Dating by Design Series Box Set

by Jennifer Peel

  I shook my head at him and he kissed my temple.

  Jason looked between the two of us. “Are you sure you two aren’t dating?”

  “Positive,” we said in unison.

  Jason opened the door for us and smiled warmly at me as I walked in.

  “Thank you,” I remembered to say to him.

  “You’re welcome, Kenadie.” He exuded sincerity. He was the complete opposite of our mutual friend.

  That was the fanciest bowling alley I had ever been to. We had to take an elevator to the second floor of the nice brick building to get to the lanes. When the elevator door opened, I almost felt like we were in a nightclub, not a bowling alley, but the sounds of bowling balls connecting with pins proved we weren’t. The lighting was low except at the lanes, which were lit up in all sorts of neon colors, and there were high tables placed strategically near every lane. Instead of hard plastic chairs to wait your turn to bowl, there were nice black leather chairs.

  “I’ll get us a lane,” Zander offered.

  “I’ll pay for the pizza then.”

  Zander rolled his eyes at me as he walked off.

  “I can’t let you buy me dinner,” Jason said once Zander was out of range.

  “Your mom wouldn’t approve?”

  “Probably not, but since you won’t let me return the favor, I can’t in good conscience.”

  “I can respect that.”

  He pressed his lips together. “You’re an interesting woman, Kenadie.”

  “Is that a compliment?”

  “Absolutely.”

  I smiled in return. “I suppose we should get some shoes.”

  He reached up and touched my arm.

  I followed his hand and stared at it for a brief moment as it rested on my upper arm, but he didn’t remove it.

  “Hey, I wanted you to know that I didn’t have anything to do with the socks, and I didn’t tell Zander you would look sexy in your underwear.”

  I raised my eyebrow at him and when he realized how that could be taken, he got a tad pink.

  “I mean … you’re sexy …”

  I think my eyebrow arched all the way up to my hairline.

  “No … you’re not. I mean you are …” He dropped his hand. “I think I should quit talking.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at him. “That’s probably a good idea. And don’t worry about it. I figured by your reaction in the car Zander was trying to make trouble.”

  “He’s good at that, isn’t he?”

  “He’s a pro.” I watched Zander flirt with the woman at the counter. He hadn’t changed much in the last fifteen years and neither had his prowess with the ladies. The curly red-haired woman slipped Zander her number. I walked his way and played my part. I knew he wasn’t interested. I slid up next to him and without a thought he turned, looked at me adoringly, and softly kissed my cheek.

  “Hi, darlin’.”

  I glanced at the poor, now dejected woman. She gave me a contemptuous smile. I was used to them.

  “I’ll take a size six-and-a-half shoe,” I informed her, with a smile.

  She blandly handed me my shoes. I guess service with a smile was out of the question.

  Jason joined us and suddenly the red-haired woman was over Zander and full of smiles. I had to admit, Jason was attractive. And I could see why women would throw their attention his way. He had that air about him that screamed, “I’m a protector and a provider.” Pair that with his good looks, and he was a magnet.

  “Size eleven shoes,” he said with that charming grin of his.

  “Anything else?” she asked in a come-hither voice.

  “No, thank you,” he responded, to her disappointment.

  She handed him the multi-colored bowling shoes. “I’ll be here if you change your mind.”

  I never understood such forward women. I didn’t have anything against them, it just wasn’t me. I would be too embarrassed to be so presumptuous.

  Jason apparently didn’t understand them, either. He quickly took the shoes and turned from her without any acknowledgement of her invitation. She looked affronted at the snub. I don’t think he was snubbing her. I honestly think he didn’t want to hurt her feelings and so he chose to walk away from the situation.

  Zander and I followed him to lane three.

  “Thanks for saving me there,” Zander whispered in my ear.

  “You know someday we’re going to have to drop that act.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  I stopped and looked up into his algae-colored eyes. “Are you feeling, okay?”

  He thought for a moment, which wasn’t like him at all. I could see conflict in his eyes. It was very odd indeed.

  “Zander?”

  He snapped out of it and pulled me to him. “You’ll always be my go-to girl.”

  It was one of his rare sincere moments that I cherished, and made me remember why I loved him.

  It didn’t last long. “Do you wear a bra with these off the shoulder shirts?”

  I smacked the back of his head.

  He laughed like the fool he was.

  I left him standing there, sat next to Jason, and put on my socks and shoes. I hated wearing the leopard print socks, but it was better than the alternative.

  Jason smiled at the socks. “They work for you.”

  I shook my head at him, but grinned.

  “Are you hungry?” He finished tying up his bowling shoes.

  “Starved.”

  “A server came by and left a menu.” He handed it to me.

  “I hope they have Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza.”

  “Kenz, how many times do I have to tell you that fruit doesn’t belong on pizza?”

  “And how many times do I have to tell you that you don’t have to eat it?”

  Zander looked to Jason for support.

  Jason looked between the two of us. “I’m willing to try it.”

  I smirked at Zander.

