by Raquel Belle
“Good morning, sleepy head,” she gives me a smile.
“Hiya.” I grunt out the word.
“You’re a heavy sleeper.”
“Usually I’m not actually, but I guess…uh. Last night took it out of me. Have you been up long?”
“Nah. But long enough to order us room service. You’ll finally get that coffee you were wanting.” She gives me a sly look.
“That sounds perfect. Mind if I hop in the shower?”
“It’s all yours.”
I cross the room to the bathroom and take a warm shower, trying to clear the fog from my brain as I replay the previous night’s events. I’m already thinking of taking her again once I’m clean. Maybe this time we’ll actually make use of the bed, I think to myself as I suds up and rinse off.
But when I get out of the shower, I find her fully dressed, sitting at the table in the adjoining sitting that’s room part of the suite. The room service people have been by and a huge silver tray sits on the table in front of her. Cara is already sipping on a coffee.
“Help yourself,” she nods towards the tray. “I got a couple pastries too, in case you’re hungry.”
“Thanks.” I smile as I dry off and collect my clothes, which are still strewn around the room from the night before. So much for my plans for a morning quickie. Cara is already fully dressed, shoes on, and seems ready to bolt out the door as soon as she finishes eating.
I sit down and grab a coffee and a pastry while she watches with amusement.
“Hungry, huh?”
“Hey, you gave me quite a workout last night.” I smile. “Why do you think I slept like a dead man.”
“Last night was wonderful…” She says, looking down for a moment.
“So, let’s do it again. Tonight?”
“Well…” She pauses, fingering the white linen napkin in her lap. “The thing is, I’m just here for my sister’s wedding, you know? I mean, last night was amazing but…maybe it’s a better idea if we don’t take this any further.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Come on, you’re here on holiday technically! And last night was... I don’t know about you but those experiences are rare for me.”
“Yeah. Me too…” I can see her faltering, weighing her options. So I press on.
“We definitely have to meet again. I’m in Boston for a few more weeks. You can just give me your number and we’ll find time between your maid-of-honor duties.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” She says firmly, her face clouding over. Damn, I shouldn’t have reminded her about the stupid maid of honor stuff. “Look, if it’s meant to be, we’ll meet again.” With that, she stands up and drops the napkin on the table. “And I actually have to get ready for some wedding duties now. I’m going cake tasting with my sister later at a bakery.”
I open my mouth to protest but shut it again quickly. Don't push it, Jason. I already have a better idea on how to see her again. “Sure, I’ll get out of your hair.”
She walks me to the door and I can feel her resolve faltering. “Thank you for last night,” she says, her face turned up towards me.
“It was my pleasure, Cara.” I lean forward and kiss her gently. She might not realize it but I know we’ll meet again. I formulate my plan as I head back to my own hotel. I’ll Google which Boston bakeries make wedding cakes and then call them one by one, asking to confirm the appointment for the cake tasting that afternoon. There can’t be that many places doing wedding cakes. I don’t have a lot of time though. I’ve got family business to take care of today. I'm supposed to meet up with my brother later. But if I play it right, I’ll be able to find the right bakery and can surprise Cara there this afternoon. I smile as I imagine how amazed she’ll be to see me… It’s definitely a gamble and might be a bit of a risk—but hey, I didn’t become a billionaire by playing it safe. And for a girl like Cara, I’d be fucking crazy not to take some risks.
Chapter Seven
Cara
What a start to my holiday. Beth and the girls are going to flip out when they hear about this. Well, it was about time. I hadn’t gotten laid in…well…a while. After Jason leaves, I hustle to get ready for my meeting with Laura. The plan is to go meet her fiancé, Jared, and his parents for lunch—and then sneak away for some solo sister time, just the two of us.
I’m already dressed, wearing a simple blue flowing maxi dress that comes down to my ankles—perfect for the summer heat. It’s also a far cry from the sexy getup I had on last night, I think to myself as I delicately scoop the red dress up from the floor. I survey it with concern. Of course, I’d managed to get something on it during dinner. I’ll have to get it dry-cleaned before the rehearsal dinner. The maid of honor can’t roll up looking stained and rumpled.
