by Laura Ann
Taking a deep breath and channeling his inner double-oh-seven, Silas stuck out his hand. “Hey, Wren. Good to see you.”
Wren blinked rapidly at him, and her hand was limp when she finally brought it up. When he shook her fingers, she seemed to wake up and pulled herself together. “Oh yeah, good to see you too. Thanks so much for coming tonight.”
Silas held his breath as her eyes wandered over him from top to bottom. That’s right. The scrawny kid you knew is gone and a successful business entrepreneur has taken his place. “Should we head inside? It’s pretty chilly out here.” His eyes dropped to her bare legs and he gulped.
“That’d be great.” Wren spun on her heel and headed toward the doors. Silas nearly growled in frustration. He had hoped to find a flicker of attraction or interest when she saw him all grown up, but instead, she had shuttered her emotions and tuned him out. Looks like nothing has changed in that department. Pinching his lips, he followed her through the doors.
Wren was already paying for their tickets when Silas caught her at the front table. “I was planning to do that,” Silas whispered in her ear. He caught a shiver running up her spine and couldn’t help the little smirk that pulled at his lips. Aha! She’s not as immune as she would like me to think.
“Well, Silas Thurgood,” the woman at the desk purred. “My, oh my, did you clean up nice.”
Silas frowned until he realized who was sitting at the table. “Oh, hi Starla. Long time no see.” Or maybe, never see would have been better. I’m pretty sure she didn’t speak a single word to me in high school.
“Too long,” she said, leaning forward invitingly. “What are you up to these days?”
“Being my date,” Wren snapped. Scowling at a grinning Starla, Wren grabbed Silas’s hand and dragged him over to the coat stand. “The nerve...” Wren muttered under her breath.
Silas chuckled and helped her slip her coat off her shoulders. “She was just being friendly,” he defended. “No need to make a big deal out of it.” Ahhh, cripes. After he handed off her coat and got a good look at Wren’s dress, he knew his earlier assessment was going to be correct. This is definitely going to be harder than I thought.
“She was hitting on you!” Wren whispered harshly. “You came with me and that cow face was hitting on you.”
“Wow, pulling out the big guns, I see,” Silas teased.
When Wren glared at him, he held his hands up. “I was just enjoying the fact that your vocabulary hasn’t changed much since we went to school.”
Wren’s shoulders dropped. “Sorry. Girls like her just irk me.”
“Yeah, well, it’s not like you really want me for myself anyway, so let’s just head on in, huh?” Silas knew if he didn’t keep a little distance between them he was going to end up a broken mess by the end of the night. Seeing Wren again, in a dress that showcased just how much she had grown up, was wreaking havoc on his senses. It became abundantly clear once more to him why he had never been able to date anyone else. I’m gonna end up ruined for life at this rate, he thought glumly.
“What do you want to do first?” Wren asked, her eyes surveying the room.
“Whoa. They really went all out, didn’t they?” Silas’s eyes widened at the incredible decorations. Slowly, he spun in a circle. “Someone is pretty talented.”
Wren snorted and folded her arms. “Figures,” she grumbled.
Silas closed his eyes and tried to calm down his irritation. “What exactly does that mean?” he asked as nicely as he could manage. What is her problem? She asked me here and she’s being all waspish.
“Camille put this together,” Wren huffed. “I should have known it would turn out good.”
“Were you hoping she would fail or something?”
Wren shrugged. “Maybe... sorta... yeah.”
“Wow, Wren. You’ve gotten really vindictive.”
Wren spun and pierced him with her hazel glare. “Actually, I’ve always been this way. I’ve just been too scared to show it.”
Silas just stared, uncertain what to say to something so outrageous. Finally, he broke the stiff silence between them. “I don’t believe you,” he said softly.
“What?” Wren reared back. “How would you know?”
