by Jean Oram
“How so?”
“They’re all married couples or in long-term relationships.”
“Very odd indeed,” Nicola said, mocking him. “All that human nature. Pairing up. Procreating.”
“Not like that.” He gave her an exasperated glance. “They always expect me to bring someone to events.”
“So why don’t you?” She rubbed her throat, unsure why it felt like closing up at the thought of him taking a date to a work event.
“Because I’m single. I don’t like it when people push their own expectations and lifestyle on me.”
“Like your dad does?”
“He has nothing to do with this.”
Maybe not, but Todd tended to resist following expectations, which she guessed had a lot to do with his father pushing him to be a certain way as well as follow in his footsteps.
She shrugged. “So? Take a friend instead. Take me.” Harmless, right?
He gave her a funny look.
“What?” Her heart began hammering. This was a moment of truth and she wasn’t sure she was ready for it.
“Everyone’s taking dates, Nicola.”
And he didn’t think of her as “date” material—even as a decoy or a friend simply filling in the gap in his life. Nice.
“So?” She knew she sounded defensive, but couldn’t help it.
“The point is they think everyone should hook up because they did.”
She understood where he was coming from, but the more she thought about it, the more it stung. He never considered her. Never considered having a real relationship. Was it because he was making a statement about social expectations, or was it something more? Because he’d never once asked her to be the “plus one” to his invitation, whether to work events or weddings. In fact, if pressed, he took someone else—never her.
Nicola focused on a solitary kernel at the bottom of the popcorn bowl, trying not to feel hurt.
“Todd?”
“Yeah?”
“Why didn’t you try and call me? To clear all of this up?”
“You didn’t call me, either,” he said quietly.
“I was afraid to.”
“Why?” he asked in surprise, waking the dog curled in his lap.
“I was worried you’d think I was picking out wedding invitations, and I thought your silence meant you wanted space.”
“I didn’t think that.”
She avoided looking at him. Something was off. He was holding back. But what? And why?
“I missed you,” she said, finally looking at him, gauging his reaction. “My life feels weird without you in it. Promise we’ll do better next time?”
“Next time you kiss me?” he teased, his earlier tension gone as he tugged on her earlobe, a flirty flash making his irises twinkle.
She snorted at his joke. He’d already run away from her once. She was looking for someone a little more like herself―steady, reliable. A planner.
She sighed.
Boring, in other words.
She liked adventure. She liked Todd. They complemented each other and had a great time together. Still, he wasn’t boyfriend material—at least not the kind she was looking for, that was for sure.
Todd played with the leaves of a potted plant sitting beside him. “I can’t believe how homey and decorated you’ve made this place. I’m still living out of my backpack.”
“You’re joking!” Of course he wasn’t. He was a guy. They didn’t get into decorating or creating cozy nests.
“Are you and that Devon guy dating?”
She let out a snort. “No.”
“You two look like you’re close.”
“We’re just friends.”
Todd gave her a funny look. “Someone said he’d proposed again.”
“He’s not serious. He only does it as a joke.”
Todd’s body language quieted.
“He’s a goof. He’d crap his pants if I said yes.”
Todd watched her for a long moment. “He’s a player.”
“He’s a harmless flirt. And anyway, it takes one to know one.”
“Is that why you hang out with him?”
“Because he reminds me of you? Don’t inflate your ego. Neither of you are what I’m looking for in a man.”
“What does that mean?” He suddenly sobered up, his attention sharpened by the idea of being inadequate.
“You know us women. We’re always scoping men out as possible mate material.” She winked at him.
“You…uh…” He tipped his head as though at a loss of what to think.
She grinned, delighted she’d left him speechless. “Men rate a woman on what they imagine she’d be like in the sack, don’t they?”
He shifted to face her more fully, a gentle frown tugging at his glorious lips. “Yeah, sure. But you think I don’t rate?”
“On the stick-around scale? I don’t think you even know where to find it. And women kind of want that. A lot.”
He winced and she feared she’d hurt his feelings. She quickly tried to soften the blow. “You have all the traits women look for in a partner. You’re handsome, kind, generous, loyal, and more. As a friend. But in a relationship…” She studied him, trying to sort out his hidden side. “I don’t know. It’s like you shut down and are always looking for your exit or something. You’re an adventure boy and never stay still. Maybe it’s just that.”
They sat in silence, and Nicola started to regret her brutal honesty. “Are you looking to have a relationship?” she asked carefully, thinking maybe she could give him some helpful pointers.
He shook his head, pushing his hands through his hair. “No, of course not.” Twiggy jumped to the floor to pick up a piece of fallen popcorn and Todd shifted, pushing the heels of his hands down his thighs. “You know me. I’m like you. Too much on the go. Can’t find the right person and all that.”
“Right,” she said carefully. “It’s difficult.”
“What about you?”
Her mind flipped to the memory of Todd’s body on top of her in the hay maze. The sure, solid feel of him. Physical intimacy.
“A boyfriend might be nice.”
“And how will you swing that?”
