by Robyn M Ryan
“Need a break, Cary?” Andrew asked.
Dave met Lauren’s eyes, a slight smirk in his expression. She felt her neck begin to flush and turned back to Daniel, her head bent, hair hiding her face.
“How was practice?” Caryn asked. “Did you stop somewhere for lunch?”
“Great and yes,” Andrew answered. “I’m ready for some bonding time.” He reached for sleepy Daniel as Caryn stood and placed Jenna in her crib.
“You have great timing, Andrew,” Lauren said. “Caryn had two fussy babies when I got home.”
“Fussy?” Andrew grinned at Daniel. “Not my peanuts.”
Caryn walked beside him and reached to kiss him. “Keep telling yourself that, Drew.” She patted his shoulder. “Lauren and I have not eaten lunch, so if you’ll excuse us, we’ll leave these sleepy angels in your capable hands.”
Lauren followed Caryn from the room, avoiding Dave’s gaze. She groaned as they approached the kitchen. “How long do you think they were in the room?”
Caryn shrugged. “Not long.”
“Marty heard enough to give me that smug expression.” Lauren imitated him and then reached into the cupboards for plates.
“So? Why would that matter?” Caryn opened the refrigerator and pulled leftovers the caterers had packed. “Meats and cheese for sandwiches? Salad?”
“Or, we could go straight to dessert—that chocolate-caramel cake was sinful.”
“We can make a mini-buffet.”
Lauren took one package and grabbed a plate. “You didn’t tell me I had a suite-mate last night.”
“Who?”
“Marty. I crashed early and when I woke, I had to get ready for bed. Shall we say…I ran into him coming out of the shower.”
“I had no idea, Lauren, promise. Drew took him to a guest room.” Caryn shook her head. “Guess that was a shock?” A speculative smile crossed her face.
Lauren glanced over her shoulder, then answered in a low voice. “Can we take this out to the pool… more private?”
Lauren took a seat at the table where she could watch the doors. “Last thing I need—more surprises.”
Caryn laughed. “Wish I had a picture of both your expressions. Were you…decent?”
“Well, I was semi-decent with my usual boxers and a tank top. Marty? If you consider a towel around his waist that barely reached his thighs decent.” Lauren nibbled on her sandwich. She saw Caryn watching her expression, and she shrugged as she swallowed. “He looks better than I’ve ever seen him. He caught me staring. Or maybe I should say gawking.”
“I’m sure he did his own staring.”
Lauren giggled. “I don’t know. Hard to tell what those eyes are thinking. He said he wanted to talk with me.”
“Right then?” Caryn suppressed her own laughter. “I wish I could have seen your expression.”
“No, we waited until we both wore suitable clothing. Then we talked…for a while…in his room.” She summarized their conversation and his unexpected kiss when she stood to leave. “And once again, when he touches me, I can’t think. When he kisses me…” Lauren shrugged as her voice trailed off. “This morning, I thought last night was a dream…until my phone alarm jarred me back to reality.”
Caryn sipped her water, and Lauren caught the amusement in her eyes.
“What?”
“How do you feel about it today? Noticed you didn’t acknowledge Dave,” Caryn said.
“We’re good friends…with great benefits. Nothing’s changed.”
“Would you like things to change?”
“Wishing won’t make it happen, Caryn. We’re just pals. We have fun when we’re together. I’m not the girl he’d ever take seriously or introduce to his parents.” Lauren averted her eyes as she sipped her drink.
“Why in the world do you think that? He’s met your family.”
“Sure, my sister and niece. Family? We’re not your typical family unit.”
“And you think mine’s any different?”
“Your parents took sheltered to a new level.”
“And?” Caryn prompted.
“My dad left us for who-knows-what, my mother didn’t want to deal with a surprise baby. I’m sure my joining their dysfunctional marriage tipped the scale toward their divorce. I have no relationship with her, nor do I want one…Not your normal family.”
“What about your sister and your sweet niece—they’re your family.”
