from the moment we met. It feels like I’ve known her longer than a few days. She brings me the kind of comfort that I’ve never known from my real mom.
“What if I want to talk shit about Dane?” I tease her.
“You can talk shit about him if you want.” She laughs. “You get a pass because you're in love with him.” What? Her words stun me for a moment. I open my mouth and then close it. I’m not in love with Dane. That man drives me utterly insane. Before I can tell her that, Tina and Connie are back with armfuls of groceries. I decide that I’ll tell her later when there’s not so many people around. That’s the reason I don’t say it now. Not because I can’t bring myself to deny it.
“Does Dane even cook?” Tina asks, heading straight for the kitchen. “Oops. Wrong way.” She turns, going the other way. Connie follows her. I don’t think either of them have ever been here before. The house is pretty dang big for a man that lives alone. I love the rustic feel to it. From the outside it looks like a giant modern log cabin.
“My boy can cook.” Thea stands. “What kind of mom would I be if my son couldn't cook? He’d never land a woman.” She looks over toward me.
“Dane doesn't have a problem getting women,” Connie says as she comes back into the living room. My stomach sours at her comment. Dane doesn't seem like the kind that cheats. Then again, I didn't think Derrick would sleep with my mom. I clearly don’t have a good track record with picking men.
“Yes, lots of women try and get Dane, but none catch his eye.” She looks down at me again. “Until now. He’s breaking his own rules.”
“Rules?”
“He won’t date anyone from town,” Tina says, rolling her eyes.
Relief hits me. I thought I might have to deal with crazy exes too. Connie and Tina are enough for me. That said, I don’t think they are in love with Dane.
Connie told me sorry earlier. That she didn't know how serious Dane was about dating me. That she wanted to make her boyfriend Mason jealous by hanging out with Dane. That it wouldn't work if everyone knew he was with me.
“How is Don?” Thea turns to look at Tina.
“How would I know how Don is?” Her cheeks turn a few shades deeper.
“Who is Don?” I ask, wanting in on this small town gossip.
“Don has been in love with Tina since grade school. She won’t give him the time of day because he was always pulling her pigtails.”
I snort a laugh. Going by her blush I think she more than likes Don. I’m starting to think these two use Dane as a safety net because they know he’s safe. That he was never really going to take them up on their offer. They know that clearly.
“He was a jerk!”
“He was eight!” Connie shouts back at her. “Now he does anything and everything under the moon to get your attention. You’re going to regret it when he finds someone new.”
“Who? Is he talking to someone?” Connie just shrugs, not answering her. “You better tell me if he’s talking to someone.”
“People talk to other people every day.” Thea laughs from beside me.
“I think you both should stop dancing around your men and just go for what you want.” They both turn to look at me.
“Really? You’re going to say that to us?” Connie lifts her eyebrows.
“She has a point,” Thea chimes in.
Damn it. I think they're right. I am dancing around Dane. I want him, but the man is consuming. I’ve only known him a short time and he’s all I think about. I have feelings I’ve never had before. Jealousy is at the top of that list. I never felt that way with Derrick. Not even when he slept with my mom. I’d only felt betrayal from my mother. I could care less about Derrick.
With Dane I fear I care too much. He’s making me get used to having someone around. I find myself craving it more and more. Why else would I have packed a bag to come over here? I could have let him set up his cameras and then took them down after he left. I all but jumped at the idea of staying with him. Gah. It’s clear.
I’m head over heels for Dane and his bossy, overbearing ways.
19
Dane
The EMTs come over and treat Derrick.
“I’m pressing