All's Fair in Love and Blood: A Romantic Comedy Novel

by Jennifer Peel

  Sometimes I wondered what he would do if I hugged him or tried to hold his hand. I wasn’t brave enough to try.

  While Eva played doting wife, Kane played peacemaker.

  “They’re also the only team to win the World Series in three different home cities,” Kane threw out another fun fact to smooth over the awkwardness.

  The corner of Auggie’s mouth ticked up a tad. That was all the thanks Kane would get from him.

  I didn’t behave like Eva and fawn all over Kane because he knew some random team facts; I went with the teasing route. “What’s the World Series?” I grinned.

  For a second Kane thought I was serious, and his mouth began to fall open. I think he was a bit worried I was way too oblivious. Then he narrowed his eyes at me, reading through my feigned innocence.

  Auggie, on the other hand, began to answer me. “It’s the annual championship.” He was as serious as could be.

  I had to press my lips together before I laughed. I may not know much about sports, but I wasn’t that clueless.

  Kane squeezed my hand while I turned toward Auggie. “Um, thank you.”

  Auggie nodded as if he’d done a good deed.

  Kane whispered in my ear, “This is why I like you.”

  Like? It didn’t sound as wonderful as it once had. Not because I didn’t believe him or feel honored that he liked me. It was just that I found myself wanting more. I wasn’t sure I was truly falling in love, but whatever I felt was more than “like.” I couldn’t quite explain it, but I felt connected to Kane in a way I’d never felt before. And because of that connection, I felt more connected to myself, if that made sense. Still, I couldn’t say any of that, especially in front of everyone. Instead, I smiled and leaned my head on his shoulder.

  He kissed my head, and I took comfort in his touch.

  The game started, and I got lost in my head trying to remind myself that we hadn’t known each other that long, and I was being silly wishing for more. I only wished I knew all the rules.

  Kane shook me out of my thoughts with his enthusiasm for the game. He jumped up several times, and when I didn’t follow, he started pulling me up with him. Apparently, standing up was an integral part of watching the game that I didn’t know about. As was shouting and cheering. Most of the time I didn’t know what I was cheering for. However, I was happy because Kane was. It was an odd sensation to be happier because someone you cared about was happy.

  One person, though, wasn’t happy, and that was Auggie. Not like he was ever happy. Maybe unhappy wasn’t the right word to describe him, but I felt his eyes on me frequently, and when I looked his way, his brow was always furrowed and his face pinched. Sometimes he would tilt his head as if he didn’t recognize me.

  I was grateful when some business associates called to him from the aisle. Auggie never passed up an opportunity to mix business with pleasure. Honestly, I was surprised he hadn’t already held a conference meeting or made ten phone calls while we sat there. What did surprise me was when he said, “Scarlett, come with me; I want to introduce you to Jack and Frank Adams.” He said their names like they should mean something to me.

  I stared at Auggie blankly for a moment. This wasn’t only unusual—it was bizarre.

  Auggie stood and waited for me.

  Kane whispered in my ear, “Their company services some of our diagnostic equipment.” Then he nudged me to give me some encouragement. On his prompting, I stood and followed Auggie, skirting past the narrow aisle to the stares of not only Eva but Ophelia, who was there with her flavor of the month.

  They both gave me fake smiles like they always did in my father’s presence, but their incredulous eyes told a different story. I could see Ophelia scrutinizing the white shorts and blue ruffle tank top I was wearing. Of course, she looked perfect in her tiny jean shorts and tight white T-shirt, with her hair pulled through her baseball cap in a pristine ponytail. Eva showed her true colors when she reached for Auggie. “Don’t interrupt the lovebirds,” she choked out. “I’ll go with you.”

  My fists curled into balls as I tried to refrain from rolling my eyes. Eva hated Kane’s and my relationship more than anyone. She only wanted to go with my father because of her determination to prove to everyone she was number one in Auggie’s world.

