by Laura Ann
Wren laughed. “Don’t worry. It’ll all be worth it in...” she glanced at her watch, “Oh my gosh! We need to hurry. We gotta leave in like twenty minutes! It takes a full hour for us to get home.”
“Crap,” Lane murmured. She fumbled through her make-up case. “I’m such a wreck. Who came up with the idea of dances, anyway? So dumb.”
“You won’t be saying that later,” Wren said with a pump of her eyebrows.
“We’ll see.”
PIERCE TUGGED ON HIS bowtie for the thousandth time that night. “Whoever invented these nooses needs to go straight to-”
“Pierce, my man! What are you doing here?” a deep, masculine voice caught Pierce’s attention.
He looked over and his eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Silas? Silas Thurgood?” Silas had graduated with Wren, but in their small town of Evanswood, everyone knew everyone. Silas has been the ultimate geek in high school and had had a major crush on Pierce’s sister. The poor guy had followed the group of girls around like a faithful puppy hoping for crumbs. Pierce hadn’t seen him since he came home for his sister’s commencement ceremonies.
The man who stood in front of Pierce was nothing like that scrawny nerd who had no idea how to comb his hair. Silas stood a little over Pierce’s six-foot frame, and his shoulders had the look of a man who knew how to handle a set of weights. The two hairs that had sat on his chin at graduation had turned into a sleek goatee that framed his square jaw. His crisp suit looked expensive and wrinkle free, a far cry from the wrinkled, Star Trek shirts he had sported when he was younger.
“The one and only!” Silas grinned and stuck out his hand.
“You look good, Man.” Pierce smiled back, then glanced around. “You waiting for a date too?”
Silas’ eyebrow went up. “Your date isn’t here yet??”
Pierce’s cheeks turned pink, and he tugged at his tie again. “Nah.”
A crooked smile crept across Silas’ face. “And just who is it?”
“No way. You first.”
For the first time since he got there, Silas looked uncomfortable. “Well... funny thing that. I’m...” he pinched his lips. “I’m here for Wren.”
Before that moment, Pierce had never known that it was possible to choke on nothing but air, but he quickly found out when his throat closed and he began to cough hard enough to bring up a lung.
“Whoa, there. Easy.” Silas reached out and pounded Pierce on the back.
Pierce put up a hand and stepped away. After thumping his chest a few times, he was able to suck in a lungful of life giving oxygen. His face was flaming as he waved on the few people who had stopped to check on him. “Just swallowed wrong, I’m fine, thanks, nothing to see here.” Pierce glared at Silas when he heard the other man chuckle. “Not funny,” he growled.
Silas put up his hands. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to shock you like that. I had no idea you would nearly expire at the thought of me and Wren.”
Pierce brought his hand up to his collar again, but stopped when he realized what he was doing. “Whatever. Are you really here with Wren?”
“Well, I was supposed to be,” Silas muttered, looking at his watch. A frown marred his handsome face. “But I’m starting to think she might have stood me up.”
“Nah,” Pierce reassured. “She wouldn’t do that.”
Silas raised a single brow. “You sure? I mean, I know she’s your sister and all, but it’s not like she’s ever really liked me.”
“She better not cut out on this. She’s the reason I’m here.”
Silas froze. “She asked you to be her date, too?”
“No!’ Pierce shook his head and laughed. “No. Nothing like that. I’m acting as a date for someone else, but they’re coming together.”
“Oh.” Silas frowned. “Who are you here for, then?”
“Silas?”
Both men jerked toward the sound and Pierce found out it was also possible to nearly swallow a tongue the same way a person could choke on air.
“Hey, Wren. We were just talking about you,” Silas said with a small smile. “You look very nice.”
Wren’s jaw flapped for a minute before she seemed to gain her composer. “Uh... yeah... thanks.”
Pierce paid no attention to their awkward greeting. His eyes were too caught up in the heavenly vision just to Wren’s right.
