Dating by Design Series Box Set

by Jennifer Peel

  “Leann, this is Meg, my girlfriend.”

  She gave me a once over and half smiled, half scoffed. “Is she even legal?”

  Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. But looking at her up close I would say she was close to forty, so Zander’s type as far as the age thing went. I wasn’t one to be put down like that, though. I gave her my best dazzling smile before taking Zander’s hand and pulling him toward the dance floor. “Dance with me.” She was going to get a show.

  Zander followed my lead. I pulled him flush against my body and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Place your hands on my hips,” I whispered in his ear.

  He wasted no time. The pressure of his hands had me taking a deep breath.

  “Please tell me you’ve watched Dirty Dancing or Dancing with the Stars.”

  In a masterful move, he spun us around and pushed his leg forward in a mambo move that was worthy of Patrick Swayze.

  “I thought you said you didn’t dance.”

  “I never said I couldn’t.” He moved to the beat of the music, keeping me close. The heat between us was palpable.

  I removed my hat and placed it on his head.

  He laughed and spun us around again. “You handled her like a master.”

  I took a peek at the seething Leann. And for her pleasure, and I’ll admit mine, I whispered in his ear, “You think I was convincing?”

  His hand moved to the small of my back, keeping me steady and close. “Even I bought it.” He spoke low and intimately.

  “I think she wants to claw my eyes out.”

  Zander turned us so he was facing her. “I think you’re right. I better keep you close. For protection, you know.”

  “You don’t think I could take her?”

  His eyes met mine and held my gaze.

  My insides sizzled.

  “I’m learning not to underestimate you.”

  That was good, because I was beginning to wonder if I overestimated my abilities to resist the man who held me so well in his arms. The man who made me feel like I didn’t want to be anywhere else. It was a good reminder not to underestimate him.

  Chapter Eight

  “Darlin’, I appreciate what you did with Leann, but you went too far with the hostess at the restaurant.”

  I leaned my head back against the headrest in his car. I was exhausted from the late night. I yawned. “I did you a favor. She was only interested in one thing, and I’m sorry, any woman who would blatantly come on to a man when he’s with another woman is not worth your time.”

  “She is, if I don’t mind.”

  I rolled my head toward him. “Please tell me you’re better than that.”

  “I’m going to disappoint you.”

  “That is disappointing.” I faced the window.

  “Does that really bother you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s meaningless.”

  “That’s the point.”

  “Then you’re doing it all wrong.”

  “I’ve had plenty of experience—”

  I held up my hand. “You can stop right there. I’m not critiquing—how do I say?—your ability. I’m just saying, if you aren’t with someone who means something to you, then I feel sorry for you, and yes, you’re doing it wrong.”

  We drove in silence for a few minutes. I didn’t dare look at him. I felt let down after the fun night we’d had. We had danced a few dances and then he asked me to have dinner with him. We laughed and talked like old friends. Even if Yolanda, the gorgeous hostess who spoke with an inviting Spanish accent, kept interrupting us. I don’t know what got into me when she slipped Zander her number, but I took the card and tore it up and handed it right back to her. Maybe I should have left well enough alone, but women should watch out for women.

  And why did I feel the need to school Zander? I knew from his profile how he viewed sex. It wasn’t any of my business. We weren’t really dating.

  Zander reached over and tucked some hair behind my ear. My hat was lying in my lap. “Why does this bother you?”

  I shrugged. “Forget I said anything.”

  “We’ve passed that point. Did some guy use you or something?”

  I turned toward him, thinking about what I should say.

  He pulled into the first available space in the lot. He placed his car in park and looked my way, waiting for a response.

  I sat up straight and took a deep breath and let it out. “I refuse to let a man use me.”

  “You think I use women?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Then what are you saying?”

  “All I’m saying is you’re missing out.”

  “How?”

  “Have you ever kissed someone you really loved? Or, I guess in your case I should say, did she kiss you?”

  He gave me a small smirk before giving me an honest answer. “Once.”

  I could guess who it was with, but I didn’t name Kenadie out loud. “Did it feel different?”

  “Why does it matter?” His tone was defensive.

  “Think about how that kiss would compare to say, someone like a Yolanda.”

  “I have no doubt Yolanda would have done the job well.” I knew he wasn’t only talking about kissing.

  “But would she have left you wanting more?”

  “No.”

  “That’s got to be lonely and unfulfilling.”

  “You read too many fairytales, Meg.”

  “I don’t believe in fairytales.”

  “What do you believe in?”

  “Myself.”

  ~*~

  I woke up with a headache. I had a Zander hangover. I rubbed my temples with my hands, trying to make the throb go away. Or to make Zander go away. But he wasn’t leaving. Somehow, I gave him an in and he was consuming my thoughts. I could still feel his embrace and the way he whispered my name in my ear. It was all for the sake of play, but my body and mind were reacting in a real way. I couldn’t keep “pretend” seeing him. Kenadie was right. He was alluring, despite his admissions. I was too smart to fall for someone like him.

  I was getting over the whole make him kiss me thing. I could never kiss him, whether he initiated it or not.