  Auggie surprised me again. “It’s important for Scarlett to meet Jack and Frank.”

  Eva’s cheeks pinked, and I swear she held back some tears. “Whatever you think is best.” She focused back on what was happening on the field.

  I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

  Auggie bulled past a mixture of stepchildren and employees, all who seemed to bounce on the edge of their seats with anticipation that Auggie would acknowledge them. He nodded and waved as he passed. He wasn’t a complete ogre.

  I stepped on only a few toes and narrowly escaped landing in my stepsister, Danielle’s, lap. So, business as usual for me.

  By the time we reached the aisle, I felt like I’d had a workout.

  Auggie shook hands with the gentlemen, who, like my father, were dressed nicely.

  Auggie turned toward me and said, “Frank and Jack, this is my girl—”

  What he said after that was a blur. Auggie had never called me his girl, only his daughter. Saying I was his girl was significant. Even more significant than Kane using the same term of endearment. It meant that maybe my father loved me.

  Could I dare to hope?

  On Top of the World

  “My dad would have loved this.” Kane squeezed my hand as we looked out over Centennial Olympic Park from the SkyView Ferris wheel.

  I snuggled closer to Kane on the leather seat in the air-conditioned gondola. Admittedly, I was not that fond of how high up we were dangling in the sky. However, it gave us an incredible view of the city, and being with Kane made me feel as if I were on top of the world. I hadn’t seen him all week due to another business trip, so I was willing to be anywhere with him, even if I did feel a little queasy. It didn’t help that the floor was made of glass, highlighting how high we really were.

  “You know, he took me to the ‘96 Olympics.”

  “That must have been amazing.”

  Kane gazed out over the city. “It was. I still remember people dressed in gold rising high above the stadium to the sound of mysterious tribal music during the opening ceremonies. There was this energy I can’t explain. And when the orchestra began to play the theme song by John Williams, my dad started to cry.” Kane’s eyes began to water.

  I loved how easily Kane showed his emotions.

  “I asked him why he was crying,” his voiced cracked.

  “What did he say?”

  Kane’s eyes penetrated my own as if the other passengers didn’t exist around us. His look went right through me and I felt it all the way to my toes.

  “He said, ‘Kane, this is sacred ground now. Dreams are being realized as we speak. To witness someone’s dreams come true is an honor.’”

  “That’s beautiful,” I whispered.

  “Then he told me he would do whatever he could to make sure my dreams come true.”

  I reached up and wiped away a few tears that had leaked out of his eyes, feeling as if my dreams were coming true in this very moment. “I’m sure he’s still making good on that promise.”

  “Thank you for saying that, Scarlett. Times like these, I can still feel him.” He caught my hand and kissed it.

  Suddenly, the Ferris wheel jolted to a stop. We dangled there while each gondola’s passengers were let off. It was quiet between us, yet comfortable, as we got closer and closer to the ground.

  I loved these moments with Kane where I got insight into his heart and soul. More and more, I was falling for him. Was it love? I was beginning to think so. I needed to check with Naomi, but I wasn’t sure how to start that conversation. July was fading fast, and next month I would be back at Samford. I wondered if this thing between me and Kane could last.

  When we got off the ride, we walked around a b
it. Kane wanted a picture in front of the Fountain of Rings to go along with the several others he’d already snapped while we were on the Ferris wheel. It seemed important to him to document our time together. I didn’t mind at all. This way I could always relive one of my dreams.

  I’d been thinking about my dreams so much lately. I wished for a father like Kane’s who wanted to make my dreams come true. Unfortunately, Auggie didn’t even know what my dreams were, despite the fact that he was interacting more in my life than I’d ever remembered. Just yesterday he’d stopped by my office; he had stood there and stared at me sitting on the floor until he finally asked, “Is something wrong with your chair?”

  When I’d told him no, he had nodded and walked off. This may not seem like a significant thing, but he’d never come to my office before, and the fact he cared about how comfortable my chair was, sadly, said something.

