Her Accidental Husband

by Mallory, Ashlee

To forget.

  She had to admit, what Brad was offering was tempting. New life. New memories. New adventures in a new city. And what he said made sense. About having the basic foundation of building something together—even if trust was still going to be a long time coming.

  It would be so easy to say yes. Things would be fun and comfortable with Brad. But she’d be running away. Hiding herself in something that was only…second best. She could see that, and as tempting as that might be, it wouldn’t be right.

  Sadly, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, Brad. I just can’t.”

  Cruz sat in his car another minute, unable to tear his gaze from the scene. Payton and Brad sitting on her couch, laughing together. Talking. Enjoying a celebratory glass of wine.

  Obviously together.

  It was like someone had dropped a load of bricks on him then sucker punched him just for the hell of it. He’d expected this, hadn’t he? So why was he so surprised?

  Monday had been tough, arriving in Salt Lake alone and trying to get back to work. There’d been tons to do, people to talk to, and he’d been able to completely fill his day, barely having time to collapse into bed and repeat it all the next day. And the day after that. Until nearly a week had whizzed by and he’d barely had any time to think about what he left behind. The life he thought he was going to have.

  Only tonight, he’d found himself aimlessly driving and before he knew it, he was outside her place, excited and terrified when he first saw her sitting alone on the couch through her open blinds. Something he’d been thinking he needed to warn her about, since she didn’t know the number of pervs out there.

  Then Brad had joined her.

  Cruz still didn’t know why he’d come here tonight, what he’d hoped for. He only knew that this past week he’d missed Payton with such savage intensity that he had needed to see her. See if maybe she still wanted to give this thing a shot. To tell her he’d been an idiot to let her get on that flight back home without him. For even letting her out the damn door.

  Only, he hadn’t expected to see she had company.

  Brad Eastman of all people.

  Maybe this was good, him seeing her like this. Happy. Not pining away for him. It was the kick in the ass he needed to get his head back in the game.

  Because he had to admit, these past few days, his head had been anywhere but at work. He was going to blow the whole thing and everything he’d given up would be for nothing.

  It’s done then.

  He didn’t have to worry that he let her down. He didn’t have to think about her at all.

  He only hoped he could live with his feeling, this deep sense of loss, that he’d let the best thing he’d ever had get away from him.

  Cruz arrived at his parent’s house the next night for the usual Sunday dinner, something that he’d missed last week in Mexico, when he couldn’t face anyone and had holed up in his hotel room until his flight the next day.

  He’d imagined his family downstairs waiting in the restaurant, passing grins and knowing glances at what might have his attention upstairs enough to miss their Sunday dinner. It was better to let them think that than to come down and face them with the real truth.

  That Payton had hopped on a jet with her ex-fiancé and mother, deciding to move on with her life. Without him.

  But Payton would have been a distraction, one he couldn’t afford. Which was why he’d first instilled his rule of no serious relationships. They consumed too much time and worry. And time was in short supply.

  It threw him for a minute when he walked in to his parent’s kitchen to see everyone gathered around the table, his parents, and Daisy and Benny. Dominic was still on his honeymoon for a few days or he and Kate would probably be there too. And it didn’t take a genius to figure out who they were talking about since the room went awkwardly silent when he entered.

  He pretended not to notice and went to the stove, lifting a pot and smelling the savory goodness inside. “Smells great. Sorry I’m late. I was at the office running a few numbers. I think we can get the first crew started on that demolition by Wednesday,” he said to his dad.

  Petter Sorensen sat with his usual stoicism at the head of the table, his arms folded in front of him. He nodded. “I am sure you have it all handled.”

  The women all gave each other meaningful glances and he waited to see who would take the lead. His bets were on Benny, the youngest and most fearless.

  “Heard anything from Payton?” Yep. Predictable.

  “No, Benny. I haven’t. Nor would I expect to.” He poured a glass of water and watched them from over the rim as he drank.

