The door to the dressing room burst open, and Aunt Dee Dee came out first, her hands clasped in front of her. “Oh, Kitty-Cat, wait till you see how my baby looks in Grammy’s gown.”
She latched on to Shane’s gaze. This fireman owed her nothing, but she needed him to take her offer. She couldn’t even think about what that meant. For now, all she worried about was that two-timing cousin of hers emerging from the dressing room wearing Gram’s wedding gown.
His green eyes flashed over to the scene at the dressing room; Co-Co had stepped out of the cubicle, Aunt Dee Dee audibly sucking in her breath. He fixed his gaze back on to her. “Deal,” he whispered.
“Thank you, thank you.” She had pulled a nice-enough, unassuming guy she barely knew into her web of lies. She was shameless.
Co-Co looked stunning in Gram’s gown. Even Kit had to admit it. The gown was at least two sizes too large, but with Aunt Dee Dee holding the excess in her fist from behind, it was apparent that when Kit did the alterations, Co-Co would make for a beautiful bride.
“I’ve got my work cut out for me, huh.” Kit came up and nudged Aunt Dee Dee’s hand from the fabric. She pushed at Co-Co’s shoulder. “Turn around.”
Co-Co gingerly made a slow full circle and stood facing Kit and Shane. She pulled bunches of the fabric into her hands, stepped over to Shane, and gave him a coy look. “Hey, you,” she cooed. “You have no idea how happy I am to meet you.” She lifted her shoulders in delight. “Mother, aren’t they adorable together?”
“I can’t believe it.” Aunt Dee Dee’s voice rose high, as though it were so farfetched Kit could have found a man. She licked her lips, collected herself, and extended her hand like a debutant. “I’m delighted.”
Shane promptly accepted the handshake.
“Welcome to the family.”
Kit pinched the space between her eyes where a headache had begun to throb into the beat of a one-word chant going on in her head—liar, liar, liar.
Co-Co clapped her hands. “I guess we’ll all be seeing you at all the wedding events.” She turned to Kit. “Saturday! Don’t forget! The whole family can meet your new man at Mom’s dinner party on Saturday.”
Saturday’s dinner party. Crapola. She’d forgotten all about it. Kit met Shane’s gaze and tried to convey an apology.
A relentless Co-Co leaned in close. “Touchy subject, I know, but I’m sure you’re aware of the circumstances.” She pulled her mouth downward into an exaggerated frown. Just as quickly her coral-slick mouth sprang free into a grin to rival a gussied-up jack-o’-lantern. “But this changes everything. Brian is going to be so relieved. I mean happy, yes, happy to hear the news.”
“Come on,” Kit said. “Let’s get you pinned.” She tapped a finger onto the face of her watch. “Chop-chop.”
“I, uh, have to get going anyway,” Shane said. He met her gaze. “We’ll talk later, then. Okay?”
“Sure, yes,” she said. “Uh, Shane.” For effect, she rubbed her hand up and down his upper arm. Quite the upper arm. “Have a good day, um, babe.”
The awkwardness cut off her air. Her lungs were filled with cement now, too. And while she suffered to breathe, he wrapped one of his big arms around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. She peered up at his face, her mouth open, but she was too stunned to speak. Then just when she was sure this could not be happening, Shane Dugan kissed her on the temple.
“See you later, honey.” He flashed a smile to Co-Co and her mother. “Have a nice day, ladies.”
“The pleasure was all ours!” Co-Co gushed, and Aunt Dee Dee smiled like a loon.
Kit’s eyes followed him as he left the shop while she breathed in and out. He opened the door to his green truck and lifted his gaze. He smiled at her through the front window, and then he winked.
Chapter Seven
While Kit gathered her measuring equipment and her box of pins, readying to cinch Gram’s dress around Co-Co’s scrawny body, Co-Co droned on about Shane. “I can’t believe you’ve been keeping that boyfriend of yours a secret. When were you going to let people know?”
Kit swallowed hard. “I guess today.”
