by Jean Oram
“We know. We just want to keep this trial run as real as possible.”
“She’s a planner,” Todd said with affection.
“I am.” She gave him a smile, pleased with his support.
“Well, except him.” Amy pointed at Todd. “I don’t know him.”
“He’s her boyfriend, Todd,” Amber offered.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Nicola said quickly, casting a brief glance at Todd, who was frowning. “We’re just friends.”
She was going to murder Amber. Plain and simple. She would ask her to hike up a mountain with her, then would push her off a cliff and return home saying her friend had gone behind a bush to pee, but had never reappeared. Unfortunately, Amber’s fiancé was an officer of the law, so Nicola didn’t think she’d be able to get away with it. That meant she needed a plan B—something like a permanent gag.
She watched Todd out of the corner of her eye, worried he might freak out. People had assumed they were a couple on more than one occasion, but that was before The Kiss. But he seemed okay and wasn’t eyeing the exits. Yet.
Mandy tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder, peeled the back off her name tag and stuck it to her shirt. “Ready, boss.”
Nicola had the best friends ever.
Feeling excited, she ushered her test subjects out of the town hall’s lobby and into the small bus driven by her aunt Mary Alice. It held about a dozen people and was usually used to take senior citizens from the nursing home over to the public library, or to community events, but it was perfect for this. Plus her aunt was driving them free of charge, which helped keep down the project’s growing costs.
“Where are we going?” someone asked.
“It’s a mystery,” Nicola sang out, counting heads as everyone climbed aboard. She caught Todd watching her. She’d give anything to know what he was thinking right now and whether he was hoping as desperately as she was that by the time he headed home tonight they’d be completely back to normal, their friendship restored.
As long as Amber kept quiet. And Nicola followed Todd’s lead and refrained from straying down any delicious unmarked paths. Or paths marked Kiss Todd Repeatedly While Wrapping a Leg around His Hips and Running a Hand under His Shirt to See What His Pecs Feel Like. She’d bet a million bucks that they felt better than anything she could possibly imagine.
“Do we have everyone?” she asked. She fanned herself with her clipboard before checking the attendance list.
Jill counted heads for her and nodded, then slipped into the front seat beside Todd.
Devon complained, patting the empty seat behind her. “Jill? I thought you were going to sit beside me. I’m still waiting for you to tell me all your deep, dark, dirty secrets.”
“I’ve been wearing this pair of underwear for two days,” she replied. “Dirty enough for you?”
The busload roared, Mary Alice and her deep gravelly laugh being the loudest.
Jill turned to give Devon a mock glare, holding her own. But when she turned back to the front, her face was flaming, and Nicola couldn’t help but wonder if her friend was part of Devon’s mysterious romantic past.
“What color are they?” Devon whispered loudly, leaning over the seat to speak to her.
“Nicola, can we kick him off?” Jill asked hotly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep him reined in.” Nicola took the empty spot beside him while telling her aunt they were ready to depart.
She heard Jill mutter, “Good, because I sure couldn’t.”
Devon gripped the seat back, his expression mild, but Nicola noted his jaw was set as though he was struggling to act unfazed. She really needed to pump Mandy for information about his sordid dating history.
She craned her neck to try and see Jill who was in front of her. “Did you two have a thing?” she began to ask before noticing Todd had shifted so he could narrow his eyes at Devon. There had been a few times over the years where he’d stepped up to put a barrier between her and a man who didn’t quite get boundaries, but she knew Devon would respect her to the nth degree and would resent Todd stepping in.
Nicola shot Todd a warning look and he slowly looked away, focusing on Jill who was trying to chat him up. Before long she had him weaving his climbing Mount Logan tale, punctuating his pauses with the right levels of awe and delight.
Nicola focused on her clipboard instead of the seat in front of her as Jill laughed and leaned closer to her friend, gently touching his arm now and again.
“You all right?” Devon asked quietly, giving Jill and Todd a pointed look.
“Yeah, just planning.”
“Nic does that a lot,” Todd said over his seat back, his tone asking Devon if he had a problem with that.
“I know,” Devon stated. “I see her every day.”
The two men glared at each other.
“Oh, enough, you two,” Nicola said, loading her voice with exasperation. “I’m not a fire hydrant. I can take care of myself.”
“You calling us dogs?” Devon asked.
“If the shoe fits.”
“Dogs don’t wear shoes,” Devon and Todd said at the same time.
Jill laughed and Nicola shook her head. Things were getting weird.
Jill, as if sensing the growing tension, regained Todd’s attention and before long they were laughing and chatting again. Looking out the window, Nicola figured there were still at least another three minutes in the drive—just long enough to torture herself with visions of Todd coming to town. But to visit Jill instead of her.
Although, she knew that wouldn’t last long. The man was like a wasp. He never settled on one flower for longer than was necessary. Still, she didn’t want to see her new friend get left behind like so many others had, wondering what had gone wrong and why he’d suddenly fled.
Nicola shook her head. Playboys were the worst for hanging your dreams on, and they were the least likely to change. She leaned back in her seat. It was a good thing she’d realized her best friend was unattainable, otherwise she might end up like the others—with a broken heart.