  I headed into work, decidedly against ever playing Zander’s girlfriend again. Not that he would want me to. I didn’t think he was pleased that I deprived him of another notch on his bedpost. But I honestly meant what I said. I thought he was better than that. When it was only him and me alone, he was more than decent. He could even be thoughtful.

  It didn’t matter. He was a grown man and could live his life how he chose to. It wasn’t my place to judge.

  I arrived at work to a flurry of activity. The Nanettes had landed and they were on a mission. I didn’t know why all three needed to come take measurements, but I guess best friends did everything together. I thought of Krista and Bernadette. We had been inseparable in high school. I wasn’t sure I ever went to the bathroom alone during our school years. But now they were both married and moms. And here I was pretending to date a man I was more than attracted to, but knew I should stay away from.

  While Cissy and Adelaide were taking measurements, Mrs. Marshall was smiling at the wall of bliss, in particular the picture of her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law.

  “They are a beautiful couple.” I stood next to the elegant mother-in-law to be.

  She turned to face me. “Yes, they are.” She sighed. “For a while there, I never thought this day would come.”

  “It looks like it was worth the wait.”

  “Maybe someday soon it will be your turn.”

  “Me?” I laughed. “I’m not even dating anybody.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “What about Zander?”

  I looked around hoping no one heard that. I was afraid Daphne, the receptionist, may have. I think I heard her gasp. “We’re just friends.” I made sure to say that loud enough for Daphne to hear. But I was afraid some damage had already been done.
>
  She gave me a sure-you-are sort of grin. “That’s what Kennie used to say about Jason.”

  “Have you met Zander? He’s not the settling down type, and definitely not my type.” I had a piece of paper to scientifically prove it.

  “Do you know who Warren Beatty is, dear?”

  I thought for a moment. “No, should I?”

  She patted my cheek. “You’re probably too young, but back in the day, he was the cat’s meow.”

  I laughed at her. No one talked like that anymore.

  “He was a Hollywood heartthrob and claimed to have been with hundreds of women.”

  “Sounds like a pig.”

  She tossed her head from side to side and wagged her eyebrows. “But a gorgeous one.”

  Sounded like Zander. I kept that to myself.

  “Anyway. He eventually met the one. And he’s been faithful to her now for twenty-five years. They have a beautiful love story.”

  “That’s nice.”

  She strung her arm through mine. “True, but there is some real-world application here for you.”

  I knew where this was headed. “How would you like to see my office?” There was nothing special about it, other than it was private.

  “All right, dear.” Her grin said she knew full well why I was asking.

  As we walked by Cara’s office I could hear Cissy and Adelaide fussing over Cara’s rock hard body. She taught Pilates on the weekends and she had a stunning physique.

  I made sure to close the door behind us once we entered my small office.

  Mrs. Marshall made herself right at home and went straight for the framed pictures I had on my desk. She picked the biggest one and looked it over. “Is this your family?” She smiled as she touched the glass.

  “Yes, ma’am. That’s all of us at my brother Colton’s wedding this past summer.” I pointed out my younger brother, Lincoln, my dad, Clint, and the blushing bride, Savannah, who was six years younger than me.

  “You and your brothers look close in age.”

  “My mom had her hands full for sure. Colton is two years older than me, but Lincoln and I are only a year apart.”

  “I bet your daddy misses your momma for events like these. I know I’m missing my husband now more than ever.”

  I knew Kenadie and I shared the tragedy of losing a parent in a car accident. I looked at my handsome dad. He stood tall and proud in his dress shirt and jeans. The wedding wasn’t a formal event. Not like what Kenadie’s wedding was shaping up to be. Colton’s wedding was more like a big barbecue with a wedding ceremony thrown in for fun. My dad looked like a surly guy, and maybe he was in some regards, but I never knew a harder working man, or a better one. He was the first one to help a neighbor in need and he always did his best to provide for our needs and wants. I remembered him driving me to Salt Lake City my junior year and letting me pick out my prom dress. It was uncomfortable for him sitting in the formal dress shop, and the price tag on the gowns made it more so. But he told me to pick out one I loved, despite the cost. That aquamarine satin gown still hung in my closet.

  I nodded. “I think he misses her more than he lets on. He’s not one to wear his emotions on his sleeve.”

  “I think most men are like that. At least in public.” She set the photo back on my desk. “Speaking of men, do you know where Zander is this morning?”

  “I believe he had a client date this morning.”

  A smile spread across her lovely face. “I noticed how well the two of you seem to get along.”

  I busied myself with turning on my laptop. “Like I said, we’re friends.”

  “You know, I’ve known Zander for over half his life.”

  “I did know that.”

  “I love him like a son. And I want him to be happy.”

  “I think he’s pretty happy.”

  “You think so?”

  I met her eyes that were brimming with wisdom. I shrugged. “He seems to enjoy life.”

  “That he does, but . . . happy is a whole other ballgame.”

  “You think he’s unhappy?”

  She pressed her lips together and thought for a moment. “I think he’s trying to avoid some of the same mistakes his family has made, but he’s going about it the wrong way.”

  I tilted my head. “What mistakes are those?”

  She took a seat. “I hate to be a gossip.”

