by Cate Beauman
She gaped at him. “I’m not old, or a wimp.”
He shrugged, struggling not to smile. “That’s debatable.”
She raised her chin. “I would show you, but I don’t have access to the song.”
“That’s an easy fix.” He wiggled his brow. “Hey, Siri, play “Dirrty” by Christina Aguilera on Spotify.” Immediately, Teddy’s radio show was replaced with the saucy beat.
Gwen blinked her surprise, then glared at him.
He laughed hard—harder than he had in a long, long time. “You weren’t expecting that, were you?”
She lifted her chin another notch. “Fine.” She climbed down the front of the vehicle in another pair of ripped denim shorts and a yellow print halter crop top. Clearing her throat, she narrowed her eyes as she held his gaze. “Five, six, seven, eight,” she whispered, then began to move.
He swallowed, his grin vanishing as she lifted her hands over her head, exposing a tease of her toned belly, then gyrated her hips. Her palms ended up on her lightly muscled thighs as she turned, bending down, slapping her ass with one hand as she stood. Then she faced him again, sending him a flirty smile with a sassy toss of her head, moving in a complicated series of steps before she shimmied those fantastic hips again, making come-hither motions with her fingers. More fancy footwork ensued before she suddenly stopped, laughing, breathless.
“That’s about where the routine is supposed to change back to a cheer. Plus, I can’t entirely remember the rest.”
He clapped for her, even when it cost him to play it casually. She was driving him fucking crazy. “That was impressive.”
She laughed again, jumping in the air, executing a decent split. “Go Sharks!”
He grinned. “As a former varsity athlete, I can assure you I would have been very inspired.”
She took his hands as he helped her back up on the hood. “Principal McPherson did not feel the way you do.”
“Principal McPherson was clearly an idiot.”
She beamed at him as she settled back in her spot. “Absolutely.”
“Your dance has left me with questions, though.”
She drank from the bottled water they’d grabbed when they’d bought their ice cream. “Such as?”
“Where did you learn all of those fancy steps?”
She smiled. “Kay’s sister, Jamie, ran a dance studio here on the island for several years. Now, her daughter does. Most of the girls took lessons. I started with ballet, then moved to the hip-hop classes in middle school.”
He nodded, snagging the water bottle. “I’m learning all sorts of interesting things tonight.”
Her smile was back. “You said ‘questions.’ That was only one.”
He held her gaze as he took a drink, then swallowed. “We would have had a couple of years together in high school. Do you imagine that if I’d gone to school here or if you’d gone to school out in L.A., we might have dated—the varsity football captain and the captain of the cheerleading squad? It seems like a given.”
She shrugged. “It’s hard to say. I guess it would have depended on whether you saw me as more than just another pretty face. That night at the basketball game changed a lot of things for me. I realized I’d let Nate and my cheer team down, but most importantly, I’d let myself down—playing into the role of a sex object to be ogled.”
He nodded again, pulling another sip from the water bottle.
“I also came to the rude realization that people saw my face, but they didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to my brain or take me very seriously. I was going to go into interior design with my mother. That had always been the plan. But I knew that if I went down that path after college, I would come back here and never leave the island—that I would never be anything more than Rebecca Carter’s sidekick, so I got a serious degree and a serious job and lived in the city.”
“Those were profound thoughts for a teenager.”
She nodded. “I like to think of that whole experience as the night I woke up—the night I understood and embraced my own potential. Never again would anyone question my capabilities.”
“I like it.”
“Me, too. I never looked back.”
“Good.” He handed her the water. “And just so you know, I’d like to think that my seventeen- and eighteen-year-old self would have recognized that your brain was just as spectacular as the rest of you.”
She held his gaze for several seconds before Kaitlyn stirred, blinking and looking around. Gwen looked down, grinning at her daughter. “Hey, Baby Girl.”
Kaitlyn smiled at her.
“It’s Sleeping Beauty.” He chuckled as the baby looked at him, sending him a sleepy grin. “Damn, you’re adorable.”
