Pleased, Sonya arched a lewd brow at the possibilities and thought maybe this weekend wouldn’t be so bad after all. With Tristan there at least she wouldn’t be short a date and have to spend the entire weekend lusting after strange men. Her eyes shifted to Audrey. Talk about a fifth wheel.
“I’ll understand if you still don’t want to go.”
Audrey’s eyes grew into two saucers. “After all that, you don’t want me to go now?”
“No, I didn’t say that.” She bit her lip. “I mean, I just don’t want you to spend your weekend feeling uncomfortable.”
She frowned. “How do you suppose that?”
Sighing, she hated having to spell it out for her friend. “With Maura and Patrick and Tristan and me, you might feel, well, a bit singled out.”
Audrey stared at her with her jaw gaping open for so long, Sonya wondered if she wasn’t clear on her meaning. “Sonya—”
She raised her brow waiting for her friend to continue. Surprisingly, she looked distressed and slightly pained. “You’ve been interested in Tristan a long time now and—” She bit her lip, looking as if she was unsure how to continue.
Sonya frowned at the girl. What was so difficult to spit out? “Of course I have. I’ve made no secret of it. Even he is fully aware. What’s your point?”
Holding her friend’s eyes, she softly said, “He’s asked me to be his guest this weekend. I said I would agree if I could invite you and Maura along.”
Her hearing must have gone haywire because she misunderstood Audrey. She must have. There was no way what she said could be true. Tristan was hers. Had been from the moment she laid eyes on him. But her friend continued to stare unsmiling at her with a look of concern in her eyes. She felt the blood drain slowly from her face and a chill run down her spine.
He was a dirty, lowlife, scum of a man. How could he openly flirt with her then just as quickly turn his attention to another woman? Easy when your conquest is as gullible as Audrey. The attention and attraction of a man such as Tristan would give any woman’s self-esteem a boost. But his regard held no truth. He was interested in only one thing. All men were.
“I’m sorry, Sonya.”
Her face felt tight as she gave the girl a short nod saying, “I see.”
“I can cancel if you want.” Her eyes looked pleading and the very evident concern was etched across her face. It was apparent the last thing she wanted to do was hurt Sonya.
Well, Sonya wasn’t so easily hurt.
“No, this is probably for the best. Our cottage only had the two rooms.” Then forcing herself to sound cheerful, she smiled tightly and added, “Where would I have slept?”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, she picked up her tray and turned to go. “Of course. It will be fun. This will give you and Tristan a chance to get to know each other.”
This last sentence was forced through clenched teeth as was her smile for the rest of the evening. She could hardly wait to end her shift and get home.
At six o’clock, she plucked up Daniel’s jacket and left the bar. On the way home, she stopped off at the liquor store and bought a bottle of wine, snatching up a second one at the last second as she had a feeling tonight would be one of those nights. Deciding she wasn’t the best of company, she disregarded Daniel’s invitation for left over dinner, preferring her own solitary company instead. It wasn’t as if she was sure he still wanted her anyway.
She closed her apartment door quietly behind her then placed her sandals in the vacant spot on the shoe rack, feeling the smallest onslaught of self-pity. Her stocking feet dragged across the floor as she made her way into the kitchen. She left Daniel’s leather jacket draped over her shoulders, savoring in the warmth and comfort it created.
From one of the cupboards in the tiny kitchenette she pulled out a wineglass, examined it, and then placed it neatly back on the shelf. It wasn’t nearly big enough. Instead, she took a hi-ball tumbler from the shelf then hunted around her utensil drawer until she came across the corkscrew remover. She had just filled her glass to the brim when her phone rang.
For a brief second, she contemplated ignoring it, but then changed her mind. Maybe someone was calling to invite her to a party. She could really let loose tonight. With very little energy, she dropped onto the sofa and picked up her cell phone lying on the side table next to it, and placed it against her ear.
“Hello?” She burrowed further down into the pampering warmth of Daniel’s leather coat and raised her glass to her lips.
