“What’s that?”
“Mason was wondering if you could get two more tickets to the premiere. For us.”
Nya’s stomach lurched, and she thought she might be sick. “You want me to call Russell and ask him for two more tickets to the event?”
“I’d love to see the film. And hey, if Mason and I are there at the event with you and Tyler, it’ll be like four friends getting together.”
“Or a double date.” The idea mortified her. “You really want to see the film?”
“I was always interested in it when you first started working on it with Russell. So yeah, I’m curious. Besides, it’ll be an excuse to dress up and hang out with my man. Get him hot and bothered and then take him home...”
At least Sabrina’s words made Nya chuckle. “Wow, Mason really did unleash your inner sex goddess, didn’t he?”
“I have to say, I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
“I believe it.”
Sabrina’s happy expression morphed into frustration when her stomach grumbled. “And I’m also hungrier than I’ve ever been,” she said. “This has been a crazy morning, but I’ve got half an hour before my next appointment. I’m gonna run out and get a bite to eat. Think about what I said, okay? Mason and I would love to go to the premiere. If it’s not too much trouble for you to contact Russell.”
Nya watched her friend disappear through the front door, wondering how things had escalated so much.
The ringing phone distracted Nya from her thoughts, and she got back to work.
Fifteen minutes later, the phone had stopped ringing, so Nya opened up her email. She still knew Russell’s email address, as it hadn’t been hard to forget. She logged on and typed it in.
Then she paused, not sure what to write.
As the minutes ticked by, she wondered why this was such a hard task. “Get a grip, and get over it.”
She drafted Russell an email, asking if two more tickets were available for the event. And as she did, she started to feel better about things. Instead of seeing Friday night as a double date, she started to see it as an opportunity to be with her best friend. Having Sabrina there would lessen the pressure and make it less like a date between her and Tyler. She certainly didn’t have to stick by Tyler’s side when there were more people there. Tyler could hang with Mason, and she could hang with Sabrina. If Russell was nearby, Nya would make sure to play lovey-dovey with Tyler, but otherwise she could hang with Sabrina.
Yes, it was a great idea to have Sabrina and Mason go along with them. Plus, if she was asking Russell for more tickets, he certainly couldn’t believe she was still hung up on him. It was more proof—she hoped, anyway—that she was firmly over him.
Nya sent the message off to Russell as Sabrina breezed back in. She looked harried.
“You really ought to take an hour for yourself. Have a proper lunch, unwind a bit.”
Sabrina shook her head as she sipped the last bit of orange juice from a plastic cup. “I don’t have the time.”
“You know you have to slow down sooner or later. You don’t want to disappoint Mason.”
Sabrina, who had already passed the reception desk en route to her studio, paused to look over her shoulder. “Oh, Mason’s far from disappointed.” She winked.
As her friend disappeared, Nya couldn’t help feeling a slight sense of wistfulness. Not since Russell had she felt a true electric charge for someone, that sense of excitement and fulfillment that Sabrina was experiencing now.
And despite Nya’s resolve to say single, there was a small part of her that still craved that sense of belonging to someone.
There was still a part of her that craved finding Mr. Right.
“Sabrina Crawford Photography,” Nya said into the receiver.
“Nya?” came the male voice.
Nya’s heart spasmed at the sound of the deep, sexy voice on the other end of the line. “Speaking.”
“Hey, Nya. It’s Tyler.”
Nya felt a tingle in her belly, which she instantly hated. Why couldn’t she turn off her attraction to him?
“Oh, hi,” she said, keeping her voice flat. “How are you?”
“I’m great. It’s Thursday, so I’m calling to finalize the details for tomorrow as planned.”
As planned... He was obviously forgetting that she had tried to cancel the date. But she didn’t bother to mention that, saying only, “Right.”
“Mason told me that you were able to get two more tickets for him and Sabrina.”
“Yep. The more, the merrier, I guess.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Tyler said. “I have been all week.”
Nya’s skin flushed, but she told herself not to read into Tyler’s words. First and foremost, tomorrow night was about making it clear to Russell that he hadn’t ruined her life forever. Even if Tyler was looking forward to spending more time with her for other reasons, Nya was determined to ignore her attraction to him. She had to change her ways, and not be the same woman she had been for so long.
“If nothing else, it will be an interesting evening,” Nya said. “I hope the film is good.”
“Mason was saying that we could all maybe meet for a quick bite—if your schedule allows.”
“Actually,” Nya began, “there’s a four forty-five appointment coming in, and I’m not sure when Sabrina and I will get out of here. Might be closer to five thirty, which means dinner will likely not be doable. If the film starts at seven, we’ve got to be getting there by six thirty to park, get good seats. So we’ll have to pass on dinner.”
“Good point,” Tyler said. “There’ll probably be food at the after party, anyway.”
“Knowing Russell, he’ll have the works.”
“Can I pick you up?” Tyler asked. “I think that makes the most sense.”
Nya wanted to object, but then she realized she would be protesting too much. What was she going to do—drive to the theater and fight for parking just to make a point? “Sure,” she said. “That’ll be fine.”
“What’s your address?”
Nya hesitated, not because she didn’t want to give him her address, but because she was suddenly remembering how this story had played out in her past relationships. The guy would pick her up for their date then take her home. Head upstairs with her. It all led to moving too far too fast.
Was she setting herself up for that exact scenario right now?
But she told him her address nonetheless. “I can be downstairs at six fifteen, if that works for you.”
“That’ll work.” Tyler told her. “See you then.”
* * *
Later that day, Nya had the firefighters’ calendar open to November and the picture of Tyler. Wearing only his turnout pants and suspenders, Tyler was standing in front of the engine truck. One arm was extended above his head and resting on the truck. His magnificent chest was exposed, showing off his muscular pecs and washboard abs. He was one helluva sexy man.
Nya lifted her smartphone