  Why did I think that wasn’t true?

  “His momma and daddy don’t have the best of relationships. His momma is someone we would call a lush.”

  “Lush?”

  “You know, honey.” She pretended like she was drinking out a bottle. “A drunk.”

  “Oh.” I sat back. “That’s too bad.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, Charlene Grainger is a good woman, but get some alcohol in her and you never know what’s going to happen. It’s caused some problems between her and Don. And it’s no secret that Don’s had an affair or two.” She waved her hand. “It’s all in the past now, but it wasn’t pretty.”

  I placed my hand across my heart. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Mrs. Marshall wasn’t done. “Then there’s his brother, Quinn. Nice boy, but man alive did he marry himself a devil of a woman.”

  I bit my lip. “That bad, huh?” Maybe Zander hadn’t been exaggerating.

  She shook her head. “She’s something else. She got so fired up at her own wedding that she knocked over the cake. You should have seen the mess.”

  “Why was she so upset?”

  “Who knows what bee flew up her hiney. It could have been anything. But the point is that Zander’s family doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to relationships. I can’t say I blame him for running away from settling down, but I know him well enough to know, someday he’s going to regret it.”

  “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. Now maybe if he doesn’t date enough women, he might regret that.”

  She leaned forward with a twinkle in her eye. “The right woman can change all that.”

  I pointed to my chest. “You don’t think I’m that woman, do you?”

  Her smile sparkled. “Like I said, Zander’s never brought a woman around.”

  “He didn’t bring me around. You invited me to lunch and the ice cream thing was only because he wanted to get under Kenadie’s skin.”

  “You think so?”

  I nodded.

  “Did you know that he asked if you were coming to lunch before he accepted the invite? And he could have irritated Kenadie without you there. He knows better than anyone how to push her buttons.”

  “I didn’t know that,” I stuttered, “but really, we’re just friends, hardly even that, more like good acquaintances.” Who danced like they knew each other intimately. And so what if I felt warm all over remembering the feel of his arms around me or the way his hand slid down my body? He was a player.

  “Uh-huh.” She didn’t believe a word I said. “All I know, sugar, is that since high school I’ve never seen him with another woman besides Kenadie.”

  “What about Brooke?”

  “I asked him several times to bring her by and he always had an excuse as to why he couldn’t, more like wouldn’t.”

  I didn’t know what to say to her and thankfully I didn’t have to respond.

  Kenadie knocked and popped her head in. “I thought I would find you in here, Momma. I hope you aren’t scaring Meg.”

  Mrs. Marshall waved her off. “Pish posh. We were having a lovely chat.”

  Kenadie looked at me to confirm.

  I had to smile and nod. What else could I do under the circumstances?

  “Okay, well, it’s time for Meg to be measured.”

  “I was already—”

  “I know,” Kenadie cut in, “but Zander suggested that we pretend you weren’t. He reminded me that it might make you uncomfortable if the other ladies knew we had hung out off the clock. I don’t always think about those things.”

  “Look at him watching ou
t for our Meg.” Mrs. Marshall was swooning. She gave me a radiant smile. “I think I’m going to start calling you Annette Bening.”

  Chapter Nine

  I was barely paying attention to my client date during lunch. The handsome business professional was droning on about acquisitions and mergers. All I could think about was Annette Bening, who I promptly googled once the Nanettes were through with me. They didn’t measure me, but Cissy shared the bridesmaid dress design and it was beautiful. The bodice was made of chiffon and the skirt was made of lace. It was sleeveless, with some pretty high cuts in the full-length skirt, but it was classy. I knew I would feel elegant in the champagne colored gown. But back to Annette Bening. She was the wife of Warren Beatty. The woman who snagged the notorious ladies’ man.

  I also read an interesting quote by Warren Beatty, who said, “I wasn’t trying to avoid marriage, I was trying to avoid divorce.”

  I wondered if that could be Zander after what Mrs. Marshall had said about his family. I kind of felt guilty about all the tidbits she shared with me, but I admit I wanted to know what made him tick. Even if I wasn’t going to be pretending to be his girlfriend anymore.

  “How do you feel about marriage?” I interrupted Russell, my client who by admission on his profile was a serial dater not looking for anything serious.

  He took a sip of his ice water and set down his glass before answering. “Marriage is like a hostile takeover.”

  “How so?”

  “At first you think you’re getting a premium deal, above anything the current market has to offer, but after a while you realize the new management wasn’t what it promised it would be, but by that time your stock has plummeted.”

  Ouch. I wanted argue with him, but that wasn’t my job. My job was to observe and take mental notes. It was good he was open and honest, even if I didn’t agree with his cynical and chauvinistic assessment. I wondered if Zander felt that way. Maybe he wasn’t afraid of divorce, he just felt there was always someone better to come. And if he committed, his “stock” would drop.

  Men. Ugh.

  Zander seemed to avoid me over the next few days. We never happened to be in the office at the same time, and if we were, he stayed on his end and me on mine. I guess he, like me, thought the right course of action was to stop the pretend game we had played. He was probably upset I had cost him a cheap night with Yolanda. It was all for the best, except I couldn’t quit thinking about him. Why was that?