Better as Friends Page 4

  I had an hour before I needed to get to Mallory's, and I was already dressed and ready to go. Since Gideon was always late, I had enough time to call Sandra.

  I had been thinking about her a lot since we spoke the week before. I kept hoping that not hearing from her meant things with Billy were back to normal, but I had a feeling they weren't.

  As I waited for Sandra to answer, the phone stopped ringing. A soft hum replaced the ringing.

  "Hello? Sandra?" I asked.

  The sound of her shaky breathing told me she was there. I stood and started to pace the room as my mind filled with all the things that could be going on.

  Is she hurt?

  Where are the kids?

  Where's Billy?

  "Sandra, talk to me," I said. "What's going on?"

  "I...I don't know."

  Her voice was barely a whisper.

  "Are you okay? What about the kids?"

  "We're fine. They're good. They don't know anything, I've been able to keep them in the dark."

  "What's that mean?" I asked.

  Her voice caught before she answered.

  "I...I...I'm so scared, Becca. Billy..."

  Sandra's voice trailed off after saying his name. I wanted to scream at her, 'Billy what?!' but I calmed myself by taking a deep breath. She didn't need me freaking out on top of whatever she was going through.

  "What's going on?" I asked.

  "I don't know what to do. We're in the new house. Billy was still locked in his office and I just packed everything up and moved us myself. He didn't help. I don't even know if he knew what was happening."

  "Is he still at the old house?"

  "No, he's in a hotel now. I'm done, Becca," she said, her voice growing stronger. "I can't keep doing this to my kids. I can't keep doing this to myself. I told him we're done, but he won't accept it. He said I have until noon tomorrow to come up with the eight thousand dollars he put down as security for the house or he's moving in. I don't have that kind of money. If I did, he wouldn't have had to pay the security deposit himself. I don't know what to do."

  She has to get eight thousand dollars in one day?

  I thought about my credit cards and wondered if I could get an advance and lend her the money. Did I even have that much available? My head was spinning from what she said so much that I couldn't think straight.

  "You have no idea, Becca. I love that man more than anything. But when he drinks, he becomes someone I don't even know. I can't let him move in, but he's on the lease and since he put down the security, I don't think I can do anything about it. I'm going to call the landlord in the morning, but I don't think he can help."

  "It doesn't matter, Sandra. If he's threatening you, you have to call the police."

  She sighed and I imagined her shaking her head. I knew her too well.

  "I can't," she said. "I love him so much. I can't do that to him."

  "You have to do what's right for you and the kids. You know I think he's a great guy, but if he's acting like this, you need to protect yourself."

  "I'm so confused. I don't know what to do anymore. We have so much history together. We've been together for four years now and except for what happened a few years ago, things have been great." She took a deep breath before whispering. "I've never told anyone else this before. Promise you won't say anything. Billy hit me once."

  My mouth fell open with surprise. Three years ago she and Billy had broken up, and the only reason I knew was that he had started drinking again. I always knew he was an alcoholic, but he had been sober for years before he and Sandra started dating. Knowing he hit her, I wondered why she would have gone back to him. She answered my unspoken question.

  "I love that man more than anything, Becca. I really do. But I'm done. I'm so afraid of what he'll do if he shows up here. I can't live like that. I can't have my kids living like that either."

  "Does he have a key? If he does, you can find a 24-hour locksmith to come out and change the locks. He can't get in unless you let him."

  "He doesn't have a key. Hopefully he'll stop drinking long enough to come to his senses."

  "I hope so," I said quietly.

  I wished I had something better to say, but I didn't. Sandra didn't have anywhere she could go, and I was too far away or I would have taken her and the kids in. I had to keep hope that the good guy who was still there in Billy would come out and leave her alone.

  "I need to make dinner for the kids," she said. "I know you probably think you didn't help, but I really do feel much better just from talking to you. I think I've been overreacting about him. I know what he said, but I don't think he'll force himself into the house."

