by Mari Carr
When they arrived at the townhouse complex, Nick lifted Georgie out of the car. “I’ll take her inside and get her to bed,” he said as he carried Georgie to her house.
Laura walked with Jason and Kristen until she reached her own front door. Then she said good night.
Jason took Kristen’s house key from her and unlocked the door. They walked in together. Kristen closed it behind them, shutting out the brisk night air. The winter had been damn cold this year. “You didn’t have to come with me, J. I’m not so drunk I can’t get myself into my own bed.”
He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “You sure about that? I don’t mind getting you out of those clothes and into your pajamas.”
Kristen still had enough vodka in her to fire back. “I sleep naked.”
“Fuck,” Jason muttered. Then he mumbled something else she couldn’t hear as he walked to her living room and sank down on the couch. He’d only been in her townhouse about a dozen times over the past few years, yet Kristen couldn’t help but notice how at home he seemed in the place. “It’s freezing out there and God only knows how long Nick’s going to be. I don’t feel like sitting in that car alone waiting.”
Kristen claimed the opposite end of the couch from him, wishing she were heading for bed instead. While the night had been fun, her energy and enthusiasm for her second-chance goal was draining fast. Maybe there was a reason she was still single. She absolutely hated playing the dating game, putting herself out there. It was hard work.
“You want to watch TV?” she offered, reaching for the remote.
Jason shook his head. “No. I’d rather talk.”
She frowned, surprised by his request. “About what?”
“What were you girls doing at Blue Moon tonight?”
“Drinking.”
Jason laughed. “Yeah. That much was obvious given the way you staggered out of there. It just doesn’t seem like the kind of place you and Laura would go for a good time. Loud music, college kids, the smell of sweaty bodies and stale beer. While that’s my idea of heaven, I never pictured you enjoying that kind of environment.”
She rolled her eyes, perfectly aware that he probably would have closed the bar down tonight if Georgie hadn’t over-imbibed. She rubbed her forehead, afraid her hangover was going to kick in before she even made it to bed. “Laura made a New Year’s resolution to loosen up and have some fun. She’s on a quest to discover the woman she used to be…before marriage screwed her up.”
Jason looked impressed. “Good for her. And your resolution is to find a husband? One who’s not twenty and who doesn’t want kids?”
Kristen was suddenly sorry she and Georgie had spoken so freely in front of the guys. “Sort of.” Then she realized it was pointless to deny it. “Yeah. It is. I want to settle down, get married. I turn forty this year.”
“I know. So do I.”
She and Jason were almost exactly the same age—his birthday coming in May. “It’s always surprising to me when you say that considering you have the mental maturity of a seventeen-year-old.”
Jason chuckled, used to her teasing. “You really want to get married, Kris?”
Why was everyone so stunned by this? People got married every day. Why was it so shocking that she would want the same thing?
“Yes, really. I’ve spent the last decade of my life married to work. Busting my ass to make our business a success.”
“I didn’t realize you begrudged that time and effort. Sort of thought you were happy on the career-front.”
She released a long sigh. “I am and I don’t mind the long hours. Not at all. But…” She paused, uncertain if she should continue this conversation. Jason was a clown, Peter Pan in a Hugo Boss suit. He didn’t take much in life seriously and she was definitely giving him extra ammunition on the teasing front. If she weren’t so tipsy and tired, there was no way on earth she’d talk to him about stuff like this. As it was…
“But what?”
She bit her lower lip, then let the words slip out. “I’m lonely.”
She waited for him to laugh, to say something silly, but instead silence met her pronouncement. Then he gave her a crooked grin that looked more understanding than entertained.
“So am I.”
“You are?”
Jason nodded. “I spent my twenties and thirties swearing I had the ideal life. That I’d been the smartest of all my friends by hanging onto bachelorhood. I come and go as I please. If I want to spend a Saturday golfing rather than working in the yard, I do it. If I want to order pizza for dinner and sit on my ass drinking beer in my recliner every night, I do that too.”
Kristen smiled. “It sounds like the perfect set-up. My life is the same. Eat whatever I want, wear pajamas all day on Sunday.”
“Thought you didn’t wear pajamas. Sort of liked that image.”
“Erase that from your memory. The last thing I want is you imagining me naked.” She pretended to gag at the thought.
He chuckled. “Too late. I’ve gotten a glimpse of your boobies. My dirty mind is whirling.”
“Can we please get back to the subject?” It was always like this with Jason. They’d be in the midst of a serious conversation and he’d find some way to take them off on a twisted tangent.
He waved his hand, indicating she should continue.
“All I’m saying is I hang out with the girls every Thursday for happy hour, spend money on whatever strikes my fancy and I have no one to answer to. That freedom is nice.”
Jason leaned forward. “It’s very nice. But it’s not really enough anymore, is it?”
He did get it. She turned on the couch, tucking her foot under her. “I want someone to talk to when I get home from work.”
“Yeah. I think it would be nice to crawl under the sheets with a woman every night without having to go through all the legwork involved in trying to get laid, then all the fancy footwork required to get back out of the bed again.”
Kristen grinned. “I can imagine it’s extremely difficult trying to talk a woman into sleeping with you.”
