Fated

by Carly Phillips

  While the newlyweds said their final good-byes and Faith walked Ethan out, Nick’s thoughts turned back to Kate and how to get the school teacher to take him more seriously.

  “I’m back,” Faith said, breaking into his thoughts, as she returned. “You and Ethan really need to learn to get along.”

  “We get along fine.” For two guys who’d never been friends. “Besides, we just like getting under each other’s skin. He knows I have no interest in you other than friendship.”

  “Men,” she muttered, sitting on the corner of her desk. “So it’s all fixed?” She gestured to the wall shelves.

  “Yes. Just keep the lighter items on that particular section, just in case,” he said of accessories she stocked for her customers. “Did anything break?”

  “Just one piece. I can absorb the loss . . . thanks to you giving me your whole new house to decorate!” Her voice rose in excitement. “I owe you so much. First renting me this space, then hiring me as a decorator. You’re a good friend, Nick.”

  He shook his head. “Who else would I hire? You know me as well as anyone.”

  “Well, if there’s anything I can do for you—”

  With her words, an idea settled in his brain. “If you mean that, you can put in a good word for me with Kate.”

  “You don’t think I have?” Faith asked.

  “And?”

  She sighed, pausing in thought. “Look,” she said at last. “Kate doesn’t think you’re serious, that you just see her as a challenge.”

  “And I think that’s a bullshit excuse,” Nick muttered.

  Faith grinned. “I agree.” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall. Suddenly a thought struck him. “There’s no one else, is there?” he asked.

  Faith shook her head. “Definitely not. If you want my opinion, you need to get Kate alone and see if you can’t get her to relax around you a little bit. Use that charm of yours.”

  Nick grinned. “I’m glad you think I’m charming, but what does Kate think?”

  Faith bit down on her lower lip, a sure sign she wasn’t comfortable with the conversation. “Without giving away too much, I know she’s interested but she has trust issues.”

  He nodded slowly, understanding what Faith was saying. Whatever Kate’s hang-ups, he’d help her through them, but he didn’t want to hear what they were from Faith anymore than she wanted to reveal her friend’s secrets.

  “Guess I need to step up my game.” Which meant Kate needed to understand he wasn’t giving up.

  “She won’t be able to resist you when you’re determined.” Faith grinned.

  Nick didn’t remind her that she’d been able to do that very thing. Kate wasn’t Faith and Nick was a hell of a lot more invested in the outcome. She’d grown on him to the point where he wanted to know her inside and out. And he refused to let her get away without seeing what could happen between them. He had high hopes for himself and Kate, and he wasn’t talking about a short-term fling.

  “Are you really willing to help me?” Nick asked Faith. “Because if you are, I have a plan.” One that would either win Kate over or finally put an end to his pursuit.

  Because if this didn’t work, he was all out of ideas and shit out of luck.

  Three

  “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  “What?” Surprised by the question, Kate glanced at the teenager she’d just finished tutoring. Tess needed help on an English paper on Romeo and Juliet, after which, Kate, Tess, and Faith were supposed to go to the mall for shopping and dinner.

  “You heard me. Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  Kate glanced at the clock on the classroom wall. “Umm, Faith is waiting for us outside,” Kate reminded Tess.

  Tess shrugged. “That’s okay. She won’t mind. She’s used to you being late. She says so all the time.” Tess looked up at Kate from a fringe of light brown hair.

  “Nice,” Kate muttered, even though her best friend only spoke the truth.

  “So can you answer me?” Tess asked. “Because Ethan says if he were smarter, he’d have known Faith was it for him back when he was in high school. But I can’t imagine taking one look at any guy and falling in love. But I hope it’s true for Ethan and Faith because they need to stay together.”

  Kate glanced at Tess, and her heart softened in understanding. She might not be the tough kid who’d arrived in Serendipity with a chip on her shoulder, but she still possessed a personality roughened by the life she had led before her older half brother had taken her in. Beneath the exterior lived a young girl afraid no one cared enough to stick around, and she was counting on Ethan and Faith and the home they provided.

  “You gonna answer me?” Tess asked, nudging Kate in the arm.

  “I’ll answer you.” As soon as Kate figured out how to reply without disillusioning the teenager further. “I do believe in love at first sight,” she said carefully. “The problem is both people have to feel it for it to work.” Something Kate had never had any luck with. Ever. “As for Ethan and Faith, I promise you they’re solid.”

  Tess blew out a breath and fiddled with the ragged hem of her tee shirt. “Yeah, since they came back from their honeymoon they’re still all lovey-dovey but what about when the sex stuff gets old?”

  Kate tried not to choke on her own saliva. “Umm . . . the sex stuff is none of your business and love has to do with a lot more than just . . . umm . . . sex.” Uncomfortable with the subject, she dug into her purse for gum, unwrapping it and popping the mint stick in her mouth. “Want some?” She offered some to the teen.

  “No. I want to know more about sex and love.”

  Ack! You had to adore Tess, her endless questions and the mouth with no filter. What could Kate tell her? Sex was easy. Love wasn’t.

