"We were all kids. We made mistakes. I did," he said. "We were learning about relationships."
"Well, maybe you did. Remember, I didn't have a major boyfriend in high school. After college, I thought I had a relationship, but we know how that ended. I'm just not cut out for love and marriage."
"Maybe the right guy hasn't come long yet."
"And you're the right guy?" she asked staring at him.
That taunt was more than he could resist. He pulled her into his arms, unable to wait another moment to kiss. Their mouths centimeters apart and he could feel her heart pounding in her chest. "I don't know. But I'm willing to find out."
He fell back against the blanket, taking her with him.
"Maybe I'm not," she said.
"Or maybe you're scared," he replied, kissing along her ear.
A tremor went through her and he realized her issue. Fear of involvement with another man was keeping Taylor from him.
"Maybe," she said softly, her neck rolling to the side, giving him more access.
"We'll go slow," he whispered.
"How slow?" she asked.
"I won't hit a home run tonight," he said.
She giggled. "You won't even get to first base."
"Well, darn, I hoped to at least cop a feel."
She took his hand and placed it on her buttocks. "That's all you're getting."
"Not exactly what I hoped for, but I'll take whatever I can."
With that, he covered her mouth with his.
Chapter 5
The next day, Taylor had awakened thinking about Ryan. The man made their first date memorable and fun, and good Lord, he'd left her hungering for him. Close to midnight, the cold night air forced them to pack up their picnic, put the blankets back in the storage shed, douse the campfire, and ride the ATV back to the house in the dark.
Being in the woods with shadows all around gave a unique atmosphere of both isolation and romantic ambiance. By far, being with Ryan was the most fun she'd ever had with a man. That left her more confused.
He and Kelsey had dated. They'd been an item in school and she couldn't think about hurting her friend. Tossing and turning, sleep had been elusive with thoughts of their night on his family's land and wondering what she should do. Finally, at dawn, she'd concluded that no man was worth losing a girlfriend over.
She couldn't go out with Ryan. It would be breaking the girlfriend code.
The door to the restaurant opened and Jack walked in. "Good morning," he said, his voice upbeat and chipper.
"Morning," she said and hurried over to him. "How are you?"
"I'm doing all right. The sun is shining and it's a great morning."
"Wow, you're in a happy mood."
"My daughter called. She's coming to visit and bringing my granddaughter. I can't wait to see them," he said. "She's the spitting image of my Margaret."
"Wonderful," Taylor said, setting a cup of coffee in front of him. She waited until after the waitress took his order before she spoke. "Do they come often?"
"No. They live in Tennessee, so they only get out here about once or twice a year. She calls me on the phone every week, but I miss seeing them."
"You should go visit them," Taylor responded. "I always loved it when my parents dropped in on me at college."
"Oh no," he said. "I have to stay here and take care of the farm."
Taylor shook her head. He was such a lonely man that she felt sorry for him. She wanted him to find some kind of happiness. "Did you and Margaret ever talk about what was going to happen when one of you were gone? Do you ever think about remarrying?"
He laughed. "Margaret told me if I wanted to marry someone on the way home from the funeral, I had her blessing. She didn't want me to be alone."
"Have you considered dating?"
She couldn't imagine dating at his age, but people did it all the time and if it cured their loneliness, then more power to them.
"How?" he asked. "Most women my age are either happily married or they're man haters because someone did them wrong. And no, I'm not doing that computer matchmaking. I'd never trust a machine to find me a partner."
Nodding in agreement, she said, "I haven't tried meeting men online myself. I'm not in that big a hurry. You will be happy to hear that I went out last night with a man."
His brows rose. "How did it go?"
She sighed. "It was the best date I've ever been on. It wasn't fancy, but rather simple and he went to so much trouble to please me."
"Why do I sense a but coming." Jack laughed.
"Because, there are complications."
"Isn't there in every relationship?"
"Yes, but this is kind of touchy. How do you date a best friend’s ex?"
There was more to her reasons for not dating Ryan. Not only was he Kelsey's old boyfriend, but there was the fact he was a lawman, but the biggest reason - he made her feel more than any man she'd ever dated.
His pheromones had her body calling out a response that she wasn't ready to explore. If the last breakup had left her dazed and hurting, what would happen if Ryan ended their relationship?
Wouldn't it be better to end the dating before she had a chance of getting burned.
Jack started laughing. "You don't. But you want to, don't you? When you mention his name your eyes light up. You're not fooling me."
"Yes," she said. "There are other things against him as well. I just don't know."
"Does it matter what other people think?"
She stared at him and she could feel the frown on her face gathering like storm clouds on the horizon. "No. But I don't want to upset my bestie."
"Yet, you want to go out with this man."
"Yes."
"Then tell your friend. She should know you're attracted to her old boyfriend. Maybe she could help you."
"Oh no, I don't think so. Even after all these years, she doesn't like him."
Jack picked up his fork. "You should find out why they can't put the past behind them and move on. You need to seek out the truth from both of them."
It did seem strange that Kelsey, who said she never slept with Ryan, still hated him like the breakup was yesterday. "Enjoy your breakfast, Jack. I think you're right. I should ask some questions."
