Between Friends

by Sandra Marie

  On his twenty-fourth birthday when Dad gave him a set of shiny new wheels, Rae pointed out that accepting the car was more of a gift for his dad than him. It’d killed Dad when he moved to New York and Tommy decided to stay home. They were tight, a lot like Rae and her family, but probably tighter because it’d been just the two of them for a long time. Tommy was twenty years old when Dad moved, and ever since, his other half was Rae.

  Even more reason to make this the best damn Valentine’s Day she’d ever had.

  Mills Industries was fancy enough to have a ticketed parking garage, so he pulled up, snagged his ticket, and headed up the tall building. Alex used to be in the mailroom, but now he was top floor material. Tommy had to grab a visitor badge to get access to the elevator.

  He slumped against the far wall as the elevator climbed upward, chuckling to himself. If someone had told him a few months ago that Alex would be working in a suit and tie, planning his wedding, and becoming a dad, Tommy would’ve split his side with laughter. The guy had pulled a one-eighty, from laid back player to responsible fiancé.

  The elevator dinged open, and Tommy had to travel through a maze of receptionists to finally get to Alex’s office. His office… snort. His door was open, and he was flicking through a tablet, leaning back in his desk, sans suit coat. His red tie was crooked, kinked to the left and loose around the collar. His haircut had to have been over a hundred bucks—maybe it was a requirement when the guy had to stand next to Ashton Mills, richest dude in Seattle, during ninety percent of his job.

  There was a stress wrinkle between Alex’s brows but amusement in his smile lines. He’d probably never admit to it, but Alex loved his new gig. Anyone could tell he was digging the commitment, father-to-be, providing for the family lifestyle.

  Tommy rapped a knuckle on the doorframe, and Alex’s gaze floated up from the tablet.

  “You must be important.” Tommy stepped up to his desk and slid into the seat opposite Alex. “Took me five check-in points to get here.”

  Alex dropped his feet off his desk and adjusted in his chair. That thing looked like it had fantastic lumbar support. Too bad Alex used it as a lounger.

  “So… you finally asked her out.” The corner of Alex’s lip tilted upward. Tommy’s brows pulled together slightly, but of course Rae told Frankie about V-Day, and Frankie would tell Alex.

  “Aww, pillow talk,” Tommy teased, kicking one leg up on his knee. “You got any ideas on what I can do to make it a killer night for her?”

  “Why you asking me?”

  “Aren’t you a pro at the whole romance thing by now?” He picked up a set of magnetic balls sitting at the edge of Alex’s desk and fiddled around with them. “Frankie took you back against her better judgment.”

  “Hey, I swooned the hell out of her.”

  “Exactly. Tell me how to do that, oh wise one.”

  Alex ran a hand over his chin, about a week’s worth of scruff sprinkled across his jaw. “You’re going out for Valentine’s Day. The day itself is romantic.”

  “Not a lot of help.”

  Alex dropped his hand, his gaze swiveling to the door for a brief second before landing back on Tommy. “How serious are you about her?”

  “Huh?”

  “Rae. Is this just a friendly date or do you… at the risk of sounding like we’re in high school… like her, like her?”

  Tommy couldn’t suppress his grin. “You mean, do I loooove her?”

  Alex picked up his worn stress ball with the words Mills Industries printed on the side and flung it at Tommy’s face, smacking him in the cheek. Tommy chucked it back.

  “Of course I love her.”

  Alex’s brows shot up. “In what capacity?”

  “Same as always.”

  “Not a lot of help.” Alex tilted his head, quoting him. “Do you want things to change? Get to the next level?”

  Tommy jerked back, realization dawning on him. He never wanted anything to change. As much as he loved new adventures and taking risks, Rae was his constant. It was how he could live the way he did, because he knew things with her would always be the same. She’d have his back; he’d have hers. They were soulmates. But lovers…?

  His mind fast forwarded in a haze, zipping through kissing Rae, holding her, touching her, being in love on a different level, but still being them. He couldn’t help but crave that kind of adventure—have the guts to stroke her cheek before pulling her in, slowly peel off her clothes, and see her in a whole new light. He imagined the space on his chest covered with a creation that they designed together, and tattooing the same on her.