“Are you still coming for dinner?” It was Daniel, and the way his voice had the ability to sound unusually appealing over the phone, gave her an unexpected shiver.
She drew the coat closer. “I don’t think so.”
He went silent for so long, she began to think he had hung up. Then at last he said, “Through with me already?”
Her eyes squeezed shut feeling the beginning of a headache, so pressed the cool glass of wine to her forehead. What was he talking about? “Look, I’ve had a really bad day and the only thing I want to do is drown in my own self-pity in this here glass of wine.”
“You seemed perfectly fine at lunch.” He sounded a bit perturbed.
“Well, yeah, that was before Tristan invited Audrey up to his cottage for the weekend.”
Again the line went silent and the thought that Daniel didn’t give a damn about her personal life crossed her mind. “Look, thanks anyway. But I’m not in the mood for company.”
She hung up before she gave him a chance to respond.
Leaning her head back against the sofa, she closed her eyes and drew her knees up and under the warmth of his coat. Her mind drifted back to earlier that afternoon and her conversation with Audrey. She still could hardly believe it. What game was Tristan up to?
A knock on her door brought her head back down and her eyes open.
Frowning, she got to her feet. She already knew it was Daniel. Didn’t he understand rejection? Sighing heavily, she walked at a sluggish speed over to the door, peered through her peephole and saw him standing on the opposite side of her threshold carrying a slow cooker.
She couldn’t stop the grin that made an automatic appearance. Gosh, he could be so sweet. Unlocking the door, she then opened it and arched her brow at him.
He had changed from his office attire and was wearing a clean-cut pair of loose jeans along with a royal blue jersey. Looking sheepish, he nodded to the food and said, “I hate to see a good meal go to waste.”
She stared at him for the longest time while many thoughts raced through her head. Beginning with the fact that Daniel Keller was probably the world’s nicest guy, most forgiving friend, a very convenient shoulder to cry on, then finally but not necessarily the least, that he looked damn sexy in royal blue.
Pulling the door wide, she allowed him to enter. As he did he kicked off his shoes and brushed past her, his eyes sliding with interest to his leather jacket she still wore, but refrained from commenting.
“Is it hot?” She motioned toward the slow cooker.
He nodded then placed it in the center of her table. “Ready to eat.”
When he raised the lid the delicious aroma of warm stew drifted into her apartment. Sonya hadn’t realized how hungry she was until her stomach let out a grumble. He heard and offered her a smile. “Tuna salad still not sitting well?”
Puzzled, she stared at him. Then she remembered their conversation at the deli and gave a short absent nod before pulling out a chair to drop down into it. “It smells wonderful.”
“It tastes wonderful as well.” He glanced at the glass in her hand then back to her face. Though she saw the question in his eyes, he turned toward the kitchenette and asked, “Where do you keep your plates?”
“Last cupboard.” As she watched him, she drew her legs up under her knees and pulled the hem of his coat around them. She had to admit, it felt nice having someone serve her.
He returned with two bright yellow plates. After filling them, he han
ded her the one first then sat down in the opposite chair and began delving into his meal.
Sonya simply watched him. He sat straight and proper in his chair with his back erect and his legs flat on the floor. One arm was tucked under the table while the other scooped up a forkful of steaming beef and vegetables before he delivered it to his mouth.
His lips moved in a precise manner as he chewed his food slowly, his jaw flexed as he rolled the meal around in his mouth before swallowing. Her gaze was transfixed as she watched him run his tongue along his mouth to gather the last trace of food. Then he began the process all over again.
He looked up all of a sudden and caught her attention focused on him. He frowned then pointed to her plate. “Eat up while it’s still hot.”
Nodding, she reached up and began to unzip his coat.
“Leave it on if you’re cold.” He surprised her by saying.
She shook her head. “I don’t want to get it dirty.”
“Suit yourself.” He turned his attention back to his meal.