Co-Co threw her arms around her. “Yay for you, Kitty-Cat. The whole family is going to be so happy for you. And Brian, too. He’s going to be so glad.”
Oh God. What had she and this fireman done? Maybe she’d have been better off with an axe murderer. This was going to flood the family’s pipeline like a spark to a gas can. Every relative near and far would learn this fake news before day’s end. That was how her family worked. And her mother! Oh God. How was she supposed to explain this to her mother? She had until Saturday to explain this away. Right now, though, she wanted a vat of rocky road ice cream and a shovel.
Co-Co interrupted the flash of thoughts going on in her head. “So tell me, tell me, how did you meet him?”
“I’m serious, Co-Co. Stand still unless you want to be a human pincushion.”
“Okay, okay, but I’ve got lots of questions…”
“Later. Now shut up and let me do my job.”
Co-Co’s cell phone sounded. “Wait,” she said, rummaging through her purse. “I have to get this. I’m waiting for a call from the travel agent.”
Kit groaned. This was like trying to train a puppy. She snapped the fabric measuring tape held taunt between her hands while her cousin yapped on about a trip to some luxurious island she insisted had to have personal hammocks. “No time for this,” she said, and Co-Co merely held up her index finger. Kit stormed out of the dressing room.
“Everything okay?” Aunt Dee Dee asked from where she sat like Miss Muffet on a tufted cushion outside the bank of dressing cubicles.
“She’s on the phone with her travel agent.”
Rylee had just finished up with a bride-to-be and her mother, the older woman having come to the weighty decision to go with a teal-toned, knee-length, mother-of-the-bride dress rather than an eggplant-colored chiffon. She pinned Kit’s gaze and motioned toward the stockroom. “Can I see you for a moment?”
“Sure.” Kit turned to her aunt and pointed toward Co-Co, who had her cell phone pressed to her face and was rattling on about honeymoon details. “Tell her she’s got five minutes.”
In the workroom Rylee put her hands to the sides of her face. “Kit, did I just see what I think I saw?”
“This is insane. I’m insane.” Kit’s voice was a rasp of incredulity. She couldn’t help it. She felt as if she’d been hit by a truck, sideswiped by a pair of lips to her temple.
“I thought I was seeing things. What the heck was that all about?”
“Keep your voice down. My cousin’s in there champing at the bit for details.”
“What details? I’m so confused.” Rylee shook her head. “Why’d that guy put his arm around you, and did he give you a smack?”
“He’s my boyfriend.”
Rylee laughed. “No, really.”
“Yeah, I am officially living a lie.”
She explained how it went down, and the entire time Rylee was slack jawed. By the time Kit was done talking, she’d worked herself up again. Her heart flew around in her chest, looking for a way to escape.
“This is a disaster.” Kit began to pace.
“Maybe.”
“What do you mean maybe? It’s a total horror show. When I tell everyone that the guy’s just renting my loft, they’re going to laugh their asses off about what a pathetic loser I am. Or they’ll want to lock me up for being delusional. I think I need to move. Someplace far. What’s Oregon like?”
“Kit, I kind of like the fact this fireman of yours is willing to play along.”
“He’s not mine. I’ve rented him. He has a girlfriend, for God’s sake. Wouldn’t she love to hear how her boyfriend likes to play along?” She groaned. “Hawaii. You can’t get there by car. I should move to Hawaii. Has the volcano calmed down? Who cares? I’m my own volcano.”
“Okay, stop and listen, friend. Think about it for a second. If this Shane guy
is willing to assume the role of your boyfriend for a while, I say why not? Think about the grief it’s going to save you. Weren’t you just telling me how you’re dreading going to this wedding and all its hoopla because you’re sure everyone is going to think you’re all sad and pining away over the groom? Well, now this little turn of events changes that. Problem solved. Poof.”
Kit put her hands over her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re encouraging me to perpetuate this lie. It’ll never work.”
“Look at me.” Rylee pulled at one of Kit’s hands. “Look at it as a misconception that just so happens to be a gift dropped right into your lap. When the wedding’s over, you can say you broke up with the guy. You said he’s only going to be at your place for a few months. It’s perfect. Genius, even.”