* * *
Everyone was suited up, with half the group in zombie masks and gray paintball suits, the other half—including her and Todd—in faux hazmat suits. Scientists versus zombies in a paintball shootout, and so far it looked as though the scientists were winning. Some of that thanks to the way she and Todd had paired up and were systematically working their way through the hay bale maze near the shores of Blueberry Lake. The dusky summer air gave the game a slightly apocalyptic feel, and Nicola could barely believe the event had been her idea.
“Zombie, three o’clock!” she yelled to Todd, who ducked and spun, aiming in the wrong direction. He quickly corrected, hitting the zombie midthigh as paintballs flew over his own head.
“Ow!” complained the zombie. It took off its mask, revealing Frankie, Mandy’s husband. “I was doing really well, too.”
“Sorry!” Todd called. Turning to Nicola, he said, “That was nine o’clock, not three.”
She shrugged and grinned. “Whatever. You still got him. Nice shot, by the way. Frankie’s a pro at this kind of stuff. Total daredevil.”
Todd gave her an odd look.
“He’s married to Mandy—the one with the killer brownies.” Nicola turned to Frankie. “How many zombies are left?” she called.
He shrugged. “Not a lot.”
“Where’s Mandy?”
He shrugged again and Nicola realized they were being set up. “Down!” she said to Todd, as Mandy came up behind Frankie, using him as a shield. She shot wildly at the two of them until Todd pushed Nicola behind a stack of bales. He followed, falling over her, protecting her from a blast. Before she could process how it made her feel having his body pressed heavily over hers—other than the undeniable instant heat and tingles that shot through her—he was moving, shooting around the stack.
Nicola popped up, taking aim over the top of the two bales. She hit Frankie.
“I’m already hi
t,” he said.
“You can’t use him as a shield!” Nicola protested to Mandy, who was managing to stay safe behind her husband.
“I can. And aren’t you supposed to let paying guests win?”
“You’re not paying.” She shot Mandy in the shoulder.
“Ruthless. I like it,” Todd said with an approving grin and high five that made her heart skip a beat.
“I’m putting this on the suggestion card you handed out.” Mandy sent her a dirty look that Nicola knew wasn’t genuine, before taking Frankie’s hand and leading him away. Nicola’s best guess was that they’d go find somewhere to make out.
“Should I have let her win?” Nicola asked, feeling guilty for knocking her friend out of the game. She sank to the ground behind the stack, leaning against the bales.
“No way,” Todd said, joining her.
“What if she was a paying customer?”
“Nobody likes to have a win handed to them. They want to earn it. Well, unless you’re a kid. Different rules apply there.”
“Do you think those who’ve been knocked out of the game are getting bored waiting for it to end?”
“Nah, you have archery and snacks arranged, along with some board games. They can entertain themselves. You brought them here and set it up, but can’t force them to socialize and have a good time. Either they do or they don’t.”
True. However, she was being paid overtime to ensure her clients had fun and stayed in Blueberry Springs. And meanwhile, she was out in the paintball maze having a blast.
“Quit worrying,” he said.
“I’m not worrying.”
“Yes, you are.” He tapped a finger on her goggles, above the tight spot between her eyes. “I can see it, right here.”
“Okay, so I’m worrying. I’m being paid to be here and make sure everyone has a blast.”
“Sweet gig.”
She grinned. “It kind of is, isn’t it?”
“I wasn’t sure about this whole career thing, but you make it look kinda fun. Nice people, too.”
She grinned even wider, happy to have his approval. “I like it here.”
Spotting a flash of gray out of the corner of her eye, Nicola took a quick shot from her sitting position, but missed.
“Get him?” Todd asked, just before two dots of red paint sent them both out of the game.
“Crap. Dang zombies.” Nicola rested her gun on her lap. “Guess that’s it for us.”
“And it was just getting good.”
They looked up to see Jill lift her zombie mask, obviously pleased with her shots.
“Nice marksmanship,” Todd said, reaching out a hand for her to tug him to his feet. Jill eagerly complied, but once standing, he turned to pull up Nicola, silently touching the red mark over her heart.
“Dad owns a gun range,” Jill explained. When Todd didn’t reply, but continued to gaze at Nicola, she hurried off, face reddening before she lowered her mask.
Nicola felt a rush of mixed emotion—empathy for Jill and a small, undeniable thrill at being the one who’d captured Todd’s undivided attention. But she knew how Jill felt, crushing on someone while being entirely invisible to them.
“She’s single, you know,” Nicola said, nudging Todd with her elbow.
“Who?” he asked.
“Jill. You should ask her out.”
He frowned. “You know how I am about commitments.”
“A date, Todd. I didn’t suggest matrimony.”
“No, but that’s always the underlying assumption for where a date’ll lead.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
He threw an arm over her shoulder. “Why do I need a girlfriend? Are you trying to ditch me?”
“Yeah, you got me.” She sighed, leaning into him. She had a feeling he’d remain a bachelor forever. “I’m trying to marry you off so I don’t have to hang out with you any longer.”