And just as quickly, Kaitlyn’s lower lip turned down as she blinked watery eyes.
He felt his brow furrow as her sweet, sad face broke his heart. “What’s the matter, love?”
“She likes to snuggle when she gets up.” Gwen unfastened the baby, pulling her onto her lap, kissing the top of her head. “She usually nurses, too.” Gwen leaned back against the windshield, trying to situate herself with her daughter.
“You don’t look particularly comfortable. How can I help you?”
“Uh, you can lend us your arm to help prop me up.”
“Sure.” He moved the car seat out of the way, scooting closer to Gwen.
She sat up as he extended his arm behind her, then sat back, snuggling in against his arm and chest. “Much better.”
“Good.”
She adjusted the baby in place, allowing Kaitlyn to latch on.
The baby’s greedy swallows quickly followed.
He played with Kaitlyn’s fingers as he breathed in Gwen’s shampoo, loving the way she felt nestled against him—definitely his favorite part of the evening. “What does that feel like—nursing a baby?”
She smiled. “It’s hard to describe. It’s like this heavy, rushing feeling—the letdown. Then Kaitlyn starts drinking.”
He nodded. “It’s fascinating that your body feeds hers.”
“I love it. It was really difficult in the beginning, but we got into a rhythm. I’ll miss it when she’s ready to stop.”
He heard the sadness in her voice. “She has plenty of growing left to do.”
She nodded. “Sometimes it makes me sad to know she’ll be my only one.”
He settled back more comfortably. “It’s hard to say what the future holds.”
She huffed out a laugh as she stared down at Kaitlyn. “Not about this. It’s just my baby girl and me.”
He frowned as he watched the water rushing the shore, not loving that she sounded so certain that there wasn’t room for anyone else in their lives. He wanted to keep getting in her way—to keep showing her that things could be different.
“I’m planning on grilling up some scallops tomorrow night. I was thinking of adding a few slices of garlic bread and a salad. You and Kaitlyn should join me.”
She stared at him. “Dinner together is becoming a habit.”
He shrugged. “Habits can be a good thing—like brushing your teeth.”
She grinned as she shook her head. “I don’t know, Cade.”
“You don’t like scallops?”
“No, I like them a lot. But I’ve decided that Kaitlyn’s starting her adventure with solid food tomorrow night. It’s time. We’re trying rice cereal.”
He wanted in on Kaitlyn’s big moment. “Sounds delicious.”
Gwen grinned. “I have no idea how it’s going to go. It’ll likely be a mess. I imagine a bath will be involved.”
He chuckled. “I can bring dinner to your place, then. You’ll be able to focus on feeding Kaitlyn, and I’ll focus on feeding the two of us.”
She exhaled a quiet sigh as she nodded. “Okay.”
He brushed at her hair as the wind blew several strands against his skin, tickling his cheek. “The sun’s been at your hair. It’s nearly blond.”
She swallowed, still holding his g
aze. “It happens every summer.”
He needed her—yearned for her. And because he did, he sent her an easy smile, knowing that it was time to go before he did something stupid to mess up one of the most important parts of his life. “Should we think about heading out when Kaitlyn’s finished—heading to the park for a bit of fun before we get you two home?”
She nodded. “Some fun at the park sounds perfect.”
Chapter 13
Gwen beamed as she inspected the chocolate-brown chair she’d just dragged in from the back of her Audi. “I love this,” she said to Kaitlyn, still a little out of breath after her fight to get the heavy leather seat up the front steps. “It’s simple but higher-end. Plus, it’s sturdy, which is exactly what Cade wants.”
Kaitlyn glanced up from the teether she chewed on, babbling her reply while she stood in the ExerSaucer Gwen had moved into the hallway.
“Thanks for being patient while Mommy got in her unexpected workout.” She blew out another long breath, straightening her summery dress, glancing around at the mess she’d made of the entryway over the past couple of days. The custom sample pieces she and Cade had ordered at the design center nearly three weeks ago were finally starting to show up.
