucy is important, and I will not allow you or anyone else to disparage her character, looks, or anything else.” He ran his hand over his jaw and looked out the kitchen window. “I think she could be the one.”

“Are you serious?”

“Absofuckingloutely.” He grabbed his beer and stalked to the table. “Did you meet anybody interesting on your travels?” Ignoring her dumbfounded expression, he sat his ass down at the table and silently vowed not to let Julie’s shenanigans interfere with what he hoped was budding between him and Lucy. The woman could create drama with her eyes closed, and he didn’t want any of it landing in his yard. He could be the best friend a person ever hoped to have; he could also be a nightmare of an enemy if his world were messed with. And right now, Lucy was just that …the world he hoped to build.

A fact, Julie better get comfortable with PDQ.

*

Lucy opened the screen door before her sister crashed through it. “I’m here,” she said as she swept Olivia into her arms. Embracing her tightly, she guessed that the anticipated end to her sister’s affair with Zane had finally occurred.

Listening to Olivia’s raw sobs let her know that denying the truth that things never lasted for long was reckless. “Alcohol or ice cream? Tell me what’s going to make this better.”

“Can you harm him?” Olivia asked between sobs. “Or take away his tools. He really loves all his hammers, wrenches, and what nots.”

“Of course!” She smoothed her sister’s hair away from her face. “Would you prefer something slow and painful? I can run to the store and grab a book that lists poisons hidden in everyday foods.”

Olivia sucked in a shuddering breath. “You can pick the method. Just make sure it looks like an accident.”

Lucy snorted. “Don’t insult me. I’m more than capable of doling out the kind of retribution that will be spoken about in admiration for many years to come.”

“Which is one of the millions of reasons I adore you.”

“Same,” Lucy said quietly as she released her hold. “Did you break it off, or did he?”

“I think we did it at the same time.”

“That so rarely happens.” She kissed her sister’s head. “Bravo on the elegant exit.”

“I’d rather have a messy conversation that kept hope alive but know that’s not possible when you love a man with a broken heart.” Olivia dragged in a long, shuddering breath. “I wanted my happy future to include Zane.”

Lucy led Olivia to the kitchen table and sat her down before pouring two glasses of wine. She pushed one forward. “You gave it everything you had despite the odds.” She plopped into a chair. “That is bravery at its finest, and knowing you left nothing on the table is a lot to be proud of.”

Olivia took two gulps and then wiped her mouth. “I don’t want my pride; I want the man who stole my heart to take a risk.”

“A reasonable and incredibly difficult ask.” Running her finger over the wineglass stem, she thought about her willingness to gamble her own vulnerability. Based on the afternoon’s events, she knew it was hovering right around negative one hundred since Linc’s best friend was undoubtedly making a winning play for his attention and affection. “Should I pack our bags and run us out of town?”

“Maybe,” Olivia said as she laid her head on the table.

“I could use a change of scenery and would love nothing more than to miss the show that Julie is about to put on.”

“Is that the blonde waif that was wrapped around Linc like a snake?”

“Yes,” she replied with a sigh. “The childhood best friend has marked her territory and is about to stake her claim.”

“And you’re letting her?” Olivia asked with disbelief. “Don’t you want to…”

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