Silas cleared his throat and took a breath for courage. “Because I’m not naive enough to believe that you didn’t know I had a thing for you in high school,” he said baldly. “I know you didn’t feel the same, but that shy, quiet boy spent a lot of time watching you. The saying ‘your bark is worse than your bite’ was made perfectly for you. You might want everyone to think you’re some vicious rottweiler, but I saw you enough to know that you’re really a kitten.”
Wren’s eyes filled with tears and she blinked hard to hold them back. “I’m not sure my brother would agree with you,” she said with a shaky laugh. “He thinks I’m trouble.”
“Oh, you’re trouble, alright,” Silas teased, grabbing her hand and intertwining their fingers. The buzzing sensation that ran up his arm was far from unpleasant and Silas was again reminded that he was playing a dangerous game. “Come on,” he tugged on her. “Come feed me.”
Wren laughed and caught up to him, wrapping her other hand over his forearm as they walked. “As long as I don’t have to cook, I’d be happy to do that.”
Silas glanced down, amused at her admonition. “Not a chef, huh? I have to admit I’m surprised by that.”
Wren made a face. “Really? I’ve never been much into the domestic arts.”
Silas handed her a plate before grabbing his own. “Don’t think I knew that,” he muttered.
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think then,” Wren teased, bumping his shoulder.
“Apparently not.” He smiled back, then began putting food on his plate before pausing. “Wait, was it you who almost burned down the Home Ec classroom?”
Wren shot him a look. “I didn’t almost burn it down. I just... happened to start an oven on fire.”
Silas held onto the table as he laughed. “I had totally forgotten about that,” he wheezed out.
“Well, how was I to know that leaving a dish towel under the pan would burn? Those racks are hot! How else was I supposed to touch anything?”
Silas wiped tears from his eyes as he finally calmed down. “You use oven mitts like everyone else.”
“Use oven mitts like everyone else,” Wren grumbled sarcastically under her breath. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Silas frowned. “The fun in what?”
“Doing the same thing as everyone else?”
A slow smile crept across his face and his heart fluttered a little. I’m in so much trouble. She’s still everything I’ve wanted in a girl... woman. Why can’t she be just as attracted to me as I am to her?
CHAPTER 4
Well... he’s not quite as I remember him, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing, Wren mused. When she had first arrived at the ball, she had been sorely disappointed. Gone was the cute boy with the messy hair and quirky shirts and in his place was a handsome, sophisticated businessman. Wren knew she couldn’t blame him for growing up, but still... he wasn’t the boy she had hoped to find.
However, now that they had all the awkward greetings out of the way, their banter had slipped into something easy and fun and Wren was totally enjoying herself.
“Do you want some punch?” Silas asked as they set their food down on a table.
“That’d be great. Thanks.” Wren smoothed her dress, then settled in the chair.
When Silas came back they both dug into their full plates. “So... who do you keep up with from here?” he asked right before he took a bite.
Wren pursed her lips. “I keep up with most of the girls, at least on social media.” She grinned. “Some are more active than others, but I at least know the basics of what’s going on.”
Silas nodded. “It looked like you and Lane drove together,”
Wren nodded. “Yeah, we live together, actually.”
“Really?�
�� Silas’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s pretty amazing.”
Wren shrugged. “It works for us. We’re more like sisters than friends, anyway.” Wren chewed her lip for a moment before asking back. “So... what about you? What have you been up to all these years?”
Silas set down his fork and sat back in his seat. He looked uncertain and seemed to be having a bit of an internal battle. “I work with computers,” he finally stated.
“And?”
“And nothing. I have a nice job and a good crew. I’m pretty content.” He went back to his plate.
“Oh.” Wren wasn’t sure what to say. He obviously didn’t want to talk about his career, but she couldn’t figure out why. “Well... as long as you don’t break out in Klingon, then I’m sure you’re doing awesome.” She meant it as a tease, but by the look on Silas’s face, he didn’t take it as such. Shoot. Me and my big mouth. When will I ever learn to keep quiet?
“So just what is it you do?” Silas asked with a bite in his tone.
“I, uh, teach middle school theatre.”
