Was that Rider? He was back already? She was sure Reena had told her he was coming home on Tuesday. Damn, what was Reena up to?
“I wouldn’t say she’s your usual type, but she’s sweet, pretty and intelligent. Better than your usual type, if you ask me.”
“See, that’s just it. No one asked you.”
“You can’t tell me that you don’t find her at least a little bit intriguing. I know you better than that, big bro.”
“She’s nice and all, but…”
Rider’s words trailed off. To Victoria, he sounded completely uninterested. Her heart sank. She’d always suspected she would never have a chance with Rider, but having her suspicions confirmed sucked raw eggs.
“Nice?” Reena asked, her voice sounding angrier. “Nice is how you describe Mom’s meatloaf. Certainly not my best friend.” There was a pause, then Reena said, “I know you’ve entertained a thought or two about her. You aren’t blind, Rider.”
“Fine, I’ve entertained a thought, but that was years ago.” Rider said, digging himself in deeper with each word that spewed from his big mouth. “Besides, I like my women sexy, and Victoria is a far cry from sexy.”
“God, you are so shallow. Victoria is a woman of worth. She’s more than a pretty package, you buffoon. She’s the whole package.”
“Hell, if you’re so fond of her, then you go out with her.”
“You know, one of these days some gorgeous guy is going to sweep Victoria right off her feet, and you’ll be left wondering how you could’ve screwed up so royally.”
“Look, if she wasn’t always so covered up, then maybe I’d let you play matchmaker. As it is, every item of clothing the woman owns looks like something a spinster would wear. She doesn’t exactly dress like a single woman looking for a man. In fact, she tends to send out a lot of keep-off-the-lawn vibes, if you ask me.”
Victoria’s shoulders slumped. Rider’s description of her confirmed her worst fears. He would never see her as a desirable woman. She would always be a plain Jane to him. Reena’s boring friend.
Terrific.
“You haven’t seen her in ages, so how would you know what she wears?”
Good question. Victoria would love to hear the answer to that one too.
“You’ve sent me pictures of the two of you, remember? From the looks of things, Victoria hasn’t changed much since high school. She’s always been a bit of a…nerd.”
“Jesus, Rider, for such a ladies’ man, you can be real dense sometimes.”
Victoria had heard enough. Time to give Rider James a piece of her mind.
Without waiting to hear any more of Rider’s cutting remarks, Victoria strode into the kitchen. Reena and Rider turned toward her, both with the same horrified expressions on their faces. Oh, if only she had a camera, she could capture the moment for all time. What fun.
“To answer the question hanging in the air, yes, I did hear every word.” She glared at Rider and said, “I wouldn’t go out with you if you were the last man on earth.”
He stood and held up his hands as if in surrender. “Victoria, you don’t understand—”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure I do.” She glanced at Reena, ignoring Rider completely. “Ready to go shopping for your birthday?”
“Uh, sure.” Reena stood and grabbed her purse off the table in front of her.
Rider was still talking as they left the kitchen. Victoria did her best to tune him out. To pretend she wasn’t actually breaking into a thousand pieces. Once they were in the car, Victoria let the tears fall. Damn it, why did she even care? Rider didn’t owe her anything. The crush she’d had on him was years ago. It shouldn’t hurt so much to hear him describe her as nerdy and spinsterish. His comments should not mean so much to her. The argument didn’t help her feel any better, though. The tears continued to fall regardless.
Reena reached out and patted her thigh. “I’m sorry my brother is a thick-headed ass,” she said, her voice filled with understanding.
Victoria angrily swiped at the tears. “No, it’s okay. It doesn’t matter what he says. Besides, it’s good to finally know the truth.”
“What truth?”
“That I never had a chance.” She put on her seat belt and backed out of the driveway. “Not then and definitely not now.”
Reena buckled herself in and replied, “I suppose, but I know my brother.”