  “Seriously? You don’t think everyone noticed the way you two looked at each other, spent the whole night staring into each other’s eyes, and then quietly disappeared together?”

  He pretended to mull her words over. “Payton is a beautiful woman. Can you blame me for wanting to enjoy her company? I would think you’d be congratulating me for getting up and dancing instead of brooding in a corner.”

  This time Daisy intervened. And not on his behalf. “Yes, but coming from the guy who thinks even a hug is too much of a public display of affection—from your mother—your turn into a regular Don Juan was a little surprising.”

  This was exactly the reason he’d been hiding from everyone for the past week. They never let up. He sighed heavily. “Payton had just broke up with her fiancé,” he said with emphasis, “a guy she’s known for years and was about to spend the rest of her life with. She wasn’t looking for anything serious, just a good time. Same with me.”

  “That’s not what it looked like to me, dear brother,” Benny said again.

  “Look guys. This deal, with Eastman Motors, it’s huge. And it’s going to take every minute of my time for the next year, at least, to get all the projects green-lighted and crew hired, not to mention speaking with Dominic about designing us a new headquarters for Sorensen Construction. I don’t have time for anything else right now.”

  Benny started to interject again so he tried again, his voice louder. “Even if I were to have any interest in having a love life, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be with Payton Vaughn. Other than physical attraction, we don’t have anything in common. She’s planning charity functions for people with nothing to do but spend money saving dolphins or whales or whatever. Believe me, we’re not compatible.”

  It killed him to say that. But as soon as he did, he knew it was true.

  He wanted to tell them that even if he did want her in his life, it was too late. She was already back with Brad. But then he’d have to admit he’d been practically stalking her. So he let it go, waiting for the next argument.

  Fortunately, his mother decided to—finally—come to his rescue as she laid her hand on Benny to stay further comments. “Leave him be.” But she did look at him a little longer with sadness in those dark, loving eyes. “He’ll have to realize some things for himself.”

  Ouch.

  “If we’re done with the third degree, maybe we can eat? I have tons to do back at the office. Where are the kids?” he asked Daisy.

  “They’re with their dad,” she said, disbelief on her own face. “He’s had them since Friday and will be dropping them off later tonight. They were ecstatic. And it’s giving me time to start the packing,” Now she was barely restraining her excitement, her lips tugging into a grin.

  “Packing? What’s going on?”

  She clasped her hands together, almost as if in a prayer. “My lovely new sister-in-law is what’s going on. For weeks she and Dominic have been negotiating where they’re going to live, and it looks like they decided that, despite being farther away from Kate’s work, they’re going to live at Dominic’s.”

  “Okay,” he said slowly, not sure what that had to do with Daisy unless… “Are you moving into her place, then?”

  She was beaming as she nodded. “Seeing as how the market is still getting back on its feet, Kate wants to hold off selling for now and she thought maybe the kids
and I would want to move in. Get our own space. I’m paying her rent, of course.”

  He nodded. His sister had stubbornly refused all handouts since going through the divorce, much to everyone’s dismay, so it wasn’t a surprise that she’d insist on paying rent. Probably top dollar too.

  “It’s such a beautiful house,” she gushed, her eyes shining. “And what with living right next door, Aunt Glenda has already assured me she’d love nothing more than to help me watch the kids after school. I can’t imagine it being more perfect. The girls will have to share a room, of course, but they’re fine with it. I think Paul might even be a little jealous,” she added, referencing her youngest and only son.

  “But don’t forget I want to help too. Even if they won’t be under the same roof,” their mother interjected, looking a little weepy. “I’m expecting lots of sleepovers.”

  Daisy softened her smile and placed her hand on her mother’s. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “This is great news, Daise,” Cruz said. “I’m excited for you and the kids.”

  “Good. Because I’m going to need your help moving. With Dominic and Kate gone until next late Saturday night, I need some brawn for the heavy lifting.”

  “Isn’t that what we have Benny for?” he asked and took another drink.

