by Sonya Weiss
“I hated to bother you, but”—Lynn patted the stack of purchases—“these won’t fit in the Mini Cooper, because it’s already full from the fall decorations we bought today plus some antiques. Can you take this lot to the house?”
He took a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why didn’t you just take Dad’s car?”
“Because I didn’t know I was going to buy all this stuff.” She lifted her shoulders in a shrug, trying and failing to pull off the picture of innocence. Something was going on.
“Hello, Kent, dear,” Casey’s mother said loudly, waving her fingers at him.
Kent turned toward her. Casey stood beside her mom. She jerked her thumb between his mom and hers while mouthing “sorry.”
His eyes widened as his gaze slowly traveled from the top of Casey’s head to where her feet were encased in the heels. The dress she wore flowed over her body like it was part of her skin. From her place in front of the three-way mirror, he could see all angles of her, and she was perfect. He couldn’t think straight. Couldn’t look away.
“Don’t mind us. Go say hello to your girlfriend.” His mom poked him in the side with her finger.
“Excuse me, I see something I want to try on.” Casey’s mom hurried in the other direction.
Kent stepped forward, feeling like he was moving in slow motion. His heart beat faster, his hands felt clammy, and he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to speak coherently.
Her lips curved into a smile, reminding him of what he’d tasted. Her eyes were bright with laughter.
“Kent,” she greeted, then joked, “Back for another kiss?”
“Yes,” he said, and her mouth dropped open, her eyes widening for what he was pretty sure was the same thing he was thinking. The kiss nearly took me to my knees. I didn’t want to stop. He’d felt her response, and it had surprised the hell out of him. She’d gone from being Casey, his friend’s sister, to Casey, the woman he wanted with an urge that was driving him crazy. But giving in to that urge wouldn’t be smart. His entanglements with women were easy in, easy out. That wouldn’t fly with Casey. Everything was different—complicated—with her.
“That’s it? Yeah?” She put her hands on her hips. “You’re going to rock my world again?” She tilted her head toward where their mothers were clearly pretending they weren’t trying to listen.
“Brandon Jones and David Roper were next door at the bookstore. They spotted me and are headed this way.”
“Oh.” The teasing light on her face dimmed a little. “Right. That’s why you said yes. Keeping up appearances.”
He stepped closer and lifted her chin, caressing his thumb across her skin. Yeah, his entanglements with women had always been easy in, easy out. What scared him with Casey was that he wanted in and wasn’t sure he wanted out.
“Appearances,” he said, seconds before his mouth crashed down on hers. He’d thought what he’d felt during their first kiss was an anomaly, that there was no way he could experience the same surge of desire, that his heart wouldn’t squeeze as painfully. But he did. It did. And if there was one thing he’d learned from years of going into a burning structure, it was to get out when it looked like the floor was about to cave in. That’s how it felt to kiss Casey. Like the solid ground beneath his feet was about to give way. He sucked on her bottom lip and then swallowed her gasp with his mouth. Get out now. Before you get hurt. Before you hurt her.
One more taste. One more second.
It was the stillness of the shop that brought him back to earth. Even the piped-in music had gone silent. He lifted his head, sure the same dazed look in her eyes was in his. They had an audience of their mothers, as well as Brandon and David Roper, watching them.
Clearing his throat, wishing he could clear his mind as easily, he stepped to Casey’s side as the investor approached. The other man asked to discuss the matchmaking business. With a long look at him that made Kent wish they hadn’t been interrupted, Casey excused herself.
He watched her leave, not paying attention to anyone else until Brandon said, “I told Casey to fake a relationship. Looks like she found the real deal instead.”
Kent swiveled his head around. He started to deny it, because Brandon knew they weren’t a real couple, but the truth, with the gut-punching, eye-opening way it had about it, wouldn’t let him. Feeling slightly sick to his stomach, Kent picked up his mother’s purchases and carried them outside to his truck. He was walking and breathing, but on autopilot. Casey surrounded him. Her laughter. Her beauty. Her humor. He climbed into the truck, not sure how to untie the knots inside him.
Chapter Eight
Once she returned to work, Casey did her best to concentrate, but it was a struggle. Every time she turned around, Kent kept popping into her thoughts. Well, not so much him as that kiss. She hadn’t been prepared for that kiss. Either of them. Who knew that someone she’d grown up with, someone she’d argued with and had at times wished she would never see again could kiss her in a way that left her feeling breathless?
Raising a hand to her face, she trailed her fingers across her lower lip. She could still feel the imprint of him. His kisses made her aware that she wanted more than just to be his friend, which could be bad, given how well her last friendship–turned–romantic relationship had worked out. But Kent wasn’t Dominic. He was a better man. A wonderful man. She was going to tell him what she was feeling tonight.
What if he blows me off?
She took a breath and strengthened her resolve. That was okay. Life was too short to let words that mattered be left unsaid.
Casey went back and forth on the best way to broach the subject and was still thinking about it when it was time for her to leave for the day. All the way home, she thought about Kent until, with a frustrated groan, she switched on the radio and drowned out her thoughts.