Lauren cut her eyes toward her friend. “Notice any patterns?” She helped herself to a slice of cake, then refilled her glass.
“Only that you’re surrounded by love.”
“Amanda’s divorced, too. Gentry women don’t do well in relationships.”
Caryn reached to grasp her hand. “Have you ever tried a committed relationship?”
Lauren shook her head. “Why bother? I know my limitations with relationships. My mother and sister at least taught me what to expect with men.”
“Lauren.” Caryn waited until Lauren glanced toward her. “You can’t judge all men by the actions of a few.”
“But I can accept that marriage isn’t always the end game. I like dating different guys. I enjoy the variety. You know that.” Lauren held her friend’s gaze. “Maybe I’ll take that chance. Someday. Maybe.”
#
Dave joined Lauren on the pool deck after Caryn left to feed the twins. “You mind?” He met her eyes as he nodded toward the adjoining chaise. His deep brown eyes teased her.
“Of course not. How’d you feel at your first practice?”
“Out of sync, but overall I felt I adapted to their game style.” He opened a beer and offered the bottle to Lauren. When she shook her head, he asked, “I take it you made it to your meeting on time?”
“Thirty minutes early.”
“Meeting go okay?”
“I guess. Caryn and I have a lot to discuss going forward.”
Dave raised his eyebrows in question.
Lauren shook her head. “We thought we’d bid on their next project—taking the seminars to their European offices.”
“And that’s not an option?”
“Worse.” Lauren sighed. “He wants to hire me full-time to manage that and other projects. Work for McRainey.” She noticed Dave’s questioning expression. “The position’s based in London or Paris.”
“So, you’d have to learn French?”
Lauren threw him a dark look. “That’s the least of my worries. It would mean breaking up my partnership with Caryn. Plus, I don’t think I can report directly to Jim Wesley. Not as an employee. He made enough demands as a client…You know, he tried to get Caryn to sign and notarize a contract the same day she was in observation in the ER.”
He nodded. “Yeah, Andrew told me about that. You had to fly in to sign it?”
“That wasn’t a problem. His attitude is an issue—he has no respect for true emergencies. No boundaries.” She sent a rueful smile his way as she changed the subject. “You settled in here?”
He locked eyes with her. “Thought I’d check out the condos here if you’d like to come along?”
Lauren tried to tamp down the butterflies fluttering in her chest. “Sure. That sounds like fun. When?”
“How about now if you’ve finished lunch?”
“Help me clean up?”
Dave picked up her fork and took the last bite of cake. “I’ll take care of it. Why don’t you ditch the work clothes before we go?”
#
Dave laughed to himself as he watched her walk quickly toward her room. Hurricane Lauren. Never changes. So much energy packed into a pint-sized package…wonder if she’ll ever slow down and take life seriously? He thought about the summer after they’d met during the playoffs. Both had returned home to Vancouver for most of the summer. It only took one date for their relationship to combust spontaneously, the attraction mutual and intense.
They spent more time in his apartment than they did exploring the many summer festivals in Vancouver. When in
the same room, the heat built between them until they abandoned whatever plans they’d had and found themselves wrestling on his bed, his couch, the counter…any available space. She could not keep her hands off him any more than he could control himself. He sometimes wondered how they’d survived those weeks of insatiable desire…yet, the heat abruptly extinguished when they parted. Lauren returned to Toronto for fall courses, and he met the team in St. Louis for training camp and another season.
They tried a long-distance relationship, but nothing sparked when they communicated via phone, Skype, or text. An awkward silence punctuated many conversations, and without the physical part both realized that they’d never taken the time to discover anything about each other. They’d never learned what they had in common…besides the off-the-chart red hot mutual sexual attraction.
Even when the Blues played in Toronto and they could get together, that spark didn’t reignite. They met after the games for dinner, usually with Andrew and Caryn, but never privately. Last year, when Lauren moved to St. Louis for a job, they sometimes went out when he was in town. The more they talked and the more time they spent together, the spark again began to smolder. Lauren, however, resisted anything more than a casual relationship. The mutual sexual attraction sizzled, but when Dave suggested an exclusive relationship, Lauren declined, not ready to make that commitment.