Yesterday, a box of the golden-brown glaze flooring had been dropped off, along with the navy-blue area rug she’d been waiting on. It had felt like Christmas when the delivery truck rolled up at Mom and Mini’s staging center half an hour ago—just as Gwen had been walking out to her SUV to pick up Kaitlyn at Kay’s.
“Everything looks awesome together—exactly right.” Smiling, she pulled her daughter from her favorite exercise chair, kissing her forehead before she settled the baby in her car seat. “But, unfortunately, we have to head out again.”
Kaitlyn started fussing, fighting as Gwen secured her in the seat. Her little girl was definitely starting to have preferences of her own.
“I know, honey. I’m sorry. You were having fun.” She gave Kaitlyn the new Take-Along-Tunes toy Cade had brought over a couple of days ago, pressing the center button.
Kaitlyn instantly stopped her crying, focusing on the lights and jazzed-up Mozart music coming from the little speaker.
Chuckling, Gwen rolled her eyes. “He certainly knows what you like. He hasn’t struck out in the toy department yet.” She picked up the carrier, heading for the door. “We’ll have to thank Cade again when we see him—hopefully, tonight—so we can show him all of his new stuff.”
Locking up behind her, she stepped into the warmth and sunshine, loving everything about the glorious afternoon. “But first, we need to visit Uncle Brad at the clinic.” A destination she wasn’t looking forward to. Today was Kaitlyn’s six-month checkup, which meant more immunizations. “What do you say we get this over with and get back home?”
She settled Kaitlyn’s seat in its base, pressing the button on the toy for another song, then hurried around to the driver’s side as her phone started ringing. Reading Cade’s name on her screen, she smiled as she answered. “Hey. Kaitlyn and I were just talking about you.”
“What did she have to say?”
She smiled again, getting in. “She and I have decided that you pick out great toys.”
“That goes without saying. I have major toy game.”
She laughed. Cade was certainly a kid at heart. He had no problems getting down on the floor to play with her baby.
He chuckled. “Sorry I missed your call. I was in a meeting.”
“No problem.” Securing her seat belt, she turned over the ignition, then headed for Mansion Row. Within seconds, she was pulling onto Route 1, loving that the trolley had made such a huge difference in the everyday traffic. “I have some exciting news.”
“I like exciting news.”
“Your chair came in today, which means I can set up most of your samples. If you bring your truck over, we can move everything to the guesthouse. I want you to live with your selections for a few days—up close and personal. Let’s make sure you’re happy with it all. Eventually, we’ll move everything to the airport and do the same thing there.”
“Sounds good.”
She nodded. “I was also able to get my hands on a few pieces of the glass Callie wants to use for the statement piece, so we have that, too.”
“You’ve been busy today.”
“I have. Mini’s office just got another new listing. They’re looking for a staging consultation, which means I have another meeting on my books.”
“She’s on fire, folks,” Cade said.
Gwen laughed because it was the absolute truth. Life was officially looking up again. For the first time in far too long, she was truly, absolutely happy. Kaitlyn was thriving; work was rewarding and exciting; she was balancing her personal and professional responsibilities with time for family and friends; and the Anchor Way house was already under contract. The fact that she hadn’t heard a peep from Liam made her perfect little world that much sweeter.
“I’m making a pasta salad tonight if you want to join us. We’ll do a green salad, too. Nothing crazy.”
“Count me in.”
“Sure thing.” She enjoyed having someone to eat with—to discuss the day with. She’d initially resisted the idea of the constant dinner companion when Cade mentioned scallops at Fisherman’s Bay, then veggie burgers and fries the next evening. But he had been over nearly every night for the last two and a half weeks—or she and Kaitlyn had joined him at the guesthouse for their nightly meals. Unless Cade was flying, they tended to eat together. “Oh, make sure you’re not wearing anything nice. Kaitlyn’s trying carrots with her avocado tonight.”
He chuckled. “I’ll change first. It’s still beyond me how one little girl can make such a mess. I ended up throwing out that pair of slacks. Sweet potato definitely stains.”