While Sonya turned hers back to watch him. Reluctantly, she withdrew her arms out of the warm embrace of his coat and laid it across the back of her sofa, giving the soft material a final touch before returning to the table.
As she sat there staring at him as he ate without a care in the world, gave Sonya a queer feeling in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t know why other than it just felt so homey and comfortable and he looked so relaxed and happy. At last, she picked up her fork and took her first taste. It was as delicious as it smelled.
“Well?” he inquired.
“It’s very good.” She smiled then took another taste. “I didn’t know you were such a good cook.”
“One gets tired of frozen dinners after consuming an unhealthy quantity of them.” He motioned toward the bottle of wine on the table. “Did you want some more?”
Noticing her nearly empty glass, she nodded.
After giving her a refill, he asked, “Mind if I help myself?”
“Of course not.” After all, she had bought the two bottles. There should be plenty to go around and some left over after he left.
He got a wineglass down from her cupboard, opting not to choose the tumbler such as herself, then poured himself a glass. Holding it up, he looked across at her and said, “Shall we make a toast.”
Her eyes grew in disbelief. “For what? Losing my boyfriend to my best friend?”
His eyes continued to hold her stare. “I was thinking to us.”
Her face dropped. “Us?”
Unsmiling, Daniel nodded, and waited long enough to see the panic creep into her eyes. “For trusting that life is too short not to believe in our dreams.”
A look of confusion encompassed her lovely features.
“To your singing and my designs.” He held up his glass.
She held his solemn gaze for a moment then finally released a small sigh and reached for her tumbler. “To dreams.”
They ate in silence for a little bit longer. Neither said a word. Quietly and without fanfare, a sense of ease came over the dinner table. Sonya consumed her meal and second glass of wine with a flourish. It wasn’t until she refilled her plate with a second helping, that the wine began to loosen her tongue. “Audrey is far too gullible. She has no idea what she has gotten herself into.”
He paused, his fork midway to his mouth. “You don’t think she knows her own heart?”
She made a face. “Heart, bah, it has nothing to do with love. Tristan Manning’s intentions, believe me, are in a vicinity far south of Audrey’s heart.”
Daniel watched the anger dance across her face. He wanted to tell her that he agreed Tristan Manning was the scum of mankind. That the man didn’t deserve Sonya’s respect. But he knew her words were formed in jealousy. If anything, any assent he may hold would only cause her to become defensive. Instead, he held his tongue and listened as she vented out her anger and resentment.
“He’s going to hurt her, you know.” She told him between gulps of her wine. “Audrey doesn’t know how to handle a man like Tristan.”
“But you do?” His question was quietly asked.
“Of course I do.” She declared as if insulted. “I’ve been dealing with men like Tristan Manning all my life.”
He frowned. “This is the same man that you declared you were going to make your own?”
“And I still intend to.” Nodding her head in determination.
This stirred some anger in the center of his midriff. “He’s not good enough for Audrey, but good enough for you?”
“Men like Tristan Manning and me belong together.” She told him and pushed her now empty plate aside. “We have no scruples when it comes to the members of the opposite sex. They have no use in our lives other than the purpose the Almighty intended for us.”
A muscle flexed along his jaw. “Love?” But he was being terribly sarcastic.
Sonya did not notice. “No. Sex, Daniel. Like every other living creature on this earth. Our purpose in life is to eat, breathe and consummate. No other animal in God’s kingdom demands to love, honor, and obey. Why, as humans, should we be any different?”
“Because we possess a conscience.” He told her flatly.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re just like her. You have these dreamy perceptions of the world around you.”
“The world isn’t full of people like Tristan Manning. But you’ll never discover that if you continue to search out his kind only.” His eyes bore into hers. “That’s not how to find true happiness.”
“No, Daniel, that’s how you will get hurt.” She got to her feet and grabbed the bottle of wine. “Audrey doesn’t deserve to get hurt. Tristan doesn’t have the right to prey on her.”