He reached over and messed up her hair playfully. “It’s not that damn hard. I’m just sick of the games. I think being in a committed relationship would be nice for a change.”
His comments left her reeling, though she felt bad for that. She’d been offended when he questioned her desire to get married, but now she was doing the same to him. She’d never in a million years found a single similarity between her and Jason, besides the fact they’d both passed the bar. Now she realized they were more alike than she knew.
“Do you think we missed the boat? Waited too long?” The concern had plagued her lately. Maybe all the good men were taken.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d like to think not.”
“I’m not even sure how to meet someone. I mean the guys that I’ve dated aren’t exactly my forever type. They’re okay to hang out with socially, but I don’t see myself marrying any of them.”
Jason ran his hand through his short brown hair. He’d adopted a trendy look lately, wearing it a bit longer on top. She had meant to tell him the style suited him, but then decided his ego didn’t need any more inflating.
“Well, take it from someone who knows, Kris. Bars aren’t a great place to pick up lifelong partners.”
Tonight had proven that to her loud and clear. “I considered online dating, but I really don’t want to go that route.”
“Yeah. Me either. So the answer is obvious. We’ll help each other.”
She tried to decide if he was making a joke, but for the first time ever, she saw something in his eyes that looked almost earnest, sincere. “How?”
Jason leaned back, resting his arm against her couch. “I figure I know you better than most people and I have a pretty good idea what type of man you’d be interested in. I’ve got some single friends. I’ll set you up.”
Kristen considered his offer, then thought about the available women she knew. “Damn. Might be tough to come u
p with a woman I’d willingly try to saddle with you for the rest of her life.”
Jason laughed. “You’re on a roll tonight, sunshine. Trying to decide if I like the drunk you or not.”
“Thought I was a cute drunk.”
“I’m changing my mind.”
She tugged her hair back, looking on the coffee table for one of the hair ties she always had lying around. Spotting one, she secured it in a ponytail. “Okay. I have to admit you’ve made a good point. I suspect I know exactly what kind of woman you’re looking for too, so I’m willing to give it a try if you are. Actually, I’ve already got a woman in mind.”
Jason narrowed his eyes. “Let’s be very clear about something, Kris. I don’t want to date Georgie. That woman has made running away from the altar an art form.”
Kristen laughed. “I wasn’t thinking of Georgie. First of all, the two of you are a complete mismatch and secondly, Nick would kill you.”
“Yeah, poor sucker. I think he would. So it’s a deal then. We’ll find each other the perfect mate. Now all I have to do is find a guy who’s not too young, who doesn’t want kids and who’ll rock your world in bed.”
“Skip the bed part. I’d settle for nice guy, my age, no kids.”
“What? Fuck that. You gotta want good sex.”
Was she the only person in the world who didn’t see sex as necessary for a successful relationship?
“All I’m saying is I’m not basing my decision based purely on lust. That’s impractical. Just find me someone trustworthy and honest who can hold an intelligent conversation and I’ll be fine.”
Jason looked like he wanted to argue, but he didn’t. “Fine. But my hook-up better be shit-hot between the sheets. Just sayin’.”
“God. This is a mistake.” Even so, Kristen reached out to shake Jason’s hand to seal the deal, surprised when he didn’t release it.
“And if we don’t succeed by your birthday in July, we simply pull out the back-up plan.”
Her heart skipped a beat when she realized he’d remembered their silly scheme. She tugged her hand free and narrowed her eyes. “I was never serious about that.”
Jason lifted one shoulder casually. “Maybe not, but it wasn’t just a verbal agreement made in good faith. I still have the legal document you signed saying you would go through with it. I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do now. The ink is dry.”
Kristen rolled her eyes when it became apparent he was pulling her leg. “That wasn’t a document, it was a cocktail napkin. And I can’t believe you kept that thing.”
Jason laughed. “I knew you’d try to renege.”
“You can’t seriously want to marry me, J. We’d kill each other within days. It wouldn’t be pretty.”
Jason tugged her ponytail affectionately. “You’re right. A marriage between us would be a complete disaster. Which is why I want to make sure you realize the gravity of our situation. If we fail to make good matches, we’ll be forced to settle for each other.”
It was the same thing she’d considered at New Year’s. Knowing what awaited her if she didn’t find a suitable husband made her even more determined to try. “Then I guess it’s time to get real. By July, at least one of us needs to be in a serious relationship.”
Jason grinned. “Agreed. Let Operation Set-up commence.”
Chapter Two
In Rhode Island, a marriage is invalid if either party is declared to be an idiot or a lunatic.
Jason stood at the door to Kristen’s office, watching her in the reflection in the window. She had her back to him as she looked out at the dark night sky. It was late March, but winter wasn’t finished packing its punch yet as a light snow fell. He was ready for warmer weather. Staying cooped up inside made him antsy. He longed for spring and a return to weekends spent on the golf course or hiking nearby trails.
She didn’t notice he was there, so it gave him time to study her. She’d been in a funk lately. Actually, now that he thought about it, she’d been depressed for quite a while, but it hadn’t really dawned on him until he’d driven her home from Blue Moon back in January. Until then, she just seemed like the same old Kris. Now he could see there had been subtle changes in her over the past six months or so.
