Tom lay beside Maria on a plastic lounging chair too small for them both, yet they'd snuggled on it together. His side grew number with each passing minute. Despite her warm body and the gentle manner the streetlight illuminated her brown skin, his mind ruminated on other issues.

Prae had spent the party with Mitch and Shawn, and the three left the apartment complex together. Shawn didn't worry Tom much, but he often looked the other way when his friend drank up women's affections and feelings and tossed them aside for another.

Footsteps echoed off the concrete and Tom sat up straight, jostling Maria around. With a frown, he tried to cover her with a towel so she wouldn't wake. Her breathing remained steady, so he stood and headed over to get answers.

Shawn walked alone, whistling with his hands in his pockets. Tom's skin itched as he strode over and imagined Mitch's dirty hands on Prae's gorgeous, delicate body.

"Did Prae get home all right?" Tom asked.

Shawn's posture straightened. "Yeah, she's home, safe and sound."

"Alone?"

"I guess? I never inquired if she lived with a roommate."

Tom puffed out his chest. "You know what I'm asking."

Running a hand through his thick hair, Shawn said, "I don't, man. It's late, and we drink a lot, so get to the point."

"What's your buddy doing now?"

Shawn shook his head and laughed. "That guy and his appetite..."

Tom's fists clenched at his sides. He'd never thought Shawn shared his friend's twisted attitude toward women, but it made sense. On Monday, Tom could report them to the administration for being sexual predators. Mitch had mixed the beverages they'd encouraged her to drink and followed her home.

"He's out buying half of Sev's hot meals. How that guy stays in shape eating what he does is beyond me."

"Food? That's all?"

"Why all the questions? Maybe a water or Gatorade. How should I know? Ask him when he gets here because I'm going to bed."

Even as Shawn walked off, Tom still couldn't trust his words, not if Prae could be in danger. She rarely got involved in the stupid partying and hooking up that took place between the foreign staff. He should have warned her to stay away, but she'd sounded excited about the different foods, about hanging with him, Maria and Emma.

Regrettably, the four of them spent little time together. Tom had talked to Prae in the beginning, but Mitch strolled over with Maria at his side as if he'd organized the party and were co-hosting it. Spending time with Maria so Mitch wouldn't get the upper hand again distracted Tom. Prae took off with two calculating men because Tom paid attention to his date. If anything happened to her, that would forever mar his conscience.

The smack of foam on the pavement made Tom's shoulders tense. The cocky blond rounded the corner with a plastic bag hanging from one hand and a toasted sandwich in the other. While the sight undid a few knots in Tom's stomach, it still didn't absolve the man of guilt. He could have worked up an appetite going after Prae.

"What happened with Prae?" Tom crossed his arms over his chest.

"Hi Tom, good to see you. How was your night?" Mitch's crooked smile made Tom grind his teeth. "That's a normal greeting."

Tom lunged toward the guy, not caring how many inches Mitch had on him, and shoved him hard. "You son of a bitch!" Mitch's sandwich tumbled to the ground.

"What the hell, man? What's wrong with you?"

Despite Mitch not fighting back, Tom stood tall to keep it that way. "I asked you a question."

"Prae's home, bit tipsy, bit sad, but home. No need to assault my snacks."

"Sad... what did you do?"

"I'm not the one who caused that." Mitch stared back at Tom as if it were his fault. What could he have done to upset her? They'd hardly talked beyond when she first arrived earlier in the night.

"If you made a move on her, I swear to God..." Tom stepped forward and clenched his fist.

"Prae's a grown-ass woman. She doesn't need you butting in and fighting her battles."

"She's drunk."

"That's why we walked her home and checked she still had her keys, which she did, Officer Tom." Mitch reached in his bag, pulling out a cardboard box. "Can I eat this one or do you have something against ham and cheese sandwiches tonight?"

Tom sighed. Everything was a joke to this asshole. "Sure, given that you don't care about anyone's feelings or take them seriously."