“A perfect disaster, more like.”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“Kitty-Cat, look,” Co-Co’s voice came from outside the room. “I’m ready.”
Kit groaned and went to the doorway. Co-Co stood on a pedestal in front of a full-length mirror. Gram’s gown clung to her frame with Aunt Dee Dee again pinching the excess in her fist from behind. Under the overhead light, Kit saw that the fabric was still in such good shape, and the passage of time’s pearly tone made it all the more beautiful. A tear pricked at her eye, but she was quick to blink it away. What hurt most was that she knew damned well Co-Co didn’t go for things like this. She liked shiny and new. Co-Co went for bling. This dress situation was just more of the little snake’s upstaging.
“Well?” Co-Co turned away from the mirror and tilted her head as she fixed her gaze on Kit. “Say something.”
It was a long moment before she could formulate any words. She had to admit Co-Co’s figure did Gram’s gown justice. But her cousin was an imposter in the heirloom, and that’s what fit her best. Kit took a deep breath; she couldn’t believe she was really going to do this. But it seemed like the only right thing in this wrong moment.
“Let’s get this done,” she said. “I’ve got a boyfriend to get home to.”
It was interesting how at this moment the big fat lie tasted better than a boatload of ice cream.
Chapter Eight
Alone with him in her house, standing there in her living room, Kit decided Shane Dugan filled the space. Her insides twisted. There was nowhere to turn. She squared her shoulders and made a split-second decision there was no way in hell she could live under the same roof as this too-cute fireman. She had to undo this nightmare right here and now.
Ever since Brian and his lip-lock with her stupid cousin, she was closed to the idea of a man, any man whatsoever, zooming around in her orbit. It made life easier that way or at least somewhat sane. In the time since she and Brian had broken up, she hadn’t had an iota of interest in men, hadn’t noticed anything about a single one of the species who crossed her path. Now Shane Dugan was here in front of her, pale-blue shirt draping his broad shoulders, clinging down over his taut torso, and disappearing into a tuck of his faded jeans that fit like custom. Oh lordy, no way.
“Thanks for agreeing to let me rent your room.” His smile was dazzling. “I know you were hesitant about it at first, but I promise most of the time you won’t even know I’m around.”
She looked away, and her gaze landed on his T-shirt logo, Sycamore River Fire Academy. “Actually…” She hated this part, but this was a no go.
“And,” he said, all smiley. He pointed a finger in the air. “I’m handy. I can fix things.”
“I, uh, don’t have anything that’s, um, broken.” Except my common sense. Yeah, that’s worse than my Honda that got carted away in pieces.
“But if you ever do, I’m your man.”
No, Shane Dugan. Do not tell me you are my man. Trying to cut down, thanks.
“I appreciate that, Shane, really, but…”
“And don’t worry about that cousin of yours. I’ve got no problem letting her think I’m your boyfriend for a little while.” He placed his large, manly hands on his chest, fingers splayed. “Like that would be a tough job for any guy.”
Parts of her that had been on ice were coming alive, her resolve melting in a succession of drips of maybe and puddling at her feet. What the heck was going on? No good would come from this thawing he produced.
“I don’t know.” She uttered a little laugh. “In hindsight I’m thinking I should just pull the plug on this now. It’s too crazy.”
“Crazier than that cousin of yours stealing your boyfriend and then expecting you to just be okay with it? Now that’s crazy.”
After all this time why did it still feel good to have someone else put voice to the injustice she’d had to deal with? She was over it. Well, she was over Brian, anyway. Last time she’d seen him, all she could think about was how big his Adam’s apple was and how it looked as if he’d swallowed a hamster or something.
“Yeah, that was pretty shitty. But so is lying about having a boyfriend. It’s just not me.”
He blew out a big breath. “Okay, look, I agree it’s kind of out there.” He laughed that nice sound while his eyes sparkled at her. “And it’s your call, but like I said, I’ve got no problem playing along.”
She turned away, and folding her arms across her chest, she paced around the sofa. “What about your girlfriend?”