  Love, when not reciprocated, hurt. Badly. Kate’s thoughts went to Nick and his sexy swagger, intense brown eyes, and easy charm. Too easy.

  In the months since the softball game, she’d run into him around town and he’d always been friendly. Always stopped to talk. And always asked her out. She was so tempted to give in but she still vividly remembered her college boyfriend, who she’d been in love with, telling her she’d been nothing more than a poor substitute for his girl back home. She’d do everything in her power to protect herself from feeling that kind of betrayal and pain ever again. No matter how much Nick Mancini tempted her.

  So if Tess wanted to know about sex and love . . . “I think you should ask Faith about that,” Kate said, carefully. “Or Kelly,” Kate said of Tess’s sister on her mother’s side.

  “Chicken,” Tess muttered.

  Kate groaned at the same time her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. A reprieve, she thought gratefully.

  “Ready to go? Faith’s getting antsy,” Kate asked Tess.

  The girl nodded.

  “Did you get all the help you needed on Shakespeare?”

  “Yeah, thanks. I am so ready to hit the mall.” Tess grinned, already on to the next subject.

  Thank God.

  “Okay I’ll tell Faith we’re coming out.” Kate texted Faith back, then gathered her book bag and jacket, ready to brave both the November chill and the mall.

  A few minutes later, both Kate and Tess were seated in Faith’s warm, brand-new Cadillac Escalade truck, courtesy of her husband. Ethan, once the town bad boy on a motorcycle, had returned, determined to make good. He’d also gotten his girl. If Kate didn’t know how much Faith had suffered in the past, she’d almost be jealous of her best friend and the love she’d found.

  “Sorry we’re late,” Kate said, settling into the seat.

  Faith glanced heavenward. “Save it. You’re always late.” She softened the words with an understanding laugh. “Buckle up.” She glanced at Tess via the
rearview mirror.

  Kate did the same, and Faith pulled out of the school parking lot.

  “Listen, I have to make a quick stop on the way to the mall,” Faith said apologetically.

  From the back seat, Tess groaned.

  “Hey, I waited for you. It’ll just take a minute. I have to drop something off for a client.” Faith adjusted her sunglasses as she drove.

  “For who? And why can’t it wait till tomorrow?” Tess was nothing if not persistent.

  “Customers come first. The only way a start-up business works is if you keep your word,” Faith patiently explained.

  Tess muttered something under her breath.

  “Give Faith a break,” Kate said to the still-grumbling teen. “Text your friends or something until we get there.”

  “Thanks,” Faith said to her.

  “No problem. So who is this person? A new customer?” Kate swiveled to face the driver’s seat.

  “You could say that.”

  Kate shrugged, not too concerned with her friend’s customer base.

  They settled into silence and Kate looked out the window, watching the town of Serendipity as they passed through. To her surprise, they drove almost to the edge of town, arriving at Serendipity Lake, where some of residents had summer cabins. Kate’s parents among them until they decided they’d rather have a second home down south, and sold the cabin where they’d spent many summers while Kate was growing up. She hadn’t thought of the place in years but she’d always loved the freedom of her time there.

  But suddenly Kate realized just who they were going to see. “We’re going to Nick’s?” she asked, her stomach flipping uncomfortably.

  Faith didn’t answer, merely drove past the well-spaced houses and pulled into the driveway of a completely remodeled cabin set off from the others.

  The driveway was fully paved, not gravel like the older homes had. Though the structure itself retained a rustic feel, the outside possessed a completely modern, newer look, and sat on more land than the other houses were allotted. The house was obviously new, charming, and very Nick.

  “Faith?” Kate asked again.

  “One sec.” Faith turned around and reached for a small shopping bag behind her seat. “Do me a favor and leave this on the porch? I need to call Ethan before we get lost in the mall for hours.”

  Kate narrowed her gaze. “I really don’t want to run into Nick.”

  Faith waved away her concern. “He’s not home. That’s why you can just leave it on the porch.” She dangled the bag. “Please?”

  Kate let out a sigh. “Fine. As long as he’s not here,” she muttered.

  “Thanks.” Faith reached for her phone. Tess remained quiet in the back seat. A quick glance showed she’d put her iPod and headphones on, so she’d be satisfied until they arrived at the mall.

  Kate opened the car door and hopped out, the cold wind hitting her in the face. “You owe me,” she called out to her friend.

  Faith met her gaze and shot her a smile before Kate slammed the door shut. No sooner had she reached the front porch when she heard the roar of the engine and turned to see Faith’s truck backing out of the driveway.

  “What the—” Kate waved and started down the steps. “Faith!” she called out, panic mixed with confusion.

  Faith rolled down her window. “It’s for your own good!”

  “What is? Get back here!”

  “Calm down,” a deep, familiar masculine voice said from behind her. “I can explain everything.”

  Her heart beating rapidly, Kate turned to see the man who haunted her dreams—daydreams and night ones too—standing in the entryway of the cabin.

  He leaned against the doorframe, arms folded over his chest, a look of sheer determination and masculinity on his face. “Welcome, Kate.”

