Unfortunately, she couldn’t join him today. While he was with a patient, she’d left a text to say that there was something she had to do during lunch. He’d still decided to have a proper break anyway. Brenna had successfully changed his eating habits during work days.
He was lucky enough to get the remaining empty table. He settled himself and read a medical journal while he ate his food. He was almost done when someone stood next to him and called his name.
“Ash?”
He looked up and his eyes widened in surprise.
“Hi!” the man said. “It’s Lance, remember?”
“Of course,” he said, standing up out of politeness and offering a handshake.
“Fancy bumping into you here,” Lance said. “Do you work nearby?”
“Yes,” he responded. “About five minutes’ walk from here.”
“Right. My office is not far from here either.”
Ash nodded. He knew Lance worked in the same building as Brenna.
“I haven’t been here in a while. It’s getting busier and busier every day,” Lance said, looking around the crowded establishment.
“I’m almost done,” he said. “Feel free to share my table.” He wasn’t exactly keen on having lunch with his girlfriend’s ex, but Lance was being friendly. So should he.
Lance readily accepted. “Sure. Thank you.”
They made small, pleasant talk about their work while he finished his food and Lance waited for his order.
Conversing with Lance wasn’t as awkward as he’d feared it would be. The man wasn’t a cold fish after all. Granted, they weren’t talking about Brenna. Maybe the atmosphere would have been different if they were. But right now he was relaxed. Knowing that Brenna was now his, his feelings of antagonism for Lance had gone.
“Do you know if Zach and Rebecca are back from their honeymoon?” Lance asked.
“They’re back this weekend, I believe.”
“Great wedding, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah. It was.”
A pause.
“Did you hear that Brenna and I have broken up?” Lance asked, his face clouding.
Ash was surprised at the question. He thought they’d both been avoiding that topic. Since he had just taken a mouthful of food, all he could do was nod in response.
“She’s back with Darren, isn’t she?” Lance asked in a low voice.
Ash almost choked. He swallowed hastily and took sips from his glass of water.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to surprise you,” Lance said, chuckling mirthlessly.
“I just wasn’t expecting that,” he said, trying to clear his throat.
Lance sighed. “I know you’re like a brother to Brenna, Ash. I was wondering if you could tell her something for me?”
Ash winced at the ‘brother’ comment, but Lance was playing with his cutlery and didn’t notice his reaction.
“She avoids me whenever I want to talk to her,” Lance continued. “Maybe you could tell her I miss her?”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Lance,” he said, preparing to tell Lance the truth about him and Brenna, even as sympathy filled him. But Lance was quick to respond to his statement.
“It’s probably a lost cause, isn’t it?” Lance murmured, looking forlorn. “I’m up against Brenna’s great love. And after seeing them so lovey-dovey today, I really should move on.”
“What?” Ash asked in confusion. “What do you mean?”
Lance glanced at him quizzically. “Didn’t you know they’re back together? She dumped me for him.”
“Is that what she told you?”
“Not exactly. When Brenna broke up with me, she was honest enough to say that she wanted to be with someone else. But she wouldn’t tell me his name. It wasn’t hard to guess it was Darren, though.”
“What made you think it was Darren she was talking about?” Ash asked, his heart hammering.
“Everything she said pointed to the guy being Darren. And like I said, I saw them today when I was leaving the building. They were embracing so tightly in the foyer that Brenna didn’t even notice me when I walked right past them. And their hug definitely wasn’t a mere hello gesture. They were in their own little world. Other people were staring at them. So, yeah, I guess I’m one stupid guy to still be pining for her,” Lance lamented.
Ash was having difficulty breathing, but he kept a calm facade. Lance had to be mistaken. “What did he look like—the guy you saw with Brenna?”
“About my height, really short blond hair, well-built, dimples. Does that sound like Darren?”
Ash nodded, his heart constricting painfully in his chest. It couldn’t be true.
His phone’s soft beeping startled him. It was the reminder he’d set for himself, telling him it was time to go back to the clinic.
“I’m sorry, Lance,” he said, almost in a daze. “But I have to go back to work.”
“Sure,” Lance said, smiling apologetically. “Sorry I rambled. I didn’t mean to. Seeing Brenna today with the man she dumped me for made me feel sorry for myself.”
Ash patted Lance on the shoulder as he walked off, both his mind and heart racing. Brenna couldn’t be going back to Darren. She just couldn’t be.
Ash recalled how blissful the last couple of weeks had been with Brenna. They’d made love countless times. She seemed happy with him. So there had to be a good explanation for what Lance had seen.
Unless Brenna’s recent actions were driven by guilt, and she was overcompensating for breaking his heart in the past.
He shook his head vigorously to erase the crazy idea that Brenna could go as far as dating him to make up for hurting him. It was ludicrous.
Or was it?
And what was with her cancelling their lunch to be with Darren?
Stop thinking about it, Ash. You have surgery to perform.
So he shut the lid on his emotions for the time being. It was the only way he could make it through the day.
*****
Ash slumped in his office chair, staring at the text Brenna had sent him while he was treating a patient.
