J—

I open the file for the current manuscript I'm editing. It's an author I've worked with before. I really like her style. Her writing keeps me engaged, and she's unpredictable. She packs the pages with twists and turns I don't see coming.

The ringing of my phone pulls me from the confrontation between the bad boy billionaire and his feisty step-sister. Running for her life because she witnessed a murder, she asks him to hide her in his island home. The sexual tension has been building and I think things are about to cross familial lines. I check the caller ID and my pulse ticks up a notch.

It's Lisa. She's redefined what I know about sexual tension. I'm surprised, and excited to speak to her. She doesn't usually call during the school day.

"Hey sexy."

Even over the phone her velvety voice turns me into a puddle. My mind races back to the manuscript I'm reading, only the characters running through my head are no longer the ones the author wrote, they've morphed into Lisa and me dripping with water on a white beach, surrounded by crystal blue ocean.

"Hey yourself. What can I do for you?"

"As I'm in a public setting I'll save that for tonight. I just wanted to let you know your car is going to be dropped off soon."

"Guess that means it's time to give yours back. I have to admit I'm going to miss riding around in your Camaro."

"That's one of the reasons I'm calling. I got a request from a mutual friend, and I said yes."

Mutual friend? There must be someone around that she doesn't want to pick up on what or who she's talking about. There's only one person we share a relationship with. Unless she's talking about Rosé Park. I hate to even think of the type of request she'd have for Lisa. She'd probably beg Lisa to fuck her in the Camaro. I seriously hope she's not the one Lisa's talking about.

"Mashiho?"

"Um hum."

"What kind of request?"

"He'd like to use it to impress a certain lady friend."

"Lady friend? But he can't even drive."

"No. But you can."

My head is spinning. I have no idea what Lisa is talking about. Mashiho can't want me to drive him and Ella somewhere. Mashiho still won't talk to me about her, so I can't see that he'd want me to actually meet her.

When I ask questions he'll give me as little information as possible then change the subject. Like I'm not supposed to recognize that tactic. I do drop it though, because the last thing I want is for my son to press me on Lisa. I know he likes Lisa, but he's not keen on the idea of Lisa and I being anything more than friends. He made that perfectly clear.

"Are you going to explain or am I supposed to guess what the hell is going on?" I ask.

She chuckles. "I enjoy frustrating you and working you into a frenzy. Too bad I'm not there to see how cute you look."

"If you want I could send you a selfie, but I'm thinking I look annoyed, not cute."

"Do you have plans this afternoon?"

She's working hard not to let on to who she's speaking with. It shouldn't bother me but something about it gnaws at me. I get that we're just . . . I don't know what we are, or what we're doing, but whatever it is, it's not like we're a real couple. We've been sneaking around for the last two weeks. I know it's what I wanted, and it's about keeping Mashiho in the dark, but right about now, I'd like to rethink that strategy.

"I'll be at the match if that's what you're asking."

"Good. See you then."

"Dinner after?"

"If you're up for it."

"Absolutely. We'll call it an end of season celebration."

All through dinner, the talk is about wrestling, and Mashiho's first ever win.

"Told you the wins would start coming. You just have to work hard and believe in yourself."

"Thanks, Ms. Manoban." My son's eyes shine with excitement. "It wouldn't have happened without the extra help."

"No problem. I'm happy to do it."

"But that was the last match of the season. I'm still not good enough for the high school team."

Lisa's eyebrows furrow together. "Why? Are you going to quit working?"

Mashiho smiles. "No, but, you won't be helping me anymore."

"You planning on sneaking out of here on Saturday mornings?"

Mashiho shakes his head. "No, ma'am."

"Well then," Lisa looks serious, I'd even go so far as to say with her eyes narrowed and the firm set of her jaw, she looks stern. "Then we'll continue to work."

"For real?"

"As long as you're putting in the effort, you can count on help from me."

"Wow. I don't know what to say."

"Do me a favor, and make sure you help your mother around the house. I don't want to hear that you're giving her an attitude, or a hard time. Got it?"

Mashiho nods. "Yes, ma'am."

"Was that Ella I saw in the gym?" Lisa asks, her voice is much softer.

Mashiho's eyes drop, and his cheeks take on a pinkish hue. I can't believe my smart mouthed tough guy is actually blushing!

"Yeah." Mashiho's eyes meet Lisa's for a second before they drop back down to the food on his plate. He stabs a piece of roast beef with his fork, stuffs it in his mouth and chews before speaking again. "She wanted to see me wrestle. God I hope she didn't laugh at me in my singlet."

I can't hold back a smile at his reaction. "I wouldn't put my eggs in that basket. You do look pretty goofy in it."

"Thanks, Mom," Sarcasm hangs heavy in his voice, but it's all in good fun. "It's good to know I have your support."

"Always."

"The upside of the singlet," Lisa has a hard time keeping a straight face. "If she sees you in that and she still likes you, you've got it made."

"You guys suck."

"Mash," Lisa's eyebrow quirks up.

"Sorry."