He’d been surprised when she mentioned wanting to get married. Jason had figured she was single because she preferred her life unencumbered and simple. The idea that she actually hoped to settle down blew him away. After so many years as law partners, he’d thought he had her number. He’d always pegged her as the spinster-type, though he’d sure as hell never say that to her. At least not if he planned to keep his cock intact. She’d rip him a new one if he ever confessed to viewing her as a future cat-lady, minus the pets. Kristen hated cats.
She blew out a long breath and spun her office chair around. He stepped inside before she realized he was watching her. Time to turn the tide. “Get your coat. We’re going.”
She frowned. “Where?”
“Out for drinks. I’ve got a guy I want you to meet.”
“Who?”
Jason grinned and leaned against her desk. “Let’s just say I think this guy has husband potential.”
“It’s late and I’m tired. I’m not going anywhere except home to soak in a hot bath.”
“No can do. We’re meeting for drinks at the Brew Pub in half an hour.”
Kristen looked down at her outfit. “I can’t meet somebody dressed like this.”
Jason studied her clothing and found nothing wrong with it except that she wasn’t showing any skin. After getting a peek at her breasts in January, he found himself hoping for more glimpses. Not that he’d gotten any. Kristen kept her girls well hidden under cashmere sweaters or suit jackets. “Why not? You look fine. It’s just after-work drinks, Kris. Not an invitation to the Royal Wedding.”
“I’m in a business suit. I don’t dress like this when I’m going out to meet someone. Besides, I don’t even know who this guy is.”
“He’s an accountant, does my brother Eric’s taxes. Met him a few times over at Eric’s house for barbeques and stuff like that. He’s a nice guy.”
“Jason,” she started, but he cut off her complaints.
“He doesn’t know this is a set-up.”
“What?”
“I just invited him to join me and a friend for drinks. This way you can check him out without the pressure of a blind date. Pretty clever, right? If you like him, you can move on to dinner. If not, no harm, no foul. He’ll never know you rejected him.”
Kristen opened her mouth, then closed it again. He’d impressed her. He could tell.
Finally, she said, “That’s inspired.”
He grinned. “Why the tone of surprise? I’ve been telling you for years I’m brilliant.”
She rolled her eyes, but stood up. “Okay. I’m in. But I feel kind of bad. I’ve been so bogged down with work, I haven’t tried to fix you up with anybody.”
He shrugged good-naturedly. “It’s no problem. I’ll just occupy my time with booty calls until you get your shit together.”
“You’re a pig.” There was no venom behind her insult. She said the same thing to him on a daily basis, but he’d come to the conclusion that deep down inside, Kristen actually liked him.
“Oink. Oink.”
“I thought you’d forgotten about our deal.”
He toyed with a letter opener. “I didn’t. I was waiting for you to get to get the ball rolling. When it became obvious you weren’t going to, I decided to take charge.”
Kristen gave him a rueful look. “I’ve been busy.”
Jason had heard that same line from her every day since they’d opened the damn law firm together. “Yeah, well. I’ve had enough of that. No more reverting to character.”
She frowned, confusion creasing her brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She wasn’t going to like what was coming next, but Jason hated seeing her so sad. Kristen needed her safe world shaken up a bit. “You spend your life in t
his office, using work as an excuse to avoid getting out there and living. Everything is passing you by and you know it. It’s getting to you, isn’t it, Kris? And it’s starting to seep out in little ways. You made that second-chance goal during a moment of weakness, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t really what you want. You’re just so used to denying yourself any joy, any pleasure, that now you don’t know how to find it.”
Kristen’s temper sparked. It pleased him to see some fire in her. Lately she’d been too withdrawn, quiet. He’d missed their verbal sparring matches. “You’re one to talk, Jason. Maybe I do use work to avoid relationships, but that’s a hell of a lot better than partying my life away, jumping from one bed to the next. You think I can’t handle emotional entanglements? Well, go take a long look in the mirror because it clearly takes one to know one.”
She was right. One hundred percent. But there was no way in hell he’d tell her that. “At least I’m putting myself out there. That’s a hell of a lot more productive and positive then hiding behind this desk. You’re a coward.”
“And you’re a prick. A womanizing, cocky, arrogant prick.”
Jason leaned closer, strangely aroused by her flushed face and name-calling. She was the only woman in the world who constantly challenged him, served as his conscience when he made bad decisions and forced him to work just a little bit harder.
He’d always managed to drift along in life easily because—as his mother said—he had just enough intelligence and charm to get by. Kristen never let him away with anything, never accepted his bullshit at face value the way everyone else did. It drove him nuts, mainly because she was usually right.
But this time, she was the one giving up. And he hated seeing her defeated before she even picked up a weapon. “Maybe so, but at least I’m serious when I say I’m going to change my ways. It’s not just words to me. You spouted all that crap about being lonely and wanting to find someone to share your life with. Now you’re doing the same thing you’ve always done. Nothing. You’ve locked yourself up in here, blaming work for your sadness when the truth is you’re not even trying.”