Don’t worry about giving me a lift home tonight. Have to go somewhere. I’ll explain when I see you tomorrow. xx
He called her. There was no way he could wait until tomorrow.
“Hi, Ash,” she answered.
“Hi, babe,” he said, trying to sound casual.
“You got my text?”
“Yeah. What have you got on?”
“Um, I have to see someone tonight. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you at lunch tomorrow.”
“Is everything okay?”
There was a moment’s pause.
“Yes,” Brenna answered.
“Doesn’t sound like it,” he said softly, fear starting to spread in his body.
Brenna chuckled, which sounded a bit forced to him.
“It’s going to be a long story, honey,” she said. “I’d much rather talk about it in person. And I have to go to a meeting with my boss now.”
“Okay,” he said, sorrow tapping at his heart.
“See ya. Bye,” Brenna said.
He hung up. He didn’t want to say goodbye.
*****
“Make sure you talk about everything.”
Ash chuckled at Connor dishing out relationship advice he hadn’t asked for. He knew what his future brother-in-law meant. The start of Connor’s relationship with Amanda had been rocky due to the things Connor had felt he had to keep from Amanda.
“I’m serious, bro. That’s the key,” Connor said.
Ash sighed. “I know.”
“Dinner’s ready!” Amanda called from the kitchen.
Ash made his way to the dining table, grateful that his sister and Connor didn’t mind him turning up for dinner without notice. He needed to talk to people who could give him enough information to help alleviate his worry. Tomorrow was too far away. He’d go crazy figuring out scenarios in his head if he were alone in his house.
“So, Ash,” Amanda said as they all sat down. “What brings you here tonight?”
“Couldn’t I check up on my sister from time to time? Make sure her fiancé is still treating her like a princess?” he joked.
Connor snorted. “Princess? What are you talking about? I treat your sister like a queen. Don’t I, babe?”
Ash snickered, but Amanda didn’t respond to Connor. She just looked at Ash with a frown.
“You’ve never turned up before without calling, Ash. Is anything wrong?” Amanda asked.
Ash repressed a sigh. He and Amanda were as close as any brother and sister could be. Problem with that was, he couldn’t hide anything from her. He wanted to keep this fact-finding light and under the radar so as not to make the guys worry unnecessarily.
“I was supposed to have dinner with Bren,” he said casually as he heaped pasta on his plate. “But she has something else to do tonight.”
“Oh. What?” Amanda asked.
“She said she has to see someone.”
“Who?” Amanda prodded.
Well, that was that. Amanda didn’t know anything. Ah, damn. “She said she’ll tell me all about it tomorrow,” he answered.
“Hm. Is it to do with work?” Amanda asked, but she seemed less worried now.
“I think so,” he said, lying. “She had to go to a meeting so she didn’t get to tell me.”
“For a while there I thought there was something wrong,” Amanda said, smiling at him. “When you came in, you had this look on your face.”
“What look?”
“That you’re worried about something.”
“I’m just missing her,” he said, not wanting to share anything more at this point if the guys didn’t know anything about Darren.
“Oh, how sweet,” Amanda said with a sigh. “I haven’t told you this before, Ash, but I’m so glad you two are finally together.”
“You never told me you suspected I’ve had a crush on Brenna for a long time.”
“Crush?” Amanda said in a teasing tone. “Wasn’t it more than that?”
He simply smiled.
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think there was anything I could do to influence Brenna,” Amanda continued. “Mind you, I did feel sorry for you a lot of times.”
“Gee, thanks,” he said sarcastically, not liking having been the object of pity.
“Hey, you know I love you both. I thought bringing out your feelings for her could ruin your friendship. That was why I—and the other girls—kept our mouths shut.”
“I know. She was really into Darren for many years. You probably didn’t think she’d ever get over him, huh?” he said, putting out feelers.
“Yeah. And I didn’t want you hoping,” Amanda agreed. “But I’m glad things are different now,” she added with a grin.
He grinned back, even as he worried that Darren was chasing Brenna again for another reconciliation.
On top of that, a new disturbing thought had surfaced. If he and Brenna didn’t work out, it would also devastate Amanda and the other three women he considered as sisters. The whole dynamic amongst the best friends might change, especially between Amanda and Brenna.
His protectiveness kicked in, and he found himself making a silent promise. Whatever might happen to him and Brenna, he’d shield the five from anything that might disrupt their tight-knit friendship of over twenty years.
CHAPTER TEN
Brenna stepped out of Darren’s car, staring up ahead at his mother Patty’s house.
She had fond memories of this place. She’d been made to feel very welcome here by Darren’s parents.
Patty was the nurturing, fix-it type, and had been instrumental in getting her and Darren back together during their multiple ‘off-again’ stages. When she and Darren parted ways for good, Patty had been truly devastated.
Brenna herself had missed the woman. In the years she’d been with Darren, she’d been closer to Patty than to her own mother. With Darren also being an only child, Patty had embraced Brenna as the daughter she’d always wanted.
