Love X 2: Duet (Second Chance Romance Boxset)

by Kate Kisset

  Juliet pulled into a spot a little farther up the road. “All clear.” She turned to Sarah, who popped her head up. The hum of the car’s engine stopped. “How do you want to do this?” She swiveled to Danica.

  Danica frowned at her friends’ expectant grins bearing down on her between the seats.

  “Do you want us to come with you?” Sarah offered.

  Juliet shot her look. “Or we can wait here. Isn’t that right, Sarah?”

  She nodded. “Of course. Whatever Danica wants.”

  Danica pressed her lips together. “Give me ten minutes. If I’m not back, come get me. He’s in there.” She pointed to a green, two-story building. “The Lost Coast Brewery. I think it’s the only bar on this street.”

  Danica opened the back door and stepped onto the sidewalk. The wobble of her legs surprised her. She’d been holding her breath the whole time, without realizing just how panicky she was. She zipped up her sweater and clutched the fabric close to her neck, not believing what she was about to do.

  She’d already crossed and uncrossed her legs like a crazy woman at the ballpark. She’d proclaimed her love for him on the hood of his car for the entire world to see. She’d lost count of the number of phone calls and texts she’d sent him begging for forgiveness. And now she would face him in a surprise attack while he was on a date with two women.

  Smoothing the front of her skirt, and attempting to brush off the dirt stains, she only made them smear, grinding them deeper into the fabric. She let out a resigned sigh and tried to keep her head high while she opened the door.

  Chapter Sixteen

  After scoping out the place, and snagging three vacant stools at the bar, Luca ordered a pitcher of Fogcutter Double IPA. He slouched with an arm on the bar, half sitting on his perch, half bracing his weight, with a foot resting on the metal bar below.

  The door opened, and ray of light streamed through the dust into the dark bar. Danica stepped into the room, and his breath caught in his throat. Her beautiful brown eyes flashed in his direction, and then moved to the women on his left.

  Her mouth turned down, and her little smile withered. Led Zeppelin’s Black Dog ended on the juke box, the bartender chatter faded, and the clink of glasses stopped with his heart. She looked down at her hands and didn’t move. The light framed her, illuminating the strands of hair around the edges to a golden color.

  He had the sudden urge to bury his face in her hair and have her intoxicating scent wrapped around him. See her eyes light up and shine at him. Get that unbelievable rush from the sound of her laugh. Hear his name on her lips. Run his hands over her curves. Hold her close and never let her go.

  He glanced at the women next to him and winced. What was I thinking? It didn’t look good. Why did they have to ask him for a lift today? Luca stroked his Adam’s apple, hoping to tamp down his blood pressure.

  He’d spotted her in the bleachers during the first game, and she’d surprised him. She continued shocking him by staying for all his games, in spite of the way he’d been ignoring her. And today, her incredibly hot stunt in that short skirt on the baseball field had almost made him bust a blood vessel.

  He combed his brain for something to say and came up with nothing, still not believing the gorgeous woman standing at the door was actually her. Danica had followed him here.

  Every morning, after a run, he would take a quick loop around the lodge’s back parking lot—sure Juliet’s car would be gone.

  He tried fooling himself into believing he wouldn’t care if it was, but each time he turned the corner and saw the Subaru, his heart had burst with insane happiness. But he’d been positive she’d pack up and head back to Sonoma after he ignored her today. He thought she’d be on the road by now.

  He turned to Danica and their gazes locked. The sorrow in her eyes made his heart shatter into little pieces.

  Should he just blurt out the truth? Tell her Leann and Lisa were not with him, that he’d been the only player on his team with the presence of mind to drive his own car on the trip?

  Maybe if he just explained women weren’t allowed on the team bus, and that any minute, a very tall redheaded first baseman named Randy would walk into the bar. And Spence, the shorter catcher, would follow, and the girls would leave with them, not him.

  Danica took a seat at a table and picked up the brown vinyl menu. She looked at it and then peeked over the menu at him.

