by Coleen Kwan
“And Logan and I are going to Lake Tahoe for the weekend,” Amber said. “Or I’d totally watch the munchkin.”
“Of course I’ll take care of Amelia,” Caleb said without hesitation. His two-year-old niece was growing up so fast, and he didn’t spend nearly enough time with her.
“Are you sure? Five hours is a long time to babysit, and besides, you have this big important job to finish.”
“I can afford five hours for my favorite niece. I’ll take her to the county fair. We’ll have a great time.”
“Thanks, Caleb.” Hannah leaned in to peck him on the cheek. “That’s really great.”
“No problem.”
“Speaking of Amelia…” Hannah gave him a cautious look. “I suppose you know about Mom visiting Pine Falls in a couple weeks?”
Caleb’s genial mood instantly evaporated. “Yeah. Amber told me. Are you really planning to let Tracey see Amelia?” He deliberately avoided calling her mom. “After everything she’s done to us?”
His sister winced. “I haven’t made up my mind yet. Derek says he’ll support whatever decision I make.” She touched Caleb’s arm gently. “I don’t want this to create a rift between us, Caleb. I know Mom did some horrible things to us. But I’ve been talking with her recently, and I think she’s changed for the better.”
Meaning she regrets quitting on her family now that she’s old and lonely. The bitter words rose in Caleb’s throat. He swallowed them down; his sister didn’t deserve to glimpse the rawness inside him.
Hannah squeezed his arm again. “The last time we spoke, she asked about you. She’d really like to see you again—”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“But Caleb—”
“Look, if you want to make up with Tracey, then that’s your prerogative, but don’t try to drag me into it. I don’t want to even think about her. Okay?”
Hannah and Amber exchanged glances. He knew full well they’d be discussing him until the cows came home, but no matter what they tried he wouldn’t be swayed. He wanted nothing to do with his mom, and he wished Hannah felt the same way. It wouldn’t surprise him if Tracey sweet-talked Hannah into setting up a meeting and then canceled, forgot, or, even worse, turned up only to ask for a loan or a favor. He’d be furious if his sister got hurt again.
“All right, Caleb,” Hannah said.
“Anyway, I gotta go. I’ll see you ladies later.” Waving goodbye, he walked off before they could try to persuade him otherwise.
He had enough to deal with without the extra complication of his mom turning up like a bad penny. He needed to help Lily get that perfect date she wanted, and he had to do it without thinking about her and those luscious kisses. And he had to concentrate on the most important task of all—finishing the house and getting that partnership.
…
Lily set down her crochet work to take a sip of wine. She’d attracted some strange looks tonight. She guessed not many people crocheted in Jimmy’s Bar, but she needed to finish her project. Caleb, sitting opposite her, had grinned when he’d arrived and found her in a booth surrounded by balls of yarn.
It wasn’t a date. They were here because Caleb had suggested it as a meeting place to discuss her next prospect. A part of her wondered if he wanted to avoid being alone with her because he didn’t want a repeat of what had happened at the building site.
She sighed inwardly as she resumed her crocheting. Three days had passed since she’d tasted his kiss, and still it was the last thing she thought about at night and the first when she woke in the morning, her bedsheets twisted and rumpled from her feverish dreams.
“Here, how about this guy?” Caleb’s voice broke into her unsettled thoughts. He was gazing at her phone, where she’d brought up the eCherish app. “Dudley. Thirty-one. Small business owner. Likes dogs, hiking, and ice hockey. I see you’ve been chatting with him already.”
“Yes, he said he gave me a daisy because of my profile description, so it’s all thanks to you for updating it. He seems nice and respectful. We scored eight point one on the compatibility meter.”
“That high? Do you really think this compatibility meter is an actual thing?”
“I don’t know. I hope so.”
“Sounds like the kind of thing I’d send a rookie worker to go buy. You know, like skyhooks.”
She laughed. “Point taken. But, in any case, I don’t have to like everything he does, and vice versa.”
