Until Then (Cornerstone Book 2) (16 page)

“Season finale time,” he declared.

She grinned at him and shook her head.

They watched in silence as Mulder was hospitalized by a reaction to a strange, possibly extra-terrestrial artifact, and Scully ran off to find out more.

Michelle glanced over at Simon, who was intensely watching the television and crunching the half-popped kernels left in the bottom of the bowl. They really were like an old married couple sometimes — having dinner together most nights, watching their favorite television shows, staying in more than they ever went out.

Maggie often said, “Why don’t you two just start dating and get it over with.”

Simon dated plenty. He always seemed to be going out with someone new, never settling down with any one girl. It bothered her, but when he would tell her he had a date, she never took it seriously. Probably because
he
didn’t take it that seriously.

Michelle could have dated, too, but she chose not to. There was a part of her that was fearful. The life of a new Christian had not been without its struggles. She knew her past was her past, but she also knew what she was capable of when it came to guys, and she was afraid of making a mistake again. Her mind returned to the bonfire, the way she had wrapped herself around Simon in such an intimate way, and her cheeks warmed as the embarrassment and humiliation hit her all over again. There had never been anything but friendship between them.
What was I thinking?

Except she knew what she was thinking, and she thought about it a lot. She couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to be closer to Simon — physically. And he was her biggest hesitation when it came to dating. She was holding onto hope that one day he would finally see what was right in front of his eyes.

At a commercial break, Simon grabbed her knee and squeezed playfully.

She grabbed his and did the same, squeezing as hard as she could.

The click of a key in the door did not hinder their attacks.

“
Aaah!
” Michelle cried.

Simon laughed. “Say ‘uncle’.”

“Never!” She cringed.

Maggie came through the door and tossed her purse and keys on the kitchen counter.

“Say it!” he ordered.

She winced as he squeezed harder, knowing she would probably have a bruise on her thigh by morning.

“Uncle! Uncle!” she finally conceded.

He smirked proudly, then stood and walked to the kitchen.

“Hey, Canon.” Simon greeted Maggie with the nickname he had given her during one of their many photography classes. He was very proud of his Nikon camera. Maggie’s preferred brand was Canon, hence the nickname.

“Hi,” she replied with an edge of annoyance in her voice. She did not appreciate the nickname.

“Where’s your boyfriend tonight?” he asked.

“Working.”

He helped himself to a refill of iced tea and returned to the couch for more Mulder and Scully.

Michelle noticed Simon’s gaze follow Maggie into her bedroom.

“She’s extra friendly tonight,” he remarked.

Michelle shrugged.

Maggie still did
not
like Simon. She hadn’t let him off the hook for the way he broke Emma’s heart freshman year. Poor Simon, God love him, tried his hardest to win her over with his friendly teasing, but she would have none of it. The more she snubbed him, the more it seemed to bother him. Michelle wished he would just let it go, but he never did.

Simon soon became absorbed in alien artifacts and conspiracy theories again, but Michelle’s mind wandered. She couldn’t help it when she was sitting so close to him. She shifted and grabbed the throw blanket from the back of the couch. Simon snatched a corner and pulled it across the both of them, stretching his arm across the empty spot where the blanket had been. Michelle leaned her head against his chest, and he lowered his arm to her shoulders. She found it impossible to focus on what Skinner was telling Scully or on Krycek’s evildoings. All she could think about was the warmth of Simon’s arm and the faint smell of his cologne.

It seemed everyone she knew was either in a serious relationship, engaged, or married. Everyone was finishing college and settling down. And she wanted that. After all this time not dating, she wanted it so badly.

At episode’s end, Simon and Michelle looked at each other with wide eyes, having been left with a whopper of a cliffhanger.

“Whoa!” he exclaimed.

She nodded, her chin resting on his chest.

Their eyes held, and the mood slowly shifted.

Simon’s gaze fell to her lips, and her heart skipped a beat.

She tentatively laid her hand on his chest and slid it ever so slowly to rest on the side of his neck, scared she might spook him.

He tilted his head toward her, leaning closer and closer, still staring at her mouth.

She licked her lips, and his eyes met hers.

His breath was coming quicker as he moved in. He had barely brushed his lips against hers when the sound of Maggie’s door opening caused him to jerk his head away. He watched her walk into the kitchen and grab a drink from the fridge.

Michelle glanced over at her, and she gave them half a smile, then disappeared into her room again.

Simon chuckled nervously. “Sorry about that.” He lowered his arm and shifted her off of his chest.

She sat up straight and clasped her hands together in her lap. “You don’t have to be sorry, Simon.” She wished she could tell what he was thinking, but he was unreadable.

He stared down at his knees for a few seconds, then looked straight into her eyes. “You’re my best friend, Chelle. Let’s not go there.”

Her heart felt heavy. Not at all what she wanted to hear. “But what if I want to?”

Simon shook his head. “I really don’t wanna mess this up. I couldn’t bear losing your friendship if things didn’t work out.”

She nodded sadly.

“I think I’m gonna go,” he spoke softly. “Are we OK?”

“Yeah.” She smiled a little.

“Are you sure?” He laid his hand over hers and squeezed.

“We’re OK,” she assured him. “Now, get outta here.”

