Dating My Best Friend: A Second Chance Romance

by Annie J. Rose

  She’s fishing. “Well, did you ask him?”

  “Ask him what?”

  “If there was more to it? If he was all right?”

  “He just said he was having a rough time settling in.”

  “And can you blame him after what happened? This is the first time he’s been back since his parents died.”

  She shrugged. “I guess you’re right.”

  I felt my sister staring at me, but I wouldn’t betray a damn thing. What happened at Jasper’s shed was no one’s business unless he wanted to talk about it. Quinn pinned me with a look. She took bites of her sandwich, waiting for me to offer up more information, anything to give her something to talk about later.

  Because Quinn was one of the biggest gossips in Canaan.

  “So, you’re not going to tell me?” she asked.

  I swallowed hard. “Tell you what?”

  “What you know that I don’t?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh, come on. Mom and Dad were talking all day yesterday about how you pulled into the driveway before walking off with him.”

  “So?”

  “So? Really? After the hatred you constantly spewed over the years, and you don’t think anyone’s noticing the time you’re spending with him?”

  I shrugged. “He wanted help unloading some stuff. I helped him out.”

  She snickered. “That all you helped him with?”

  I pinned her with a glare. “You’re toeing a line I don’t appreciate.”

  “Come on. You know something. Spit it out.”

  I reached for my drink. “What I know is this: Jasper’s back in a town that literally killed his parents. He’s back in a house he hasn’t stepped foot inside in over twelve years. He’s back in familiar territory that’s doing nothing but bombarding him with painful memories of a life once lived. That, in and of itself, is enough to knock the wind out of anyone.”

  Her face fell. “I suppose you’re right.”

  “I know I am. Now, leave the poor man alone. He’s been through enough.”

  “It’s weird, though.”

  “What’s weird.”

  “Hearing you defend him.”

  I shrugged. “I can’t hate him forever. It’s not good for anyone.”

  “It’s actually nice to see that you guys are friends again.”

  “What?”

  “You know, friends. Hanging out. You helping him. Shit like that. I was beginning to wonder if you’d egg his house or toilet paper his yard.”

  I laughed. “I’m not that much of a bitch.”

  “Well…”

  “Well, what?”

  “I’m not saying you’re a bitch. But I am saying you can really hold a grudge when you want to.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Change the subject.”

  “That’s fine. Been searching for a time to ask you anyway.”

  “Ask me what?”

  “Well, I was thinking. You know, after I saw Jasper at the store. And listening to Mom and Dad talk about how you two went galivanting off to hang out or whatever—”

  “I was helping him.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Anyway. What if we all get together?”

  I paused. “What?”

  “Yeah. You, me, Jasper, and Kent.”

  I grinned. “Still on Kent, I see.”

  Quinn rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You think you hide it well, but I see right through you. I know you’ve had a crush on that man for a while now.”

  “Look, it was just an idea. If you don’t like it, whatever.”

  “You don’t like being called out, do you?”

  “Do you want to get us all together, or not?”

  “Quinn and Kent, sitting in a tree.”

  “Shut up.” She growled.

  “K-I-S-S—”

  “Khloe!”

  I put my finger to my lips. “We’re in a library. Hush.”

  She glared at me. “A simple ‘no’ would’ve been fine.”

  “Remember this moment when you want to keep prying for information I don’t have.”

  She sighed. “Deal.”

  “Now, as for this outing, I don’t mind if we do it at all.”

  “Really?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. I think it’s a good idea. Especially since Kent and Jasper are working together.”

  “Wow, I didn’t think you’d actually go for it.”

  “Then why did you ask?”

  Quinn shrugged her shoulders. “Figured it was worth a shot.”

  I nodded. “Anyway, with Jasper looking so rough in public, it might be better if we all meet for dinner somewhere quiet. Like, at my place or something. Might increase our chances of the four of us getting together, so I’m not some weird third wheel while you try and convince Kent to go out with you.”

