Page 44 of Too Good to Be True

“I disagree. It’s only a matter of time.”

Stacy furrowed her brow. “You’re wrong.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I don’t have time to argue with you. I need to get back to work.” Stacy looked down at her binder, though her student had left the office.

Kelsey huffed and then walked over to the door, but before she opened it, she paused. “You know your secrets are safe with me, right?”

Stacy looked up and gave her a brief nod. Then Kelsey sailed out the door, on to harass someone else, no doubt.

Luckily, Nick would be tied up the rest of the afternoon, so she could regain her bearings. That went for the rest of the week as well. She continued to train him for a couple of hours each morning, and then he went off to meet with the various managers. There was no further mention of their extracurricular activities, nor did they make plans for the upcoming weekend, though he’d offered to help her finish the yardwork. She had no intention of asking him to, for obvious reasons.

She could easily handle the job herself, and she didn’t want to put herself into a situation where they’d be alone again. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him, but she didn’t completely trust herself. His warmth and attentiveness and his hug were too tempting. In fact, she was starting to crave his presence, but she’d have to settle for seeing him at the office or in groups.

By the time Friday rolled around, she’d resigned herself to spending the weekend alone. Surprisingly, nobody had mentioned going out after work, and Nick hadn’t asked what her plans were. Maybe he’d come to the same conclusion she had, and from now on, their interaction would be limited to the office.

Around mid-morning, she suggested they take a break, and she and Nick went to the employee lounge. She filled up her coffee mug while he fished a Gatorade out of the refrigerator. She was adding cream to her coffee when Britney bounced in. Upon seeing Nick, her face lit up with a huge smile, reminding Stacy of a beauty pageant contestant. She hated to admit it, but Britney probably could have been in a pageant—and with a decent chance of winning, or at least placing in the top three.

“There you are. I haven’t seen you around much this week,” Britney said, directing her attention to Nick. She acknowledged Stacy with a brief nod, but that was all. Stacy pretended to be busy stirring her coffee while she observed them from the corner of her eye.

“My teacher runs a tight ship,” he said teasingly.

Stacy thought it was sweet of him to try and pull her into the conversation, but Britney wasn’t having it.

“Are you going to the bar tonight?”

She’d only addressed Nick, but he glanced at Stacy as if he wanted her to answer first.

“I haven’t heard anyone else say they were going,” Stacy said.

“That’s okay. We can still go.” Britney gave Nick a hopeful look, but he didn’t respond right away.

Then Kelsey breezed in. “There you two are! I’ve been searching all over for you.”

Nick looked relieved by the interruption, but Britney looked irritated.

“Are you guys busy tonight?” Kelsey asked, looking at Nick and Stacy and completely ignoring Britney.

“Um…” Stacy said.

“Why? What’s up?” Nick asked.

“I just talked to my brother—the one who lives in your apartment complex. Anyway, he’s having some people over, and he invited us to come. I told him you’re moving in soon, and he’d like to meet you.”

Stacy was wondering how she fit into this when Kelsey enlightened her. “Since I didn’t want to be the only woman, I asked if Stacy could come too.”

“We were just talking about going to the bar tonight,” Britney inserted.

Stacy had to give her some credit for perseverance, but Nick was already shaking his head.

“Maybe another time, okay? I’d like to meet some of my new neighbors.”

Britney looked disappointed, but she quickly collected herself. “Another time, then. See you later.” Then she turned and walked away, her hips swaying suggestively as if she might get him to change his mind.

After the door closed behind her, Nick let out a relieved sigh, and Kelsey chuckled. Stacy wanted to laugh too, but she suppressed it. Oddly enough, she felt sorry for Britney, who’d obviously been trying her best to gain Nick’s attention. She remembered what it felt like to be that young and eager to please, especially with a guy like him.

“Thanks for the save,” Nick said. “I didn’t want to be rude, but I’d rather not go to the bar alone with Britney. I don’t want to give her the wrong idea. Besides, I really would like to meet your brother and his roommate.”