eHoneymoon
ClickandWed.com series
Book 4
By
Bonnie R. Paulson
www.bonniepaulson.com
Also by Bonnie R. Paulson
Clearwater County, The Montana Trails series
Montana Trails Series Box Set
Click and Wed.com Series
With This Click, I Thee Wed
IDo.com
DIY Vows
eHoneymoon
Keyword: I Do
Let US-B Wed
The Right Click
Standalone
Love Notes
Watch for more at Bonnie R. Paulson’s site.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Also By Bonnie R. Paulson
eHoneymoon
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Further Reading: Keyword: I Do
Also By Bonnie R. Paulson
About the Author
eHoneymoon
TWO BEST-FRIENDS MATCHED for marriage...
One honeymoon to make it work.
Neither of them is certain they’re making the right choice...
When an online spouse-matching website, ClickandWed.com, matches Kayla with a man she believes she’s never met, she doesn’t know if she wants to commit to six months with someone she’s not sure she’s even attracted to. With encouragement from her best-friend, she opts for the shorter time frame of only two weeks and hopes there aren’t certain expectations that are attached to honeymoons.
Fireworks ignite as the truth comes out that the groom is her best-friend and he knew all along.
The two weeks tick down.
In this funny, friends-to-lovers sweet romance, our matched bride and groom are thrust into the romance zone on their honeymoon. With only two weeks to either fall in love (impossible!) or lose not only their marriage but their friendship, Kayla and Dylan have to decide just how far they’re willing to go to find if their hearts really belong with each other.
Say ‘I do’ to this irreverently funny romance with poignant moments that will make you flip each page!
Chapter 1
KAYLA
Best friends shouldn’t be as good-looking as Dylan Drake. In fact, if I had my way, Dylan would be back to the pudgy guy he was in high school, only then would I be able to keep him all to myself and never worry I would have to share him with other women who only wanted to take advantage of him.
I pushed through the doors of our favorite restaurant on Sherman Avenue, the main street of the small town of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. We grew up cruising through downtown in our cars and out toward the beach of the huge lake.
Just a stone’s throw from the water, the Iron Horse Bar and Grill was set up like a pub and game room on one side and a restaurant on the other. Dylan and I could never figure out which side we wanted to be on and usually whoever got there first would choose. Judging by his text, he’d arrived first. While he’d been at the office all day, I’d been checking on merchandise at one of our suppliers or we would’ve driven together.
Apparently, he preferred the tall tables on the tavern side that night. I got it. Heading to our ten year high school reunion was more stressful than either of us wanted to admit. We both had a lot of baggage and ten years wasn’t enough time to consolidate it all. Lots of alcohol on board wouldn’t hurt as we set off down the yellow brick road.
His dark wavy hair and strong shoulders covered in a snug black T-shirt stood out from the other patrons. I could easily see him from the door. He pulled the look off without being a jerk. I’d never met a man who worked out as much as he did and was the opposite of vain.
Gripping my small purse, I slid into the seat across from him. Kicking his shin softly with my toe, I arched my brow. “How many phone numbers do you have so far? We haven’t even started the night and I can really see them checking you out.” I winked and opened the menu. I already knew what I would get. In fact, Dylan knew me so well, I wouldn’t be surprised if a Mai Tai and a plate of onion rings and mozzarella sticks showed up as I sat down.
“You’re just jealous. I told you, I could be a one phone number guy. All you have to do is say the word.” Dylan’s deliciously decadent lips curved in a knowing smile as he threw down the challenge that was so common between us. I swear he teased me just because he knew he could.
I folded up the menu and tapped its surface when I laid it down. “I couldn’t be with a guy who doesn’t order before I get here.” I had fallen for his games way too many times, believing it would always only be me.
He just didn’t know it.
We started out as close friends in junior high and graduated as best friends. We were inseparable. A lot of the guys I dated couldn’t handle me being best friends with a guy, especially one who looked the way Dylan did. In high school though, he was an extra hundred to a hundred-and-fifty pounds heavier. Back then, he wasn’t as much competition as he was now.
The older we got, the more we depended on each other. And dang it, the older we got, the more good looking he got. Some things weren’t fair.
Before it became impossible for us to distinguish between what was my life and what was his, we had to do something. I had an idea I wanted to implement that night, but only if he was up for it. He’d been talking about a marriage app for a while and I was finally interested in checking it out.
I leaned across the table and smiled, teasing him. “It’s okay, you’re getting old. I don’t expect you to order me a drink or my appetizers every time we come here.” I winked and scratched my nails across the green Formica top. I flipped my thick black hair over my shoulder. I’d left it down because Dylan convinced me down was the best style for the type of night we were up for. I wasn’t so sure since it was already irritating me.
