Sure, he’s kissed her cheek, hugged her and held her through grief, but nothing ever overstepped the grounds of their relationship.
She watched Richard leave before turning to him. “I’m going on a date with him this Friday. I don’t want you to ruin my chance of being happy.” She threw her napkin to the table and stood.
“Where are you going?” he asked, hating the fact he didn’t have any control over her. Rachel was a free agent. He couldn’t do anything to stop her from walking away from him.
“I’m going to the bathroom. Try not to screw another woman until I get back.”
“Why? Do you want to watch?” he asked, lifting his water glass to take a sip.
“You never know. I might learn a few tricks from you.”
She walked away.
He’d watched her move away from him many times. The jeans molded to her ass like a second skin. What would it feel like to screw everything to hell and simply take her? She was attracted to him. He saw the signs in the way she looked at him. Chris had even clocked her comparing him to the fucking chef when he came to the table.
“I’m fucked,” he said, whispering the words. What would Claire think of him lusting after her sister? The feeling that Claire would be okay with it filled him. He didn’t know why. “I’m going insane.”
Jared walked to the table carrying two plates of food. He hesitated when he saw Rachel was gone. The guy looked like a weak link.
“She’s gone to the bathroom. She’ll be back in a moment.” He watched as Jared delicately placed their plates on the table. “So, do you know Richard well?” he asked.
The other guy looked nervous, glancing toward the kitchen. “He’s, erm, he’s a chef.”
“Does being a chef make him an asshole?” Chris asked.
“No, no, he’s not an asshole.” Jared held his hands up.
Chris had enough. He saw through everyone. What with years of being a cutthroat bastard and also having a knack for reading people, he cut through the crap. “How much is being put on Richard fucking my friend?” he asked, getting down to business. Jared went red.
“I don’t know what you mean, Sir?” Another awkward glance was sent to the kitchen.
“No? Okay, I think I understand everything. Leave, and tell your chef I want a word with him outside in thirty minutes.”
He spotted Rachel heading toward him. Jared left his side, and he focused all of his attention on the woman in front of him. Making a quick decision, Chris knew there was never going to be another woman in his life. He was going to find some way of having Rachel in his.
Claire would want both of them to be comforted by each other. He wasn’t hurting his wife’s memory. Chris was going to make sure he gave Rachel everything she wanted.
“Fine, I’ll accept your date on Friday,” he said. “You’ll call me to make sure you arrived safely, and then you’ll let me know when you’re leaving.”
When Rachel had walked back to him, she’d looked ready to go to war. Her shoulders slumped as he caved in to her demands. Chris got what he wanted, though. The Rachel he’d come to adore was sat at the table, eating.
He sat back, watching her eat. She loved her food, and he recalled all the other times he’d been with her eating a meal. Rachel had been part of his life for a long time. When he’d met Claire’s family, he’d been enamored by the young woman and her idealistic views. Later on, he’d cared for her, holding her hand and comforting her through the hard part of her life. Over the years he’d helped her through everything, so much so, they’d become really good friends.
When had his feelings turned to love and lust?
There was a lot of stuff he wished he could take back, but this feeling wasn’t one of them. The women were the only part he’d change.
The meal went by without another hitch. On the way out, twenty-five minutes later, Rachel was smiling and laughing.
In the fresh air with plenty of space surrounding them, Rachel threw herself in his arms. “Thank you,” she said, dropping her head to the nape of his neck.
“What for?” he asked.
“For being my best friend. I’ve missed you being there for me.”
In the coming weeks he was going to be more than a best friend.
“I care for you, Rachel. I hate this distance that has settled between us. No more women, I promise.” He reached out to stroke her cheek. Chris saw her gasp and try to hide it with a cough. She covered her mouth, stepping away from him.
There was something blistering between them, and he wasn’t going to let it go.
“I’ve got to go. I’m looking for more work seeing as I can only work here part-time.” She smiled, looking unsure and adorable as she did.