Page 27 of The Only Heart that Matters
“Ha,” I bark. “Uh, no. I don’t think he sees me that way.”
“Honey, please. You are one hot piece of ass and don’t you forget it! Besides, I saw him using your tattoo as an excuse to touch you tonight. Well played, Mark. Well played.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“She’s not the only one who noticed him touching you.” Charlie gives me a knowing look I don’t quite understand.
“See! Charlie saw it too! He was totally into you!”
Charlie arches an eyebrow at me. “Wasn’t that right before Angus brought you your beer?”
What the hell? Is she implying Gus interrupted us on purpose?
It’s not like I didn’t think it was odd that Gus brought me a beer I didn’t ask for or that he didn’t walk away after doing so. In fact, he didn’t leave my side until I was safely in Sharon’s car. His actions brought my old crush to the surface and for the briefest moment, before he closed the door, that naive girl I keep tucked away poked her head out and thought, does Angus McKinnon like me?
No.
That’s just ridiculous.
Isn’t it?
“Uh, was it? I’m not sure.”
“C’mon, how can you not be interested in Mark?” Daisy pleads, thankfully shifting the conversation away from Gus.
“Why even bother? He lives in California and has a big life. I’m a single mom in Central Oregon, living in her best friend's brother's house.”
“First, don’t act like you aren’t fabulous. You know you are,” Daisy counters. “Second, we aren’t suggesting a long-distance relationship. We’re talking about a wedding hook-up!”
“Maybe she’s into someone else?” Charlie says, with no humor in her voice. Just that all-knowing raised eyebrow of hers.
But what does she think she knows?
“No way. Who else could there be?” Daisy counters. “We know everyone in town and trust me, there isn’t anyone noteworthy.”
Feeling like a caged animal, not wanting to talk about my love life, or lack thereof, my heartbeat increases and my face heats. How does Charlie know how I feel about Angus? Because she knows. But how, when I won’t even admit it to myself?
She must see the panic in my eyes because she comes to my rescue and moves the spotlight from me to her best friend. “What about you, K? What do you think of Angus?” she asks Karissa, keeping her damned knowing look aimed at me.
Never mind. She isn’t coming to my rescue. She’s slowly torturing me while she studies my reaction.
“He’s hot, in that brooding, self-assured way.”
“Gross,” Daisy gags.
“But, as much as I’d like to take him for a ride, he’s not interested.”
“Oh, he’s interested. He’s always interested. I’m sure you’ll make it up to his loft before you catch your flight home,” Daisy assures her.
Now I’m the one gagging. Just the thought of them together has my stomach rolling. Not that I have any right to feel any kind of way about it. Nevertheless, I do.
Charlie continues to watch me, only this time compassion flickers in her eyes. She finally changes the subject, taking pity on me. “What about you, Daisy? You looking for a wedding hook-up?”
“Nah.”
“You can have Mark,” I say and mean it. “There’s no spark there.”
“What about Owen and those dimples?” Karissa asks.