  “I’m getting my own pizza,” Zander whined.

  “You’re a big boy. You can do whatever you want.”

  “Root beer to drink though, right?” Jason asked.

  “Of course.”

  “I’ll take a beer,” Zander said.

  “Again, you’re a big boy, or at least a good knock off of one.”

  While Zander pouted and put our names in the scoreboard, I turned to Jason. “You’ve never had pineapple on your pizza?”

  “Nope.”

  “Get ready for your life to change.”

  He smiled and leaned more toward me. “I’ve never known a woman to get so excited over pizza.”

  “What’s up with you, Kenz?” Zander asked. “You never get excited anymore, period.”

  “Ignore him,” I said to Jason.

  “Okay.” Jason gave me his rapt attention.

  “All it takes is a beautiful woman and your loyalty goes out the window,” Zander said to Jason.

  “What better excuse is there than a beautiful woman?” Jason responded to Zander, but his eyes locked with my own.

  I felt my cheeks warm up. Zander called me beautiful all the time, but there was something in the way Jason said it. It made me feel exposed, if that makes sense. I tucked my hair behind my ear. “Anyway, let’s order. I’m starving.”

  We bowled while we waited for our hand-tossed, Canadian bacon with pineapple pizza and a supreme deep dish for the whiner, Zander.

  “Tell me about your brothers.” Jason made small talk as we watched Zander make an imbecile out of himself. He was talking more to the younger women in the lane next to us than he was bowling.

  I smiled to myself. “Dylan and Rick are typical brothers. You know, over-protective but lovable. They’re both a lot older than me, but when I was younger, they always let me tag along. I’m sure I annoyed them from time to time. I probably still do.”

  Jason laughed low.

  “So, is your sister older or younger? Do you have any other siblings?”

  “
No, just my perfect older sister, Emily.”

  “Do I sense some resentment there?”

  He smiled over to me with a twinkle in his aqua eyes. “Not at all. In fact, we’re good friends. We’re only a year apart, but she’s been married for several years and has three kids that my parents adore.”

  “And do these kids have names?”

  “Cam, Charlotte, and Celeste.”

  “That’s a lot of C’s.”

  “My brother-in-law, Tom, comes from a family where all the kids’ names begin with T.”

  “Interesting.”

  “That’s a word for it.”

  “Do you enjoy being an uncle?”

  “It’s the best. I love those munchkins.”

  It was so odd how Jason and I had so many similarities. I loved being an aunt more than anything.

  “What are you smiling about?” He tilted his head.

  I hadn’t noticed I was. He kind of had that effect on me. I shook my head to clear it. “Nothing.” I pointed to the lane next to us. “Look at Zander, he’s making a fool out of himself in front of those young women.”

  Jason looked over to our friend, who was trying to show off, but when he sent his ball down the lane, it knocked down one measly pin. Jason and I both laughed at him. Zander didn’t pay us any attention, he turned right back to the young women in question and bowed for them. They all giggled and Zander offered to buy them drinks.

  “Was he like this in college?” I asked Jason.

  “He hasn’t changed much.”

  “Yes, it’s one of his endearing qualities.”

  Jason chuckled at my remark. The pizza arrived, and Jason and I took seats at one of the tall round tables for two. Zander had left our party and was sharing his pizza with the barely-adult women next to us.

  Jason lifted the first slice of pizza off of the pan. I was surprised he didn’t let me take the first piece, he seemed like a ladies first sort of guy, but I was even more surprised when he placed the slice on my plate.

  “Oh, uh, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Do you want some root beer, too?”

  “Um … sure.”

  He took my hesitation in stride and poured my drink for me.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Although I was more than hungry, I waited to eat so I could see his reaction to his first bite of what I considered to be close to what heaven would taste like.

  He grinned at me as he lifted the cheese-oozing slice to his mouth. He wasn’t timid about it and took a large bite. I watched as he slowly chewed. I was delighted when I saw his lip turn up and mumbled, “Mmm,” with his mouth full.

  “I told you.” I lifted my own piece.

  “Who would have ever thought that pineapple belonged on a pizza?”

  “Obviously, a genius.”

  He grinned and finished inhaling his first slice.

  “So, what have you and Zander been up to all day?” I waited to ask until he had swallowed.

  “He was helping me move out of my temporary corporate housing.”

  “How very nice and unlike him.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t have much; my house looks pretty empty at the moment.”

  “You bought a house?”

  “I figured since I design them I should try it out.”

  “Did you move into the neighborhood you showed me?”

  “They don’t pay me well enough for that. I moved into one of our less expensive neighborhoods near the development I’m working on.”

  “Well, congratulations.”

  “Thanks. I’m not sure I know what I’ve gotten myself into, but it seemed like the right time to settle down and plant some roots. I’ve been wanting to for a while.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I had thought it would be in Texas, but … anyway.”

  Awkward. I was sure he was talking about his ex-fiancée. I wasn’t used to being personal with people. “I’m sorry,” I said lamely. And I wasn’t sure why I was apologizing. For all I knew it was him that broke it off.