  “Hey, you’re the one who told me he was into me last year. I’ve been putting all sorts of signals out there, and he hasn’t taken them.”

  I shrugged. “Maybe you’re not putting out the signals he likes, then.”

  “Or maybe, you were wrong, and he doesn’t like me.”

  I took a bite of my sandwich. “I know that’s not true. I see how he looks at you. I see how he smiles at you. Hell, I see how he hugs you. It might be some weird ‘bro code’ thing or whatever.”

  “You mean, with him being John’s…”

  I nodded slowly. “Yeah. With him being John’s best friend and all.”

  Quinn rested her hand against my forearm. “You doing okay?”

  “Yeah. I mean, I buried him three years ago. It doesn’t hurt as much to talk about him anymore. Just…reminds me of how lonely it gets sometimes.”

  “Well, what if we all do dinner at your place? We can all cook together. Or order in some pizza and make it a game night. Bust out some of John’s old board games and reminisce.”

  I sighed. “Well, getting together at my place does make sense. I’ve got the biggest kitchen.”

  “Plus, it might be weird trying to do it at Jasper’s house.”

  “And no one wants to go over to Kent’s apartment.”

  Quinn wrinkled her nose. “No, thanks. Can you say ‘bachelor city?’”

  I grinned. “Man, I know how to out you when I really want to.”

  “Wait. You—I just meant—fuck!”

  I put my finger to my lips again. “Really, Quinn. A library. With kids.”

  “I’m going to kill you,” she grumbled.

  “And I want to know exactly how you got Kent to invite you over to his place.”

  The two of us wrapped up lunch, and I walked Quinn out to her car. I still don’t know how she ran the schedule she did or how she found time to harass Kent for his attention. I waved her off before stuffing our trash in the outside trash can. Then, I made my way back inside.

  Matt peeked up from beyond a children’s book.

  “Want me to set you up, too?” I asked.

  He chuckled. “Nah. I’m good.”

  I shrugged. “All right, then. I’ll be in my office until two. Then, I’ll come relieve you from the front desk.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  I walked back into my office and left my door ajar. I sat back down at my desk, though I was more ready to take a nap on the floor. That sub had been way too big. And those chips were impossible to deny. I leaned back and began typing away at the keyboard, answering a few angry emails about overdue book fees, and checking in books from where I sat.

  Until my phone ripped me from my trance.

  I groaned as I reached down for my purse. I plopped it onto my desk and dug around for my phone. Text after text rolled through, and my gut seized. Was something wrong? Had something happened?

  But when I opened the messages, I had to hold back a bark of laughter. The messages were all from Kent.

  What the actual fuck? Are you serious?

  Did you put her up to this?

  I’m goin
g to kill you. Seriously.

  I leaned back in my chair and watched as more angry emojis filled my screen. Oh, Quinn wasted no time in going after what she wanted. I giggled to myself as they continued to fill my screen. One, after another, after another. My poor best friend. I knew my sister moved quickly, but this was a bit much. Then again, Kent had no idea how stubborn my sister could be, how relentless she could be once she got her mind attached to something. I typed out a reply.

  Just tell her how you feel. That’s all she wants.

  I dropped my phone back into my purse and slid it off to the side. I had a lot of work to get done before Matthew left for the day, and I didn’t need to be spending it trying to talk sense into Kent. It wasn’t my fault that Quinn was my sister and I thought they’d be good together. Kent with his reserved nature, and Quinn with her spitfire personality. I mean, the entire town saw it—how he looked at her, how he fawned after her. If he thought he was good at covering it up, he had a rude awakening coming his way.

  “Just tell her, you idiot,” I murmured.