Lane looked like an angel. Her hair was flowing down her back in loose curls that begged for his fingers to touch and feel. She wore a dark eyeliner that caused her green eyes to pop like precious stones. Her skin was smooth and her cheeks pink. But it was her lips that Pierce couldn’t seem to keep his gaze from. They were red and lush and Pierce wanted to grab her and taste them for the rest of the night.
So many years. So many years I’ve done nothing. She’s always been out of reach because she was my sister’s best friend. But tonight that all changes.
“Hello, Lane,” Pierce said softly. His voice was lower than normal, but he didn’t even care. All that mattered was the wide-eyed woman in front of him.
“Pierce,” Lane breathed. “What are you doing here?”
Pierce winced slightly. Why doesn’t she sound happy to see me? Wren was positive that Lane felt the same about me as I feel for her. “Uh... didn’t Wren tell you? I’m your date.”
CHAPTER 3
Lane felt as if all the air in her lungs had been sucked out with a vacuum. “D-Date? You’re my date? Like... my actual date?” Wren is so dead. How could she do this to me? She knows how I feel about Pierce. Why would she get him to play my fake boyfriend? Doesn’t she know how badly that will hurt at the end of the night?
Pierce rubbed the back of his neck and looked uncomfortable. “Uh, yeah. That gonna be okay?”
Lane squeezed her eyes tight. Why does he have to look so good? And how can he still look so boyish when he’s like thirty years old?
“Lane?” Pierce asked softly.
Lane put her hand up. “Yeah. Sorry. That’s fine.” She could hardly meet his gaze. Lane had been in love with Pierce since she was in middle school. It had started out as just a normal crush of her best friend’s older, handsome brother who seemed amazingly grown up in high school. However, as he had grown into a real man and gone to college, her feelings had changed into something far more permanent.
Pierce was kind, sweet and funny. He always took life with a grain of salt and seemed to always land on his feet. The complete opposite of Lane’s more quiet, serious personality, Pierce could find humor in everything and had a knack for helping people feel comfortable no matter what was going on, even his little sister’s best friend, who had been as awkward as awkward got.
Being three years ahead of Lane and Wren, Pierce had graduated just as the girls got into their high school years. Soon, she had only seen him during school breaks. During those years, Pierce had come home during holidays and each time he left, had taken a little more of Lane’s heart with him. Over time, the time between visits grew further and further apart. It hadn’t been hard to tell that he was distancing himself from his younger sister and her friend. There had been a part of Lane that had worried she was the cause for the separation, but Wren had assured her it wasn’t her fault.
There had been no delusion or hope in Lane’s crush. She knew full well that the handsome, charismatic Pierce would never look at her with anything other than patient tolerance, but that hadn’t stopped her heart from investing.
It was that investment that had stopped Lane from ever having a serious boyfriend. She’d been asked out several times over the years, but no one had ever caught her attention the same way that Pierce had, much to her own frustration. And the worst part? Wren knew it. Wren knew exactly how Lane felt.
Which has to be why she cooked up this scheme. If I come out of tonight in tact I’m going to kill her.
Pierce smiled and Lane nearly swooned at the beauty of it. Oh my gosh, I’m so pathetic. He turned and held out his elbow. “Shall we?”
Lane could f
eel her skin heat from the tip of her toes to the crown of her head. Remember, he’s just doing a favor for his sister. “Thank you,” she said softly, taking his proffered limb. The feel of his muscled forearm was amazing and Lane had to clench her fingers to keep from stroking him. She cleared her throat and tried to break the awkward silence. “So... you must have owed Wren something big for her to get you to come do this.”
Her joke fell flat as Pierce studied her. He worked his jaw a little as if he were upset at her words and Lane immediately felt guilty, she just wasn’t sure why.
“Sorry.” She shrugged and scrunched up her face. “I was just trying to break the tension, but apparently I’m not as good at being funny as you are.”
Pierce’s lips curled into a small smile. “It’s alright. I’m actually a little nervous myself, tonight.”
They arrived at the hotel entrance and Lane jerked to a stop. “Holy cow, they really went all out didn’t they?”