"Just because I don't intimidate people doesn't mean I don't care. How's Maria? Isn't she who you should be most worried about? Prae's actions and choices shouldn't concern you."

Heat crawled across Tom's face and scurried down his neck to his chest. "You're such an asshole."

"I'm an asshole for suggesting that you care about the woman you're seeing? That's fucked up."

A deep, calming breath did little to soothe his worries. "Prae isn't someone you can fool around with when you're bored."

"I never said or implied she was."

"She's an extraordinary person, and she deserved a lot more than some drunk guy thinking she looks good in a bathing suit."

"Listen, Tom." Mitch stopped eating his sandwich and leaned down toward him. "We walked to her apartment and made sure she was safe. Then I hugged her because she was crying, and she went into her apartment alone. That's what happened." Mitch seemed sincere, but he was a very skilled liar.

"I'll call her right now, and if you're lying..."

"She'll confirm what I said. You'd be the one confusing her with a late-night phone call."

"Confusing her?"

"You don't call just anyone in the middle of the night to check on them."

"Friends look out for each other."

"And you checked on her, through me, and I'm assuming Shawn. You could text her. If you have stronger feelings for her, maybe you'll feel jealous and not trust what two people have confirmed. So phone her if you want, but remember what message it sends her."

Screw Mitch's flawed logic. Texts were too impersonal. If something had happened, he would hear it in her tone. "You don't want me to call."

"I think you're making things worse, but no one's stopping you."

Tom would not let Mitch's mind games fool him. He dug out his phone and dialled Prae's number. She picked up on the second ring.

"Tom?" Her voice was high, and she sniffled.

His heart clenched. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. How are you?" Her voice sounded slow and tired, but her sad tone concerned him.

"Good. I wanted to make sure you got home safely. Mitch or Shawn didn't hurt you, did they?"

"What? No, why would they hurt me?" His shoulders relaxed, hearing the surprise in her tone. "They walked me to my apartment. It was very sweet."

"And nothing happened?"

"Wh-what do you mean?"

Tom's brow furrowed, and he shoved his fists in his pockets. "Mitch, he didn't try to seduce you, did he?"

"Oh, no, no, he just listened to my silly stories and told me everything would work out okay." Her tone of voice made him think she was smiling. Tom hung his head and sighed. "Is that why you called?"

"Yeah."

"Oh," her tone fell like a rock from the top of a waterfall. "I am fine. But I appreciate your concern."

An awkward silence stretched between them. What had Prae wanted him to say?

"Good night, Tom."

"Good night, Prae. Sweet dreams."

The line clicked, and Tom placed the phone in his pocket. So Mitch was right, and Tom overreacted like a jerk. The lanky blonde hadn't gone far—a few steps closer to the pool—his gaze resting on Maria.

"I owe you an apology," Tom said.

"Really? Can it come in sandwich form? Because one isn't enough." Mitch held up the empty box with a cheeky smile.

"Prae told me you walked her home and reassured her about something."

"That's what happened."

"I overreacted. Prae's a good friend, and I worry about her."

"Are you sure that's all she means to you?"

Tom's neck and face got warm as they had when Prae stood so close to him in that stunning bathing suit of hers. In fear his feelings would tumble out with his words at the party, his response clung to his throat like the slimy substance secreted by a slug. He'd muttered a non-committal answer when Mitch had asked him to comment on her looks. Maria was right next to him too. What was he supposed to say?

"Are you accusing me of something?" Tom asked.

"No, I'm asking, because if I had Maria, she'd have my complete attention."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "Are you even capable of devoting your affection to one woman?"

Mitch scowled. "Screw off. I can, but I've chosen not to. You're the guy who trashes anything that isn't a fully committed monogamous relationship, but who is fixating on another woman."

Tom shook his head. This guy was unbelievable if he was going to pretend he could sweep in and act like a better partner than Tom after everything he'd done to women. "I'm not fixated; I care. You selfishly hurt people!"