  "Okay, I'm glad you're feeling better, but if he shows up, just call the police. Don't even think, just dial 911."

  "I will."

  "Promise me you'll call me tomorrow," I said.

  "I promise. And I'll be fine, don't worry about me. Right now Billy is so drunk I don't think he can leave his hotel room if he wanted."

  As much as I didn't want that to give me comfort, it did. Sandra was alright for now and as much as I wanted to help her, there was nothing I could do.

  Glancing at the clock as I hung up, I noticed it was time for me to head over to the restaurant. Sandra would be on my mind for the rest of the night, but I had a non-date to get to.

  The South End had changed so much over the nine months since Gideon and I had been part of the revitalization that I didn't give walking to the restaurant a second thought. Unfortunately, my head was in so much of a fog after talking to Sandra and thinking about my non-date with Gideon that I didn't think to bring a coat.

  Knowing the area lacked parking, I walked to the restaurant instead of driving my truck. I was lucky we were getting a warmer winter, but I still regretted leaving my jacket behind. I walked a little faster, trying to warm up as I turned on the block Mallory's was on. If I lived a little closer I would have run back home, but I hated being late.

  Mallory's was in a triangular-shaped brick building on a busy five-point corner. The tall rotating front doors were in the tip of the triangle, which was surrounded by small bistro tables on the sidewalk. There were so many people waiting outside for a table, I considered texting Gideon for a rain check. The last thing I wanted was for us to be in some noisy crowded restaurant while we had our talk.

  I squeezed through the entrance and was greeted by two hostesses with wide smiles. Behind them, the restaurant opened up into a large space with twenty-foot ceilings. Mallory's was decorated in earth tones with a stone tile floor and walls that were sponge painted to look weathered. Amber glass chandeliers dangled from the ceiling and matched the wall sconces in the entry. I moved away from the door and found a quieter spot for me to people watch while I waited for Gideon to arrive.

  The bustling restaurant made me a little uncomfortable. People bumped into me as they tried to move from one place to the next. Standing there by myself, I looked around for Gideon even though I knew it was too early for him to be there. As I looked at the sea of faces, I spotted a familiar one with dark brown hair making her way towards me through the crowd.

  "Oh my god, Jackie," I said. "How are you?"

  Jackie Stone was one of Cassie's best friends. We were part of a group of women who met for lunch occasionally at a local restaurant downtown called Mirabella's. She wore a heavy cardigan sweater over her outfit that reminded me of something my Uncle Mack always wore. I hugged her tightly, stealing some warmth from her.

  "What was that for?" she asked with a laugh.

  "You have no idea how happy I am to see you. I hate waiting in crowded places by myself."

  "I don’t blame you," she said. "The only thing worse than that is being with a bunch of people and feeling alone."

  "Right?" I said with a laugh as I watched the door for Gideon. Slowly her words sank in. "Oh wait, are you here with a group? Because they don’t sound like much fun."

  "They’re alright, I’m probably just being a li
ttle sensitive or something. I didn’t want to go out tonight."

  "New Year’s Eve is a crazy night to go out," I said. "I can’t believe I let him convince me to do this."

  "Oh? Him? Is this someone you’ll need to give us details on at Mirabella’s?" she teased.

  Dammit! Why can't I keep my mouth shut?

  "Oh no, absolutely not. It’s just Gideon. You guys tease me about him enough."

  "Right, Gideon, the sexy, single architect and entrepreneur who just so happens to be your very good friend."

  I laughed. "Don’t start. We are friends and that's it, nothing more."

  I turned away from her as I scrunched my nose. Jackie didn't know me well enough to tell when I was lying, but I didn't want to give it away.

  "Sure, sure. You know, if you’re friends now, you just might be perfect together as a couple," she said.

  Ugh, why does everyone have to bring him up?

  "Well, what about you and Mr. Billionaire Best Man?" I asked, hoping to change the subject. I knew Jackie felt just as uncomfortable talking about Brent as I did about Gideon.