There was nothing in front of them that resembled a hotel ballroom. Thick red fabric was draped around the walls and thousands of lights were strung across the ceilings. Glittery snowflakes dangled and twinkled in the dim lighting.
Even the chairs had sparkly bows on the back that matched the tablecloths they surrounded. Long tables of refreshments were deliciously displayed and even from across the gym, Lane could tell the food looked divine. Soft music filled the space, finishing off the magical atmosphere.
“Hi!” a feminine voice chirped from their right.
Lane and Pierce both glanced toward the sound.
A woman with an elegant updo and emerald green dress sat at a table with a cash box and ticket stubs. “I just need to see your tickets or you need to purchase them here. Every purchase is also good for the giveaway.” She nudged the stubs in front of her.
Pierce started to reach into his pocket when Lane stopped him. “I got this,” she said softly. “I know you didn’t really want to be here.” She started to open her purse but was too late, Pierce had already laid some cash on the table. Frowning, Lane looked up at him. “I said I had it.”
Pierce shrugged, pocketing the change. “You’re my date, Lane. I was raised a gentleman.”
“Not many of those around anymore,” the girl at the table said with a sultry grin.
Lane held in the need to roll her eyes. This was a couple’s only dance. Why is she eyeing my date?
“Here. Let me take this.” Pierce reached out to take Lane’s coat, and she turned to allow him to slip it from her shoulders. Once it was off, she rubbed her arms for a moment. The air felt cool on her skin, but it was Pierce’s coughing fit that caught her attention.
Lane spun only to see Pierce bent over, his face red as he coughed like he was choking. Lane quickly went into nurse mode, slapping his back. “Are you okay? Pierce, can you breathe?”
Pierce backed away from her touch and held up a hand. “I’m fine,” he rasped. “Let me set this down.” His eyes trailed down her dress and back up before he spun and walked over to the area with the coats.
Disappointment slammed into Lane. She had searched long and hard for the dress she was wearing and had truly thought it looked good on her, but Pierce’s reaction and dismissal made her feel like she was a young girl playing dress up. Lane blinked rapidly to hold back the threatening tears, when the girl at the desk cleared her throat.
“Oh. Sorry,” Lane said softly. “Let me just fill those out.” She grabbed the two tickets and started to write their names down for the drawing.
“I didn’t recognize you,” the woman said with a smile.
Lane looked up and studied the girl. When nothing came to mind, she allowed herself to glance at the helper’s name tag. “Oh. Starla. I didn’t recognize you, either. Nice to see you. You look great tonight.”
Starla preened and patted her hair. “Thanks, you too.” Her eyes darted to where Pierce had gone and back. “Better hang onto that one, Lane.” She sighed dreamily. “Pierce Taylor has been on every woman’s list for years.”
Lane tried to push the lump down her throat, but it wouldn’t budge. Instead of speaking, she nodded and forced a smile. If only he were mine to hang onto.
PIERCE DROPPED OFF their coats and took a minute to collect himself before turning back to Lane. She had looked stunning when she’d walked up to him at the school entrance. Her hair and make-up done to perfection, but her dress had been covered by a coat. When she took it off, Pierce thought he was going to have a heart attack.
How many times can a guy choke in one night before he doesn’t breathe again? Lane’s dress was the exact shade of her dark, green eyes. It was silky and sparkly and hugged every womanly curve she had grown over the last ten years, then at the knees, it flared out slightly, leaving a small train in the back.
She looked elegant and poised and sexy enough that Pierce wanted to hide her from every other guy that was going to be at the ball that night.
As he walked back to meet her, he noticed she was biting her bright, red lips in an nervous manner. His hand unconsciously went to his bowtie. Crap. She always was a little underconfident. I’m going to have to fix that tonight.
As he neared, she held out a small slip of paper. “Your ticket stub, you have to have the matching numbers if you win.”
Pierce stepped in close. He kept his eyes trained on hers, noting the blush creeping up her cheeks. Slowly, he raised his hand and took the small pieces of paper, letting his fingers slide along her soft skin. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice husky.