“What do you mean?” She felt affronted. She was a catch and could totally find someone. And yeah, she’d be pretty busy for the next while, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t find someone—just that they’d have to take a relationship slowly, which was never a bad idea.
“Well, aren’t we going to hit the road again? You’ll choose me over him.” He shot her a semi-cocky grin and slung an arm around her shoulders, drawing her against him. “Like you always do.”
“Are we traveling?” She pushed her way out from under the comforting solidness of his embrace. “You just started talking to me after five months of near silence.”
“Of course we are.” He took a swig of his iced tea. “And you stopped talking to me, too, Nic.”
She stuck out her tongue.
“Don’t stick your tongue out unless you plan to do something interesting with it.” He gave her a crooked grin that made her face heat as naughty ideas flooded her mind.
“Aw, that’s so cute. You’re blushing,” he teased before turning serious. “But for real. When are we going?”
“I have to see this project through.” Her heart stung with loss, but not for a missed travel opportunity like she expected. It stung at the idea of leaving Blueberry Springs, her apartment, her dog, her job.
“Then you’ll go?”
She shrugged. “How long are we talking about?”
“How long do you want?”
“I don’t know.” She reached over and scratched Twiggy’s ears. “The timing doesn’t feel right.”
“Well,” Todd said, “in the meantime, do me a favor and don’t date Devon.”
“Why?”
Todd got up, stretching as he winked at her. “Because eventually you’ll say yes.”
She gave him an unimpressed look. “I will not.”
Still smiling, he cupped her face, tipping it upward. For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he softly said, “Because I just got my woman back in my life. I don’t plan on losing her again.”
She tried to swallow the sudden dryness from her throat as he released her. She managed a nod and a smile, hoping she had successfully masked the way her heart was suddenly thundering in her chest at being claimed as The Woman in Todd’s life.
Chapter 3
Nicola shifted so Todd could peer over her shoulder to get a better look at the laptop screen.
“What are you watching?” The spicy scent of his aftershave washed over her, his body heat enveloping her like a gentle caress. She held her breath, fighting the temptation to savor the moment. There was no denying it; nobody made her feel the way Todd did.
She’d tried going on two blind dates during the week, but the whole time she’d found herself comparing the dates to her best friend. The poor, nice men had failed to enthrall her, failed to make her body tingle the way Todd did. In other words, the boyfriend idea was looking like it was going to be a flop.
Her heart wanted what her heart wanted.
She tipped the computer screen upward for Todd to view.
“A wedding?” He leaned closer, pushing against her shoulder. “Hey, don’t you know her?”
Nicola nodded, unable to speak due to the emotional lump in her throat. She’d been hoping he’d sleep in, and come a little later in the day to hang out and help with some social-night stuff, so she could watch Amber and Scott get married over the internet in peace.
The couple had vanished on Thursday morning, and then yesterday half the town had received email invitations to their online elopement. The two were somewhere exotic, by the looks of things, and judging by the number of signatures on their electronic guest book, just about the entire town had shown up online to watch them exchange vows.
In a way Nicola felt ripped off that attending could only be done virtually, but part of her admired the fact that they’d found a way to include their family and friends, while avoiding all the hassle and expense of planning a big wedding. A modern day elopement.
“What’s her name?” Todd asked. “Ember or something?”
“Shh! And don’t call her that to her face.” Amber’s ex had written a very popular, if inaccurate, novel that had echoed her life a little too closely, to the point of naming his heroine Ember. While Amber seemed to have moved on from the betrayal, Nicola didn’t believe her friend would ever want to be mistakenly called Ember.
“Amber! That’s it,” Todd said beside her, making it impossible for Nicola to hear.
She cranked up her laptop’s volume while shushing him again. They were just getting to the vows, and Amber looked incredible in a fitted dress Nicola recognized from Wanda’s Bridal Shop’s display window. How her friend had managed to buy a wedding dress without the town hearing about it was a mystery. The gal had skills, that was for sure.
Todd pulled up a chair beside Nicola, sitting shoulder to shoulder.
Finally, they were going to a wedding together—as a date.
Ha, ha.
Not really, but his presence was definitely distracting.
The justice of the peace was speaking, and Nicola leaned closer. “Love will always find a way. It grows through friendship. Strengthens through hardship. Is forged in adversity. It flourishes with understanding. Through the many ups and downs, love will always find a way.” He paused and Nicola surreptitiously dabbed at her eyes.
“Sometimes we simply have to step out of the way to let love reign, to let it guide us, soften our edges and make us whole,” he continued. “Cherish what you have.”
“Drink!” Todd exclaimed. Back when Nicola used to watch reality bride shows during their college days he’d turn the wedding part into a drinking game. If someone said cherish, honor or commitment, they had to drink. There had been a lot of drinking.
“Shh!” She shot him a glare. There was no doubt about it, men definitely took longer to mature. No wonder so many women married older men—much older.
“Sorry,” Todd said. “We outgrew that game, didn’t we? Old habits die hard.”
“Shh.”
He apologized again, giving her shoulder a warm squeeze.
