Kayla Perrin - Flames of Passion

“Russell and I are dating!” Topaz announced. “A little over a year and a half now.”

“More like a year and a few months,” Russell said, then chuckled uneasily.

Year and a half! Russell had definitely been cheating on her!

“Oh, right,” Topaz said, catching on. “A year and a few months. We were working together and couldn’t deny our attraction.”

Not wanting to hear another word, Nya turned to the bar and began to search in her purse for her second drink ticket. She needed another alcoholic beverage, and fast.

Nya ordered a vodka tonic and promptly took a liberal sip.

When she turned around and tuned in to the conversation again, Russell was asking, “So how long have you two been together?”

“Not too—” Tyler began.

“Six months,” Nya interjected. “Six amazing months.” Six months ago was the last time Nya had contacted Russell, foolishly asking if they could once again work on their relationship. He hadn’t told her that he’d been involved with Topaz, but he had told her that she needed to move on.

“Great,” Russell said. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

“We’re very happy,” Nya said, and placed a hand on Tyler’s chest.

Feeling a jolt of heat, she withdrew her hand. And took another sip of her drink.

“Listen,” Russell began, “I’m glad I ran into you. I finally finished the film. And the premiere is this Friday night. I would love for you and Tyler to come.”

“You finished it?” Nya asked. “Wow.” It was bittersweet. She had been working with Russell on the film, wearing many hats as he’d been trying to produce his first feature. Their breakup had meant the end of her involvement on the project, one she’d believed in.

“Yep,” Russell said. “And it’s time to introduce my baby to the world.”

At Russell’s statement, Topaz leaned into him, and Nya wanted to roll her eyes. He’s not referring to you, dimwit.

Instead, Nya also moved closer to Tyler, taking his hand in hers. “I’m really happy for you, Russell,” she said in a sweet tone. “But I’m sorry. I’m busy Friday night. Tyler and I have plans.”

Tyler, who up until this point had been mostly silent, suddenly spoke. “Actually, that dinner fell through.”

Nya’s eyes shot to his. “Honey?”

“We can make it to Russell’s screening.” Then he faced Russell. “What time will it be?”

Nya wanted to elbow him in the ribs. What was he doing? Yes, she had kissed him without warning, but surely he must have figured out that she was playing a role. All she wanted him to do was look hot and stay silent.

“Seven o’clock,” Russell said. “And there’ll be an after party, as well. At The Diamond Club.”

“Ooh, one of the best hot spots.” Tyler leaned in close and kissed Nya on the temple. “We’ll be there.”

Russell beamed. “Excellent! It’s a great film, if I do say so myself.”

“What’s the film about?” Tyler asked.

“Struggling alcoholic with an abusive past finds herself and redemption,” Russell answered.

Nya cleared her throat. “Sweetie,” she began, an undeniable edge to her tone. “Are you sure Friday night’s engagement dinner is canceled? Because when I spoke to Jennifer, she said she was only waiting on confirmation from her brother.” Turning to Russell, Nya explained. “Jen’s brother is on the East Coast, and he’s working on a huge ad campaign and isn’t sure he’ll be able to leave town. But he’ll know by tomorrow. Which is why we can’t confirm with Russell,” Nya went on, looking at Tyler now. “Knowing Keith, he’ll be on a flight early Friday morning to make sure he gets here. I’m sure it will go ahead, as planned.”

Tyler was shaking his head even before she was finished with her story. “Nope,” he said. “I spoke with Dave. He told me it’s definitely canceled. Keith didn’t want to be rushed, so they decided to put off the dinner. Jen doesn’t want to have the dinner without him being there. After all, he’s the only family she’s got left.”

Nya could smack Tyler. Truly, she could. Why was he throwing a wrench into her well-executed excuse? Wasn’t it apparent to him that she was trying to avoid Russell? Weren’t firefighters supposed to save people? Didn’t he see that she needed saving?

For some crazy reason, Tyler seemed determined to beat her at her own game.

He winked at her. Then he looked at Russell. “We’d love to come.”

Resignation swirling in Nya’s gut like black tar, she faced Russell. “All right, then. Since the dinner is canceled, we’ll be there.”

Russell clapped his hands together. “Excellent.” Then he reached into his jacket pocket and produced two tickets. “Here you go. These will get you into the premiere.”

Tyler took them. “Thank you.”

“I’m the lead actress,” Topaz said to Tyler. “It’s my first big role.”

“Great,” Tyler said. “I look forward to it.”

With a nod, Russell said, “We’d better continue making the rounds. More people to see.”

“Don’t let us stop you,” Nya said, her fake smile still plastered on her face.

“Good to see you again, Nya.” Then, finally, Russell turned and walked away. Topaz turned, casting a lingering glance at Tyler as she started walking off with Russell.

The nerve!

The moment they were out of earshot, Nya turned to Tyler. “What did you think you were doing?”

“Tyler McKenzie,” Tyler said, offering her his hand. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Nya glared at him. “I know who you are. I work at the photography studio with Sabrina.”

“Ahhh, that’s right.” He snapped a finger. “That’s why you looked familiar.”

“Nya,” she told him, a little hurt that he didn’t remember her. “Nya Lowe.”

“Now that we’ve been properly re-introduced, are you going to kiss me again?” Tyler asked.

Her face flaming, Nya forced in an even breath. Then she felt a measure of disgust. “You men. You’re all the same.”

Tyler chuckled. “Excuse me? You kiss me, then you look at me like I’m some sort of creep?”

“Don’t you have a fiancée?” Nya asked. She remembered that he had mentioned his fiancée during the photo shoot and had dashed her hopes of dating him in the process.

“I did,” Tyler said. “It ended about four months ago.”

“Oh,” Nya said, feeling stupid. “I see. I—I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be sorry.”

“That was my ex-boyfriend, and I needed someone,” Nya explained.

“Happy to help.”

Tyler grinned at her, a smile that was both charming and disarming. But still Nya wasn’t impressed with his antics. “Obviously, you had to have realized that I was trying to escape Russell. Yet you accepted an invitation to a film I clearly don’t want to go to. You’re a firefighter. Don’t firefighters rescue people?”

Tyler chuckled. “I’ve never quite had to rescue anyone in exactly that manner before...”

“You know what I mean,” Nya said.

“You laid one on me without any explanation. If you wanted help, shouldn’t you have just asked instead of kissing me?”

“You’re right,” Nya conceded. “Obviously, you had no clue what I was doing, and I’m sorry for the way I handled things. It’s just, suddenly he was there, and I panicked.” Nya paused, realizing that she was doing too much talking. “The problem is, you created a bigger mess for me by telling Russell that we’ll go to the screening of his film.”

“Or, what I’ve actually done is give you another opportunity to drive your point home.”

“How so?”

“You clearly want to prove to this guy that you’re over him. So why don’t we get dressed up on Friday night and go to the movie premiere? After that, there’ll be no doubt in his mind that you’ve moved on.”