“Dana’s not coming home until Labor Day, and when she hears the circumstances, she won’t mind.”
“You’re going to tell her about this?”
Shane shrugged. “I was going to wait until she got home, but yeah.”
Kit continued to pace. “We don’t know anything about each other. How are we supposed to pull off being in a relationship? It’ll be like living with a pop quiz hanging over our heads all the time.”
“Hey, I’m a quick study. Ask Hop. He’ll tell you. We’ll go over some basic stuff to make it sound legit.”
“By Saturday?” She stopped her pacing and stared at him. “My aunt is hosting a dinner party on Saturday, and my mother is coming home from her cruise in time for it. Oh my God. My mother will be there. She’s a bloodhound.”
“First off, thank you for not doing laps around the couch anymore because it was making me dizzy.” He tilted his head, as if waiting for her to smile, which she did, and his famous grin broke out across his mouth. “Good. Maybe you’re starting to see the humor in the situation. It’ll be okay.”
“You haven’t met my mother.”
“By Saturday we’ll be so convincing even your mother will believe it’s true.”
Could they really do this? The ruse had to be better than telling Co-Co and her mother that what they saw in Rosie’s Bridals was a façade for their benefit. Her humiliation was already at full tilt.
“And with regard to the, uh, PDAs, I think we can dial that back.” She tried to cast the soft touch of his lips at her temple from her mind and the way his strong arm felt around her shoulders.
“Oh, you mean the smooch?” He pointed to his own temple. “If you want us to look like a real couple, we’re going to have to act like it.”
“Okay, but no lips.”
He saluted her. “Got it. Lips are off limits.”
She was doing this. This cute guy was going to move into her house and act to all the world like he was her boyfriend. There really was no turning back.
“Then I guess we forge ahead.”
“Great.”
“So, okay, let me show you around.” She watched his eyes scanning the room, and she assessed the place as if she were seeing it for the first time.
The double windows in the front of the room covered by wooden blinds looked frilly to her now topped with that pinstriped valance and the pom-pom trim. The oatmeal-toned, loose-pillow sofa with the gingham-plaid pillows seemed sort of fussy. The butler’s tray coffee table appeared too petite, like doll furniture. Was the rattan side chair strong enough to hold a hulky guy like him?
“Really nice.” He returned his gaze to meet hers. “Cozy.”
His
eyes intrigued her with their springtime tones, and his lush eyelashes served as a canopy over them. Somewhere inside she thumped, and she turned away abruptly. “The, uh, kitchen is this way.” He followed her through a doorway.
This small square room was her favorite. She loved her kitchen with its stubby little free-standing island crafted of butcher block darkened with age and the wood surface rutted from the years of use. Her old enamel stove with the squeaky door worked great, and she’d keep the relic until it bit the dust. She even appreciated the retro yellow Formica countertops and the white-painted cabinets with their black wrought-iron hinges with points like arrowheads. It was home.
“Cute,” Shane said. He knocked his knuckles onto the butcher-block surface of the island. “This is nice.”
“I should tell you now I’m kind of a neat freak.” She watched for a reaction. If he was a slob or anything, she was screwed. “I like order.”
“I can appreciate that.”
“And you can use the kitchen, but you’ll need to clean up after yourself. No dishes in the sink or anything.”
“Got it. I don’t really cook unless you count English-muffin pizzas.” He laughed. “I mostly do take-out, especially now that Dana’s in Milan. It’s a six-month stint, and she’s more than two months in. It’s for work. She makes perfume.”
She looked away from him. Something in his voice sounded wistful or kind of sad. Noticing stuff like that would be a no-no going forward. She would not get too friendly with this temporary renter. She’d gotten pretty good at keeping her distance from men and needed to continue to hone that skill.
He pulled a check out of his back pocket and handed it to her. “I’m going to need a written note from you for the fire department stating I lease a room here. This is three months’ rent in full, like we discussed at Hop’s.”
She took the check from his hand. “When, uh, were you planning on moving in?”
Mr. Maybe Page 5