“Well, I suppose so.” Caleb was still looking at her phone when a notification chimed. “It’s Facebook. Want to check?” He handed the phone back to her.
A quick glance at the screen and Lily saw the activity on her college reunion Facebook group. They were nominating people for awards, like “most likely to arrive late,” or “most likely to become a politician.” Most of them were funny or silly, but then she saw the post where she’d been tagged: Shari Slater had nominated her as “most likely to not turn up because of some lame excuse.” Lily instantly grimaced. Her old college nemesis seemed unable to resist these constant little digs at her. She also saw that Maddie had quickly jumped to her defense, nominating Shari as “most likely to be proven wrong,” and Lily as “most likely to bring the hottest date.” She couldn’t ask for a better friend than Maddie, but in her effort to help, she’d only made the situation worse.
“Something wrong?” Caleb’s voice broke in.
“Um, no.” She hastily swiped the notifications off her screen. She would post a reply later, something carefree to show everyone she wasn’t taking Shari seriously, even though she was.
Caleb was still looking concerned. “It’s not Grabby-hands-Greg, is it?”
“No, definitely not. It’s nothing important.” She turned her attention back to the eCherish site. Getting the right date was more crucial than ever. Shari’s snide innuendos were bad enough, but no way was she going to let Maddie down. “I like Dudley,” she said firmly, tamping down any doubt she’d felt about him. “He was very interested in my work. He thinks accounting is fascinating.”
Caleb’s eyebrows shot up. “He does?” He coughed. “I mean, yeah, of course it is. And I know you’re super smart, so that’ll impress him.” He returned his attention to the dating profile on her phone. “This Dudley dude has one of those hipster beards. You into that?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never kissed a man with a full beard.”
As soon as she said that, she wished she could take back the words because all she could think about was kissing Caleb, and from the expression on his face she could tell he was thinking the same thing about her. She picked up her yarn and hastily finished her triangle.
“So, do you want to set up a date with this guy?” Caleb asked.
“Yes, I think I do,” she replied, glad to be moving on. “How about the county fair this Saturday? It’ll be a casual date, no need to dress up or anything, which suits me just fine.”
“Go for it.” He pushed the phone toward her. “Ask him now.”
“Right now?”
“Yeah, why not?”
Hesitant at first, she tapped out a message. “Okay, it’s done.” She leaned back to sip her wine. Her nerves were on edge, not only because she’d just asked a stranger out on a date and the pressure of her impending college reunion, but because of the man sitting opposite her.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ll be at the fair, too,” Caleb said.
She paused, frowning a little. “Not to stand guard over me, I hope.”
“Hannah and Derek are away that day, so I’m taking my niece. Since I’ll be there, I can keep an eye on you, too.” He was serious, she realized. Was he worried she’d end her date crying again?
“No, you don’t have to do that. Dudley hasn’t even said yes yet.” Lily tugged at her length of yarn. She was beginning to hope the guy would turn her down.
“He’ll say yes.”
At that moment, her phone beeped. It was Dudley. He’d love to go to the fair with h
er. He was looking forward to learning more about her.
“You’re right, he accepted. We’re meeting Saturday at two.” She nibbled on her lower lip. How could she go on a date with a stranger while Caleb was in close vicinity? The prospect made her antsy. Especially after those crazy-hot kisses.
“You seem anxious,” Caleb said, perhaps misinterpreting her reaction.
It was high time she nipped this stupid crush on Caleb in the bud. She had to focus on her goal—finding the soul mate she yearned for, who would be that perfect boyfriend she’d promised all her friends on Facebook. And after Shari’s annoying nomination, she couldn’t show up at the reunion on her own and face all the prying questions and snide looks. With the reunion in four weeks, she didn’t have much time to find her dream hero; Dudley might be her last chance. The realization of how much was riding on this next date made her break out in a cold sweat.
“Lily?” Caleb was gazing closely at her. “Hey, you really are nervous, aren’t you?”