“Hold each other close and remember there is only room in your heart for one,” the justice of the peace said, before asking for the rings.
“Is he talking about infidelity? Oh, man. And hey, what about if you have kids? Can they be in your heart, too? What about my grandmother? Do I have to give her up?”
“Shh! It was romantic and perfect,” Nicola said, wiping her eyes.
“Are you crying?”
“Be quiet!”
Amber and Scott exchanged rings, the two looking so happy and in love it made Nicola’s throat seize and her heart sting. They were so amazing together. So committed. They’d managed to find a way to move from friends to lovers to spouses because both had been on board.
“Think she’s pregnant?” Todd asked.
Nicola shot him a glare.
“Well, why else would they elope?”
“Because they love each other and weddings are a ton of work. Planning, details, coordination.” Nicola sighed. Planning a wedding would be such an adventure. Stressful, but to be able to step back on your special day and say, “I planned this.” Talk about satisfying.
“You should be a wedding planner,” Todd said, as Amber and Scott ran down the aisle together, beaming as they waved at the camera. “You could plan something like that and then some.”
“Thanks.”
He picked up Twiggy, giving him an ear scratch before releasing him again. “So what are we up to today?”
“I’ve got to buy some stuff for the social nights.” She stared at the screen, the connection breaking, sending the online guests to the wedding service’s home page. She swiveled to face Todd. “Do you think what he said is true? That love always finds a way?”
Todd shrugged. “What do I know about love?”
She thought back to something Devon had said—that men like him and Todd would settle down if they found the right woman. That would imply that love could find a way even for them and that maybe it was currently doing as the justice of the peace said—growing through friendship.
She sighed. She’d be waiting about a thousand years at the rate Todd was getting into that sort of thing.
She smoothed the dust off her keyboard. “Would you get married—if you found the right woman?”
Todd shrugged, eyes flicking to the laptop. He glanced back at her, a new warmth in his gaze that made her heart rate become unsteady. “Maybe.”
“Really?”
“Why do you sound so doubtful? I’m sure I’ll settle down someday.”
“When you’re eighty, you mean?” she asked drily, closing her laptop. Why was she even bothering to torture herself with this conversation? The man wasn’t ready and hurrying him into something would only end in disaster.
“There are a lot of adventures still to be had.” He watched her for a long moment, squinting as he studied her.
Instead of trying to hide the fact that she wanted marriage and a relationship, Nicola let it show. She was still the same person he’d always known, just maturing and tired of pretending she was on the exact same page, paragraph and line as he was.
“Aw, Nic.” He squeezed her shoulder again. “You’ll find someone.”
The problem was, she thought she already had. Because as much as she tried to deny the fact, and as much as she told her friends otherwise, her heart wanted what it wanted. And that was the unattainable man sitting beside her.
* * *
Nicola stood in the office supply aisle of the Blueberry Springs hardware store and tried to stay calm. The shop had a little bit of everything and was, sadly, the best place in town to get what she needed for the eight million tasks she had to do to prepare for her fourteen mystery social nights. Assumi
ng, of course, that the tests continued to go well. She looked at the two options for rubber stamps and tossed them back in their bins. She was willing to compromise, but only so far. “Overdue” and a dusty, cracked “Denied” were not what she wanted to stamp on her participants’ hands to show they’d registered and paid for the event.
Last week’s zombie night had gone well, and Alvin Lasota had been amazing with all the help he’d given with his tractor, setting up the paintball maze. Who knew hay bales were so heavy? All these little, unexpected hurdles kept popping up, making the job’s true requirements difficult to predict. And Jill, as helpful as she was, couldn’t handle a lot of the issues because either Nicola didn’t know what they were yet or Jill had her own job to do. Plus, they were now working with a very limiting overtime cap since Andy had pulled in the reins after seeing her first overtime sheet. Apparently he’d severely underestimated the amount of prep and planning that she’d need to pull off the events.
Nicola wondered if he’d notice when he reimbursed her if she stuffed a few chocolate bars in with the office supplies. Maybe some tequila to wash it all down. She could claim it was stress relief. Health benefits. Or part of some game she was testing for the social nights.
Nicola waved a deck of playing cards, catching Todd’s attention from down the aisle. “Hey, can I get your advice?”
He nodded and ambled over, loose and at ease, his smile quick to light her up.
Realizing she was still holding the pack of cards, she quickly tucked it in her basket along with the others. One of the later tests—poker night—was going to be a surprise even to him, her helper.
“What’s up?” he asked, peeking over her shoulder at the shelf she’d turned to. His breath was tickling her neck and she froze, absorbed by the sensation of having him so close. “You smell good.” He leaned closer to inhale her, sending a tremor of tingles through her entire nervous system.
“Oh. Um, thanks.” She cleared her throat. “What color posters are best for catching attention?” She pointed to the stacks of colored paper before her.
He shrugged and held up one of the rejected rubber stamps, testing it on an ink pad. “Check this out.” He stamped his hand, leaving a red mark behind that said Denied. “Imagine all the opportunities.” He placed it in her basket.