I cram the red dress into my purse, making a mental note to keep an eye out for somewhere I can drop it off, and check myself out in the mirror. I finally got a chance to wash my hair, which I’ve let air-dry, giving it a bit of waviness. In the humid Boston weather, there’s no point bothering to try and tame my tresses with a blow dryer. My cheeks are pink and rosy. I’m vaguely paranoid that I look like I’ve just had sex. “Freshly fucked,” as Beth would say. What if Laura finds out that I spent my first night in Boston in the arms of a hunky construction worker—and ruined my dress for the rehearsal dinner in the process?
Ping! My cellphone shows a message from Beth, asking “How was it?!?!?!?!????”
I write back quickly. “Amazing, actually.”
“Yay! When are you seeing him again?”
“I’m not planning to.”
“What?! Did he ask you?”
“Yes but I have to focus on Laura now. I’m on my way to meet her and I’m already paranoid she’s going to smell the sex on me.”
“LOL. I wanted to ask how the night ended but I guess now I know!”
I grin. I hadn’t necessarily been planning on spilling all the details to Beth but now I know I won’t get out of it.
Her text message continues… “I want a full report with all the dirty details later! So jealous of your hunky construction worker fling!”
“You got it! Have to run xx.”
I head down to the hotel lobby and exit into the sweltering summer heat. Laura is supposed to pick me up in front of the hotel at noon but she’s late, as she always is—from what I remember. Some things don’t change. I take the opportunity to quickly scroll through my work emails on my phone and reassure myself that everything is under control. Then without warning, I’m interrupted by a high-pitched shriek.
“CARAAA!” My sister Laura comes bounding up, an iced coffee in hand, and throws her arms around me in a huge hug. I’m so startled, I almost drop my phone…and then just start to laugh as I return her hug.
“You scared me to death, baby sis.”
“Sorry! I got so excited when I saw you.”
“I can tell. How many of those iced coffees have you had already?”
“Oh hush, it’s decaf anyway! Let me look at you.”
She pulls back and we take each other in—two sisters who haven’t seen each other in way too long.
“You look more gorge than ever, Cara. I swear you’re glowing.”
“I could say the same about you.” It’s true. If I ever needed a reminder that my baby sister is far from a baby, this is it. The beautiful young woman in front of me is stunning. Her dirty blonde hair is pulled in to a simple ponytail and she’s wearing a long blue flowing skirt and a simple white camisole tank top. She’s clean-faced and a dusting of freckles adorns her face—all-natural makeup of a sort. But on top of it all, there’s something about her face that just looks aglow. I guess it’s the fact that she’s getting ready to marry the love of her life. “It’s so good to see you,” I tell her, hugging her again impulsively. “It’s been way too long.”
“Well, if you would quit busting your butt being a big-shot lawyer in Manhattan and come visit little old Boston now and then, that might not be the case.�
� She gives me a playful poke.
“You can come to New York too you know,” I prod her gently with a smile. “Anyway, I’m here now and that’s what matters.”
“Definitely. Let’s go, my car is parked just one street over. We can drive out to Jared’s parents’ house.”
“Where do they live?”
“A suburb a bit on the outskirts of town—a nice family neighborhood. The kind of area I dream of living in one day.”
We head over to Laura’s car. I’m surprised to see it’s still the same old junky black Jetta she’s had for years.
“Yikes, Laura, you’re still driving this thing?” I ask as I climb into the passenger seat, carefully stepping over the empty iced coffee cups and various bags and boxes littering the floor of the car.
“Hey, don’t rag on my ride. Jill is still in good working order and I’m just getting my interior design business off the ground, so this isn’t a good time to invest in a new car.” She nods at the mess in front of me, “Just move that crap out of the way.”
“I forgot you named your car Jill,” I smile as she starts the car. Laura was so proud when she bought this car—used—with money she’d saved up working odd jobs throughout high school and college.