  Benny smiled wryly. “Don’t worry, big brother. I know you’ve gone a little soft in your old age, might suffer a bit from early arthritis. I’m prepared to pick up your slack. I can probably hook you up with some geriatric medical supplies too. Just say the word.”

  “When do you need me?” he asked Daisy, ignoring his youngest sister.

  “I can’t get off early until Saturday, around three, and I would really like to get it done then. It shouldn’t take too long. Kate left the keys with me and has insisted I use most of the furniture she already has. Probably just a couple hours. Unless you want to help us get a couple of Kate’s things moved over to Dominic’s. He had a few things he wanted in place before they get back, something to have as a nice homecoming for Kate.”

  It was going to put a serious kink in Cruz’s plans to have a decision made on which subcontractor he was going with by the end of the week, but it couldn’t be helped. It was family.

  “Fine. I’ll meet you here around three. Ben,” he asked, trying to turn topics. “Did you hear anything yet about that fellowship?”

  Which did the trick. With everyone onto a new topic and busy dishing up dinner, Cruz pretended to listen while letting his mind go somewhere else. On someone else. Again.

  Oh, hell. He entertained the idea of slamming his head against the table to try and knock some sense in his damn brain but figured that would only alarm everyone around him.

  Moving on. Seemed like something everyone was doing around here. Benny as she wrapped up her residency in pediatric medicine at the U and looked toward the future; Dominic who was starting a new life with the woman he loved. Hell. Even his newly divorced sister was moving on—literally and figuratively. And, of course…Payton.

  For all he knew she and Brad were back to pricing out china patterns again for the big nuptials in between planning cocktail parties for her mother and her friends.

  She’d moved on.

  Maybe it was time Cruz did, too.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Payton added another yellow rose to the vase and stood back, tilting her head to try and get a different perspective. She wanted them to be perfect for her friend when she arrived home late tonight from her honeymoon.

  “They’re gorgeous,” Benny said from behind her. “Kate will love them.”

  Earlier, Cruz’s sister and Kate’s new sister-in-law, had arrived on her doorstep asking for a favor. With Kate and Dominic arriving in town sometime after midnight, she’d wanted to do something special for the couple. Bring a few of Kate’s things from her old house over, buy a few groceries and other things to help make the house feel warm and inviting. Set it up for a couple just returning from a honeymoon—and wanting to leave the house as little as possible.

  With assurances that it would just be the two of them, since the last thing she needed was an inopportune run-in with Cruz, Payton had agreed. Even if she was nervous that Benny would ply her with question about what happened between them. Fortunately, Benny had remained mum on the subject, instead chatting away over some funny stories involving her young patients and then how lucky Kate and Dominic were to find each other.

  “Mrs. Kate Sorensen,” Payton shook her head and grabbed another long-stemmed rose, trimming the bottom before pushing it in the vase. “It’s so crazy. I can’t believe my best friend is married.”

  She was happy. Ecstatically happy for her friend who deserved all the happiness in the world. But, if she were totally honest, she had to admit also feeling a little sad for herself.

  Her friend was starting this new stage in her life, while Payton was trying to catch up.

  “Daisy and everyone should be here any minute now,” Benny said and pulled two bottles of Champagne from a bag on the kitchen counter.

  Benny had conveniently waited until after they’d arrived, arms loaded with flowers and groceries and supplies, to drop the news that the rest of the family would also be stopping by to bring some of the heavier items. She’d quickly reassured Payton that she didn’t have to worry about running into Cruz since he was busy with work and Payton managed to tamp down the panic that first seized her at the thought of seeing him.

  Benny opened the fridge and placed the Champagne inside next to the rest of the groceries they’d brought. “I’m going to move my car so they can back the truck up to the porch.”

  Knowing that the rest of the Sorensens were descending on the house, Payton desperately wanted to make herself scarce. It would be too painful and embarrassing seeing them now. Remembering how thrilled and happy and excited she was when she’d last seen them.