“Y-you’re welcome,” she stammered back, just as softly.
He studied her face, tracing every line and angle. It was about as perfect as it came. Her eyes were wide, and he knew she could feel the tension radiating between them. He leaned in every so slightly until their breaths were mingling together. “Lane... may I hold your hand?”
Lane didn’t speak for a moment, then simply nodded her head and Pierce wanted to chuckle at her dazed reaction. Maybe Wren was right. Maybe I do have a shot.
Loving the feel of their intertwined fingers, Pierce led the way into the gym. “Did you have other people you wanted to meet up with?” he whispered in her ear. He took note of the shiver then ran down her back, ecstatic that she was so responsive to him.
“Yeah. The whole gang is coming tonight.”
“See any of them yet?”
Lane looked around the space, her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed. The look of her concentration was adorable and Pierce chuckled lightly.
“Wren and Silas are over there,” Lane pointed out, then shrugged. “This only started ten minutes ago, so it looks like we’re still pretty early.”
Pierce shrugged. “That just means they haven’t run out of desserts yet.”
Lane laughed and Pierce watched some of the tension drain from her muscles. “You’re such a guy,” she said, bumping him with her shoulder. “Don’t you ever outgrow thinking of food?”
Pierce slipped his arm around her back and pulled her in tight by the waist. He leaned closer to her ear, enjoying her gasp. “Trust me, Lane. Food is not my number one thought tonight.” If that doesn’t make my feelings clear, nothing will.
CHAPTER 4
Lane fought the urge to fan herself. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. How in the world am I going to survive this flirting all night? As soon as she thought the words she wanted to smack herself. He’s supposed to be your boyfriend, you nitwit! Wren would have told him your plan, it’s no wonder he’s laying it on so thick.
She winced when her heart pinched at her revelation. You don’t get to be upset, Lane. You knew this was all fake going into this tonight. You were just too caught up in how handsome Pierce is to remember.
“So what would you like to do first?” Pierce continued to whisper in her ear.
Go home and lick my wounds. “I think I’m kinda hungry, can we eat first?”
Pierce grinned. “Anything my lovely date desires.” He took her hand again and started to guide her around the
dance floor. “This still okay?” he asked over his shoulder, indicating their hands.
Lane nodded and forced a smile. He’s being so helpful, and it’s only breaking my heart. I think this might be the longest night of my life.
After their plates were loaded, Pierce continued his roll of gentleman, and carried both plates to a nearby table while Lane carried their cups. “Thank you,” Lane murmured as he helped her into a chair after setting down the food.
Pierce sat down next to her with a smile. “So... tell me everything that’s been going on with you in the last few years.” He took a drink of punch, his eyebrows up expectantly.
“Um... well, I’m really pretty boring,” Lane murmured as she squirmed in her chair. How do I tell him that I don’t have any kind of life outside the hospital because I can’t get over him long enough to date?
Pierce chuckled. “Oh, come on. I mean, Wren tells me some things, but I’m sure it’s not everything.” He winked. “You’re a nurse right?”
Lane nodded, swallowing before she answered him. “Yeah. I work at the hospital, mostly in the PEDS unit, but I help out in other places too, like the ER.”
Pierce whistled low. “I’ll bet that’s pretty stressful.”
Lane shrugged. “Yeah. Some days. But I love it.” She smiled shyly, her eyes on her plate. “I love helping people and since I knew I’d never make it through all those years of med school, this was my next best option.”
Pierce’s large, warm hand covered hers where it sat on the table and Lane couldn’t help but meet his gaze. If she didn’t know any better, she would have thought she saw admiration in his eyes. Good thing she knew that wasn’t the case.
“You’re amazing,” he breathed, studying her carefully. “I’m not sure I could handle that kind of career.”
Lane scoffed, embarrassed at his praises. “I’m just me.” She grinned. “Now you, I hear you opened your own physical therapy clinic. Now that’s amazing.”