  Yeah, he could see it—even want it—but the visions morphed into years down the road. There was a very real possibility of it not working out between them, and not only would he lose a lover, he’d lose a best friend. He’d lose his rock. He’d lose the only thing in his world worth getting up for.

  Tommy was a risk-taker, but that was one risk he wasn’t willing to take.

  “Rae deserves an epic night. One where the guy isn’t trying to get into her pants or use her to satisfy his own sick fetish.”

  “And as best friend, you’re stepping up.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Then I don’t think you need help. You know Rae better than anyone.”

  Tommy let his head fall back, and he continued to fiddle with the magnets in his hand. “Did you luck out with Frankie or something? You seriously have no clue what to suggest here? I want to really surprise Rae.”

  “Oh, I love Rae!” an excited voice came from the doorway. Tommy swiveled around to a blonde bombshell, her hair cascading over a sea-green blouse that was tucked into a high-waisted white skirt. Her heels made her five inches taller, and her accent made her a thousand times cuter. Tommy grinned at Ashton’s girlfriend, Lily May, having only met her a couple times before. But he knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t leave him high and dry on dating tips.

  He pushed up from the chair to let her sit if needed and to face her more directly. “I’m taking her out for Valentine’s Day. You got any ideas on what I could do?”

  Her brows lifted, and her eyes sang like she’d just seen a puppy. She placed her hand over her heart. “Only about a million. That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever… Oh! Have you two done the Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt they have city wide? There’s also the planetarium in Spokane. Little far away, but if you plan it right, you could make it an overnighter or a fun road trip. Or you could take her to Gavin’s bar for something a bit laid back and casual, but make sure you play that jukebox and dance with that girl, and there’s the—”

  “Not sure I should do Gavin’s place,” Tommy said, setting the magnets back on Alex’s desk. “Apparently he and Rae just got matched up on one of those dating apps of hers. Wouldn’t want any competition for the evening.”

  Lily May’s eyes widened. “Gavin is looking to date?”

  “Looks like it.” And finding a real inconvenient time to match up with Rae. Couldn’t he be llike every other single guy in February and wait to date till after the big romance day?

  Lily May bounced on her heels, snatching her phone from her bra. “That little liar told me he was too busy for romance. Well, he’s got a whirlwind of setups in his future.”

  She put the phone to her ear and pointed at Tommy. “Leave your email with Alex. I’ll send you a bunch of ideas.” She turned to the phone conversation and left Alex’s office, her exuberant voice giving the third degree to Gavin, who Tommy assumed was on the other side of that call.

  A small light of relief fell into his gut over Lily May giving Gavin more options than Rae to date, and the light quickly turned into dark guilt for even thinking it. He had no claim on her, just the friendly one, and Rae did deserve to find a kickass gentleman.

  “Wish I’d known Lily May during Christmas,” Alex said, writing down Tommy’s email. “I probably would’ve swept Frankie off her feet in less than an hour.”

  “Twelve days was still pretty good.�
� Tommy reached over, and they did their typical handshake before he pushed off the desk and headed out. “Wish me luck.”

  “She’ll have fun with you,” Alex said, kicking his feet up. “She always does.”

  “I was talking about finding my way out of this building.” Tommy tapped the doorframe on his way out. His phone buzzed, and he was surprised to see a message from an unknown number.

  Hey Tommy. This is Steven—Jon gave me your number. Said you might be interested in seeing some of our pets. You can text or call whenever. Be happy to help ya out!

  Well, this was shaping up to be one of the best adventures he’d ever planned, and he couldn’t wait to share another one with Rae.

  Rae took a fat red Sharpie and sliced through the number 12 box on her parents’ calendar.

  “Hey, that’s not yours to use as a countdown.”

  Rae capped the marker and put it back in its spot on the counter. “It was still on January, Mom,” she said, plopping into the swivel chair at the bar. Her mom slid a tray of Valentine’s Day fudge—white and red velvet chocolate—over and Rae searched for the biggest piece before pushing it between her teeth.

