Page 40 of Decidedly Off Limits

In my head, it was totally Trent’s hand on my thigh.

“How come?” I might have squeaked that as the hand moved higher.

I subtly shifted my leg away from him, removing his hand from my thigh.

“I don’t have time for one. My career comes first.” Something in Josh’s tone warned me there was more to the story, but it also warned me not to go there. “What about you? Why aren’t you looking for a relationship?”

“Same thing. My career comes first.” Close enough. He didn’t need to know the real reason.

“And what is your career?”

I was suddenly aware of everyone’s gaze on us, watching us expectantly. And that’s when I realized just how cozy the two of us must’ve looked, with our “private” conversation.

“I’m a physical therapist at the children’s hospital,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“So you like kids?”

“Not only does she like kids,” Erin chimed in, “she’s amazing with them. She’ll be a great mother one day.” She rubbed her pregnant belly. “What about you, Holly? Do you want kids?”

“Not really,” Holly said. “My parents were career-oriented and never had time for me and my brothers. I refuse to make the same mistake.”

Erin stared at Holly as though the woman had sprouted another head. “You seriously don’t want any children? None at all?”

“I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I don’t want to give that up, but I refuse to be the selfish mother who puts her career before her kids. And, well, I just don’t see myself as good mother material.”

Disappointment traipsed across Erin’s face and I knew exactly what she was thinking. If Holly and Trent ended up together, there went her chance to be an aunt. Or rather, there went her chance to be an aunt to a niece or nephew who lived in the same city as her.

“What about you, Josh?” Trent asked. “You hoping one day to have kids?”

“Can’t say it’s a top priority of mine. But then neither is settling down,” Josh answered, appearing as confused as I felt at Trent’s question. It didn’t seem like the kind of topic a guy would ask another guy at a dinner party.

Unless he was trying to warn me away from his friend—because he thought I was now dreaming about a white-picket-fence future…with Josh.

Trent’s gaze flicked to me. I shrugged and began collecting the dishes. Trent pushed his chair away from the table to join me. Holly offered to help, but I waved her off. The conversation continued with the discussion of kids, with one side of the table being pro-kids and the other side pro-career.

“Nice going,” I hissed quietly to Trent as we set the dishes in the sink.

“No problem,” he said. “I aim to please.” He winked, which was like lighting the end of a stick of dynamite—and the sudden ache between my legs was the explosive.

“What was the point of asking Josh if he wants kids? And don’t tell me you were curious.” Not that I really cared, but Trent’s closeness was starting to unnerve me and the words just tumbled out.

“Why wouldn’t I be curious if my friend plans to be a father one day?”

I didn’t have an answer, so I shrugged off the question.

By the time we had served dessert, the topic had switched to the unseasonably warm weather.

“I’ve been dying to go for a hike,” I said. “I just haven’t had time yet.”

“I’m not much of a hiker,” Holly admitted. “I prefer hitting the gym or the tennis courts to keep in shape. Do you play tennis?” she asked me.

I shook my head.

“What are you talking about?” Erin said. “You play.”

“I haven’t played since high school and I wasn’t very good at it.” Erin should know. I crashed into her a few times when we had to play partners. I must have hit her harder than I realized and she was suffering from tennis-related amnesia.

“You have to join me,” Holly said. “I can hook you up with the tennis pro at my country club. He’s really hot. You’ll like him. He’s an amazing instructor.”