He didn’t expect the relegation to the “Friends Zone,” and over the following months, both began dating others. Now it was hard to believe they’d ever shared that explosive summer.
Maybe we could start over from square one…Once I’m settled, perhaps I’ll ask her out. Test the waters.
7
LAUREN SAW THE email flash on her iPhone’s screen and glanced at the sender/subject. Crap. Jim Wesley’s offer. Tempted to open it, Lauren instead shoved the phone into her pocket as she walked toward the kitchen. Despite Caryn’s protests, Dave had almost completed repacking the leftovers.
“Hey, I’ve got to earn my keep.” He glanced toward Lauren.
She caught the appreciative glimmer in his eyes as he took his time scanning her cut-off shorts and the turquoise embroidered tank top she’d bought on Rodeo Drive. Butterflies fluttered again, and Lauren shifted her gaze to Caryn, hoping to deflect the attention. “I just saw Wesley’s email hit my inbox, Car. Mind if we wait until I go with Mr. Martin to check out housing here?”
Caryn laughed. “Mind? Stick it in your spam folder and pretend you never saw it. When that check comes, all things McRainey get purged from my brain.”
“But you’ll go over it with me?”
“Of course, no problem,” Caryn said. “Take your time. I’ve heard the model homes are showcases. I’ll expect a full report.”
“You know I love window shopping.” Lauren looked at Dave from the corner of her eye. “Ready?”
He held his hand toward her. “Anytime you say, Ms. Gentry.”
Lauren allowed her hand to slip into his and tried to ignore the tingle of electricity sparked by the contact. How can he still have that effect on me? Maybe if I hadn’t jumped in bed with him last night. No willpower, Gentry. You never learn.
“You mind walking?” Dave asked when they stepped outside. “Sunshine feels good after those winter storms that seem to hit wherever we’ve played the last few weeks.”
“Walking’s perfect. You may see some cool, rainy days here, but I can’t imagine snow in Tampa.” Lauren lengthened her stride to keep pace but soon tugged on his hand. “You in a hurry?”
He turned her way, and she caught the hint of a smirk. “Sorry, squirt. Been a while since we walked together.”
“You know where you’re going?”
“Yep. We drove by after practice. It’s not too far.”
“I don’t mind walking—if you want to sprint, though, I need more than flip-flops to keep up.”
Dave chuckled and pulled her against his side. “You set the pace. I’ll keep up.”
The contact reminded Lauren how good it felt to have his body pressed against her side. She fought the urge to wrap her arm around his back. Down, girl. We’re looking at villas, not bedrooms. She cleared her throat before she could speak. “So, you’re thinking about renting? Get good vibes at practice?”
“If I can get something on a lease-purchase, it would make sense. My agent said there’s some interest, but it’s too soon to tell. Now if we go deep in the playoffs…” He looked at her, but Lauren couldn’t see his eyes behind the sunglasses. “Besides, even though both Chad and Caryn say they have plenty of space, they deserve some privacy.”
Lauren bit back her grin. “You need privacy also. No one barging into the bathroom while you’re in the shower.”
Dave shrugged as a grin hinted. “That would depend on who barged in. I have no complaints so far.”
Lauren ducked her head, hoping her hair hid the embarrassment. “It wasn’t intentional.”
“Do you hear me complaining, Ms. Gentry? My door is always open for you.”
#
The villas…these are just breath-taking. Lauren wandered through each, taking mental notes on the colors and furnishings, even though she knew she could never afford to live in one. Dream on. If one’s available for rent, I couldn’t swing the security deposit.
She returned to the open living area as the property manager answered Dave’s questions.
“Mind if we take time to go back through a couple?” he asked, flashing his most disarming smile.