Silas gave her a sarcastic smile. “Looks like you put your love for drama to good use.”
Wren didn’t respond. The jab hurt, but she also knew she deserved it. She hadn’t meant to hurt Silas back when they were younger or now, but she had. And she had no idea how to fix it. “Yeah... I guess I did.” She put another bite in her mouth.
An awkward tension began to crackle in the air between them and Wren lost her appetite completely. Setting her fork down, she pushed the plate away and turned her gaze from the handsome man sitting next to her.
Her heart felt like it was slowly cracking. She had come with such high hopes of being able to apologize and pick back up with the cutie from high school, but it obviously wasn’t meant to be. The man he was today was definitely not her type. Although, I still probably owe him an apology. I was in the wrong and I should take care of it.
She glanced over, noting his bored look and it instantly put her on edge. Why should I apologize if he’s going to be so snooty? It was nearly a decade ago, so there’s no way he thinks about it or me, anyway.
With a huff, Wren folded her arms over her chest and looked back at the dance floor. A tall, cool blonde was sashaying their way and when Wren recognized the beauty queen, her eyes widened to the size of saucers.
“Well, hello you two,” Nicole’s cultured tones were smooth, yet they grated on Wren’s nerves immediately.
“Nicole,” Wren said sharply. “Fancy meeting you here.”
Nicole’s pursed lips curled up just enough for a small smile. “I’ll admit I hadn’t expected to see you,” her eyes trailed to Silas, who was staring right back, “or you.” Nicole slipped into an extra seat, facing Wren’s date. “Silas Thurgood.” Nicole’s blue eyes went from top to bottom and back up. “You certainly grew up.”
Wren could feel heat climbing from the base of her neck all the way up to her hairline. You’ve got to be kidding me! What does she think she’s doing hitting on my date? A boy she despised in high school.
Silas sat back in his seat and brought a leg up to rest on the other. “Most of us do,” he said smoothly. “It’s good to see you.”
Nicole gave a low laugh. “And you. Tell me... what have you done with yourself all these years?”
“Wasn’t this a couple’s dance, Nicole?” Wren interrupted. “Where’s your date? Surely Camille wouldn’t let you break the rules.” Wren’s smile was completely fake, but she didn’t care. Whether or not she and Silas were getting along did not mean Nicole could just slip in here with her perfect body and perfect hair and take him. Silas deserves so much better than her.
Nicole’s easy smile pinched just slightly as she looked at Wren. “Oh, he’s here. He was chatting with someone about politics when I left.” She looked coyly at Silas. “I tend to get bored easily.”
“Maybe it’s because you can’t keep up,” Wren mumbled low enough Nicole couldn’t hear.
Silas’s grin widened and he rested a hand on the table. “Well then, I wouldn’t want to bore you with the details of my life.”
Nicole leaned forward, her fingers drawing a pattern dangerously close to Silas’s hand. “Oh... I don’t think you would bore me at all, Silas. Do tell.”
Wren’s mouth gaped as she watched Silas flirt with Nicole. Never mind. I take it back. They do deserve each other.
SILAS BIT THE INSIDE of his cheek to keep from laughing at Wren’s grumbled shot at Nicole. She’s probably right, but Nicole is proving to be the perfect way to get my own slice of revenge, so I’ll take it.
For a few minutes, Silas had decided to throw away his idea of showing Wren what she was missing. They had been getting along so well and he had actually started to hope she had changed her mind about him. Then she made that joke about him speaking in Klingon and he realized how fruitless it all was. How many times does she have to break your heart before you learn to let her go?
He forced his focus onto Nicole. She looked stunning in her low-cut, slinky gown, but she held no interest for him. He had always been into the more casual, fun types, rather than the come-hither hoochie mamas.
“After college I started my own business,” he started.
“Wow. What do you do?” Nicole scooted her chair a little closer.
“We create computer programs. A buddy I met at the university is my partner. We’ve launched a few apps and software programs.”
“Anything I would have heard of?” Nicole smiled adoringly.
