A Million Tears (Wish 2)

14 - Cat fight

They served the pasta and salad and sat down together.

Brenna smiled at him. He was definitely fighting his feelings. His grimace told her he didn't want any other men interested in her.

His voice lacked enthusiasm. "Okay, deal, but we're going as friends. Nothing more."

When he ravaged her earlier, she was glad she hadn't rushed home on Sunday afternoon. She was playing him, but only because she knew he needed her, even if he didn't. For a man who claimed not to care, he definitely missed her.

She had almost told Mia about their arrangement, but stopped herself, because Noah's past was private and it was the only reason she agreed. To an outsider, it would sound like she was being used. To her it was all semantics, because he treated her better than any other boyfriend. Besides, she had to keep up the friend's story or her sister would scare him away.

"I can be friends. Can you be friends when you see me dressed up? You barely let me in the door and that was a work dress."

"When is this party? I'll just have my fill of you before."

She almost choked on her water. He was fooling himself. She told him the date. "You promised, so you better rearrange your schedule."

He looked at his phone.  "I'm on days. What time is it?"

"Probably seven, so take the day off if you plan on having your way with me and being dressed on time."

"I'm sure I can arrange something, although it might arouse suspicion. People are talking about me, and your friend Molly is upset."

Brenna hadn't talked to Molly in weeks because she felt guilty. "Why?" She took a bite of her pasta.

He scrubbed his face with his hands. When he finally looked at her, his cheeks were tinted pink. "People have noticed I'm not brooding like usual."

She laughed. "Who noticed?"

"My friend, May Lin."

"The doctor you liked. Does she like you?"

He shook his head. "She's seeing someone. She fished around for answers and went to Derek."

"Did Molly overhear?" He nodded. "Oh great. Does she know it's me?"

"She suspects. Tell her the truth, we're just friends."

"So you're not brooding, because we hang out. Right, I'll have to tell her you're using me for my body and the sex is great so I don't care. She'll be shocked, because it's out of character for me."

"Will she be angry?"

"She'll probably never speak to me again."

"But she won't pull your hair and scratch you."

"Where did you come up with that? We're not thirteen and she's not my sister."

"Did you fight with your sister like that?" He looked amused.

"No, she fought me. I was the responsible one. I just yelled my head off for my mother. Speaking of mothers, I'm looking forward to getting to know yours better."

"Why?" She shrugged. "I think Bill was there before eight the other morning. And she was in bed. She has never ever slept in."

Brenna laughed. "Maybe ol' Bill wore her out."

"You know you're not helping!" He scowled.

Unable to control herself she leaned over and kissed the scowl off his face. By the time they had cleaned up the kitchen she was the one with the scowl, because Molly had texted her.