  She wondered what they thought about her now, about her actions. What had Cruz told them? But she didn’t worry too much on that end. He never spoke unless he had to. Especially about his personal life. Which might be why Benny had brought her here in the first place, to pump her for information, even if she hadn’t reached the subject. Yet.

  No way was she prepared to face everyone.

  She glanced at her watch. Almost five. She should be going if she was going to meet Brad for dinner by six. “I think I’m done here anyway. I’ll get out of everyone’s hair.”

  “Oh, really?” Benny looked crestfallen and glanced down at her cell phone. “Would you do one last favor for me, then? I bought a whole load of votive candles and little holders for them and wanted to set them up around the room. You know, help with the ambiance? Can you get me started on that? I have no sense for that kind of stuff.”

  Payton glanced at her watch again and bit her lip. “Five more minutes but then I really have to go.”

  “Great,” Benny said, her face slipping into a wide smile, her blue eyes suspiciously bright.

  Benny traipsed up the stairs to the upper landing that led, due to the slope on the mountain where the house sat, out to the driveway. Leaving Payton alone in this little piece of heaven nestled away from the world. Kate was very lucky.

  Payton grabbed the bag that Benny left and looked around the room. The vista outside the window in the main room was gorgeous. The sun was setting across the treeline before the windows, giving the room a warm, homey feeling. Finding a seat on the couch, she opened the first bag of candles and began the task of dropping them into the holders. She was on the third bag when a ruckus from the top of the stairs alerted her that Benny was back.

  “I think you bought enough candles to set the whole mountainside ablaze,” she said looking in the bag at the endless amount of candles still packaged as Benny reached the bottom step. She looked up. “I didn’t know how many—”

  Only, it wasn’t Benny.

  Her heart felt like it was ricocheting in her chest and the only sound she could hear now was the rushing o
f blood as it pumped erratically sending a whooshing through her ears. Thank Heavens she was seated because she was certain she’d have slumped to the floor otherwise.

  No, the hulking giant before her could never be mistaken for the smaller woman.

  Crap. Why did he have to look so good?

  His hair was shorter, even and clipped above the ears, but still long enough where she could tousle it with her fingertips. His eyes, now wide in disbelief as he caught sight of her, were that same deep chocolate brown that had looked at her like he wanted to shove her out of the car one second, and then like he wanted to kiss her senseless a second later. His jaw was dark with growth, showing it hadn’t seen a razor in at least two days, maybe longer. She wondered if it would be soft to touch, or rough, stinging her chin like it had that morning when he’d woken her up with—

  Dear Lord. What am I doing?

  The seconds continued to pass and the giant just stayed there unmoving. It made sense now, why Benny wanted her here. Had distracted her enough until Cruz could get here.

  Had he wanted to see her? Did he know—of course he didn’t know, judging by the slack in his jaw.

  Why didn’t he just say something?

  “Cruz. Hello.” Lame.

  Lame, lame, lame.

  He blinked a couple times, almost like he hadn’t believed she was there until she spoke. “Payton.” Hearing him speak her name, so soft, nearly undid her. He blinked again. “What are you doing here?”

  He didn’t sound happy. He didn’t sound angry either. She couldn’t tell anymore.

  “Your sister, Benny. She asked me to help set some things up for Kate and Dominic. Do some staging,” she said and swept her hand toward the pile of votive candles next to her.

  He nodded but didn’t take his eyes from hers. “So. How are things with you? You look…well,” he said, hesitating slightly before the last word.

  “You too.” Only she said it in a near whisper as it seemed like she was struggling just to breathe under his intense gaze. She rose, needing to do something other than sit there like a rock. She walked back to the kitchen island and began fussing with the flower arrangement again. “I doubt either Kate or Dominic are going to even notice any of this when they arrive tonight, but Kate will appreciate it in the morning when she’s wanting half and half for her coffee that’s not a week past its expiration.”