But apparently, according to her, we aren’t ever doing anything like that again.
I rub a hand over the back of my neck. “I don’t get it, Rose. We live in the same city. We’re both single. I like you. I’m pretty damn sure you like me. What’s the problem?”
She steps into her dress and pulls it up over her hips. “Listen, I know how you rock stars are, having a woman in every zip code and all that. I don’t want to be the girl who worries about what her man is up to every time we’re apart.” Rose digs a shoe out from beneath the bed and looks around for the mate.
“Uh huh, so you think I’m a serial cheater because I’m in a band. Got it. Anything else?”
“Yes. There’s Courtney.”
“What about Courtney?”
“I really have to explain this to you?” She gives me a somber look. “Last night was really great. But this is all it can be. I’m sorry I didn’t communicate that before. I just figured it was what you wanted too.”
I stare at her, searching my mind for some way to convince her that this is more than just sex. That she’s wrong about us not being able to be together.
But all I can say is, “Where are you going?”
“My room. My flight home is in a few hours.”
She starts to walk away.
“Wait, Rose.”
She stops and looks at me. Her eyes are a little misty. “What?”
“Do you wish there could be more than just this?”
“I…” She chews on her bottom lip and then sighs. “Yes. But it’s not possible.”
“Rose—”
“I’m so sorry, Evan,” she says, her voice breaking.
And then she’s gone.
Chapter Seven
Rose
Two Weeks Later
When my phone pings again with a notification, I know without even picking it up that it’s Evan. Ever since Hawaii, he’s been texting me invitations to go on dates with him. He’s asked me to the botanical gardens, to a beach picnic, even to go hot air ballooning with him…the list goes on and on.
I wish so badly that I could say yes. I wish so badly that I could see him, have fantastic adventures with him, kiss him again, feel him inside me again…
But everything Courtney has said about her brother over the years keeps echoing in my head.
Fuck. I should never have indulged. I should have known it would be too hard afterward.
I flick the notifications closed and silence my phone so I don’t have to hear the next invitation that’s inevitably going to come. In an attempt to distract myself, I grab my laptop and try to get some work done. I need to send some invitation options to one of my clients, anyway.
But it’s an exercise in futility because browsing wedding invitation templates just makes me think of Courtney’s wedding, and that just makes me think of Evan.
Shutting my laptop, I grab my phone and text Courtney, asking if she wants to grab a drink. I wasn’t planning on texting her until tomorrow—she and Leon just got back from Hawaii this morning—but screw it.
The bar is crowded, but I quickly spot Courtney across the room. She’s at a high-top table with a martini in front of her and another one waiting in front of an empty stool.
“Hey, missy,” I say, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before sliding onto the stool across from her. “God, you’re so tan. I’m jealous.”
“Honestly, I’m kind of surprised I got this dark.” Courtney evaluates a bronzed arm before flashing me a grin. “Especially considering we spent practically all of our honeymoon in the hotel.”
I laugh and take a sip of my martini. “So, uh, besides the copious amount of sex…how’s married life? You guys buy matching outfits yet?”
“Oh, yeah. Totally. Just picked out our fanny packs today,” Courtney says. “No, seriously, though, it’s the best being married to Leon. He’s just so…” Her voice trails off and her eyes light up like the stars. “…incredible. In every way.”
“Aww, Court. That’s so sweet.”
She lets out a dreamy sigh, then shakes it off. “Okay. Enough gushing. What have you been up to lately?”
I feel a little kick of guilt and take another sip of my drink. “Not much. Just work.”
“Really? All you’ve been doing is work?” She flashes me a doubtful look.
I offer a shrug and try to think of something else to tell her. Ugh. Why can’t I think of anything else to talk about?
I feel my cheeks start to heat up.
“Um…Rose? Is there something you want to tell me?”
I imagine telling her the truth. But even just thinking the admission makes my stomach churn.
“Wait,” says Courtney. “Did you meet someone?”
“No,” I say quickly. Technically, it’s not a lie. I already knew Evan. I just didn’t know him the way I got to know him in that hotel room in Hawaii.
“Not buying it,” says Courtney, who is clearly amused. “You totally met someone. Your cheeks are bright red!”
“Sorry, Court. But no. I’m not seeing anyone.”
That’s not a lie either. I’m not dating Evan. I haven’t even responded to any of his texts.
“You know I’m going to keep pestering you until I get it out of you, right?” she says, lifting her martini glass to her lips.
Shit.
Well, maybe there is a way around this…
“Okay,” I say, exhaling. “There’s a guy who’s been asking me out.”
The look on Courtney’s face is pure glee. “All right. Now we’re getting somewhere. Tell me more.”
I shrug. “There’s not much more to tell. He’s asked me out several times, but I haven’t said yes to any of his invitations.” I grab the happy hour menu off the table and avert my eyes. “Want to split some nachos?”
“Stop changing the subject. Why aren’t you saying yes? Is he a creeper?”
“No. He’s not. He’s just…” I shake my head.
“Unemployed? Lives with his mom? Has a wife and two kids? Come on, what’s wrong with him?”
I scramble to think of a reason I can give her. I can’t exactly give the excuse about him being a player, because then I’d have to come up with a reason for how I know that.
“There’s nothing wrong with him,” I say. “It’s just that he travels a lot for work.”
“So?”
“So it would suck dating someone who’s out of town all the time.”
Courtney rolls her eyes. “That’s a lame excuse. How often is he even out of town? What does he do?”
“Um…” I squirm in my seat. God, I hate this so much.
“What? Does he have a weird job or something?”
“No, he…” Fuck. I can’t do this. I can’t lie to my best friend. Even lying by omission is eating me up inside. “Court, I have to tell you something.”
The amusement vanishes from her face. “What’s going on, Rose?”