  The more my phone vibrated, the more this dinner seemed like a good idea. It would get Jasper out of the house for a bit. But not out in public—so he wouldn’t get so overwhelmed. This would give Quinn and Kent some one-on-one time. I could easily pull Jasper away to “talk” or “catch up” or “reminisce.” And pulling out John’s board games he loved to play did sound like a great idea. I hadn’t touched those things in over three years.

  Yeah. This is a good idea. Way to go, Quinn.

  Now, all I had to do was get Jasper on board.

  Chapter 12

  Jasper

  Morning. It’s Khloe. I threatened Kent to give me your number. We have an assignment.

  MISSION: GET KENT’S HEAD OUT OF HIS ASS. Everyone knows he’s crushing on my little sister. But he won’t make a move. Thursday night is the night we strike.

  Dinner with you, me, him, and Quinn. My place. Thursday. Seven PM. I’ll send you the address.

  Oh! And board games. Maybe. Depends if I can handle it. I’ll explain later. Here’s my address. See you there!

  Even through the fog of my sleep, I read her messages perfectly. I didn’t expect my phone to be flooded with shit over the course of the night, but I certainly didn’t expect the number I didn’t recognize to be Khloe’s. On the one hand, I should’ve been upset at Kent for giving out my number. But on the other hand, Khloe had approached him for it.

  Did that mean she was warming toward me further?

  I had other alerts on my phone as well. A callback from the VA in Hartford. One from my therapist back in Vegas, agreeing to a Skype session to help me make it through. And two messages from guys in my old company asking about coming to visit me at my new place once I got settled in.

  But nothing made me feel quite as alive as waking up to texts from Khloe.

  I sat up in bed and scrubbed my face with my hands. I had to wake myself up. I certainly wasn’t going to be missing dinner with her. So, I put that on my phone calendar first. Thursday night, right at seven. Then, I plugged in her address. According to Google Maps, she didn’t live too far away from me. Not even a ten-minute drive.

  I had to return a call from the VA in Hartford. The woman who answered assured me that they had spoken with Dr. Tomb, and they had a therapist who had openings in her schedule to see me starting the following week.

  I hung up the phone and punched a recurring reminder into my phone calendar. I lived by that thing nowadays. Otherwise, I forgot shit all the time. I tossed my phone to my bed and shuffled into the bathroom, dragging ass to try and wake myself up, especially since I had to get to work in an hour.

  But I still found time to call my buddy Ollie that I’d served with.

  “What’s up, fucker?” he answered on the second ring.

  “Not much, dipshit. You?”

  We busted each other’s balls like old times for a few minutes before Ollie got to the point of his call. “Anyway, I was thinking of coming and visiting. You know, whenever you got settled into your new place. How’s Canaan treating you?”

  “I mean, I suppose it’s going okay despite the fact that I left without a trace.”

  “Dude, you really need to go easy with that shit on yourself. You were a grieving seventeen-year-old. You fell into depression. It happens.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I know.”

  “So, am I free to come visit?”

  I buckled my belt. “If you want. I’m in my parents’ house for now. Not sure if I’ll stay here.”

  He paused. “Wait, you’re staying in your childhood home?”

  “It’s the only place I had to go up here.”

  “Are you insane? No wonder you’re struggling with shit right now. You’re in the mecca for flashbacks. You need to find another place to stay.”

  “And once I get regular paychecks coming in, I might do that. But for now, I’m in this house.”

  “Yeah, I’m coming to visit as soon as I can.”

  I grinned. “Great. I’ll vacuum the red carpet.”

  He barked with laughter. “You’re crazy. Okay. I’ll take a look at my schedule and put in for some time off. You get any days off?”

  “Right now, it’s a Monday-to-Friday job, and I don’t see that changing. Around here, they reserve weekend duty for those going through the small police academy they’ve got here.”

  “All right. I’ll give my boss a call.”

  My phone beeped in my ear. “I gotta go. Got another call. We’ll talk soon.”

  “You know it!”