“Of course. Jill the Jetta. What else.”
“So the business is going well then?”
“Yeah, it’s picking up. I’m building up a steady client base. It just takes time.”
“And everything with Jared is good, too?” I watch as she tries to shift gears while still holding the iced coffee cup in one hand. “How about I take that?” I rescue the cup before she can spill its contents everywhere.
“Still my big sister, watching over me, huh?” She grins. “Yeah, everything with Jared is good. I just feel…lucky. I can’t believe I’m actually going to be marrying this amazing guy soon.”
“You deserve it, Laura. You’re an amazing girl yourself. And Jared is wonderful.”
“Thanks, sis. What about you? Dating anyone these days?” She gives me a sidelong look, careful to keep one eye on the road.
“Nope. You know me, all work and no play.”
“Huh. We’ll have to change that. Can’t have my lovely sis turning into an old spinster.”
“Hey,” I poke her with a laugh.
“Ouch! Not while I’m driving!”
“What, you gonna to tell Mom and Dad?” I tease her.
“I might!” We break into laughter. When I was a teenager, Laura was always trying to bother me. If I was too mean to her, she would go running to tell our parents right away.
“Is Jared aware that you were such a tattle-tale?”
“Nope and I’ll thank you to keep the embarrassing stories about me to a minimum while you’re in Boston,” she grins. “Here we are.” She eases the car down a quiet side street with a cul-de-sac at the end. Large oak trees line either side of the small road, casting a welcome shade on the hot asphalt on this steamy July day.
Laura parks in front of an enormous house with white wood paneling. The yard is immaculately manicured. Clearly the lawn is freshly mowed and some perfectly pruned azalea bushes are blooming in bright shades of red and pink on either side of the front door.
“Oh wow, this is lovely!” I exclaim to Laura. “I can see why you’d want to invest in a dream home here some day.”
“Right? His parents love to garden. But better not ask them about it, otherwise I’m sure Jared’s mom will talk your ear off about her azalea bushes over the entire lunch.” She slams the car door and walks off without locking it.
“Don’t forget to lock the door, Laura!”
She turns with a sheepish grin and presses the button to auto lock the car.
“So remind me, who am I about to meet?” I murmur as we head up the front walk.
“Well, Jared you already know, of course. Then there’s his mom, Susan, and his step-dad, Bob. And—”
Before she can go any further, a sweet-looking woman with a sleek silver bob has flung open the front door and is standing before us. She looks tiny standing in the big doorway and once we get up to her, I realize she can’t be more than 5’4.
“Laura! My dear!” The woman steps forward and gives Laura a huge hug. “And you must be Cara, all the way from the big city!”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Nichols.” I return her warm hug, marveling at how stylish she looks and wishing I’d worn something nicer. She’s clad in a demure wrap dress, featuring a muted floral pattern and coming just below the knee. She also has a string of pearls around her neck, along with matching pearl earrings.
“The girls here?” A gruff voice calls from the house.
“Yes, honey. Come and meet Cara.”
Mrs. Nichols ushers us into the front hall, where her husband is standing. In his cargo shorts and short-sleeved polo shirt, he looks disarmingly casual compared to his immaculately put-together wife.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Nichols.” I put out my hand to shake his—and am completely shocked when he answers my standard greeting with a huge burst of laughter.
“Mr. Nichols has a nice ring to it sweetie, maybe you should change your name,” Mrs. Nichols giggles and grasps his arm quickly.
“I’m so sorry,” Laura is also giggling next to me. “That’s all my fault. I’m afraid I didn’t catch Cara up on the family details.”
“It’s not a problem, dear,” Mrs. Nichols says. Then, turning to me, she goes on, “I’m Mrs. Nichols but this is Mr. Levine. He’s my second husband, you know,” she pauses with a wink, “and I just never got around to doing the paperwork to change my name legally to Levine.”
“But you can just call us Bob and Susan,” Mr. Levine adds.