He didn’t know the real reason for her anxiety, and she wasn’t going to tell him, either. She pressed her lips together. “A little.”
“Okay. But you’re not nervous sitting here with me, are you?”
Lily rubbed her hands on her thighs. “No.” Not exactly nerves. It was more like an electric hum of excitement, arousal, anticipation. Emotions she shouldn’t be feeling around him.
“So if you’re not anxious with me, you can’t be because of this Dudley guy.” He leaned his elbows on the table, drawing closer to her. “You’ll do great, Lily. You’re smart and funny and…cute, too. Just let your natural personality shine through, and you’ll be fine.”
For a moment she let herself sink into the sky-blue warmth of his eyes and pretend he was saying those things because he was into her. Because he wanted more from her. But the indulgence only lasted a second before she pulled herself back. Caleb might find her cute enough to kiss, but there was a world of difference between an impulsive lip-lock and being truly smitten.
“Okay,” she murmured. “I’ll try to remember that.” Choosing a ball of purple yarn, she started on another crochet triangle.
Caleb touched the woolen triangle she’d completed. “What are you making?”
“It’s a dress for the county fair competition. Crocheted item, apparel, adult garment. When I was young, I used to enter the kids’ competition all the time. This is the first time I’ve done it in years. I didn’t realize how much work a project like this involves, though, which is why I’m crocheting in a bar.”
“Is the competition fierce?”
“Oh, absolutely. I’ll be up against seasoned veterans. I’d be over the moon if I even placed.”
Caleb paused for a moment. “You should’ve told me. I don’t know if it’s such a good idea having this competition and your first date with Dudley on the same day.”
“The judging is done before the fair, so I’ll be able to see my dress in the morning, before the date. That should give me enough time to get over my excitement or disappointment and settle my nerves before seeing Dudley.”
He pondered her for a while, not saying anything. “Well, I want you to know that, whatever happens—with your dress or your date—I’ve got your back. I’ll be there if you need anything, even if it’s just a breather.”
His quiet sincerity warmed her heart. Caleb was genuinely trying to help her.
“Thanks.” Even though he rattled her in ways she couldn’t control, having Caleb in her corner meant a lot. “But you may have your hands full with your niece.”
“I can multitask, you know.” He smiled. “Amelia’s a firecracker, but I know how to keep her entertained. It’ll be petting zoo, face painting, hot dogs and cotton candy, and the Ferris wheel.”
“Sounds like fun.”
It really did. Everything involving Caleb sounded like fun. Something had happened between them. He’d seen her at her worst, and somehow he’d still kissed her. He’d made her feel alive, desirable, special. Like no one else ever had. He was the prince to her frog, and his kiss had transformed her.
But life wasn’t a fairy tale, and Caleb didn’t want to be her prince. So she’d just have to find someone who did.
Chapter Nine
“You’re really into all this knitting stuff, aren’t you?”
Lily pressed her lips together. “Yes, I guess I am.”
And I told you twice already it’s crocheting, not knitting. She tried to tamp down her carping inner critic. But it was hard.
The man at her side flicked a finger at her crocheted dress that—to her utter amazement earlier—had won second prize at the county fair. “You’re actually going to wear this?”
The dress was a startling mix of colors, textures, and shapes, with no discernible pattern. She’d improvised all the way, following her instincts as she pieced it together. It was eclectic, eccentric, and she hadn’t intended it to be worn, but his skepticism made her feel contrary.
“I don’t see why not. It suits my personality, don’t you think?”
He glanced at her patchwork overalls and let out a small cough. “Yes, I see. Anyway, getting back to my question about the lawn care service…”
Holding back a sigh, Lily pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yes, you can claim your lawn care service as a deduction.”
“Oh cool.” He stroked his manicured beard. “I’ll make a note of that.”
This date had not gone at all the way she’d envisioned. At first, she and Dudley had chatted about normal, first-date things, like food, music, and movies. The bustle of the county fair had helped with the odd moments of awkwardness, and she’d grown relaxed. In the flesh Dudley was skinnier and shorter than his photos suggested, and he seemed to take great pride in his neatly trimmed beard, his fingers constantly grooming its bristly hairs.