That was why it had totally shocked Brenna when Darren had told her earlier today that Patty had advanced cirrhosis of the liver, and was awaiting liver transplant. Brenna had been engulfed by sadness, unable to imagine the bubbly woman being so ill.
She glanced at Darren, who was retrieving some groceries from the back seat. He’d just lost his father to cancer six months ago, and not knowing when a donated liver would become available for his mother was weighing him down. He’d been teary when he saw her at lunch today, and she hadn’t known how else to express her sympathy but with a hug. It couldn’t have been enough with what he was going through. So when he’d said that Patty wanted to see her, she’d immediately agreed to come.
“Ready?” Darren asked with a small smile.
She nodded, and walked with him towards the house.
“Aunt Sally currently lives here too. She looks after Mum full time,” Darren said conversationally.
“That’s good,” she responded, trying to recall what Patty’s divorced younger sister looked like. She’d only met Sally a couple of times.
“I don’t know what mood Mum will be in right now,” Darren said, opening the door with his key. “There are days when she feels so down she doesn’t want to get out of bed. This waiting for a donor gets to her. But I’m sure she’ll perk up when she sees you.”
The living room was empty, but they could hear murmurs coming from the kitchen.
“Glad to see you out and about, Mum,” Darren said as they entered the room.
“Hello, Dar—Brenna!” Patty rose from her seat and extended her arms in welcome.
“Hi, Patty,” Brenna responded, hurrying to give the woman a hug, compassion rising to her throat. Patty’s illness was evident from the unnatural yellow tone of her skin.
“Oh, my. I’m so happy to see you, my darling,” Patty said, before bursting to tears.
“Patty!” Brenna exclaimed in dismay, putting her arms around the woman. “Please don’t cry.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s with me lately. But it’s so nice to see you again, Brenna.”
“Have a seat,” Brenna encouraged, glancing at Darren, who was staring at his mother in consternation.
“Great timing, you kids,” Sally interrupted. “Just in time to help me prepare dinner. And I’m also pleased to see you again, Brenna.”
“Thank you, Sally. Same here. What can I do to help?”
*
“I better go,” Brenna said, checking her watch. It was ten-thirty. If it hadn’t been for Patty being a chatterbox all night—unusually so, as Darren had observed—she would have left earlier. But the older woman was looking really tired now.
“Okay. I guess I better let you,” Patty said, hiding a yawn. “Are you staying at Darren’s tonight?”
“Uh, no,” she answered in surprise. Did Patty think she and Darren were back together? She glanced at Darren, who gave her a little shake of the head. He didn't want her to say anything.
“I’m driving Brenna back to her place, Mum,” Darren said.
“Okay. You drive safely. And Brenna, I would love to see you again this Saturday, dear.”
“Yes, it’s my birthday,” Sally said. “We’re having a small gathering here. It will only be us with my two daughters and their boyfriends.”
“And you can’t not come, Brenna,” Patty said insistently. “You’re part of the family again.”
Brenna gave Darren an almost-panicked look. What the hell had he said to his mother? She wasn’t prepared for this.
“She’ll check her calendar, Mum,” Darren said, reaching out for Brenna’s hand and squeezing it in warning. “We have to go.”
*
As soon as they were in the car and Brenna was sure the women in house couldn’t see them anymore, she turned to Darren. “You told your mum we’re back together?” she asked in a low voice, trying not to let her irritation get the better of her.
/> “I didn’t. She obviously assumed we are.”
“We have to tell her the truth, Darren. It’s not right to fool her like that.”
“Isn’t it?” Darren asked, staring back at the house.
“No!”
Darren leaned on his seat, staring blankly through the windscreen. “What if her condition gets worse and there is no donor in sight? What if she’s only around for a few more weeks?” he asked bleakly. “You should see what she’s like when her anxiety and depression are strong, Bren. And they are strong most days. Tonight is the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time. Because you came with me.”
Brenna swallowed.
“Bren,” Darren said, looking at her with pleading eyes. “After seeing what she was like tonight, I don’t have the heart to tell her we’re not really a couple. The happier she is, the better she’ll be at holding on until a donor turns up. I’m not ready to lose her yet,” he added, his voice cracking.
“Oh, Darren,” she whispered, filled with compassion and sadness for both son and mother—two people who had been a big part of her life in the past.
“Please, Bren. We only need to pretend while we’re around her. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”
Brenna dropped her head back against the headrest and squeezed her eyes shut, unsure of what to do. “I need time to think about this, Darren. And I need to talk to Ash first.”
“Ash? Amanda’s brother Ash?”
“Yes. He’s my boyfriend.”
Darren snorted in disbelief. “He finally told you, did he?”
She stared at Darren. “You knew too?”
“Yeah.”
“You didn’t tell me,” she murmured, surprised that even Darren had noticed.
Darren snickered. “You know full well that Ash and I don’t get along, Bren. Besides, I was going out with you then. Why would I point out to you that Ash fancied you? It was funny how you never noticed, though.”
She flushed, her heart going out to Ash again. “Well, I have to talk to him about this first. I’m having lunch with him tomorrow. I’ll tell him then.”
Always (Time for Love Book 4) Page 8