Once she arrived at the house, she’d barely stepped from her truck before her father’s car pulled up beside her. James Bradford had a jovial personality that made him well loved all over town. He’d retired after thirty years of service dedicated to fighting fires and saving others.
“Dad!” Casey walked over to hug him. “This is a surprise. What brings you by?”
“It’s your mother’s doing. She’s invited Kent’s folks over for dinner Friday evening and wants you and Kent there.”
“But I just saw both of them in town, and Mom didn’t mention it.”
“She probably forgot.”
“I’ll talk to Kent.”
“Good.” Her father motioned to the gate that led into the backyard. “Last night, Kent mentioned your air conditioner is on the fritz. Thought Lincoln and I would take a look at it for you. He’ll be here in a minute.”
“I would help, but I have to get ready. Kent’s coming by to pick me up soon.”
“I know. Heard all about that from his mom when she was over this afternoon.”
Casey’s shoulders slumped. “I know they’re working us like a tag team for Project Future Grandkids.” If her original plan still stood—sticking with Kent solely for the purpose of saving her business—then she’d be all “yay, team moms!” But she didn’t want fake. She wanted real.
“You can thank the mayor for that.” Her father sighed. “She’s always bragging to your mother and Lynn about her grandkids. I think that’s stoking the fever.”
If the fever got hot enough, Kent would run. He might not be averse to kissing her and even a little more than that, but she knew him. Relationships were as appealing to Kent as the idea of him wearing a mankini. Maybe I shouldn’t say anything to him about how I feel. No. I should. Shouldn’t.
“Out of all the men in this town, Kent’s one of the best. And I know that he’ll treat my little girl right.” James reached out and tugged a lock of her hair. “I remember when you used to wear pigtails all the time.”
“I know, but, Dad, I’m not a child anymore.”
“Not in age, but you’ll always be my little girl. You’ll understand what I me
an once you have kids of your own.” He gave her a smile tinged with remembrance. “Did you ever consider your mother’s side of this?”
“Dad—”
“She loves you, and if she does keep pushing you toward Kent, remember that she means well. Now I better get a move on.” He lifted the latch on the gate and disappeared from view.
Casey was heading back to the front porch when Lincoln pulled up. “Dad’s already out back. I think he’s crossed to the dark side. He and Mom are working together,” she told him.
Lincoln frowned for a second, then his expression cleared, and he laughed. “He’s not finding retirement as easy as he thought it would be. Focusing on our lives gives him something to do.”
“Maybe, but you, Grayson, and Rafferty are older. If anyone should get married and start handing over grandkids, it should be one of you.” As much as she liked Kent and wanted to tell him how she felt, she had greater odds of winning the lottery than of him ever ending up as her groom.
Lincoln scoffed. “No one would have Rafferty, and Grayson is still recovering from his cheating ex.”
“There’s you. Since you’re the oldest, I feel you should take one for the team.”
He paused for a second to lift his baseball cap and wipe his forehead with the crook of his arm. “Uh-huh.” He put his hat back on and moved toward the gate. “The problem, sis, is that you’ve already set yourself up as a target.”
“But the relationship isn’t real,” Casey said, an arrow of want and wish piercing her heart.
“If that’s your story.” He put his hand on the gate and gave it a pull to tug it open. “News of the diner make-out and then that kiss at the dress shop is already all over town.”
Her heart sank. If the gossip reached Kent, it would spook him before she even had a chance to talk to him, to let him see that they could be good together.
“What if I told you it’s not real but that I want it to be? What if I told you that ever since we kissed for the first time, he’s all I can think about?”
Lincoln went still for a second, then he narrowed his eyes. “I’d tell you to be careful.” He gave her a long look, then shook his head and walked off.
Okay, so not exactly an excited rah, rah, rah from her brother, but she hadn’t really expected him to jump up and down with squeals of joy. Lincoln wasn’t the best at showing emotion. But the fact that he hadn’t said he was going to cause Kent to part ways with his teeth was a good omen.
With less than an hour to go before Kent would arrive, she hurriedly showered and picked out a pair of slacks and a black-and-white-striped shirt, but that made her think of prison stripes. Discarding the shirt and pants, she chose a teal dress with a high front and plunging back. After applying light makeup and slipping her feet into a pair of flats, she was ready when the doorbell rang.
Kent wore a pair of jeans and a dress shirt covered by a blazer. If looking sexy as sin was against the law, he’d be wanted in every state.
She invited him inside, and the awkwardness came with him. Whether it was because of the kisses or because there was a huge elephant in the room between them, she didn’t know, but she couldn’t stand that. They both started talking at the same time.
“We should—”
“I need to—”
He stopped and motioned for her to go on.
Glad for the chance to cut through the tension, Casey took a breath. “We should talk about—”
“Us,” Kent finished.
A huge thunderstorm of what’s he gonna say mixed with does he want the same burst inside Casey. She licked her lips and nodded. “Us,” she agreed.
He rubbed his hands together and gave a self-deprecating laugh. “A few more kisses like the ones we’ve had, and no one is going to believe we’re faking it. Your business will be safe.”
Her balloon full of hope deflated. She raised her eyebrows. “I agree.”