"I'll admit, I haven't handled every relationship well, especially not lately. But that doesn't make me incapable of monogamy, and certainly doesn't mean I can't recognize that you bailing on Maria to talk to Prae for ten minutes is unfair. You didn't glance back at her once or invite her over. You think that went unnoticed?"

Tom furrowed his brow. What the hell was Mitch playing at? "So it's a crime to focus on the person I'm speaking to?"

"Why speak with Prae alone? If you were that into Maria, you wouldn't want to be apart, and her laugh and voice would distract you. When I walked over to her just now after you accused me of being a predator, you would have challenged me instead of focusing on your phone call."

Tom's palms sweated despite the cool night air. Maria hadn't seemed upset with him about Prae, but was she? "What are you trying to say?"

"Maria's a remarkable person. She deserves someone who loves, adores, and cherishes her for the compassionate, understanding, and devoted woman she is. If you don't see that, you shouldn't be with her."

What was Mitch's angle? Was he that desperate to break them up? "Why? So you can step in? You think you can give her the love she needs."

Mitch focused on Maria, whose chest rose and fell at a relaxed pace beneath her towel. He sighed. "I was hoping for her sake you could."

The rawness of Mitch's tone unsettled a hazy memory Tom had buried of being a drunken idiot with Mitch, Shawn and Daniel while partying in Samet.

Mitch had helped Tom after he'd face-planted, assuring him that not every girl out there was like his ex. "Someday you'll meet a keeper, but you'll have to toss a lot back before you find her. So don't think each one is a prize or you'll keep getting bit. The chick who was into you yesterday and making out with some other guy tonight, let her go, and try again."

Maria had the qualities of a keeper. She loved her family, she helped others, and she was attractive. In time, he'd fall in love with her, but it was natural to still be hesitant so early in their relationship.

"I'll try," Tom said.

Mitch glanced over at Maria and nodded. Tom could imagine his thoughts. Maria needed more than someone who would try, and he aspired to be that guy. Mitch wanted the best for Maria as her friend and seemed to treat Prae the same. Tom had bombarded him with accusations for the same reasons.

"Can I buy you another sandwich?" Tom asked.

Mitch chuckled. "Nah, I was just bugging you. I bought three in case this one was up and hungry, but she's out." Mitch tilted his head toward a snoring Maria. Tom found their friendship odd. But he'd let it go since it seemed to make Maria quite happy and despite his many flaws, Mitch respected the relationship more than Tom had expected. Mitch dug in the plastic bag and pulled out a pork floss bun, extending it to Tom.

"Didn't eat enough at the potluck?"

"It's absorbing the alcohol."

Tom took the bun after a few bites, he turned to Mitch. "Did you ever find a keeper?"

Mitch raised an eyebrow and laughed. "You lost me."

"After my first trip to Samet, you told me to continue looking until I found a keeper, someone worth my time. I thought you were spewing nonsense, but it makes sense now, although it could be sangria talking."

Mitch laughed. "It probably is."

"So you never found one?"

Mitch chewed his lip and kicked the soles of his navy flip-flops together until one plunged to the pool deck. "I did and I have."

"Which one?"

"Both."

"What happened?"

"I fucked up the first years ago, and I'm pretty sure I've done the same to the second."

"Who's the second?"

"I'd rather not say."

"Prae?"

Mitch laughed. Tentacles of ice scurried over Tom's skin. If it was Prae and Mitch treated her well, he might grow less irritating and more approachable in her eyes. Prae rarely cared for the guy, but her opinion shifted tonight during the call. Was that why she had sounded strange on the phone? She'd hesitated when he asked if anything happened between them. Perhaps Mitch thought he screwed it up but was wrong.

"It's not Prae. But it doesn't matter who it is. Just because I think the world of her doesn't mean I'm the right guy for her."

Tom relaxed. He couldn't imagine anyone in a relationship with Mitch, but one day, when he changed his lifestyle, someone might.