He folded his arms and sat back, his forearms rippling as he considered me. Tilting his head toward the newly arrived waitress, he drawled. “I’ll take your apology whenever you’re ready to give it.” Of course, a Saturday would put them a little behind. The items were late and not because of Dylan.
Heat flushed my cheeks and I nodded my thanks to the woman as she sat my overflowing plate down, alongside a Mai Tai on a napkin. I waited until she dropped off his burger and left. I didn’t need any witnesses to my groveling. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I was just teasing, but I’m tense about this reunion. I still can’t believe you’re going on vacation in a week and a half. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with myself. Big Dog won’t even need me. I won’t be needed.” I ended on a half-wail that I stopped with a side-smirk. “Don’t you feel bad for me?”
I wasn’t joking though. I really did feel like I was being abandoned. At least on some level I couldn’t reach. I glanced around the restaurant, the bright colors suddenly more somber at the thought of my impending loneliness and boredom.
“Come with me. It’ll be fun.” Dylan lifted his amber beer, peering at me over the rim of his glass. “We have to close Big Dog anyway. There’s nothing you can do while it’s under construction. Maybe you should come with me. We can do some market research.” He offered a compelling argument, but I couldn’t go on vacation with h
im. That’s where I drew the line.
I’d never been able to go when he asked me in the past. That was something for girlfriends or wives or parents. I was just the best friend. I knew my boundaries and where I belonged.
Except... I always wanted to go with him. The temptation was there and I didn’t like that sometimes I was more inclined than others. Right then, with the reunion minutes away, I was more susceptible to his suggestions than usual.
We’d be there with everyone happily married or dating someone. I’d be the single girl and Dylan would be collecting numbers left and right. Women were shamed for not being married and men were celebrated for being unattached.
Scrunching my nose, I wiggled my fingers at him. “It’s okay. Maybe I’ll go visit Mom or take in some reading. There’s a bunch of books I want to get caught up on.” I dipped a mozzarella stick in the marinara sauce and took a big bite as I looked around the bar at people I didn’t care about. I didn’t want him to push me too much, but a small part of me wanted him to push a lot. How far would he have to push for me to give in?
“You can read where I’m going.” He was cut off by the sudden arrival of a long-legged redhead in tight jeans and a crop top I swear when out of fashion in the 1990s.
“I’m Simone.” She stood at Dylan’s side and put her hands on her insanely slim hips, thrusting her chest forward. She winked. “Want to share a Derailer, stud?” Stud? Maybe she’d already had one.
The Derailer was the most popular drink in north Idaho. The bucket had more alcohol than should be considered legal and it was served with five cups of ice. Four or five people could easily drink out of the same bucket and walk away buzzed.
When someone wanted to split a drink like that, they offered more than just a one-drink time.
I tried focusing on my onion rings, but I couldn’t help but wonder what he would say. She was gorgeous and didn’t look like she was used to hearing no.
He grinned, letting his gaze rake her figure and commenting in a slow drawl. “Not right now, honey. Maybe later.” He winked and dismissed her by turning away to face me. Her jaw dropped and she stared at him a moment longer before turning in a huff and stomping away. In heels that high, stomping was an amazing feat.
A guy like Dylan had propositions coming out his ears.
I pushed the jealousy that was always present to the side. I’d made my decision in high school and then again in college and then again every year and almost every day since we met.
Dylan and I owned an amusement park together. We worked out together. We even lived on the same street. We had grown up as next door neighbors. We were habits that were hard to break.
We knew everything there was to know about each other – and then some.
He was the second constant man in my life. My grandpa had died the year before taking my only other steady man in my life.
My father left when I was younger. Dylan filled that hole in my heart and I refused to lose him because I couldn’t handle commitment.
Every man I had dated since then had just been like artificial sweetener to sugar. They never stuck around... Just like my dad. Proving I was the common denominator. I wasn’t worth staying for. If Dylan and I got into a relationship where love was involved, how long would it take for him to leave, too?
If having a romance with me highlighted my negative aspects, I would do everything I could to not have that happen with Dylan. Besides, romance was overrated. We had more than romance. Okay, we didn’t have more than romance and sometimes a woman needed that, but I wouldn’t trade what he and I had for a little bit of lust and candles. Eventually, they always left. I had plenty of experience in that department.
I didn’t want to scare Dylan off, too.
Chapter 2
DYLAN
Kayla and I had grown up in a small town and we hadn’t left after college. The high school reunion just wouldn’t feel right, if we didn’t go from the high school meet-and-greet to a cruise on the Coeur d’Alene Lake.
If I remembered correctly - ten years was a long time – we had done our senior party on a similar cruise. I snorted as I parked in the high school parking lot. How original that we were doing our reunion there, too. Maybe we would get to go somewhere else for the twentieth reunion.
Swaying trees resplendent with new growth lined the parking lot, providing a divider between the main roads and the school land. There had been a lot of renovations made since we had graduated, but the building still felt small when it had seemed huge growing up.
