“You tell me.”
Nate was about to ask his friend what he meant when Kole slapped something against his chest.
Grabbing the bunched-up material before it could fall, Nate held it out in front of him so he could see what had Kole so aggravated. His heart stuttered a little harder when he saw it was the shirt he’d let Gracie borrow.
Knowing Kole had his signals crossed, Nate played it off as if it were nothing. Which it was.
“Thanks, man. I was hoping to get this back.”
Still acting casual, Nate unzipped his bag and shoved the shirt inside.
He was zipping it up when Kole growled beside him. “Really? That’s all you’re gonna say?”
From behind his sunglasses, Nate looked back at his friend. “What were you expecting, a hug? Aw, you were. That’s why you’re so upset.” He made the tone of his voice mimic that of someone talking to a toddler. “I’m sorry, Kole. Come here and let Natey-watey give you a big hug.”
Moving in closer, Nate held both arms out as though he were actually going to wrap them around the other man.
“Quit fuckin’ around, asshole.” Kole shoved against Nate’s shoulder. “You know exactly why I’m upset. I told you not to start shit with Gracie.”
Feeling forced onto the defensive, Nate looked over at his buddy. “And I haven’t been.”
“Yeah? Then why the hell did she sleep in your favorite shirt last night?”
Nate’s heart did more than stutter that time. Schooling his expression, he asked, “How do you know she slept in it?”
“Because, dickhead, she was still wearing it when she opened the door for Sarah this morning.”
Okay, so that little tidbit made Nate much happier than it probably should have. Determined not to let it show, he gave a shrug. “We met up last night to plan yours and Sarah’s party. Chu’s was insanely busy, and there was no place to sit, so we got our food to go and took it to my place. Gracie dropped some meat on her shirt, so I gave her mine to wear home. End of story.”
Unfortunately.
Though he was also wearing sunglasses, Nate sensed Kole was narrowing his eyes at him suspiciously.
With a sincere tone, he swore to his friend, “Nothing happened between me and Gracie, Kole.”
“That’s the same thing she told Sarah.”
“Well, there ya go. Mystery solved. Now, can we please get on the plane before Gabe comes out and kicks both our asses for making the rest of the team wait?”
Both men started walking again, but Kole just couldn’t seem to let it go.
“If there’s nothing going on between you two, then what was all that in the conference room earlier?”
“All what?”
“You sure were quick to give her your seat.”
Up to now, Nate had done his best to control his temper, but he’d about had it with Kole’s bullshit.
“So what?” he shot back. “You went and got her a glass of water. Hell, man. That must mean you’re screwing your fiancée’s sister.”
In a swift move, Kole stepped in front of Nate and removed his glasses. Glaring, he bit out, “What’d you just say to me?”
Nate knew he was probably out of line. But damn it, he’d done nothing wrong and was sick of Kole making it seem as though he had.
Sliding his own glasses to the top of his head, Nate let out an exasperated sigh. “Calm your shit, Kole. I’m just trying to point out how ridiculous you sound right now. Gracie borrowed my shirt. So fucking what? Yes, I offered her my seat when she got upset. Big deal.”
And then, because he was pissed, Nate gave Kole his best teenage drama queen impression when he finished with, “And oh em gee, hold the presses...I put my hand on hers while she sat there, crying her eyes out.” Nate shook his head in disbelief. “Christ, Kole. The woman had just discovered a close friend of hers had been brutally murdered. Lighten the fuck up, already.”