  "Okay, okay, I’ll drop the Gideon stuff as long as you don’t mention Brent ever again. Deal?"

  "Deal," I said, relieved.

  I looked back towards the door as Gideon arrived. His hair looked lighter in the amber lights of the restaurant, but he was still insanely hot. I had to admit that sometimes it was hard being best friends with such a gorgeous man.

  He ran his fingers through his hair as he looked around. When his eyes found mine, he winked and grinned devilishly before heading towards me.

  "Enjoy your night," Jackie said. "I should get back to my friends before they order without me."

  I briefly thought of inviting Jackie to join Gideon and I, but the closer he got to us, the more I wanted to be alone with him. I pushed it out of my mind and reminded myself that it was the holiday effect on me, nothing more. But the more my heart raced as he approached, the more I realized he was right. We needed to talk about what was going on between us.

  Chapter Six

  Becca

  Gideon, dressed in a charcoal suit, strutted over like he owned the place. His brow was slightly cocked and his eyes were intense as they held mine. As he walked, the crowd parted for him. Several people tried to stop him to say hello, but he shrugged them off and pointed to me as though they should understand the importance of where he was heading.

  I couldn't help but laugh at his cockiness. I knew part of it was just an act and while I never understood how other women found it attractive, at that moment, with him staring at me like I was the only person who mattered to him, I finally got it.

  "Hey, gorgeous," he said before leaning down to gently kiss my lips.

  "Hello to you too. You're actually on time."

  He shrugged, then placed his hand on the small of my back and maneuvered us through the crowd towards the hostess stand.

  "What can I say? I've been looking forward to tonight," he said.

  "You have?"

  "Of course." He stopped walking and turned to face me. "Do you know how important tonight is to me?"

  His fingers brushed against my cheek before pushing my hair back behind my ear.

  "You're wearing make up again," he said.

  "And you're wearing a suit." I laughed nervously. I wasn't used to him talking about what I looked like.

  "Yes, I am." He laughed before we squeezed our way in front of the hostess. "I wanted to look nice for you. I know you get work Gideon all the time, it was time you got to see date Gideon."

  "Oh? So you're like one of those dolls with special outfits for each occasion?" I teased.

  "I guess you could say that. I do my best without an outfit on though."

  He winked and I laughed even harder.

  "What? I'm talking about naked. You know, nude, sans clothing, in my birthday suit." He waggled his brows as the corner of his mouth tugged up into a smile.

  "I know what you're talking about. But tell me, do your dates usually fall for crap like that?"

  He looked up thoughtfully for a moment as he scratched his chin before looking back at me.

  "Every. Single. One."

  "Really? Every one? You should start dating smarter women then."

  "You're saying all the women I've dated before were stupid?"

  "Maybe not stupid, but definitely not very bright. You know I've heard all your stories."

  He laughed as he nodded. "You're right. You know all my tricks."

  "Don't forget that," I said as I poked his chest.

  The hostess recognized Gideon and waved us over to a private booth off to the side of the bar. It was one of those circular booths that could seat a lot of people, but it was just us. We both slid to the middle so we were next to each other. Shortly after we sat down, a waitress came over for our drink order.

  "Do you want your usual?" Gideon asked me.

  "My usual?" I asked, wondering what that was.

  "Whenever we've been out on any kind of holiday, you always order the same thing."

  "Really?"

  He was right. I always ordered a margarita on the rocks when I was out on a special occasion. I knew my habits, I was just surprised that Gideon noticed.

  With a half smile, he turned back towards the waitress.

  "She'll have a margarita on the rocks. No salt. And I'll have a--"

  "He'll have a cranberry and soda with a slice of lime," I said, interrupting him.

  As the waitress left, Gideon slowly wagged his finger at me.

  "Now who's showing off?" he teased.

  "I wasn't going to let you have all the fun."

