A Tricky Proposition(41)

“So, where are we heading?” Jason turned out of the marina parking lot and got them headed toward the bridge off the island.

“You may take me home. After all that heartbreaking, my feet are sore.” She tried to smile, but her heart hurt too much. “Besides, Muffin is home alone.”

“Where’s Lily?”

“Supposedly she’s out of town this weekend.”

“Why supposedly?”

“Because I drove past Evan’s house and her car was in the driveway.”

“You drove past Evan’s house?” Jason shifted his gaze off the road long enough for her to glimpse his alarm. “Are you sure that was a good idea?”

She bristled at his disapproving tone. “I was curious if my sister had lied to me.”

“You were curious.” He echoed her words doubtfully. “Not bothered that they’re together?”

“No.”

“Because you two were engaged not that long ago and now he’s dating your sister.”

“Why do you keep bringing that up?” Her escalating annoyance came through loud and clear. She’d known Jason too long not to recognize when he was picking a fight.

“I want you to be honest with yourself so this doesn’t blow up between you and your sister in the future.”

“You don’t think I’m being honest with myself?”

“Your sister is dating the man who broke off your engagement two weeks before the wedding. I think you’re trying too hard to be okay with it.”

He took her hand and she was both soothed and frustrated by his touch. No matter what else was happening between them, Jason was her best friend. He knew her better than anyone. Sometimes better than she knew herself. But the warm press of his fingers reminded her that while he could act like a bossy boyfriend, she came up against his defenses every time she started to play girlfriend.

“Right now I’ve got my hands full with you.” Ming wasn’t exaggerating on that score. “Can we talk about something else? Please?”

The last thing she wanted was to argue with him when her hopes for the evening required them to be in perfect accord.

“Sure.” Even though he agreed, she could tell he wasn’t happy about dropping the subject. “What’s on your mind?”

“I have the house to myself until late Sunday if you want to hang out.”

“That sounds like an invitation to sleep over.”

She made a sandwich of his hand and hers and ignored the anxious flutter in her stomach.

“Maybe it is.” Flirting with Jason was fun and dangerous. It was easy to lose track of reality and venture into that tricky romantic place best avoided if she wanted their friendship to remain uncomplicated.

Or maybe she was too far gone for things to ever be the same between them again.

The part of her that wanted them to be more than just friends was growing stronger every day. It was a crazy hope, but she couldn’t stop the longing any more than Jason could get past his reluctance to fall in love.

“Ming…”

She heard the wariness in his voice and held up her hand. They hadn’t spent a single night together this whole week. That had been a mutual decision based on practicality. Neither of them wanted Evan to pop over late one night and find her at Jason’s house. Plus, Lily had been in Houston all week and would have noticed if Ming had stayed out all night.

But she was dying to spend the night snuggled in his arms. And the craving had nothing to do with making a baby.

“Forget I said anything.” Her breath leaked out in a long, slow sigh. “This past week has been fun. But you and I both know I’m past my prime fertility cycle. It makes no sense for us to keep getting together when I’m either pregnant or I’m too late in my cycle to try.”

“Wait. Is that what this week has been about?” He sounded put out. “You’re just using me to make a baby?”

Startled, she opened her mouth to deny his claim and realized he was trying to restore their conversation to a lighter note by teasing her. “And a few weeks from now we’ll see if you’ve succeeded.” She faked a yawn. “I guess I’m more tired than I thought.”

Jason nodded and turned the topic to the bachelorette party. Ming jumped on board, glad to leave behind the tricky path they’d been treading.

By the time he turned the car into her driveway, she’d manhandled her fledgling daydreams about turning their casual sex into something more. She was prepared to say good-night and head alone to her door.

“Call me tomorrow,” he told her. “I’ve got to go shopping for Max and Rachel’s wedding present.”