* * *
The day had been nonstop. A steady stream of customers kept Taylor busy in the kitchen. The weekly order of food supplies and meeting with the crazy butcher trying to meet his demands made the day pass in one big blur.
At four o'clock, Meghan walked through the door, her curly hair straight, dark circles under her eyes, her mouth pursed in a frown. Who said being a librarian was easy?
"I need a root beer float," she said, sinking down at one of the tables.
"Coming right up," Taylor said. They didn't have root beer floats on the menu, but when she returned to town, she'd stocked the necessary ingredients. A classic drink for her and her friends. It was good ole Texas comfort food.
Taylor placed the floats on the table and joined her friend. One of the best things about being in Cupid was spending time with her girlfriends.
"Tough day?"
"Since Coach Max rescued my naked ass, he thinks we should do all these school events together. As in organizing the spring dance next month. Crowning the Basketball Queen and now he volunteered us as Senior sponsors for next year. He's crawled up my butt so far, he'll need a flashlight to find his way out."
Taylor started giggling. She loved Meghan. This cute little redhead who wore glasses and looked like a Mensa candidate had a sailor's mouth on her. You never knew what would come out. Sometimes sweet and sometimes a mouthy sassiness that could make her ears burn.
"You shouldn't be laughing. This is all your fault."
"You two have been dancing around each other for months. The Cupid incident brought it all out in the open."
The couple had been hotter than firecrackers on the Fourth of July in high school. And even today, Taylor sensed there were fireworks being lit an
d was waiting on the big kaboom. But could they overcome their past?
"Well, I would have preferred to sweep Max and our history under the rug. I don't want to deal with the professional jock itch."
"Call his bluff. See if he really will tell the school board about the other night."
"It's not that. Max would never expose me. It's just...I told him the science teacher, Mr. Googly Eyes McBride, has been clingy and doesn't take no for an answer. So today in the teacher's lounge, right in front of the scientist, Max asked what time should he pick me up Friday night."
A private person, Meghan didn't like the spotlight on herself. She'd rather be the wall flower than the star.
"Did the science nerd get the message?" Taylor asked, knowing Meghan didn't want anyone talking about her and Max.
"Yes, it solved my problem with Googly Eyes McBride. More than half the teachers in school were in the lounge eating lunch and now Max and I are the gossips’ latest buzz."
The thing with Meghan was that sometimes she liked to play hard to get. But then again, Max and her had a past, a very difficult past. Taylor understood why Meghan wouldn't want the teachers thinking they were a couple.
"Wow, one problem solved, another created."
"Yeah, I feel like I'm wearing a sumo wrestler outfit and we're bouncing against one another. I'm scared to death there will be Velcro somewhere and we'll stick."
"Do you want me to put on a sumo outfit and you can practice with me?"
Her brows raised and she giggled. "You're nuts."
"Drink your root beer; it will calm you," Taylor said, wishing she could confide in Meghan about her date with Ryan. How much she'd enjoyed their simple evening together. How much she wanted to see him again. How much she enjoyed his kisses.
"Thanks," she said, “but I may need something stronger."
Taylor took a bite of the rich float, letting the ice cream slide down her throat. "What can you tell me about Kelsey and Ryan's break-up?"
"Good grief," Meghan said. "We're all back in Cupid. Sometimes I wake up and think we've returned to high school. Are we in a time warp?"
"No," Taylor said, shaking her head. "You're a librarian. I'm a cook."
"Don't make me rethink my career decision," Meghan said, tossing her auburn hair. "After days like today, being a rocket scientist might have been easier."
"I know," Taylor responded, wishing Meghan would answer her question. Sure, they'd all changed since that time years ago, but maybe they had more growing in their future.
For a few moments, they drank their root beer, but Taylor kept waiting for Meghan to tell why Kelsey hated Ryan. "What happened between Ryan and Kelsey?"
Meghan frowned at her over her root beer, studying her face, making Taylor's nerves tighten in her stomach.
"Something went wrong right after we graduated at an end of year party, but I don't know what. Her family whisked her out of town and took her on an expensive vacation to Italy as a graduation present. We didn't speak again for years," Meghan said. "Sorry, I guess I wasn't much help. Why are you asking?"
"Oh, I wondered what happened to the two of them. She hates him."
Meghan's eyes grew wide and she put her spoon down, cursing beneath her breath. "Oh no. You're dating him."
Taylor vigorously shook her head. "No. No, I'm not."
She lied. There had only been one date. They weren't official or anything. One wonderful evening spent together, nothing more.
Meghan sat across the table staring at her like snakes were crawling in her hair. "For some reason, I don't believe you."
"No, Ryan and I are not seeing each other."
After twenty years of friendship, losing Kelsey as one of her besties would devastate her, but being with Ryan was a temptation she was fighting.
* * *
Awaking this morning with thoughts of Taylor filling his head, his body tingling with need, Ryan was anxious to see her again. He didn't want to appear too eager or he feared frightening her away, but last night convinced him he wanted to pursue Taylor.