  The real question I had been pondering lately was whether I was brave enough to make my own dreams come true. I strung my arm through Kane’s. Being with him this summer felt courageous. I’d been brave enough to believe someone like Kane would want to be with me. I’d been brave enough to be myself around him. Most importantly, I had started to take the leap of faith and explore who I was and what I wanted.

  Kane pulled me closer as we walked through the crowded plaza toward the fountain. As we approached, I saw a scene that was filled with such happiness—children and adults running through the fountain, laughing and squealing.

  Kane and I took a seat on one of the concrete steps to watch for a moment. He snapped a few pictures and a couple of selfies of us with the fountain as our backdrop.

  “This is a good one.” He showed me a picture of our heads together, water shooting up behind us.

  I stared at it for a moment. We looked like a couple. Like we belonged together. It was weird—I hardly recognized my tanned face. I liked the woman staring back at me. “It’s perfect.”

  Kane kissed my lips. “You’re perfect.”

  I bit my lip. “Not even close.”

  “I beg to differ. My opinion is completely unbiased.”

  “Uh-huh.” I wasn’t buying a word of it, but reveled in it just the same.

  He pressed his lips to mine before whispering against them, “Sweet perfection.” When he pulled away, he had a mischievous glint in his rich caramel chocolate eyes that made me hunger in ways I didn’t know were possible. “To prove my unbiased opinion, I think you’re going to have to run through the fountain with me.”

  I leaned away, wary of this plan. “What? We’ll get all wet, and we have dinner reservations.”

  “Scarlett,”—he swept the hair off my shoulder—“what would you think of going to my place for dinner?”

  I blinked and blinked, my brain short-circuiting. I’d never been to his place. He’d never even offered before this.

  “I’m tired of the prying eyes, and after being gone all week, I just want to be alone with you. But if it makes you feel uncomfortable . . .,” he added when I didn’t answer—more like couldn’t. I was still trying to process.

  Auggie and Eva were getting ridiculous whenever we were at my house. They seemed to hover wherever we were, whether in the pool swimming or the theater room watching a movie. And then there was the matter of Kane traveling more most likely because my father arranged it. “It doesn’t,” I stuttered.

  He tilted his head. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. But this is like a big step for us, right?”

  He chuckled. “Scarlett, you are a breath of fresh air.”

  More like I was an idiot. Why did I ask that? My cheeks began to burn.

  He rested his hand on my hot cheek. “Don’t be embarrassed. This is a big step. One I want to take with you, but only if you want to.”

  “I do, but I’m not ready to—”

  He pressed a finger to my lips. “I told you, I won’t be the one to break your teacup.”

  “Like ever?” I blurted. “I mean, what if we . . .” Oh my gosh. I was about to use the mother of all big M words—marriage. What was I thinking?

  He grinned. “What if we what?”

  I closed my eyes. “Nothing.”

  “Say it, Scarlett,” he dared me.

  “I’m good,” I eeked out.

  “Please open your eyes. Why do you still get so shy around me?” he asked tenderly.

  I popped one eye open.

  He patiently waited for me to open both.

  With a loud exhale, I opened my eyes to find him wearing a soft expression that invited me to speak what was in my heart.

  “I’m so new at this, and I don’t want to make assumptions or say the wrong thing, though I do anyway. But sometimes I wonder if this will ever be more. And if you and I will ever . . . well . . . you know.”

  “Mmm. I think I do know. And if we ever get to that point, I assure you that you are well worth waiting for.”

  There was no question I was falling in love with him. How could I not? He was perfect for me. That realization had me making more of a fool of myself. The nerves fell out of my mouth. “I can’t wait. I mean I can wait.” I stood. “I think we should run through the water.”

  Kane was quick to follow, and before I could run away, he wrapped me in his strong arms. When my head landed on his chest, I was pleased to hear his heart beating as erratically as mine. “I can’t wait either.”