  “Where’s Thomas?” her mom asked, snatching a piece of fudge for herself and leaning across the bar. Mom would’ve made a killer bartender. She never let Rae go without food or drink, and her ear was well-versed in the art of listening.

  Rae lifted a shoulder and snagged another piece of fudge. “He was sick all weekend, so I’ve kept my distance.”

  “Mm hmm.” Yeah, Mom knew all too well that sniffles wouldn’t keep Rae away. Who was going to bring him soup and set up his humidifier and make sure he took his medicine? The guy would still be in bed if she hadn’t played caretaker.

  It’s not like he wouldn’t do the same. He had, many times.

  “So, what’s he planning for you two?” Mom popped open the fridge and dug out the milk. She shook the Hershey’s syrup, silently asking if Rae wanted her milk a la chocolate. Rae nodded and swallowed her fudge.

  “He’s being annoyingly tight-lipped about it.”

  “That’s sweet. Makes it more exciting.”

  “Or it could be a disaster.” Rae grinned to herself, eyeing the calendar. Even a disaster with Tommy would be a helluva lot of fun.

  Mom put in a swirly straw that Rae rolled her eyes at, but secretly loved, and handed it over. A weight pulled the levity in her stomach down as she sipped on her chocolate milk and nibbled on the fudge. She actually had a purpose for her visit, not just her normal come for the food, stay for the company reasons. Another voicemail from Tanner at Strip Tattoos sat on her phone, and she had only a couple more days to decide whether or not to make the trip.

  “Hey, Mom?”

  “Uh oh…” Mom straightened against the counter, hitching a hand on her hip.

  “Uh oh what?”

  “Whenever you have something serious you want to talk about, you start it with ‘Hey, Mom?’ What is it? Has Thomas finally confessed that he loves you?”

  “Why does everyone say that?” Rae snorted, shaking her head. It didn’t help that everyone assumed she and Tommy would end up as a couple.

  Mom wiped the counter free from chocolate milk spills and fudge crumbs. “What’s on your mind, Raelynn?”

  She could trust her mom not to blab, right? After all, she didn’t want Tommy to know until she was for sure leaving. He’d pull that puppy dog face on her, and she would cave. No, this choice had to be hers. And the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to at least give it a shot.

  “I applied for a position in Vegas last year. I didn’t think they thought much of my portfolio, but I got a call from them last week wanting me to come down and interview. The guy called again this morning. They need an answer by the end of the week.”

  Mom raised her brow, and she took a deep breath. “You want to move?”

  Rae lifted a shoulder. “Maybe? I don’t know…”

  “What does Thomas think?”

  “He doesn’t know.”

  Mom pursed her lips together, and she absentmindedly fiddled with the edge of the fudge plate. Rae could actually see the battle going on behind her mom’s blue eyes to fight her tongue. Mom defended Tommy just like she would her own children… even ahead of her own children sometimes, and Rae knew she was biting back a lecture on keeping secrets.

  “He doesn’t know yet,” Rae corrected. “I wanted to see what you thought before I made any plans.”

  “I think you should tell him.”

  “I don’t want to start a fight if it ends up being nothing.” While that was true, another reaction haunted her. Tommy was so good at pretending not to care—or really not caring—and she couldn’t help the fear that he’d be more excited for her than angry at the thought of her leaving.

  Mom set her chocolate milk down, the contents sloshing around in the festive heart-printed cup. A sad smile touched the corners of her lips. “I’m sorry… I’m having a hard time being objective here. My baby might be moving.”

  “I’m twenty-nine.”

  “And still my baby.” Mom took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “Okay… tell me the reasons you want to go.”

  Rae thought back to when she first applied. Money had been tight, life painful with Tommy occupied with his then girlfriend, and Rae’s dating options were one dud after another. The job felt like an answer from the universe to get the heck out of Seattle and find herself outside of the comfort of home. The only difference between then and now was Tommy’s relationship status. She shouldn’t base her decision solely on that.