He wanted to pursue her, catch her, and reel her in, and he aimed to do just that.
Walking into the restaurant before the supper rush, he looked around not locating her. When he couldn't find her, he went into the back. Her employees smiled at him and pointed to her.
He saw her up on a ladder trying to pull down a container from an upper shelf. He hurried over and lifted the box out of her arms. She glanced down at him as she came down the steps. "Thanks."
"No problem," he replied. "Where do you want this?"
"Set it on the floor. I'm looking for the spring decorations. It's time to take down the hearts and cupids and change the flowers."
"Except for your miniature Cupid, right? You wouldn't remove him from the diner."
"Are you kidding me? I'd be run out of town for blasphemy if I removed him from the front. Dad bought that for Mom when they married."
"Did they met doing the Cupid Stupid dance."
"My parents? Very funny. No, they attended the same college. But Dad did propose at the fountain."
"That's better than dancing naked around it," he said, grinning, teasing her.
"We didn't meet at the Cupid statue," she retorted. "We've known each other for years."
Funny, in high school he'd noticed Taylor. But since he was dating Kelsey, he’d avoided the temptation. Now, they were older, wiser and all he could think about was how much he enjoyed her company.
"No, but we renewed our acquaintance in front of the God of Love," he said, wanting to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless.
A stern expression crossed her face, her forehead gathering in a frown. "Don't make anything out of us becoming reacquainted there. Don't give it more meaning."
He smiled, thinking how weird that she was on the defensive and he was the one talking about the superstition and how that curse applied to them. And he wanted the Cupid Stupid dance or whatever people considered it to bring them together.
"I had a great time last night," he said, remembering the fun of being with her. "Would you like to go to Fort Worth this weekend and watch a movie?"
With a shake of her head, she swallowed nervously and he noticed the tenseness radiating from her. “I can't."
"Okay, then how about dinner at my place one night? I'll cook for you." Between midnight and this morning, something changed. She'd been responsive and open and an undeniable connection like an electrical current linked them.
Her blue eyes darkened and she shook her head. "I can't see you again. We can't date."
Disappointment sank like a boulder rolling through his intestines. What happened? They were drawn to one another. Sexual undercurrents ran between them like high wires. So why was she denying them a chance at happiness?
"Why not?"
She sighed, took him by the hand and pulled him into her office where she turned to him. "I can't go out with you. I enjoyed last night, I like you, but you're everything that got me into trouble. You're a sheriff. You dated my friend. It would be strange being with the same guy as Kelsey."
"I was eighteen. We were young, foolish kids, and yes, I broke her heart, but we didn't have sex. I treated Kelsey wrong, but we would never marry. Her family didn't accept me. Her brothers hated me. They didn't want me anywhere near their sister."
Something didn't feel right. He wondered if she knew the truth about why things ended with her girlfriend. Young and naive with raging hormones that just wanted to get in some girl’s pants. At a graduation party, he'd made the biggest mistake of his life. Losing his virginity to Rhonda Smothers.
It wasn't his finest moment. When Kelsey learned of his cheating, the shit had hit the fan.
That was the only time he ever was unfaithful. The grief on Kelsey's face, persuaded him to never cause that kind of agony again. If he wanted to screw around, he should have severed his relationship. In his ignorance, he let his drunken dick make the decisions and Kelsey suffered because of his stupidity.
"It doesn't matter you didn't sleep with Kelsey. She's my friend. I don't want to lose her friendship. And you're the type of bad boy I'm attracted to that has broken my heart. I need to end this now before I get a hurt a second time."
There was the real reason. She was afraid. Pain clenched his stomach and yet he needed to back off and give Taylor time.
"There is something special between us."
She wouldn't gaze at him. Even though she denied it, they shared a strong magnetism. A fire simmered between them, but she was willing to toss this attraction away.
"See you around," he said and walked out the door. He'd experienced a small defeat, but he wasn't giving up just yet. She may have won the skirmish, but he would win the war.
* * *
Taylor glanced out the door of the restaurant into the black night to see the rain coming down. A flash of lightning followed by a rumble of thunder let her know a very wet, cold walk home awaited her. Her choice was either stay here all night or become soaked. The thought of spending the night at the diner was enough to prod her to move forward. The dog would never understand why she hadn't come home and let him out.
"Guess I better get started," she said, grabbing her coat and bundling up.
The door opened and she whirled around, for a moment frightened and then she saw Ryan. Heat and relief surged through her leaving her heart pounding.
"I thought you might need a ride," he said.
"Thanks," she said breathlessly, warmth filling her at the sight of him. "I appreciate that. I had resigned myself to a cold, wet walk."
"I was in the vicinity and decided to check on you," he replied. "The truck is right outside the door."
The thought of riding in his truck rather than walking in the rain filled her with warmth. Part of her knew she should tell him no, while the other part wanted to ride home with him.
The weak, wanting to stay dry part won.
A flash of lightning had the lights flickering.
"Let's go," she said. "I want to go home and get out of this storm."
Cupid Stupid: Return to Cupid, Texas Page 6