Kayla and I climbed out of my Ford pickup. I rushed around to close the door for Kayla. She never waited for me to open the door for her.
I scanned her form, impressed with her figure and how she held herself. She had opted to go with more of a casual look with her one-piece dress which ended with the skirt hem just below her knee. The soft linen material fit her form with capped sleeves and a neckline that ran across the top of her collarbones. Her modesty was more appealing than some of the other flashier outfits we saw walking in.
Pushing a stray dark brown curl off her shoulder, I murmured, “You look amazing. Who are you trying to impress?” I constantly teased her, flirting as an attempt to wear her defenses down. Over sixteen years, I hadn’t gotten far, but somehow I would get through. I had to. How long had I been trying to get her to fall for me?
Since junior high when she had thrown my ball back to me over the fence between our back yards. In junior high and high school when I had nothing but the real me to offer, that’s all I tried to give her. I was the fat kid. I was the kid people threw things at, the kid they knocked over when I was dressed in the Viking mascot uniform, the kid they locked in the bathrooms and generally bullied the heck out of.
As a cheerleader, Kayla got all the attention she ever wanted. All I ever wanted was her attention – but more than a friend’s attention – the kind of attention that could last a lifetime.
She’d always refused to take us any further, saying we were more important than romance to her. I knew her back story, but that didn’t make it easy to understand why she couldn’t see how perfect we were for each other.
Flattery only got you so far when your heart ached with longing.
She pulled her lower lip between her white teeth and looked around as we headed towards the front of the building. “Craig Croft.”
My startled laugh took even me by surprise. “Seriously? Still? That was a long time ago and he stopped liking you after the first non-date.” The fact that she still thought of Craig as a possibility definitely acted as a blow to my ego.
The mythical romance behind Craig was his money and his dad’s job and the fact that he drove around a red Camaro that was definitely from the 90s. I wondered if he still had the car. Back in school, he was the guy all the girls wanted to date and all the guys wanted to be.
One afternoon I’d been busy with a test. Craig took Kayla up to his place and brought her home. That was it. Kayla never spoke of it, but I doubted he tried kissing her. If that was true, it was contrary to everything Craig Croft stood for.
Wrapping my arm around her, I tugged her to the side. “So... if Craig is here, are you gonna go for it? You want to make a bet on nailing him?” I leaned down and whispered into her ear as we fell into the queue filing into the gym. I didn’t want her to nail anybody. Talking about it made me sick. I didn’t want her to try anything with Craig. Or anyone for that matter.
I wanted her to turn around in my arms and say she just realized I was The One, that I was always The One and no amount of attention from Craig Croft would ever replace it.
Her next words pulled me from my fantasy. “I don’t know. Is it dumb that I still wish things had turned out differently? I’m lost in the past. It’s stupid, you know?” Kayla tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and lifted her bright blue eyes my way. I would never grow sick of her blue gaze.
There was something intoxicating in the way she smelled, the way she looked, the way she talked, and the way sh
e carried herself. In all our time together, I hadn’t gotten bored with her. If anything, I was more interested. All the time we’ve been together – together but apart. My parents had made me watch a 1985 movie called Ladyhawke and it was like that, minus the hawk and the wolf.
Shaking my head, I kept my voice low, intimate. “I don’t think it’s dumb at all. I’m still hoping and it’s been close to forever.” I put my hand on the small of her back and ushered her in front of me to the doors where everyone was funneling inside.
She didn’t say anything when I dropped my subtle hints like maybe she’d grown immune to them. At what point would I stop being subtle and stop treating things like they were a joke and actually go for it?
My bravery would have to be soon. There was only so much pain I could take before my life passed me by. Before I knew it, I would wake up one day and Kayla would be married with children. I would still long for her, hoping my teasing and ever-presence would be enough to get her attention.
We signed our names to blue-and-white nametags and stuck them on our chests.
Kayla fell into step beside me as we headed towards the gym, gripping my elbow. “Who is she? Because secretly, I hate her guts.” She winked at me and leaned in to nudge me with her shoulder.
If she only knew what her words would mean, if they were even a quarter serious. I soaked in the meaning of her words in their literal sense. I used every little tidbit to keep me hanging on, hoping that she would secretly mean what she said. Hadn’t there been a philosopher who’d claimed there was a nugget of truth in everything we say? Even things we jest about? I hoped that philosopher was right.
I didn’t answer her question on who I still dreamt about. At that moment we walked through the doors into a gaudily decorated gym as if we were going to a high school dance. Paper crêpe hung from varying spots on the walls and ceiling.
A Viking head had been taped to the basketball hoops and the old mascot suit had been posed on the gym stage. How many times had I been locked in that suit, jumping up and down and watching Kayla as she cheered? More than I wanted to remember.
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