“I’m not sure yet how long I’m staying, but I’ll be sure to stop by Lacey’s before I leave.”
“Great. I hope I can see you again before I leave, but I have to go for now. Mom’s expecting me soon.” She walked over and gave Rex a hug. “Call me later.”
“Thank you,” he whispered in her ear, grateful for her discretion in giving him privacy. The look she returned knew all too well there was a deeper story. Rex only hoped she didn’t go running her mouth to Mom.
Alone, he and Monica stood awkwardly as unspoken tensions mounted between them. They couldn’t pick up where they’d left off, but where that left them was up in the air.
Unsure what came next, he kept them in neutral territory. “Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“No, I drove straight through from Pennsylvania, only stopping when I absolutely had to.” Rex raised his brows at this new information, and his curiosity grew. He stepped toward her in slow motion. His breath came in ragged spurts. “Why are you here, Monica?”
“I think you know that answer,” she said, her voice airy and trembling. Following his lead, she stepped closer to him.
“Do I?” He closed the final gap between them. They were standing face to face, their warm breath edging against their heightened nerves. Rex reached up, laced his hands gently behind Monica’s neck and rested his forehead against hers. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
He could have kissed her with little effort. All he’d have to do is move his head forward, and the look in Monica’s eyes told him there would be little protest. But what would a kiss accomplish? It would lead down roads they’d taken before without any resolution. He wasn’t that person anymore, didn’t want that type of relationship. Neither did Monica, if only she’d stop being scared and admit she wanted more.
By sheer willpower, he moved away. He felt the chasm between them, but he still reeled from the shock of seeing her. They needed a buffer before they delved into serious conversation.
“Let’s go eat,” he said once he caught his bearings. He slipped an arm around her waist and they walked to the kitchen, the subtle nuance observed but not spoken. “What are you in the mood for?”
“Anything’s fine. What do you have?”
“Not a whole lot. I have red beans and rice I’d planned to heat for Jenna. I can put them on.”
“Sounds good.” Monica’s gaze strayed as Rex pulled bowls from the refrigerator and pots from the cabinet. She leaned against the counter. “So, your sister’s staying here this weekend?”
“Yea, but mom’s not crazy about it. She thinks I am a bad influence on her.”
“I thought you and your mom are close?”
“We are, but that doesn’t mean she thinks I’m a good role model for Jenna. According to her I am fancy-free, impulsive, too busy chasing whatever whim comes to me and afraid to settle down.”
“Ouch.”
“Oh, and I drink too much.” He flinched. “One drunken call and you’re branded for life.”
“You called your mom drunk?”
He nodded sheepishly and held up a finger. “Just once.”
“Good grief Rex, no wonder she doesn’t want you around your little sister.” Her eyes widened. “Even with no maternal instincts, I can understand that.”
“Gee thanks.”
“What did you reveal during this lovely phone call or did you hang up on her like you did me?”
Rex groaned and raked his hands through his already ruffled hair. “Did you have to bring that up? I was hoping you didn’t remember.”
Monica laughed and slapped his shoulder. “You didn’t really think I’d let that slide, did you?”
“I guess not.” It was good to hear her laugh, even at his expense.
His table was covered with the laundry he needed to fold, so when the food was ready, they took their bowls into the living room and ate on the sofa. He asked Monica a question, and when she didn’t answer, he glanced over to see her staring at him.
A stream of mischief shot through him. “Like what you see?”