Silas could practically see the steam coming from Wren’s ears, and it only pushed him on. Sitting upright, he closed the distance between him and Nicole. “Maybe... have you ever played that game with the dwarves and the rocket ship?”
Nicole’s eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect ‘O’. “You created that?”
Silas shrugged nonchalantly. “I helped. It was a team effort.”
Nicole grabbed his hand, and the warmth that had happened when Wren touched him was noticeably absent. “That’s amazing and you’re so modest about it.” She began to play with his fingers. “Tell me more.”
Silas glanced sideways for a second and it nearly caused him to snap his teeth shut. Wren sat in her chair, her hands hanging limply in her lap and her eyes glassy. She looked utterly miserable and it brought Silas’s conscience to the surface. This is so stupid. What am I doing? Since when does hurting Wren make what happened to me years ago okay?
He sighed and turned back to Nicole to tell her that he needed to pay attention to his date, but she was chatting with another man. Silas glanced up at the slim gentleman who stood next to Nicole. She still held Silas hand and he attempted to pull it back, but Nicole dug in her fake nails and just held on tighter.
“I’m so sorry,” she gushed, looking back at Silas. “I should have introduced you all.” Nicole preened in her seat. “Max, this is Silas. We went to high school together.” Her eyes darted to Wren. “And Wren was there too,” she added quickly, waving a dismissive hand.
Silas finally jerked his hand free. “Nice to meet you, Max.” He held out his hand and the man shook it firmly.
“Likewise.” The man smiled broadly, his teeth overly white and perfectly even. “Nicole often tells me amusing stories about this little town of yours. It sounds like a pretty neat place.”
Neat? What grown man says neat? “Uh, sure...” Silas wasn’t sure what to say.
“So,” Max put his hands in his pockets, “where do you live now? Evanswood isn’t in my voting district, so all I know about it is what Nikki has told me.”
“I’m in the next state over,” Silas said vaguely. This guy looked a little too interested and Silas found he didn’t want to share too much information.
“Oh.” Max’s congenial smile faded. “Well... maybe someday when I run for president, I’ll see you at the ballots.”
“Max,” Nicole scolded, standing up. “No one wants to talk politics tonight.” She smiled at Wren. “You don’t mind if Silas takes
me out for a dance do you?” She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “You could always dance with Max. We could just swap!”
Silas shrunk back, not comfortable with the idea of a swap at all. He turned to Wren, hoping to see her infamous snarky personality tell Nicole to shove it, but instead he found someone he didn’t recognize. Wren’s beautiful eyes were trained on her lap and Silas could see a couple of tears had managed to break free.
“Wren,” he breathed, totally ashamed that he had obviously gone too far. He reached out his hand, entreating her join him.
Wren jerked back from his touch and sniffed. “Sorry,” she stammered. “I’ve got something in my contact.” She scooted her chair back and quickly stood. “I’m gonna go rinse it out. You feel free to dance with whoever you want.”
“Wren! Wait!” Silas stood as she hurried away, but Nicole grabbed his hand, stopping him from following.
“Oh, let her go.” She snuggled up against him. “She obviously needs a few minutes to herself.” Nicole looked over her shoulder. “Sorry, Max. You’ll have to find a different dance partner.”
Max shrugged. “No problem.” He turned to scan the crowd. “Do you know anyone who lives near Riverside? I might as well do some campaigning while I’m here.”
Nicole rolled her eyes and pulled Silas to the floor. “Nope. Good luck.”
Once on the floor, Nicole wrapped her arms around Silas neck and snuggled in close. Clearing his throat, Silas put his hand on her hips and pushed back, creating a little more distance between them. With each beat of the music, he smacked himself upside the head for ending up where he was. This was totally not the plan.
Nicole pouted when he pushed but away, but quickly perked back up. “So... tell me more about what you do. I find it all so fascinating!” She smiled wide. “What car do you drive?”
Silas closed his eyes and prayed for patience. I am a world class idiot.