  But if she was being honest, she totally was.

  “It’d be a pay raise,” she said, starting with the most obvious reason to go. “The cost of living down there won’t be as crazy as here. And the shop is a million times busier.”

  “Are you hurting for money?” The mom wrinkle appeared in her forehead, and Rae quickly shook her head before Mom packed up every item in her fridge and pantry and sent Rae home with it.

  “I might meet someone down there, too, Mom.” Better stay away from the money topic. “Seattle hasn’t been very kind to me in the romance department.”

  Mom’s eyes narrowed, and she pointed a finger at Rae. “This isn’t because of that no good date you had last week, is it? He deserves no say in your life decisions.” She lowered her voice, and Rae swore she heard her mother say, “Piece of turd toast.”

  Rae giggle-snorted around another piece of fudge. “It’s not about him. Believe me.” Nope, it was more about the guy she loved so much there wasn’t room to love anyone else.

  “It’s Thomas, isn’t it?” Mom grumble-sighed and tore into another piece of fudge. “That boy loves you.”

  Rae’s smile faded, and she toyed with the silly straw in her now empty drink, popping a bubble resting on the inner rim. “Not how I love him.”

  Mom shook her head. “He does. He just doesn’t know it.”

  Rae popped another milk bubble, the urge to escape the conversation overtaking her. How she wanted her mom’s beliefs to be true. She’d be at Tommy’s door right then, confessing all these years of feelings she couldn’t shake.

  But she didn’t believe it. She couldn’t. They’d been friends for over a decade; she knew Tommy would never risk that friendship.

  “I’ve never been far away from home before,” she said after a moment, struggling to find other reasons for the move. “I think I’d do okay. Maybe even thrive. Make a family of my own, maybe?” Her shoulders slumped, and the second she caught her mom’s frown and watery eyes, she darted her gaze to her right. The bright red marker shone with fresh ink on the calendar. “I know it’s not a for sure thing, but I have more hope for that future going into this new job than I have for staying here. Does that make sense?”

  “Yes.” Mom pouted and then took another deep breath. “If that’s how you feel, then you should at least go for the interview. And talk to Thomas.”

  A small weight lifted
off Rae’s stomach, and she picked her phone off the counter. “Thanks, Mom.” All she needed was the push to do it—someone besides herself to give her the okay. Rae was fine making her own decisions, but when it came to the big stuff, she relied on her family for those and probably always would.

  She slipped into the walk-in pantry for some privacy and dialed Tanner back. Her heart thumped an uneven beat in her ears, opposite the ringing. She was really doing this—gosh, she hoped she didn’t shake this much during the interview. That would be one squiggly tattoo.

  “Strip Tattoos, Tanner speaking.”

  The front doorbell cut through the house, and Rae spoke a little louder than she intended into the phone. “Hey, Tanner!” She smacked her forehead and lowered her voice. “This is Rae. I was giving you a call back for that—”

  “Oh! Hang on a quick sec, will ya?” There was some muffling on the other side of the line, and Rae could hear Mom squealing at whoever was at the front door. Rae ran her finger across the shelf with all the cereals, mouthing all the brands under her breath.

  “Sorry ‘bout that,” Tanner said, his side much less chaotic than when he’d first answered. “Yes, you okay to make the trip down?”

  “I can.” A tidal wave of nerves cracked over the top of her head. “When do you need me?”

  “How about the fifteenth? That work for you?”

  Cutting it close, but it should be okay. “Perfect. Anything I need to bring with me?”

  Tanner listed off instructions and let her know he’d email some as well. By the time Rae got off the phone, her nerves had turned into excitement. Maybe this would be a good thing.

  The pantry door creaked as she pushed it open, and Mom was right in her face, a big grin decked across her lips.

  “Go see what’s at the front door.”

  “Is it more fudge?” Rae teased, stepping around her Mom and her bouncing feet. Rae didn’t even get past the dining table before catching a glimpse of something very fuzzy, very chocolately brown, and very huge.