  He smiled in that disarming sort of a way. “It’s all for the best.”

  “That’s what they say.” How many times had I heard that?

  “You don’t think so?”

  “I suppose, but wouldn’t it have been better had I known? I mean, if people knew before. Before they ever got to that point.” What was I saying?

  He cocked his head. “How can you know before you even try?”

  “That’s why I do what I do, Mr. Hadley.”

  “Mr. Hadley?”

  “Do you plan on making Georgia your home for long?” I steered the conversation back in the right direction. If not, I had a feeling I would be spilling my guts to him. It was an odd sensation.

  “For now.”

  “It’s the best place ever, or like my momma would say, ‘God wasn’t done creating the earth until he blessed it with Georgia.’”

  “I like your mom.”

  “She is a character.”

  “Are you sure there isn’t anything I can bring tomorrow?”

  Ugh. I had forgotten he was coming to lunch. “Do you think you could bring some poor manners?”

  He raised his eyebrows at me. “Now why would I do that?”

  I sighed loudly. “It’s best not to say.”

  He gave me that look again. That look that said he was trying to figure me out.

  It made me squirm.

  “You are an interesting woman, Kenadie Marshall.”

  Chapter Six

  As I watched my KitchenAid mixer knead my dough, I thought about the strange evening I’d had with Zander and Jason. It was more like an evening with Jason. Zander practically ignored us the whole night. Something was off with Zander. I kept catching him looking at Jason and me, but as soon as I did, he would look away with this almost pained look. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I asked him about it when he walked me to my door and he played it off like he didn’t know what I was talking about. He kissed me on the forehead and lingered there. He hadn’t done that in ages. He didn’t even bother saying goodbye before he walked away.

  Then there was Jason. The most polite man I had probably ever met, which wasn’t a good thing. I was serious about him showing off some bad behavior in front of Momma, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t have it in him. I was going to have to avoid him at all costs on Easter.

  As I thought about my escape plans, my phone rang. I should have known my brother would be calling me.

  “Hello, Rick.”

  “Little sister.”

  “You’re calling awfully late.”

  He yawned as if to prove my point. “I had to assist delivering a foal.”

  “Did everything turn out okay?”

  “It was touch and go for a while, but mom and baby are doing well.”

  “You sound like you’re discussing people.”

  “Sometimes animals are easier to deal with.”

  “Are you all right?”

  I could hear him release a deep breath. “Never better.”

  “You’re such a liar.”

  “Speaking of which. I got your check.”

  “And how does that make me a non-truth teller?”

  “I told you that money wasn’t a loan.”

  “And I told you I would pay you back.” Rick had given me my startup loan for Binary Search.

  “Kenadie, Dad would have given you the money.”

  I felt the sting of tears at the mention of my daddy. “I know, but he’s not here and as much as I love you, you’re not him. And you have Lana to take care of.”

  “Believe me, we’re not hurting financially.”

  “I know, but—”

  “You’re stubborn,” he interrupted.

  “Like someone else I know.”

  “I’m going to put that money in an account for you in case you ever need it.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I suppose not, but it will make me fee
l better.”

  “I’m a big girl now, you know.”

  “You’ll always be our little Kennie.”

  “You’re ridiculous.”

  “Me? Who let my daughter buy an overpriced dress that she looks way too grown-up in?”

  “She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?”

  “More like heart failure.”

  “Hang in there, Dad.”

  “She grew up way too fast.”

  “You’ve done a good job with her.”

  “You can take some of that credit. Thanks, sis.”

  “It’s been my pleasure. I’m only sorry I had to.”

  “What’s done is done.”

  “You know, I could match you up with someone.”

  “Not this again.”

  “Why not? I have several clients who would suit you well.”

  “How about you find someone for yourself first and then maybe I’ll think about it.”

  “Not going to happen.”

  “Someday, Kenadie, there will be a man who will get to you. And I look forward to watching the show.”

  “Don’t hold your breath.”

  “You can run little sister, but eventually, there will be someone faster than you.”

  “Goodnight, big brother. I love you.”

  “I love you, kid.”

  Little did he know, I had a lifetime supply of running shoes ready to go.

  I went to bed with a foreboding feeling that a major disruption was coming my way. I sank into my massive amounts of pillows on my queen-size bed and tried not to let my unsettled feelings get to me. I was probably imagining it all, anyway.

  ~*~

  I stared at myself in the mirror before I left for the day. Not in a vain sort of way, but an I-don’t-recognize-myself way. I almost took off the raspberry-colored dress and straightened my softly curled hair. What was I thinking? I looked … I looked … like I used to, but more mature. I had more curves, but I had to say, they didn’t hurt me any. I took a deep breath and went with it.

  I grabbed my pie and rolls and headed out the door to Momma’s so we could arrive together at church. I needed the moral support whenever I entered the forsaken place. I swear I almost broke out in hives every time I got near our little church. On occasion, as we’ve sat through a sermon, I’ve felt like hyperventilating.