She turned toward him, her hands planted on her hips. “I never meant it that way.”
Waving his hand in a gesture of peace, he continued, “In this case, the value is on the thought, since the sender remains anonymous.”
“Well, it does build a sense of expectation, which is kind of nice. Of course, we could be making a mountain out of a molehill. This could be an isolated incident.”
Adam appraised her a moment. In the soft light of the kitchen, with her cheeks flushed and her eyes glowing, Lauren was one hell of an attractive woman—a desirable woman.
As he’d done so many times in the past, he stifled the thought. Somehow it just seemed wrong to think of her in that way. She was like a sister to him. She’d surely be horrified to know he harbored a fantasy—or two—about her.
“Somehow, I don’t think so,” he said. “And eventually, he’s going to make himself known. Otherwise, what’s the point?”
A sound of exasperation escaped her. “The point is the anticipation, the thrill, the romance.”
That irrational annoyance rose again in him. “The point is, this guy wants to get you in bed.”
“That’s not fair. You don’t even know him—”
“He’s a guy. What else is there to know?”
“Well, you’re a guy.”
“And you think I’ve never thought of you in that way?”
Her eyes widened. Silence hung over them. Adam gritted his teeth. Why had he blurted that out?
The front door slammed a moment before Kamira breezed into the kitchen, her cat at her heels. “You didn’t tell me you were making your meat loaf.”
“We’re just getting started.” He pulled out a chair for her.
Lauren retrieved another plate from the cabinet. And you think I’ve never thought of you in that way? Adam’s words rang through her mind. Well, he was a guy. She should have expected this…but somehow, it was so…surprising.
She set the plate before Kamira, then sat beside her, purposely avoiding looking at Adam as he took his place on her other side. The weight of his gaze bored down on her.
“I thought you were at the clinic,” she said to Kamira, a nurse at the women’s center.
Kamira heaped large portions of the meal onto her plate. “Mmm. I just dropped off the tile samples. I’ll be happy when this new section is ready. I swear, there’s a baby boom going on. We need the space for all our new patients.”
“The women’s center is expanding?” Adam asked. He hadn’t made a move toward any of the dishes.
“Didn’t Lauren tell you? She’s been volunteering down there. She helped knock down the wall between our offices and the empty space next door. Boy, can she swing a sledgehammer.”
“Patterson, the building’s owner,” Lauren added for Adam’s benefit, though she still refused to look at him, “wanted to give me the first swing, but I had this fear the roof would tumble down on us, so he went first.”
“Ha, but we all got into it after a while.” Kamira smiled.
Keeping her attention on the bowl of whipped potatoes, Lauren bobbed her head. “Very cathartic. I got all my aggression out.”
Kamira’s eyes rounded. “I’ll tell you who else looked good swinging a hammer. Patterson’s son. If that boy was five years older, I’d drop Greg in a heartbeat.”
“Mark?” Lauren chuckled, then stopped. She’d filled half her plate with potatoes. “I think he’s Rusty’s age.”
She smiled, thinking of her younger brother. He’d taken off to work the oil rigs in Texas after graduating from the University of Georgia last year. It’d been harder to let him go than she’d thought, having felt responsible for him for so long.
“Of course, he dropped me a line a while back that he was dating an older woman. Mark’s young, but you’d better be careful. You just never know,” she said.
“He’s a very mature twenty-two, and is well read in all the classics.” The one dimple in Kamira’s left cheek flashed as she grinned. “He’d be a great cause—so much to teach that young, open mind. But Greg’s safe. I’m no cradle robber.”
“I’ve got a cause for you.” Heat filled Lauren’s cheeks as she glanced at Adam, then back at Kamira. “Help me find Adam a new lady friend.”
Maybe Kamira would take over the task for her. Somehow, playing matchmaker for him held little appeal.
“What?” Straightening, Kamira turned to Adam. “Since when are you having trouble finding women?”
“Since he wants to get serious with one,” Lauren answered for him.
Kamira’s mouth spread slowly into a wide smile. “Adam, you’re wanting to settle down?”
“If I find the right woman.”
“Wow. That’s so sweet.”
Lauren picked at her potatoes. “He wants a new best friend he can have sex with.”
The words tumbled out, surprising her. The heat in her cheeks intensified. She glanced at Adam.
He blinked, then his mouth quirked to one side. “Friendship and mutual respect like we have are vital to any relationship.”
“And where did you read that?” Eyebrows raised, Kamira nodded toward his empty plate. “What’s wrong? Not hungry?”
“Starved, actually.” With great relish, he piled food on his plate, then consumed several bites.
Lauren pursed her lips and poked again at her potatoes. How could he drop such a bomb, then stuff his face as if nothing had happened?
Because nothing had happened. Evidently, any sexual thoughts he’d had of her hadn’t been strong enough for him to act on.
A feeling of foreboding stole over her. He’d always been there for her, with his brawn when she needed it, and with his broad shoulders during times of crisis, like when her father had died thirteen years ago. Would he still be there if he found a wife?
A small sigh rose in her chest. She was losing her best friend. Once he found a woman to give him all Lauren did and more, he would no longer need his old buddy. She’d be superfluous.
Adam reached across the table and squeezed her fingertips. “We’re as good as family. It isn’t like you’ll be getting rid of me.” As usual, he’d read her mind.
“No. Of course not. And if you do marry it’ll be like gaining a sister for me,” she said through stiff lips.
“Right.” Apparently satisfied, he picked up his fork and again dug into his meal.
Kamira