They began walking through the maze, dusk quickly becoming darkness as the sun dipped behind the nearby mountain range. She no longer heard as many paintball shots, only laughter from a group on the outskirts of the maze. She and Todd began walking through the paint-spattered bales, a few whiskey jacks calling out from nearby trees. Up ahead she could see a final showdown occurring between a zombie she figured was Jill, and Scott, a scientist. Nicola held out an arm to stop Todd.
“Let’s let them finish without interference.”
They ducked out of sight, shifting from foot to foot, an awkwardness closing in on them.
“We’re friends again, right?” she finally asked. “No weirdness?” She risked glancing up to catch his expression. He seemed slightly guarded, wary, but open, too.
“Yeah. That would be nice.”
“I’ve missed being friends after my trip to crazy town.”
“You mean you don’t actually live there?”
“Ha ha.” She gave him a wry, unimpressed smile. “Very funny. But you know what I mean. I’m sorry I…” She fidgeted with her paint gun. There were too many excuses to offer, all feeble, all lame. “I’m sorry that I, you know. When I…” She waved a hand, indicating the kiss they’d shared back in February.
“It was a mistake,” he said, his voice masking something she couldn’t pinpoint.
“Right.” She swallowed hard, hating the words he used, even though he was quoting her from their moment on the dance floor, where she’d broken away, excusing her behavior as nothing more than the effect of momentarily being swept up by Valentine’s Day. “I’m sorry I made a mistake and kissed you.”
“Was it really that bad?” he asked, his expression cautious, curious.
“Kissing you?” She felt her face heat as though someone had turned a flame-thrower on her.
“Yeah.”
“No. It was…” She stopped herself. She couldn’t tell him that their kiss had been the jumping off point for many, many late night fantasies where he’d starred as someone much more than a friend. “I, um. I didn’t mean to ruin things between us. That’s all. I know you’re not looking for a relationship and that we’re just friends. I got swept away.”
His expression was gentle, kind. “It’s easy to let that happen sometimes.”
“Get swept away?”
His gaze was locked on hers as he slowly nodded, his hand giving her free one a squeeze. “Yeah.”
There was something in his look that made her want to lean in. To test the waters again. See if they could make a relationship happen, because there was definitely something there, sizzling below the surface, entirely undeniable.
And yet she knew it was the one thing Todd would never let her have.
* * *
“Tell the truth. Was it okay?” Nicola asked Todd once again, as they snacked on popcorn back in her apartment. Twiggy, who’d been sleeping in Nicola’s bedroom, came and settled in Todd’s lap on the futon. It turned out the dog loved coming along on adventures, but tonight hadn’t been one where she felt she could keep Twiggy safe. But she loved that he went with the flow and was up for anything—just the dog for her. Well, until Scott found him a permanent home and she continued her travels.
Todd shoved popcorn in his mouth with one hand while petting Twiggy with the other.
“You think everyone had a good time?” she prompted.
“Nicola, stop. It was fun. Everyone liked it.”
She nodded, unable to move past the nervousness settling deep inside her. She wasn’t sure why it was so intense, only that it had magnified once she’d brought Todd back to her place, his body heat warming her right side as they shared a snack.
“Maybe I should have—”
“Stop. Seriously. If you organize it to death and fuss over every detail you’re going to lose the spontaneity. It won’t grow into something owned by your clients—which is the goal, right? You build it, then set it free?”
She nodded, focusing on the bowl of popcorn so she wouldn’t reveal just how much she needed him to talk her down, reassure her.
&nb
sp; “Then give them the space to step up and own it.” He reached over to squeeze her hand, and she struggled not to react.
It was becoming impossible to ignore the way his touch made her body thrum. And yet, all things considered, she thought she was doing pretty good with her don’t-dry-hump-his-leg plan.
“Right?” he asked.
“Yeah, I know. I’m just nervous it’ll flop.”
“It won’t. You’re just bringing people together. Their job is to add the magic. You’re awesome at organizing and you’re doing a good thing for the town.”
“How’s your job?” she asked, after a moment of silence. So far it had all been about her tonight, and she had no clue how things were in his world.
“I transferred to a new department.”
“How many transfers is that now?”
“Two, mother dear.”
She shot him a dirty look, then frowned, trying to remember whether he’d transferred or quit the job he’d had the first month they were back home. “But I thought…”
“Two transfers. The first job wasn’t for me.”
“You mean in return for steady payment, they asked for your soul five days a week from nine to five?” She tried to keep the amusement from her voice. When was the man going to grow up and settle down? It was like he was running from something, unable to sit still. Yet he came from a nice home and had gone to the same private high school she had. Although his parents had paid for his tuition, as well as room and board, while her father had agreed to send her only because she’d earned enough in scholarships to pay for everything, including incidentals. Ten months of not having a daughter or having to provide for her had been pretty appealing to him. Her, too, if she was honest.
“I didn’t like the way my boss treated everyone.”
She hadn’t heard about that part. Not very cool of her to assume the worst of her friend. Still, as charming and sexy as the man was, he did have a habit of taking off.
“But this new department is odd,” he said.