“Oh yes, please,” his wife agrees with a big smile. “After all, we’re all going to be family soon.”
“Typical Laura, leaving out an essential detail like that.” Jared, Laura’s fiancé, appears from behind his stepdad. “Good to see you, Cara.” He gives me a big hug.
“I’m just glad I didn’t offend anyone,” I say gratefully.
“Of course not, dear. How about some brunch?” Jared’s mom is already ushering us to the dining room. “Now, where on earth is your brother?” She turns briefly to Jared.
“Right here, right here. Sorry, I was just washing up.” The deep male voice knocks the wind right out of me. It can’t be… The voice continues talking as I turn to face it, feeling as if my body is moving in slow motion as I do… “So nice to meet you. Cara, was it?”
I turn and face him head on. It’s none other than Jason, the hunky construction worker whom I hustled out of my hotel room this morning—and who I had planned on never seeing again. And he has the biggest shit-eating grin on his face I have ever seen.
“Yes.” I gulp out the word and manage to shake his hand. When our skin touches, I flash back to last night, remembering him kissing his way up my calves, thighs, and… Stop it, Cara.
I jerk myself back to reality, becoming aware that there are other people in the room—people who think that Jason and I are total strangers. And I have to keep it that way. “Nice to meet you,” I say firmly, shooting him a look. I’m hoping he can read the message in my eyes. You better not say a damned word about last night. I do not want to unveil this whole story with the family here!
“Well now that we have all the introductions out of the way, let’s eat!” Laura says, eagerly rubbing her stomach.
“Can I just wash up quickly?” I ask. I need a moment to recover myself.
“Of course. Down the hall to the right,” Jared points in the direction.
“I can show you,” Jason volunteers.
“I’ve got it!” I practically screech the words at him as I hustle to the bathroom without making eye contact with anyone.
Once the door is locked, I rummage frantically through my bag for my phone to text Beth.
“EMERGENCY 911!!!”
Please, please, please, write back right away, I think to myself as I stare at the phone scr
een and will her to respond. I need my girlfriend to talk me in off the ledge, now.
“???” She writes back.
“The construction guy is here.”
“Here, where?”
“At brunch with Laura. At Jared’s parents house.”
“A family brunch? Why, is he doing some work on Jared’s parents house or something?”
“No, I mean he is HERE, here. HE IS THE FAMILY.”
“WTF? How? Who is he related to?”
“He’s Jared’s brother. STEP brother, technically.”
“You’ve never met your sister’s fiancé’s brother?”
“You know I hardly ever come back to Boston. And he doesn’t live here either.”
“But didn’t you ever hear his name? How did you not put this together?”
“I’ve never met any of Jared’s family. And he and his stepbrother have different last names. Jared’s mom never changed her name when she married Jared’s dad, apparently. I just found out.”
“Well. Shit. Do you think he already knew about you though?”
“I don’t know… I don’t think so?! I hope not. That would be weird a.f.”
“I mean… does it matter though? If you have a thing with his step-bro, I mean. Will anyone really care?”
“This is all supposed to be Laura’s big day and I don’t want to take away from it.”
“Good point. Sleeping with your soon-to-be brother-in-law might be considered stealing the spotlight...”
“What am I going to do?”
There is a long pause. Beth clearly doesn’t have a clue on how to handle this situation either. I don’t know what to do but I do know one thing—Laura cannot find out about this. So for now, I just have to head back out there, smile, and keep up the ruse that I just met Jason mere minutes ago. Oh, and I have to hope that he doesn’t blow my cover either. Great.
Chapter Eight
Jason
Well, what do you know. I spend all morning calling every damned bakery in Boston and then the girl is delivered right into my hands—at my very own family brunch. I’ve never seen a woman look at me the way Cara did when we were “introduced” just now—like she’d seen a ghost. I was thrilled to see her, of course, but she didn’t seem to share the sentiment. She almost seemed angry—maybe she thinks I knew all along, which I sure didn’t—but I think it was mostly just a shock. She clearly went to the bathroom to try and get her wits about her.