He got up and followed her. “If we’re all supposed to be callous and uncaring as you make us out to be, then why does Audrey deserve better than you?”
She gave a cynical laugh. “For pity’s sake, look at me. I’m nearly thirty years old and have spent the majority of my life living an immoral lifestyle. Christ, the only pure thing in my life is you.”
He frowned and thought that maybe he ought to take the bottle of wine out of her hand. However, this was the first time he had a glimpse inside her mind and, selfish as it was, he wasn’t quite ready to leave.
“Pure? Me?” He gave her a teasing grin. “What makes you so certain?”
Flopping down into the soft cushions of her sofa, Sonya threw back her head and gulped back a mouthful of wine. “Where to begin.”
He raised a brow. This was an interesting tidbit. He had no idea she found him so moral. After joining her on the sofa he took the bottle out of her hand and refilled his glass. Handing it over, he then raised his arm and laid it across the back of the sofa. “What makes me such a saint in your eyes?”
She turned her head on the back cushions and studied his face. “You’re smart.”
He raised both brows then brought them down fast pulling them together in a concentrated frown. “You’re right. I am. If my clean record doesn’t get me into the pearly gates of heaven then I’ll be sure to challenge Saint Peter to a calculus equation.”
She gave him a look that said, “smart aleck” then turned her attention back to her wine. “You don’t drink.”
His eyes shifted to the wine in his hand.
“I mean really drink. The heavy stuff.” She told him. “I think drinking wine is permitted.”
Nodding, he said, “All right, what else?”
Turning in her seat, she sat facing him. “You don’t swear. Well, much.”
His eyes locked with hers and he found he was having a hard time breathing. She was sitting closer than he realized. Over a sudden frog in his throat, he asked, “What else?”
“You don’t have illicit sex.” Her eyes devoured his face, examining every inch of his features. Enough to cause a corresponding response in his chest. He had to force himself to remain still and hold her gaze.
“Not yet.” He implied quiet
ly.
Whether she heard or not, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that he had a desperate urge to reach out and touch her. Then she smiled and shook her finger at him. “I may have consumed too much alcohol and it has distorted my thinking, but I’m clear-minded enough to know better.”
“You do, do you?”
“Yes, Daniel, I do. You are a man who has urges just like any other. But you are also very gullible. There is a nice young and decent woman somewhere out there waiting for you.
She sighed and reached up to push his glasses into place. “Tristan Manning doesn’t have the decency to spare Audrey, but I do, Daniel. I couldn’t do that to you.”
He sighed inwardly feeling frustrated. He couldn’t really argue the point seeing as she believed she had his good intentions in mind.
“Will you help me get Tristan back?”
He blinked. It felt as if she had thrown a cold bucket of water on him. While they sat there staring into each other’s eyes, an emotional string drew them closer. He could feel it. He was certain she could feel it. Which explained why she was running.
With effort, he controlled the taste of vile in his mouth and the wrath burning behind his eyes. That was one thing he had forgotten about Sonya. She never gave up until she got what she wanted. It was obvious she wasn’t quite ready to give up Tristan. He had no idea how to convince her that she deserved better.
“How?”
Her green eyes turned pleading as she drew her legs up under her knees. “I can’t go alone this weekend.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Tristan has invited us to his cottage for the long weekend.” She told him. “Maura will be bringing Patrick and Tristan will be chasing Audrey’s skirt the entire time.”
“What has that got to do with me?”
“Daniel, I can’t go alone. I would be the fifth wheel.” She beseeched him with her eyes. “I cannot be the fifth wheel. Please?”
Sonya searched his face, looking for the slightest inclining he would relent but only noticed a perturbed expression enter his eyes.
“You want me to come along and protect you from the unjust Tristan Manning?” Leaping to his feet, he slammed his glass down on the coffee table. “I don’t think so. You’ll have to learn to deal with it, since you know, you do work with both of them.”
Misunderstood: In Love with the Nerd (The Miss Series Book 2) Page 11