"Guess it's a good thing she said yes before she saw you wrestle."

"But I won! That's got to matter."

I smile, put my fork down and look at my son. Mashiho swallows hard. His over active nerves show through his eyes.

"Honey, is there anything you want to discuss with me?"

"Um, maybe I should've asked you first, Mom. But I didn't think you'd have a problem with me going. I know I haven't gone before but, it's my last year of middle school, and I thought it might be nice to see what it's like—"

"Spit it out, honey. What's going on?"

His eyes dart over to Lisa, I'm not sure why. For support? Lisa's head bobs up and down the slightest bit.

"I asked Ella to go the Valentine's Day dance at school with me. And she said yes."

"That's great sweetheart." I smile and reach my hand over to his.

He nods, and I see the lump in his throat bob up and down as he swallows.

"I thought maybe we could pick her up, so it really is like we're going together, rather than meeting at school like a lot of the other kids do. And I asked Ms. Manoban if we could do it in the Camaro."

Finished with her second helping of food, Lisa leans back in her chair with a cocky look on her face.

"Of course I said yes." Lisa leans over and messes Mashiho's hair up. "Keep the car until after the dance. Actually, you can keep it as long as you want."

"Thank you, but after the dance is fine."

That wipes the smirk off her face.

"Wait, Valentine's Day, that's next weekend isn't it?"

"Next Saturday." Mashiho answers.

I won't admit it, but I'm secretly happy that Mashiho will be out that night. It would be nice to have a few hours alone with Lisa. We haven't been able to steal more than an hour alone here and there, since the night of the sleepover.

Some nights I tell Mashiho I'm going to a coffee shop to work because I need a change of scenery. Lisa waits there with coffee for me in her car. We drive to a secluded spot so we can touch and grope each other without giving everyone around us a show.

I start running recipes through my mind. I'll cook a romantic dinner.

"And I'll be able to keep an eye on lover-boy over here," Lisa pulls me from my dirty thoughts. "Since I'm one of the chaperones."

"You are?"

Holy hell, why not just slam a brick in my face. Fuck my voice rose three octaves. It's my insecurity telltale. Lisa won't know for certain, but hopefully neither of them noticed. Now it's me swallowing hard.

Lisa is chaperoning?

Is she doing that so she has an excuse not to spend that night with me? Does she think I'll get the wrong idea if we're together on Valentine's Day?

Everyone is quiet. I don't know if the guys feel the tension in the air, but it's weighing me down. Mashiho finishes the helping on his plate, clears it from the table and places it in the sink before disappearing to his room.

I stand and head to the kitchen so I can get right to work on the dishes. I don't want to sit and stare at the woman that makes the butterflies soar to life in my belly. And I don't want to be forced to talk to her. I have no idea what the hell to say. All I know is that I'm upset and I have no right to be.

Arms slip around my waist as her warm lips graze the back of my neck, tickling me. She pulls me against her chest, and all I want to do is forget the frosty demeanor I'm struggling to drape around my heart, and melt into her. Fuck, I hate that she already knows one of my weakness.

"I have to say," her breath tickles my ear. "I never snuck around with any one before. This is so fucking hot."

Her hands slide down my legs and cup my ass. I close my eyes and fight to stay in control.

"You need to stop. If Mashiho comes in here—"

Lisa lets go. She leans her back against the counter and crosses her arms over her chest, letting out a long breath. What I just said bothered her. It's not often something I say sends her into a defensive posture.

"We should tell him."

"He'll shut down. He's already so distant. So far away emotionally. Tonight was great. I want more nights like this. I don't want to give him an excuse to pull further away."

"If he finds out he'll feel betrayed. By both of us."

"If you're careful, he won't find out." I insist.

"About Valentine's Day—"

"No worries. It's not like I expected to see you." I do my best to play off my disappointment.

I don't want to say or do anything that will imply a relationship. And feelings. Real, strong, serious feelings. Even though I'm there it's wrong to assume she is, even though she started this whole thing. Still, I can't think in those terms or I'm the one that's going to end up hurt. Very fucking hurt.

"Really? Why, do you have other plans?" she challenges.

"No," I look away, because the green of her eyes is too damn intense. Too damn intimidating. "But it's Valentine's Day."

"That's my point. Look, the school holds five dances a year. We all have to chaperone one. I signed up for this a long time ago. I'd love to switch with someone, but three of the other dances already happened. So I don't have too many people to ask, and the few I already tried to switch with have plans. At least this way I'll be there for Mashiho if he needs some moral support or if something goes wrong."

I feel the tiniest bit better. At least she wasn't doing it to avoid an awkward conversation with me.

"You don't owe me an explanation." In truth, she doesn't owe me anything.

"I think I do. You're upset."

"I'm not." I lie.

"Oh yeah? Then why are you standing so far away."

"I'm not far."

"Yes you are."

"I'm a foot away from you."

"Exactly. You're not here. In my arms."

She reaches for me and pulls me close. I let her, because the truth is, her arms are exactly where I want to be.