Dudley had talked about his mortgage brokering business at great length. Then he asked about her job. At first she appreciated the close attention he paid to her, but after several questions on deductions and capital depreciations it started to feel like he was just pumping her for free tax advice. When they’d walked into the exhibition hall and she’d shown him her garment that had won second prize, her excitement had bubbled up again, and, she had to admit, she’d rambled on about crocheting. But Dudley didn’t seem very curious about her interests.
“I wasn’t sure about what qualifies as a home office expense,” Dudley said.
“If you’re meeting clients in your home, then it’s part of your expenses, but, like I said before, it’s only in proportion to how much space your office occupies.”
“Sure. Thanks, Lily. It’s really great you’re giving me all this tax advice.”
“Glad I could help. I’ll send you the bill tomorrow,” she quipped, keeping a straight face.
His mouth fell open before he gave a weak laugh. “Haw haw. You’ve got a sense of humor. I like that.”
I was only half kidding, she thought.
A plump, gray-haired woman bustled up to Lily, beaming with pleasure. “Ah, Lily! Congratulations on winning second prize! You deserve it.”
Lily returned the smile. “Thanks, Eleni. I wasn’t sure if the judges would like my unusual design.” She introduced her to Dudley, adding, “Eleni owns the yarn store in town. She’s a needlecraft enthusiast like me.”
Eleni leaned toward Dudley. “Lily’s dress that placed second, isn’t it wonderful? Such vivid imagination.”
“Yeah, it’s, uh, vivid, all right.”
Eleni chatted with Lily for a couple more minutes before taking her leave. After she’d left, Lily turned back to Dudley.
“Okay if we go get a coffee now?” he asked.
“Yes, sure.”
As they walked through the crowds, Lily couldn’t help looking around for a glimpse of Caleb. He’d be with his two-year-old niece; she remembered the blond toddler from the chili festival. But there was no sign of Caleb, and she had to make a conscious effort to focus on Dudley. He was her dat
e, after all.
They walked to the concession stands without talking, then bought coffee and funnel cake and found an empty table. The silence between them was beginning to feel oppressive. Lily licked the sugar from her fingers.
“I have a bearded dragon,” she blurted out.
“What?”
“A bearded dragon. A pet. He’s called Noodles. I feed him crickets. Live ones, actually. Some people think he’s ugly, but I think he’s really cute.” Oh dear. She was babbling again.
Dudley eyed her warily. “Okay…”
“Did you know that bearded dragons go through a hibernation-like state when the weather gets cold?” She couldn’t seem to stop herself. “It’s called brumation. Noodles takes lots of long naps and doesn’t eat much. And did you know he likes to bathe? I put him in a bath with some nice warm water and let him swim around for about fifteen to twenty minutes. He loves it.” Finally she managed to stop her verbal diarrhea.
Dudley swallowed his piece of funnel cake and shook his head. “So…you’re into lizards and knitting…”
Crocheting, she felt like retorting.
Was she being too critical of him? Perhaps she could still rescue this date. If Dudley thought she was weird, then she could try reassuring him that she wasn’t all kookiness.
“I like cooking, too.” She lifted her shoulders and tried to smile. “How about you?”
Dudley fingered the fuzzy ends of his mustache. “I don’t mind cooking… Oh, that reminds me. I had to get my cooker repaired. Can I claim a portion of that as home office expenses?”
For crying out loud. Lily drew in a breath. “Look. Why don’t you make an appointment with me at my office?” As he hesitated, she added, “Tax advice is definitely deductible.”
Dudley flushed and glanced away. When he turned back, he was even redder. He shifted in his seat, touching his face, twisting his head from side to side.
“Is something wrong?” Lily asked.
“Yeah, I think I’m having an allergic reaction to something in my funnel cake.”
She peered closer. Beneath that beard, his lower lip was definitely swelling up.