“There’s going to be an extra outdoor movie by the lake this week. It’s tomorrow night. That place will be crowded with people, so I thought it’d be a good idea if we went.”
“Are you sure? You know what everyone says about movie night.”
“Yeah, that over half the couples who attend even once end up married. But that won’t ever happen with us.”
“Right.” She couldn’t tell him how she felt now. “The movie sounds great.”
Tipping his head toward the door, he said, “We need to get going before we’re late.”
“Let me tell my dad I’m heading out so he’ll lock up when he leaves.” Casey opened the back door, spoke to her father for a second, then came back to Kent. She hoped disappointment didn’t show on her face. Kent couldn’t have made it any clearer that the road to anything more than fake-ship was closed.
But those kisses were real.
Casey bit her lip. Maybe, like her, Kent was afraid to take the next step. But…they were great together, if their friendship was anything to go by. Some things in life were worth pushing past the fear, and she would tell him. When the time was right.
…
He’d given her an opening, and she hadn’t taken the bait. He couldn’t have made himself any clearer. When he’d said half the couples who attended the movie showings end up married but it wouldn’t happen for them, he’d thrown it out there, waiting for her to say they didn’t know what the future held, waiting for any indication she was in this for more than her business, but she hadn’t. He didn’t want to blurt out that he was struggling being around her, that his head and his heart were arguing over which one was in charge, that he wanted more and he didn’t all at the same time.
She climbed in beside him. Every time Casey got into his truck, the front seat shrank. He could feel her every move, from the way she shifted to get more comfortable to the times she ran her fingers through her hair and he caught a whiff of whatever flowery shampoo she used. It amplified the sounds in the truck, as well. He could hear her every breath and every whispered slide of skin against skin when she crossed her legs. Casey tapped his leg, and he jerked it up so fast, he was surprised he didn’t knock the steering wheel out of place.
“You missed the turn.” She touched the passenger window. “You said it was being held at the community center.”
“It is.” He drove up a street, then turned around to head back. He’d been so distracted thinking about Casey that if she hadn’t said anything, he’d still be heading the wrong way.
His cousin had already started talking by the time they arrived and walked in. He and Casey slipped into chairs in the last row. Someone had set up a long table against the wall. There were a variety of sweet treats, along with coffee, on one end. Several people hung out at the table, some he recognized and some he didn’t.
Casey’s stomach growled, and she cringed, blushing. “Sorry. Didn’t eat much today,” she whispered.
God, she is beautiful. “I’ll get you something.” He slipped from the row while his cousin went over the details on where and when to pick up the tuxedos. Grabbing a cupcake and a cup of coffee, he returned to his seat and passed the items to Casey.
She took both gratefully and offered him a bite of the cupcake. When he leaned over to take it, his lower lip grazed her finger where she held the treat, and he froze. Hunger for more than that cupcake hit. Her lips parted, and she arched one eyebrow. As if she knew what he was thinking. As if she was thinking the same thing.
It was going to be the longest meeting in the world. Kent drew back and refocused his attention on the wedding instructions his cousin was going over, but it was gibberish to him. He couldn’t figure out what it was about Casey tonight that was making it so hard to stay focused. He glanced at her. She looked like Casey, and yet she didn’t. The Casey he’d always known didn’t have eyes that were darkly beautiful, so much so that it made him forget what he was going to say. He thought about a slow summer night on her front porch swing, watching the moonrise and talking until the sun rose.
Staying up all night talking was
something they’d sometimes done when they were younger, and it hadn’t meant anything. At least that’s what he’d told himself for years, even though he could still remember the way the breeze had stirred her hair back then. He could still smell the fragrance from the blossoms on the magnolia tree in the yard. That night, home from college the summer of his sophomore year, he’d been reluctant to leave her, and she’d seemed as reluctant to let him go. But by the dawn of the morning, their relationship was right back where it had always been. He’d been an idiot not to recognize that the best woman in his life was Casey. A woman you don’t deserve. You’ll fail her just like you failed Aiden.
Kent frowned as the ghosts of his past showed up to haunt him yet again.
“Kent?”
He’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t realized that people were starting to move from the chairs to congregate in the middle of the room. Casey hovered beside him, holding her hand out. “Your cousin wants us all on the floor while he and his fiancée practice their dance.”
His cousin, Sebastian, had said repeatedly that he hated being the center of attention and was nervous about the dance. Kent had jokingly suggested forgoing the big wedding and eloping.
He glanced over Casey’s shoulder and spotted Rebecca talking to his cousin’s fiancée. When her gaze met his, she lifted one eyebrow, and her lip curled slightly.
“Kent!” Casey called his name a little louder, looking worried. “You’re a million miles away.”
“Sorry.” He reached for her hand, and they joined the group. Sliding his hand around her, his fingers skimmed her lower back, where there was no dress material. The touch branded him. He glanced down, noticed the gentle swell of her breasts, then quickly looked away. She wore some kind of perfume he wasn’t familiar with. The realization that he knew her scents made his gut tighten. He felt like he’d been picked up by a tornado and dropped down in unfamiliar territory. Casey, with her womanly curves and mile-long legs, with her smile that could light up a room, was in his arms—and it felt right.