The Drake House

Chapter 9

Trisha rarely allowed herself to break work in the middle of the day to go shopping, especially because she was one of the few females on this planet who didn't care for shopping. But it was Chuck's birthday today and she had yet to get his gift. A planner by nature, organized and in control, she felt guilty for getting behind.

She waited patiently for Nancy as she combed through the latest spring line of skirts. "I think he'd like a T-shirt," Trisha said absently.

"Chuck would wear anything you gave him, why not make it interesting? How about ducky slippers?"

She laughed as she pictured a six-foot, five and two-hundred, fifty pound Chuck in ducky slippers. "Oh, now that's a sight."

Nancy moved onto the dress rack and pulled out a pale pink knee-length slip dress. She casually held it up to Trisha. "This would look nice on you for your date with Nick."

She narrowed her eyes at Nancy's not-so-clever comment. "I'm not going on a date with Nick, even if he did ask. I hate pink, anyway."

"You two seemed to get along fine last Friday night."

"I get along with the neighbor's cat, too, that doesn't mean I'd date him." Trisha sighed and trailed Nancy through the shoe department. "He's too good looking."

"A man is never too good looking." Nancy slipped on a pair of black flats, expertly appearing uninterested.

Men like Nick-attractive, arrogant, and with that slightly dangerous edge-were the exact type of guys she avoided. One could get addicted to all that broody, controlled yumminess. He had the potential to be more than some simmering attraction. She could sense it already brewing, and she couldn't have that. Two control freaks did not blend well. And as if living and owning the family business weren't enough of a priority, there was her baggage. Men didn't want baggage in a relationship. Why set herself up for the heartache?

"When was the last time you went on a date?" Nancy held up a hand to fend her off without even looking up, the eight year friendship showing Nancy knew how she'd respond. "And going out with Brad once for drinks two years ago doesn't count. It was his birthday and he went home withsomeone else."

She had been with other men. Nancy was just oblivious because she'd been discreet. "I don't have time to date." There was half-truth in that.

"Hello, ladies."

Trisha stilled, closed her eyes, and wished for death. "Nick. What brings you here?" Slowly, she turned around to face him.

"Steve and I picked up a kid for trying to steal a bike chain." He stuck his hands in his jean pockets, his forearms flexing with the movement.

"His dad will punish him enough for that, I imagine." Nancy put her shoes back on and smiled. "We were just talking about you, Nick. We had a great time on Friday and should do it again."

Nick looked like he was biting the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning, then his face twisted as if he was in pain. "I would like that. But I was wondering if I could steal Trisha alone this time. Maybe Saturday night?" He pressed his lips together, barely hiding the smile at Trisha's irritation for speaking directly to Nancy instead of her. And just like before, his eyebrows creased and his eyes glazed over, acting like he couldn't believe he'd just said something out loud. Like ithurt him.

It was obvious he didn't want to go out with her. Obvious he wasn't even interested. Trisha opened her mouth to save him, but Nancy smirked, catching Nick's drift before Trisha could protest.

"That would be lovely. How's seven? That's good for her."

"I'm standing right here!" Trisha boomed, not caring who heard. "I can find and arrange my own dates. And I can't gomy parents are coming in town on Friday." Thank God for parents. She'd have to pick up a very large gift of some kind for unknowingly getting her out of this.

"Don't be silly." Nancy waved her hand. "It'll give me and them a chance to catch up. Pick her up at seven," she told Nick.

Before Trisha could argue, or even see Nick's reaction, Nancy was dragging her to the men's department.

"I can't believe you just did that." Trisha pulled her arm out of Nancy's grasp.

"Here are some shirts for Chuck."

"I'm docking you two weeks' pay." She growled. Okay, that was a lie.

"It'll be worth it," Nancy answered. "How about black?"

Trisha eyed the black polo shirt Nancy held up. "It has to say something stupid on it if it's for Chuck." She sighed, already giving up.

Nancy held up a blue T-shirt from a different rack that read, The bigger, the better.

Trisha frowned. "Perfect."

"Okay, now that's settled. Let's go pick you up that dress and go home."

She scuffed her feet behind Nancy. "I don't like pink."

"The lavender dress, then."