“Are you sure you’re not being a little paranoid? He met Kelsey through Wade.” Grey held his hands out in question. “Kelsey’s an attractive woman. Isn’t it possible his interest in her has nothing to do with you?”
“Except that it does.” Trip crossed his arms, looked at his feet, and kicked the toe of his boot against the pavement. “I’m sure he likes her fine, but Mason’s primary goal was to needle me. It’s his favorite pastime.”
“Maybe, maybe not. Interesting, though, that you reacted that way to a single date.” Grey whistled for Shaman, who’d run far ahead again. Then he grinned and mocked Trip. “Of course, if you’re in love with Kelsey, then maybe you couldn’t help yourself.”
Leave it to Grey to toss around the L-word over and over, as if every guy wanted hearts and flowers like he did.
“Can’t I care about Kelsey without you labeling it love? We’re friends, and I feel shitty that she’s hurt because of the way I handled this whole situation.”
“Friends don’t normally have sex.” Grey raised one brow. “A friend doesn’t usually get so jealous he pummels a guy with his fists.”
“I’ve had sex with plenty of friends.” Trip scowled, needing to dismiss the innuendo in Grey’s remarks. “And I wasn’t jealous, I was angry. Don’t make more of this than it is.”
“Fine, don’t talk to me. But before you go over there to see Kelsey, you better know why you’re going. Don’t compound the lousy decisions you’ve made to date. And, Trip? If you have to see her today, I suggest you go home and shower first.”
Trip lifted his arm and sniffed. “Maybe you’ve got a point about the shower.”
“Pathetic.” Grey shook his head and tossed a doggy treat at Shaman. “Since you ignored my request about staying away from Kelsey, can you at least promise me there won’t be any surprises involving Emma?”
Trip cracked his first grin of the day. “That’s a promise I can keep.”
The lilies in his hand were beginning to wilt. Trip peered through the windows of Kelsey’s office. No lights, no signs of life—just like her condo. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. She still hadn’t returned his texts, voice mails, or emails. After checking to make sure the sound wasn’t muted, he returned it to his pocket and wiped his sweaty forehead.
The massive hangover and lack of sleep slowed his reflexes and stiffened his muscles. This hide-and-seek game wasn’t helping his headache, either.
Grey had sworn Kelsey wasn’t camped out at Avery’s. Emma had practically chased him from her inn with a broom. The only place he hadn’t yet tried was Maura’s house. He sighed, closing his eyes.
Maura would probably be at least as angry as Emma, if not worse. But he had to face the music, and he had to see Kelsey before her hot anger cooled to hatred.
Trip lugged himself toward Maura’s, slowing down as he rounded the corner and the familiar porch and picket fence came into view. Doubt niggled. Was he making a mistake? Maybe waiting until she returned from Mexico would be smarter.
As he drew nearer, he saw little Fee playing with Cowboy in the grass. Kelsey was here. The fact neither she nor Maura were on the porch watching over Fee surprised him.
He must’ve been frowning, because when Fee looked up, she asked, “Are you mad, too? Everyone’s in a bad mood today.”
Trip remained on the sidewalk side of the fence. “I’m not mad. But I am looking for your Aunt Kelsey. Is she here?”
Fee nodded. “She’s eating all our ice cream. My mom keeps saying ‘told you so’ and then Aunt Kelsey just eats more scoops. So I sneaked out here to play.”
The image Fee had painted made Trip smile despite knowing nothing about the situation was funny. “Ah, I was wondering why you were out here alone.”
Fee approached the gate with Cowboy in hand, her baby-blues twinkling above a cheery grin. She pointed at the lilies. “Are those for me?”
“No, sweetheart. These are for your Aunt Kelsey.”
“Are you going to marry her today?” Fee bounced on her toes. “That will make her happy.”
“No, no.” He had to smile at how strong the marriage-crazed gene ran through the Callihan family. And contrary to Fee’s opinion, he doubted very much that Kelsey would accept any proposal from him today, let alone a marriage proposal. Not that he’d ever take that vow. “These are to say I’m sorry.”