  I quickly tucked the shirt of my uniform in before taking the call. I really should’ve looked at who was calling first. I assumed it was Kent, wondering where I was or trying to figure out when I’d be in. Instead, though, I got a much different voice.

  “Jasper?”

  I paused. “Hey, Khloe. Good morning.”

  “Morning. Did you get my texts?”

  I spun around to look at the clock. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, I did. Did you get my text back?”

  “No, that’s why I was calling.”

  “Shit. Sorry. It’s been a busy morning. Uh, I’m on for Thursday.”

  “Good! Wonderful. Because it’s up to us to finally crack Kent.”

  “You think this is smart for me to be in on something like this since we don’t know each other all that well? And he’s my partner at work?”

  She laughed. “Yeah, it’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it. But we need to work on him finally coming out of his shell. My sister knows he likes her. The town knows he likes her. But he’s not making a move. It’s insane to me.”

  I chuckled. “I never would have guessed my partner was so willing to die on his own sword. Want me to work on him at work?”

  “That would be awesome, Jasper. Can you do that? You know, warm him up for Thursday night?”

  “Sure thing. Has he already been invited?”

  “Yep.”

  “Then, he’s already going to have an idea of what’s going on.”

  She snickered. “Trust me, Kent is thick-headed. It’ll shock you how much so. But my sister is stubborn, and she won’t stop until she gets what she wants.”

  I grinned. “Nice to know things don’t change with time.”

  “You’d be surprised how much really hasn’t changed if you think about it.”

  Like how you feel about me? “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

  “Anyway, you get to work before you’re late. I have to open up the library. See you Thursday night. And thanks for joining our cause.”

  My eye twitched. “See you Thursday night.”

  I hung up the phone as quickly as I could and drew in deep breaths. “Thank you for joining the cause”—that was the only fucking thing I’d heard in basic training. I closed my eyes and placed my hands against the wall. I felt Piper press against my side and nudge my leg. She barked and whimpered, practically begged for attention. And when I dropped my hand down to cling to her coat of fur, s
he started nuzzling my leg.

  Up, and down. Up, and down. Nice, soothing strokes.

  “It’s okay, Pipes. I got it this time,” I said breathlessly.

  It took me a couple of minutes to get my head back on straight. But once I did, Piper and I headed out to my truck. She jumped into the bed of it and soaked up the sun while I drove to work. Then, it was simply a matter of switching cars.

  “And here I thought you weren’t going to show up,” Kent said.

  I had the good sense to look sheepish. “Coffee’s on me? I know I’m shaving it close.”

  “Nah, you’re still three minutes early.”

  “Which is practically late in military time.”

  He clapped my back. “Well, it’s still early in the regular-person world. But I’ll still take you up on the coffee.”

  “Is that place called Micro’s still open?”

  “Fuck yeah, it is, and they have the best danishes I’ve ever tasted.”

  My mouth watered as we raced toward our destination, and it made me chuckle, seeing how many other police cruisers were lined up ahead of us. I hoped they didn’t take all the lemon cream cheese danishes, though.

  “So, how was your morning?” Kent asked.

  Here we go. “It was all right.”

  “Get yourself set up at the VA yet?”

  “Actually, yes. Monday nights at seven.”

  “So, you need to be off a bit early?”

  I shrugged. “Eh, as long as I’m off right at five, I’ll be able to make it.”

  “That won’t be an issue. Chief’s a stickler for making sure people are off right on time. We don’t do overtime work around here unless it’s volunteered for. The county’s big about that.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Just make sure you run it by him before you leave so he can make a note of it. He likes to keep track of all that kind of stuff.”

  “Sounds like Chief really takes care of his people.”

  Kent nodded. “More than most. We’re lucky to have him.”

  Subtlety is for cowards. “So, am I the only one who got that dinner invite this morning?”

  He groaned. “Nope. I got it, too. I was wondering if you had actually gotten one, or if this was one of Khloe’s contrived ways to get her sister and me alone together.”