“I love her as a friend.”
“Really? Then why have you been acting weird ever since she moved in? Why are you so angry she’s going on a date with Josh? If you were really just her ‘friend,’ you’d be pleased for her.”
Tyler opened his mouth and closed it again. He stared at the door of his mother’s house, framed by tiny lights and winter greenery.
Christmas.
Family.
Brenna wanted all that, he knew she did.
“We don’t want the same things.”
“How do you know? Did you ever ask her?”
“I’m not good for women.”
“Maybe it depends on the woman. And how you behave is your choice. You two are driving me crazy. ‘For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.’ Shakespeare had obviously never met you and Brenna.” Jess opened the door and jumped out, dragging her bag with her. “See you tomorrow, Dad. Try not to be a jerk.”
“Wait. Jess, I want to talk to you about—”
“Good night. ‘A thousand times good night.’ That’s Shakespeare, although why Juliet says it a thousand times, I don’t know. Probably because Romeo wasn’t listening the first time. Men should wake up and pay attention.”
The door slammed.
Tyler flinched.
So much for open communication.
Maybe Jess was right. Maybe he should go back and ask Brenna straight out why she was dating the chief of police.
She’d tell him she’d always had feelings for Josh, and that would be the end of it.
He drove back as fast as he dared and pulled up outside Lake House behind Josh’s cruiser.
Relieved Jess wasn’t still sitting next to him, he cursed fluently and then strode into his house.
The sound of laughter told him that whatever her reasons were for dating Josh, she wasn’t under duress.
There hadn’t been a trace of a smile on her face when he’d been talking to her earlier.
Tyler managed what he hoped was an approximation of a civil smile. “Josh! That weather must be keeping you busy.” But not busy enough, he thought savagely, because you’re in my house with your hands on my—
My what?
My woman?
Brenna wasn’t his woman and never would be.
“Nothing we haven’t handled before.” Josh gave him an easy smile, and if he was aware of any tension in the atmosphere then he gave no sign of it. Out of uniform he looked younger, more relaxed.
Tyler guessed most women would find him handsome. He knew plenty who were interested. Including Brenna, it would seem.
He glanced at her but for once found her impossible to read.
Josh was looking at her, too. “You look incredible.”
“Really?” Her face brightened, and Tyler wished he’d been the one to pay her the compliment.