She laughed, recalling how all three of them had ended up wearing the homemade baby food Kay enjoyed making for Kaitlyn. “Yes, they do. Maybe we should start dressing in plastic.”
“Maybe.” He chuckled again. “How did Kaitlyn’s appointment go?”
She slowed her speed as she reached Sanderson’s downtown limits. “We’re on our way to the clinic right now.”
“How’s the guilt?”
She grinned. Cade had a knack for remembering everything she said. “It’s still there. I hate knowing they’re going to be poking at her.”
“It’s for her own good.”
She winced. “That’s what I keep telling myself.”
“It’ll be over before you both know it. I have a surprise for the two of you, so that should help.”
She perked up. “You do?”
“I do.”
“Any hints?”
“Nope. We’ll have fun with it tonight.”
“I’m officially intrigued,” she said, as she pulled into a parking spot at the clinic. “We’re here, so I need to go.”
“I’ll see you around five?”
“We’ll see you around five.”
“She’ll be fine,” he reminded her.
She chuckled. “Thanks. Bye.”
“Bye.”
She hung up, still smiling, nibbling on her bottom lip as she glanced from her phone to stare at Kaitlyn, who was playing with her toy in the backseat mirror. “We’re pretty lucky, Baby Girl.” Because Cade was pretty great. He always seemed to know just what to say at just the right time. And he constantly made her laugh.
Somewhere along the way, he’d become one of her closest friends. Between business and the personal aspects of their relationship, they spoke multiple times every day. He was always there, stopping by with surprise lunches or joining her and Kaitlyn for walks on the beach or weekend swims in the Sandersons’ pool. Occasionally, they drove into town for ice cream and a stop at the playground. They’d even made an event out of meeting Nate, Molly, Callie, and Brad for the island’s first Music in the Park last Saturday night.
Things were close to perfect. For the first time ever, she knew what it meant to sh
are a simple intimacy with a man who wasn’t family. But she also couldn’t pretend that there weren’t truths she rarely chose to acknowledge—like the fact that she was incredibly attracted to Cade. It was impossible not to be. Everything about him was exceptional—his looks, his kindness, his success. But most importantly, he was adorable and wonderful with her little girl. He’d given Kaitlyn a nickname—"Water Bug.”
How was she supposed to resist that?
On more than one occasion, she’d caught herself wondering about things friends didn’t wonder about: What would his lips feel like pressed against hers? How did he taste? What kind of lover was he? What would it be like to stare into his eyes while he pushed himself inside of her?
And because she was curious and often yearned for more, she constantly reminded herself that Cade wasn’t looking for a relationship, either. They both wanted simple, which meant there would be no kissing Cade, and there definitely wouldn’t be any hot nights in bed. Perhaps if things were different. Perhaps if her life wasn’t so complicated. But it was.
And that’s why they were friends—just good friends.
Tucking her thoughts away, focusing on the present, she got out, hurrying around to Kaitlyn’s side, smiling as she opened the door. “Come on, cute stuff. Let’s find out how much you’ve grown over the last couple of months.”
Two and a half hours later, Gwen paced the living room, gently bouncing her sobbing, feverish baby. “It’s okay, sweet girl. It’s all right.”
But she worried, studying Kaitlyn’s tear-streaked rosy cheeks as her daughter seemed to grow warmer by the second. Motherhood had brought her numerous firsts over the last six and a half months, but never a fever. Even with past immunizations, they’d dodged the bullet. Why this time was different, she had no idea. But Kaitlyn’s temperature was currently 99.9.
“Let’s try snuggling. You always like a good snuggle.”
Kaitlyn only cried harder.
“Oh, honey.” Settling them on the couch, she put the baby to her breast, eager to soothe her little one—to take away the worst of her discomfort. “Here we go,” she said when Kaitlyn latched on, smiling as she stroked her soft, hot cheek. “I’m sorry this is so awful for you. Mommy never wants you to feel yucky.”