Page 9 of Sinner’s Game

“Come on, Brandy. What gives?” She tucks a dark brown curl behind her ear as she studies me. “It’s not just the kiss that got me thinking that way, and you know it. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

I shrug. “He rescued me.” Ellie had been the real target on that horrible day, but I’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time. I fight a sigh, warding off the memory of how safe I’d felt in Ronan’s arms when he’d carried me to freedom. “And you know I don’t want to talk about that.”

Ellie reaches across and puts her hand on mine. “I wasn’t,” she says gently. “I saw the way he looked at you before. And the way he’s looked at you since.”

I shift uncomfortably. Ellie may be my best friend, but that doesn’t mean I want her dissecting my sex life—or lack thereof—at a sidewalk café.

She leans back with a frustrated sigh. “It’s just that I really expected to come back and find out that you two were a couple. What happened? Were there not sparks? Was he—oh, please tell me he’s not an asshole with women. I mean, I had my doubts about the guy at first, but he’s won me over. If he’s a jerk like some of the other guys you’ve—”

I hold up my hand to cut her off. I don’t have the best track record with men, mostly because it’s rare to find a guy who can deal with my issues. But that never came up with Ronan. Probably because we never even got close to an issue-y place.

“Nothing happened,” I tell her again, speaking slowly and clearly as if that will make a difference. “I told you. It was just a drunken moment during a celebration. All sorts of crazy things happen at weddings.”

“True. But you also said you’re seeing him later today.”

“Hello? We’re friends, remember? You think either one of us would let a stupid kiss get in the way?”

“So that’s all it was? A stupid kiss?” Her eyes narrow as if she’s going to challenge me, and I really don’t want her challenging me. Because then I might have to admit to my best friend—not to mention myself—how much I wish that kiss had never happened. Because all it did was make me wish for things I know I will never have.

“That’s all it was,” I say, then take a sip of wine because my mouth is so dry.

“No sparks, no nothing?”

She sounds so disappointed that I almost correct her. Because honestly, there were plenty of sparks. But that’s not something I’m going to share with Ellie. Not right now, anyway. Probably not ever. I don’t want her telling Devlin and him telling Ronan. Because how awkward would that be? Me unable to get the man out of my thoughts, and him having moved on without a care in the world, thinking it was just one of those wedding things. A secret kiss with no strings and no purpose.

Good grief, I sound like a high school girl.

I give myself a stern mental shake, then draw a breath. “For the last time, it was no big deal. And, yes, he’s coming by today, but that’s because he’s a nice guy and he’s going to fix my faucet. And no,” I add, “that’s not a euphemism. End of story.”

She holds up her hands. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to push, really. It’s just that … well, honestly, I was surprised it took until the wedding for him to kiss you.”

I’d been surprised, too, actually. Not that I’m going to admit that right now. Instead, I down the last of the wine, even though I’m a lightweight and know I’ll feel it. “We’re friends,” I repeat. “That’s all.”

I don’t add that even though I’m wildly attracted to him, I’d be crazy to get involved with anyone. At a few years shy of thirty, I’m hardly a poster child for success in the world of dating, I’ve got issues coming out of my ears, and no matter how attracted I might be to Ronan Thorne, I’m a billion percent positive that nothing’s ever going to happen.

“Do you want me to talk to Devlin? He could have a chat with Ronan. See where his head is.”

“You know we’re not in high school anymore, right? Much less junior high. And I sincerely doubt that the same Devlin Saint who runs a multi-billion dollar philanthropic organization, not to mention an ultra-secret side hustle,” I add in a low whisper, “is going to want to gossip about his best friend’s love life.”

Her shoulders dip as she sighs. “I know. I know. It’s just that I’m really happy now. Marriage is amazing. I want you to be happy, too.”

I melt a little at that. Ellie’s been my best friend since childhood, and though my high school years were no picnic, she truly drew the short straw in the life-and-family game. But everything’s turned around, and now that she’s blissfully, happily, gloriously in love, she wants the same for me.

I reach down to scratch behind Jake’s ears as he snorts with pleasure. “I love you for wanting me to be happy, but you forget that not only am I happy, but I’m already in a new relationship that’s taking off like gangbusters. And I’m not the kind of girl to have two luuuuvers,” I add in a voice that comes out like a mix of a film noir heroine and a sarcastic teenager.

Her forehead crinkles with confusion, then her face clears as she laughs. “Okay. Fair enough. Can’t have you dividing your attention. BB Bags deserves all your energy. For now,” she adds in a this isn’t over tone.

“For now,” I agree, simply to get her to drop the subject. “And just so we’re clear, that means no playing matchmaker. Not with Ronan. Not with anyone.”

She starts to speak, but I don’t give her a chance to get the words out.

“I’m serious. It would stress me out too much. The business is really taking off, and I don’t have time for anything else. Which is just as well since we both know that I’m cursed in the relationship department.”

“Stop thinking like that,” Ellie says.

“Fine. Fine. But it’s a moot point because Ronan is firmly in the friend zone, and there’s no one else on the horizon, and I am not looking,” I add, pointing my finger at her to make sure we’re one hundred percent clear. “I have a booth at the Expo, and getting ready for that has my full focus.”

“Hell, yeah, it does. I know how huge that is.”