Lauren bit back a chuckle. She’d seen that smile on many occasions. Combined with those chocolate-brown eyes…that woman has no option to refuse. She’s already blushing. Nope, he hasn’t lost that magic touch.
“I’ll leave the doors unlocked. Just check back in when you’re finished.”
“Thanks, Darcy. We won’t be too long.”
Lauren tried to suppress a snicker when Dave turned toward her. His eyes captured hers in amusement. “You have something to say?”
Lauren shook her head. “Not a word.”
“Too many options in these condos.” He shook his head, spreading the floor-plans across the counter.
“Villas,” Lauren corrected. “We’re not in St. Louis. Which villa do you like best?”
“Not a clue. You have a favorite?”
“They’re all spectacular. You could narrow it down. Two bedrooms, three, or four? Three floor-plans for each. Might make it simpler.”
Dave rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know. The two-bedroom units feel small.”
“You could have your man cave and a trophy room if you went with three bedrooms.” She saw his eyes cut toward her with a speculative grin.
“No room for guests. Besides, I don’t need an entire room for trophies, Lauren.”
“You sure about that?” Lauren teased. “But, you’re right. This two-bedroom’s too small, claustrophobic for a big guy like you.”
They wandered through the three- and four-bedroom models and Lauren tried to point out differences Dave may overlook. “This kitchen’s much bigger—almost like Caryn and Andrew’s,” she noted in the final four-bedroom villa. “You could put a table by the window and make it a breakfast area, too.”
“True.” He nodded toward the French doors that opened to the patio. “I think the space outside’s larger, also. Though, it would feel smaller if it’s an upper-level unit.” He glanced at the papers in hand. “Twenty-five hundred square feet—might as well live in a house.”
“I don’t know anything about the prices, Marty. Is a house out of the question?”
He shrugged as he walked outside. “At this point, it doesn’t matter. Either way, there’s nothing to rent. If I live here, I’m buying.” He sank onto a wicker chair and motioned for Lauren to sit beside him. “What’s your opinion?”
“Well…” Lauren hesitated as she swept her eyes over the immaculate green space. “The ground floor units are really nice, I mean exceptionally beautiful. I just wonder about the soundproofing. Would it bother
you if you could hear people walking upstairs or the TV next door?”
“Geez, at this price, I’d hope not. But, good point. Not much patience for noisy neighbors.”
Lauren giggled. “Oh, I remember that well.”
He nudged her shoulder. “Of course, remember sound travels both ways,” he teased with a wink. He flipped through the packet he’d received at the sales office. “You’re right. A house is not that much higher, price wise.” He handed Lauren the list of homes for sale. “You have time to look at a few?”
“All day.”
“I’m not keeping you from discussing that email with Caryn?”
“You heard her. It can wait.” She stood and held out her hand. “Let’s find you a home, Mr. Martin.”
#
Lauren’s cell phone pinged just as they were touring a beautiful ranch. She pulled the phone from her pocket and sighed when she saw the name. Jim Wesley. She signaled to Dave that she needed to take the call and stepped onto the back patio so she wouldn’t distract him.
“Jim, hi.” She hoped she projected warmth into her tone.
“So, what do you think? Shall I send the HR forms?”
Lauren laughed. “Jim, I’m not even home. I saw your email arrive, but I don’t want to read it on my phone. When I’m back at Caryn’s home, I’ll look at it. We need to discuss everything also.”
“I’m sure we addressed any concerns in the offer. We’re ready to launch this initiative—like yesterday.”
Lauren rubbed her temple. “I need time to review it, talk with Caryn, and then decide if that’s the route I want to take. You said you’d need an answer by the end of the week.”
“Our launch date changed. Everything’s moved up. I don’t want to start interviewing the other candidates, but…”
Lauren suppressed the sigh of exasperation and tried to keep her tone neutral. “If you need to speak with the other candidates, don’t hold off on my account.” She felt a hand rest on her shoulder and looked up at Dave as she stood and shook her head. “Please don’t pressure me for a quick decision. I’ll review the offer and call you as soon as I can.”