He stood and kissed her on the top of the head, then left with a casual wave, the door softly clicking behind him.

Michelle sat staring at the door for several long minutes, her heart still racing. It was the closest they had ever come to taking their friendship to the next level.

But maybe he was right. He was like family to her at this point, more than her actual family ever was, and she didn’t want to risk losing that. Not ever.

But that almost kiss moment had given her a glimmer of hope she would cling to for dear life.

9

“We’re engaged!” Maggie announced as she burst through the apartment door with Ben following close behind.

“No way!” Michelle looked up from her spot at the kitchen table and dropped her fork of lasagna with a
clink
.

Maggie walked toward her with outstretched hand, beaming as bright as the marquise cut diamond on her ring finger.

Michelle checked out the rock. “Wow! It’s beautiful.”

“Already?” Simon asked from his place across the table. “Isn’t that a little fast?”

Maggie shot him a dirty look.

“When you’re with the right person, you just know,” Ben piped in.

Simon looked over at Michelle and rolled his eyes.

The animosity between Simon and Ben was palpable. From day one, the two of them had never gotten along. Maggie’s dislike of Simon may have rubbed off on Ben, because he never gave the guy a chance. And Michelle could almost feel Simon tense up whenever Ben walked into the room.

Michelle stood and hugged Maggie. “Congratulations, Mags. It’s what you’ve always wanted.”

Maggie squeezed her tightly. “I know. God’s timing, right?”

“Right.” Michelle had learned a lot over the past four years about God’s timing, but she still struggled to understand why things happened the way they did sometimes. She wrestled with letting go of control and letting go of her past, which haunted her.

She released her hold on Maggie and reluctantly hugged Ben. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Michelle.” Ben grinned at her when they parted, then took Maggie’s hand.

Michelle still did not trust Ben. No matter how happy he seemed with Maggie, he reminded her too much of the guys she had known in high school. She wanted it to work out for Maggie’s sake. She wanted to believe he had grown up and changed in the last four years, but she still saw him as the guy she made out with at the roller rink, the guy who constantly broke her roommate’s heart. Even now, she still held her breath a little whenever Maggie left with him, afraid her roommate might come home brokenhearted again.

“We should celebrate,” Michelle declared, trying to be supportive. “Wanna go get some dessert or something?”

Maggie glanced over at Ben. They seemed to have an unspoken conversation going on with their eyes. “We’re gonna go share the good news with our parents, but I had to come tell you.”

“I’m glad you did. Have fun, you two.”

When the newly engaged couple had gone, Michelle looked over at Simon, who was sulking. “I’m happy for her. She’s been waiting a long time for this.”

Simon didn’t respond.

“I knew they wouldn’t wait too long to get engaged,” she continued. “They’ve known each other since high school.”

“Yeah, well, she can do much better.” He sounded bitter.

“You don’t even know him, Simon.”

“I’ve been around him enough to know he’s not good enough for her.”

“What does
that
mean?” She completely agreed, but she wanted to know why he felt so strongly about it.

“Nothing.”

“I really wanna know.”

“Whatever.” He stood suddenly and left his half-eaten plate of food behind.

“That’s such a copout. What’s your problem with him?”

“Just a feeling.”

“Oh, come on. It’s gotta be more than that. You seriously don’t like him, and I wanna know why.”

Simon turned to face her. “I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

“What?” Michelle eyes widened in surprise.

“I’m not kidding. He’s always checking you out when Maggie’s not looking.”

Michelle stomach churned nervously, remembering the night at the roller rink.

“That guy is hot for you, so I don’t know why he’s asking Maggie to marry him.”

“Because he loves her.” It came out as more of a question than a statement.

“Well, he sure doesn’t act like a man in love with his fiancée.”

She didn’t know what to say. He was right, of course. She already knew it, and he had seen it. If only Maggie could see it, too.

“I’m gonna go.”

“Simon.”

He walked to her and hugged her close. “Sorry. Just forget what I said. I’m exhausted from shooting that wedding last night. I hope Maggie will be very happy. You can tell her I said that.”

She soaked in his warmth. She liked that Simon was bothered by the way Ben looked at her. Was he jealous? She wished she knew.

“Are you gonna go to Uncle Pete’s with me next weekend for Fourth of July?” He continued to hold her.

“Of course.” She spoke into his neck.

“Good.” He kissed the top of her head, then walked to the door. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“OK. Goodnight.”

“Night.”

Michelle scanned the church pews for Janice. Their usual pew was taken, and she had no idea if Janice was even there. In a church of Calvary’s size, it wasn’t always easy to find people. Just as she was about to head upstairs to the balcony seating, she spotted Janice on the opposite side of the sanctuary seated in the middle of a row talking with a nice-looking guy. There was just enough room for her to squeeze in if she hurried over.

She greeted Janice with a wave.

“Oh, hi!”

“Is there room for me?”

“Sure. Sure.” Janice scooted closer to the guy and made a little extra room.

Michelle apologized as she crawled past the half a dozen people on the end. She couldn’t help but bump into their legs, and she accidentally stepped on one man’s toes. “Sorry.”

“Hey, how are you?” Janice asked as Michelle took her seat.

“Pretty good. How are you?”