  "Oh, don't worry. I can guarantee you'll have fun later."

  "And there you go again," I said with a laugh.

  "You know what they say, you can't teach an old dog new tricks."

  "I'm just glad you admitted to being a dog," I said.

  We spent the rest of the evening joking around and talking like we always did. After our dinner plates were cleared, the waitress brought strawberry shortcake over with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

  "This is on the house," she said, "as well as the rest of your meal. My father owns this place, and he said you helped make his dream a reality. It's not much, but this is my way of saying thank you."

  Before either of us could say anything, she walked away.

  Gideon slipped his arm along the back of the booth behind me, then took a big spoonful of whipped cream and strawberries and held it up to me.

  "You have to try this," he said. "It's such a simple dessert, but this place does something special to it."

  I opened my mouth and tried to delicately taste what was being held out on the spoon to me, but it was hopeless. Gideon chuckled as he put the spoon down and picked up a linen napkin.

  "You got a little something," he said as he pointed to his mouth. I grabbed my napkin and wiped my mouth, but he shook his head. "Here, let me help."

  His napkin delicately touched my cheek before it slipped out of his hand. His fingers slipped into my hair as he leaned closer and his mouth closed over mine.

  My breath caught in my throat as we kissed. Our lips tangled together until he nibbled on my bottom lip. When he hungrily moved to my neck, I knew I was done.

  "Wait," I said, trying to bring myself back to reality. "I thought we were going to talk. Isn't that why we're here?"

  He rested his head against my shoulder and let out a long sigh.

  "Yes," he grumbled before sitting up. "I'll warn you that I can't be trusted right now. Any talking we'll be doing will be manned by the head that isn't usually involved in the thought department."

  "And how is that any different than usual?" I teased.

  He shook his head. "Seriously, Becca. You know everyone already thinks we've been dating, and I can't help but think that maybe they're right. Maybe we should be."

  "But what about our friendship?"

  "Don't you think that'll make us even
more perfect together?" he asked. "We already know each other, we love each other as friends, why not add what's left?"

  He moved in close to kiss me again, but I pushed him away.

  "Wait, I can't think if you're that close," I said. "What do you want?"

  "Whatever you want, Becca, that's what I want. Tell me, what do you want us to be?"

  I looked around the restaurant and remembered what time of year it was again. I hated this time of year. I thought about my family and the parties they used to have around the holiday before my grandparents passed away. Now it was just me and my uncle.

  I couldn't make a decision with my mind all screwed up. I needed more time to think. The last thing I wanted was to make a decision that would ruin my friendship with Gideon.

  "I don't know," I said. "I don't know what I want."

  He took my hand as his eyes locked onto mine.

  "Then don't decide," he said. "It's New Year's Eve, that day where we leave one year and start another. It's the calendar equivalent of limbo. Tonight is just about you and me. Tomorrow, everything can go back to what we had before as if nothing happened. What do you say?"

  "Just one night and that's it?"

  I didn't think I wanted just one night. I wanted a lot of them. But this seemed like a perfect way to get my lust for him out of my system so we could go back to being friends.

  "Don't tell me you've never thought about it before," he said as he leaned towards my ear. "It's all I've thought about since the fundraiser. You have no idea how damn sexy you looked that night. All I've wanted to do since then was taste you. And now that I've had a taste, Becca, I want more."

  His hand firmly squeezed my thigh, awakening all of my desire. I grabbed my bag and clutched it close to me.

  "Let's go," I said. "Before I start overthinking things and convince myself this is a bad idea."

  His fingers moved up my inner thigh.

  "I wish you were in a dress right now," he said, his voice husky. "I don't care how many people are around, I'd slip under this table, hike up your skirt, and make you scream."

  I grabbed his hand and started to shift out of the booth, pulling him along with me. I was glad we didn't have to worry about the check. I didn't have the patience for it. All this time of being friends was like foreplay and I couldn't wait any longer.