  Four

  Nick had set up tonight along with Faith, who’d gone out on a limb, knowing Kate might be angry with her for a long while over this stunt. Unless Nick managed to convince Kate to give him a chance. In which case, he hoped Kate would forgive them both.

  So this was it. Do or die. Accomplish his goal or he’d have no choice but to let her go.

  No chance, Nick thought, determined.

  “What’s going on, Nick?” Kate shoved her hands into her jacket pocket, pulling the garment closed tighter as she stomped up the path and glared up at him.

  “It’s cold out. Come on in and I’ll explain.”

  “How about you explain first and then I’ll decide if I’m coming inside?”

  He hadn’t forgotten Kate’s stubborn streak. He’d just hoped she’d wait until they were in the house for it to kick in. “Don’t you want to see my new place?”

  “Not until you tell me why you couldn’t just invite me over like a normal person?” Her green eyes flashed fire and damn she was gorgeous in all her expressive glory.

  “Would you have come?”

  She set her jaw, providing them both with an answer. Apparently they were going to have to do this the hard way.

  “How many times have I asked you out?” He raised an eyebrow and waited.

  Kate glanced away. “I lost count.”

  “How many times have you said no?”

  She gave him the same answer.

  “It’s not because you aren’t interested because the chemistry between us can warm the most frigid weather. And I danced with you at Faith and Ethan’s wedding—”

  “Because I didn’t want to make a scene.” Her teeth had begun to chatter.

  He’d give her one more minute to get reasonable and he was going to carry her in. “We danced and you melted, Kate. Your entire body vibrated in my arms. You looked up at me with those gorgeous eyes and I could read every emotion in them. You want me as much as I want you.”

  She stiffened her spine but at the reminder of that dance, the heat in her eyes flared bright. It was all he could do not to head on down there and kiss her senseless.

  “Are you going to deny it?” he asked.

  She watched him warily, glossed lips parted, eyes slightly glazed. She didn’t move a muscle.

  “I’ll take that as a no. But it’s just want. We know each other well. For example, I know you’re always late and I don’t care. You love kids, pets, and old people. I love kids, pets and I can deal with your visits to the senior home on Saturdays. You volunteer at the youth center, create programs when there’s just one kid who needs it, and I admire the hell out of that. Add to that you’re the best friend anyone could have. I like what I know and I want to learn even more.”

  In the wake of her continued silence, he walked down the steps slowly, knowing he was stalking her, getting closer, watching for signs she’d bolt.

  “Still won’t admit it out loud, huh?”

  A frustrated muscle ticked in her jaw while her eyes softened enough to tell him he was making progress.

  So he continued. “We get along just fine when you let us. So tell me why two people who are so right for each other aren’t together right now?” He’d gotten so close, he could smell the vanilla scent of her perfume, and his body reacted accordingly.

  Her breathing increased with every word, and the tension pulsed silently around them as he waited for her reply.

  “Be careful what you ask for,” she warned finally him.

  “Trust me, I’ve thought this through and I’m here. Whatever is bothering you, whatever’s keeping you from giving in to me, you can tell me.”

  She sighed, frustration etching her expression and the barest hint of tears shimmering in her gaze.

  Those tears got to him, damn it. He reached out and cupped her jaw in his hand. “Talk, Kate. Why haven’t you given in to this? To us?”

  “How many long-term relationships have you had?” she asked,
surprising him with a question and not an answer.

  He blinked at that. Thought about it. There was Faith, of course, and she was his longest relationship. Afterward? There’d been women here and there, sex definitely, but long-term relationships?

  None.

  He’d guarded his heart carefully, not even considering anything serious because no one struck him that way—until one day, with the sun shining through the window while he was helping Faith in her new store, he’d looked up and seen Kate in a whole new way. Suddenly he’d realized the one thing he hadn’t known he wanted had been in front of his eyes the whole time, and he’d been too blind to see it.

  “Cat got your tongue?” Kate asked. Her nose had grown red from the cold.

  “One long-term relationship,” he finally replied. “When I was just a kid. Your point?”

  Her jaw worked back and forth before she spoke. “You just made it. Faith was it for you. There was nobody serious for ten years after her and when she came back, you tried to pick up where you left off but she wasn’t interested. She wanted Ethan. So you turned to your buddy, your friend, who’s been in front of you forever. Well I’ve got news for you. I won’t be anyone’s next best thing ever again.”

  On that stunning statement, Kate turned to go but Nick’s reflexes were good and he was faster. He reached out and grabbed her arm, turning her back to face him. Her cheeks were pink, her eyes large in her pale face, as if clearly aware she’d revealed everything in that one statement.

  And what a statement it was.

  He had a bigger hill to climb than he’d thought. It was more like a frigging mountain. What she thought couldn’t be further from the truth, but she believed it and that’s what mattered.

  “Second best? Is that what you think?” Without hesitation, he yanked her against him and did what he’d been dying to do since deciding he wanted Kate Andrews. Nick sealed his lips over hers.

  She stiffened in shock and her hands came up to brace his shoulders, as if she were ready to push him away. He didn’t give her the chance. Instead he swept his tongue over her lips once, twice, and on the third lick, she moaned, then parted her mouth and let him inside.