  What couldn’t he wait for? Sex? Marriage? My pulse pounded with all the possibilities. Did that mean he was falling in love with me, too? It’s not something I felt like I could ask. I’d already been too truthful, which I couldn’t help but be around him. Though I took that as a good sign.

  He abruptly pulled away and grabbed my hand. “Let’s do this.”

  Before I knew it, we were dashing toward the rings of water. The cold water stung for a second but felt refreshing in the hot Georgia sun. Kane twirled me around, making me laugh and smile. I didn’t care that I probably looked like a drowned rat or that my sundress was clinging to me, showing off all my imperfections. All that mattered was the way Kane looked at me, and, in his eyes, I could see I was beautiful. More importantly, I could feel it myself.

  In that moment, I felt higher than when we had been on the Ferris wheel. I saw more than the city. I saw what I wanted my future to look like.

  Never Be the Same

  I rolled up the legs of the pair of sweatpants Kane had given me to wear. I’d never worn a man’s clothes before. It seemed kind of intimate. I liked it. Especially since his soft alma mater T-shirt from Georgia State smelled like him, spicy and warm. My ensemble wasn’t winning any fashion awards and it was unflattering, but it was my new favorite outfit. It represented the next step.

  When I was done dressing, I hung my wet sundress over Kane’s shower door. It was such a surreal experience. Suddenly, I felt grown up. I looked around Kane’s guest bathroom. It was no frills as far as decorations, but it had granite countertops and one of those fancy vessel sinks. It was so weird that I was dating a man who owned his own place.

  I threw my glasses back on and checked the mirror before I exited. The only thing I could do with my wet curly hair was to brush it to the side. It kind of looked sexy. Maybe? That wasn’t a word I ever associated with myself.

  I anxiously crept into the narrow hall of his condo. There was a masculine vibe to it, with its brick walls and hardwood floors. I tiptoed down the hall toward his living room and the music drifting throughout his place. I wasn’t sure who the artist was, but his voice was mellow and romantic. It was no Enya, but I liked it.

  Kane was sitting on his leather couch talking on the phone, ordering the Chinese food we’d agreed upon during the car ride over. When he saw me, he dropped his phone and fumbled to recover it, as if he were nervous. Totally something I would do, but it was out of character for him.

  I smiled at him, and once he had recovered his phone, he patted the seat next to him. Zooming his way, I landed next to him while he finished ordering. As
soon as he finished the call, he tossed his phone to the side, pulled me onto his lap, and ran his fingers through my wet hair.

  “Scarlett, you may be the death of me.”

  I tilted my head. “Why?”

  He groaned before kissing me. “Because you’re too damn sexy for my own good and yours.”

  “You really think I’m sexy?”

  He wrapped his arms around me, and I snuggled against his chest.

  “Darlin’.” He inhaled and exhaled deeply. “You take my breath away.”

  I knew the feeling.

  He lightly ran his fingers down my arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps. “What do you want to do?”

  “What do you usually do when you bring a woman home?” I asked naively.

  He cleared his throat. “Well . . .”

  “Oh. Uh . . .”

  “We play chess,” he teased, trying to smooth over the awkward moment.

  I lifted my head to find him grinning. “Do you play chess a lot?” Wow, was I getting bold. But I felt that it was kind of an important thing to know.

  His smile faded into a thoughtful look. “Not as much as you probably think, and never since we started dating.”

  “And”—I bit my lip—“you’re still okay with that, right?”

  He rested his forehead against mine. “I meant what I said—you are well worth the wait.”

  Oh, so he had meant sex, not marriage? Don’t ask that, Scarlett. “Thank you.”

  “For what? Not being a Neanderthal? You know, contrary to popular belief, men don’t think about sex twenty-four seven. It’s more like twenty-two seven.” He laughed.

  I rested my hands on his stubbled cheeks. “Thank you for letting me be me.”

  “That’s easy, and selfish on my part. I happen to like who you are very much.”