Secretly Hers (Sterling Canyon)(52)

 

Trip took two steps backward, the heat in his eyes cooling. “Well, then, I guess I’ll look forward to reclaiming my grandfather’s hat soon.”

 

“From your lips to God’s ears.”

 

 

 

Kelsey fidgeted with her napkin while Mason paid the tab. He’d been a perfect gentleman all night, but she couldn’t get Trip or his accusations out of her head.

 

“Have I sufficiently bored you with too many stories about my girls?” Mason’s chagrined smile deluged Kelsey in guilt.

 

“Not unless my tales of Fee and Ty bored you.” A deflection to be sure, but she could barely concentrate. A ridiculous part of her resented Mason for not being able to rouse her more. She’d desperately wanted tonight to be a first step toward something real—and to prove Trip wrong—but the truth had only grown clearer with each conversation.

 

Mason was smart, nice-looking, and respectful, but he didn’t excite her. Not even the candlelit tables had helped, although the man did know his fine wines. That was a plus. Trip always chugged them like beer, the beast.

 

“Of course not,” he replied, intently staring at her while finishing what remained in his wineglass. “Thanks for agreeing to come out tonight, but if I had to guess, you’re hung up on some other guy, aren’t you?”

 

Add perceptive to Mason’s list of good traits, she thought. “I’m not hung up. Maybe I’m a little . . . I don’t know, stupid, probably.”

 

“If anyone’s stupid, it’s him.” Mason sat back in his chair. “Let me guess. He’s got loads of charisma. He’s athletic and fun to be around. Lives for today with no thought to tomorrow or next year. Attentive enough to keep you on the hook without making a real commitment. Am I close?”

 

Kelsey tried to mask her discomfort at his direct hit and shove away nagging doubts about Mason’s heightened interest in “the other man” in her life. “Close enough.”

 

“You think he might change, that maybe you’ll be the one to make a difference. Well, I don’t know everything, but rarely do adults change much. Just be careful not to waste too much time wishing for something that might never be.”

 

“Speaking of wasting time, let’s not spend any more talking about this particular topic.” Discussing Trip with Mason felt weirdly like a betrayal. Maybe she could salvage this date by introducing a little activity. “Would you like to go down the street to On The Rocks and play darts?”

 

Mason wrinkled his nose and chuckled. “Crowded bars aren’t really my scene.”

 

“Oh, come on. It’s only ten o’clock. It’s not ski season yet, so it shouldn’t be a zoo. If it’s awful, we’ll leave.”

 

“How can I resist an offer like that?” Mason pulled out her chair for her and followed her out of the restaurant.

 

 

 

Trip threw back his fifth or sixth shot of tequila, he couldn’t be sure. Then he took a long swallow from another cold bottle of beer.

 

“Hey, man, you might want to slow down.” Grey shook his head. “What demons are you drowning? I’ve never seen you as grumpy as you’ve been since you got back from Denver. Does this have something to do with Kelsey storming our offices today?”

 

Trip defiantly swallowed another long gulp of beer. “I’m just blowing off a little steam. But if I want a babysitter, I’ll be sure to hire you.”

 

“On that note, I’ll think I’ll head over to Avery’s for the night.” When Trip waved him off, Grey hesitated. “You gonna make it home all right?”

 

“Home?” Trip chuckled. “Not sure that’s where I’ll land, but I’ll be all right, don’t worry.”

 

Grey scanned the bar and shook his head. “All these poor women are at risk now, aren’t they?”

 

“At risk of having an awesome time, maybe.” Trip laughed, but it rang hollow in his chest. When Grey merely rolled his eyes, Trip nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

Trip glanced around the bar after Grey left. Not even the prettiest girls captured his interest tonight. His mind kept wandering to Kelsey.

 

Where was she, who was she with, what was she doing? An image of some other guy’s hand tangled in her hair flashed through his mind. He chugged the rest of his beer and slammed the empty bottle on the bar before pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes, as if to rub away the image.

 

She’d promised to follow his advice, which included the all-important final tip about not sleeping with a guy too soon. But Kelsey would have trouble playing it cool from the get-go. Restraint went against every one of her instincts. That sexy bundle of fire and emotions believed if she just loved someone enough then he’d automatically love her right back. Well, she’d better not love this other guy tonight.