Free HH01 - A Humble Heart by R.L. Mathewson Page B

laugh from Deana. “She’s not dating anyone. Why would you think she was? She’s practically in love
    with you-oh damn, I have to go.” Deana stammered.
    “What did you just say?” he pushed.
    “Nothing, I didn’t say anything. I really have to go I’m getting the kids ready. Please don’t tell her we talked.” Deana hung
    up.
    Edward dropped into a chair at the table. Did she mean Dana was in love with him? Was that possible? That would
    be……perfect. Now he just had to work up the nerve to ask her out without ending up hanging out with his sister again.
    She hurried out of the bedroom before he could figure out how to do it. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Edward. Have a good
    night,” Dana said, trying to sound upbeat, too upbeat. He suddenly remembered he was worried about her.
    He gently grabbed her arm. “Dana, what’s wrong?”
    She looked at the ground. “Nothing. It’s fine, Edward.”
    “Dana, you can talk to me,” Edward said softly. Dana raised her eyes to his and opened her mouth to speak.
    “I was told to tell both of you that tomorrow we're not shooting.” Amy said as she joined them in the trailer.
    Dana looked at Amy. “Oh?”
    “Yeah, something about a mistake in shooting permits. We shoot on Monday instead, so actually you have two days off,”
    Amy said.
    “Great," Dana muttered under her breath. “Just what I need,” she sighed. “See you guys Monday then.”
    Edward was forced to let her go. He watched as she made her way to her Jeep and left. “What’s wrong with Dana?”Amy
    asked.
    He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know.” And he didn’t like it. He put his arm around Amy’s shoulders. “Come on,
    I’ll let you make me dinner tonight.”
    She ducked out of his embrace. “Sorry, big brother. I have a date tonight.”
    “What? Since when?” He tried not to sound too shocked, but this was his baby sister and she had never been big on
    dating, at least he didn’t think she had.
    “The photographer,” she said, grinning wickedly.
    “The photographer? Is that his name now?” Edward asked teasingly.
    She playfully slapped him. “No, it’s Tyler. You are such a jerk.” Edward watched her expression become suddenly
    somber. “Hmm, I thought she actually forgot. At least that’s what Deana said. I guess she remembered after all.”
    “What?” Edward asked.
    “I know why Dana’s upset,” she said, shrugging her shoulders as if it was no big deal.
    Edward waited patiently for her to tell him, but after a long moment it seemed she wasn't going to spill. He put his hands
    in his pants pocket to keep himself from strangling her. “Well?”
    She seemed to come out of a trance. “Oh, her ex is coming today to see the kids. He’s here for the week.”
    “I thought she didn’t like him,” Edward said. He felt his stomach twist, dreading her next words.
    “No, she doesn’t. They’re on friendly terms for the kids. Sort of,” she said.
    “I don’t understand what the problem is. Surely she’s seen him since the divorce.”
    Amy rolled her eyes as if it was painfully obvious what was wrong. “This is the first time they’ve seen each other since
    that asshole proposed to his girlfriend, and he’s bringing her on this visit. He promised not to. Dana wanted him to focus on his
    kids, but his little girlfriend put her foot down. Apparently she’s intimidated by Dana and doesn’t trust Jeff around her.”
    “Oh.”
    “Oh?” She laughed darkly. “This is also the first time they’ve seen each other since it came out that he had cheated on her
    for three years. How would you like that shoved in your face?”
    Edward ground his teeth. “That asshole. I thought it was just a rumor.”
    “Nope,” Amy said making the word pop. “Little girlfriend decided to jump on Dana’s fame and announced to the world
    last week that not only had they had an affair, but she screwed Jeff in every room in their house.”
    His jaw was painfully tight now.