  Damn. She caught him staring again. He squeezed the bridge of his nose and looked down at the dingy wood floor. He couldn’t turn his back to her, not now.

  She reached into her purse and pulled out a tissue. No. No. Please don’t cry. I can’t handle seeing you cry.

  The pit in his stomach grew into a gaping, aching hole. He was the reason her chin trembled. It was his fault she had to dry her tears.

  Why hadn’t he just apologized after Michael explained everything? He believed him when he admitted their kisses had been more friendly than passionate. Besides, it was impossible not to kiss Danica, and he couldn’t hold his brother accountable for that. He turned back to the bar to cobble together some composure. No sense in both of them breaking down and crying.

  Luca caught sight of her reflection in the mirror behind the bar. Why did he get so irrational around her? She’d been driving him crazy since childhood, and it had felt good to drive her a little crazy for a change. But not like this.

  He tucked his toes under the rack under the bar, resisting the urge to make a beeline to her and take her in his arms. He’d tell her not to worry, and not to believe what she saw. It wasn’t how it looked.

  The bartender wiped the counter in front of him. “Anything else?”

  He shook his head no. Sighing, he nonchalantly glanced over his right shoulder for another glimpse of Danica. With her shoulders slumped, she had her head down. Do or die time.

  He swiveled on his stool, bracing against the bar to get up. He moved to take a step and she grabbed her purse and got up from the table.

  His heart jumped with the hope that she would come over to him. Maybe they would finally clear this thing up. She’d smile again, and they’d make up.

  But she didn’t approach. Instead she held her head up and walked out the door.

  Momentarily blinded by a pocket of sun peeking out of the clouds, Danica found shade at the side of the Lost Coast Brewery building and rushed over the uneven sidewalk back to the car. Juliet and Sarah navigated toward her.

  “Don't bother.” Danica called out shoving the Kleenex in her purse. “Not going to happen.”

  Sarah’s shoulders slumped.

  Juliet caught up to her first. “You want to talk about it?”

  Danica shrugged. “No.”

  The two women flanked her on either side. Keeping up with her pace, they walked quickly toward the Subaru.

  “I'm not going into that place ever again.” Danica sniffled, eyes on the pavement. She didn’t have enough energy to lift her head.

  “Let’s get some wine and head back.” Juliet opened the passenger door for Danica and they piled into the car. They rode in silence for a few minutes.

  “We need Lulu. Even if she didn’t know what to do, she’d at least know what to say.” Sarah rubbed Danica’s shoulders from the back seat.

  “I thought for sure it would work.” Juliet shook her head in frustration. “It was a no-fail plan. I can't believe he didn’t leave those girls. Why didn’t he at least talk to you?”

  “Because he doesn’t want to. He’s still mad. Don’t you get it? He hates me.” Danica quickly brushed away the tears rolling down her cheeks with her arm.

  “I’m sorry, but this really pisses me off. He should’ve left those girls as soon as he saw you.” Sarah harrumphed.

  “I’m sorry I dragged you guys here. I’m so sorry…”

  “Hey, now, we’re good.” Juliet reached over the console to her. “Don’t get upset.” She stroked her arm comfortingly. “It will all wor
k out the way it’s supposed to. Life is hopefully long, and you don’t know what will happen in the future. Anything can happen.”

  Juliet pulled into the motel parking lot and let out a long sigh. “I don’t know what to say, honey. This whole thing doesn’t make any sense to me. Let’s head up to our room, find a movie on HBO, and chill. We need to check out at eleven tomorrow.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Through blurry eyes, Danica surveyed the disaster zone. A half-eaten bag of Lay’s potato chips lay strewn on Juliet’s bed near her headphones. A one pound Hershey bar wrapper was draped over the trash bin next to an empty bottle of wine.

  Sarah came out of the bathroom tying the string around the waist of her favorite green pajamas. She’d changed out of her jeans cutoff shorts, but still wore a promotional T-shirt from Jamie’s movie, Love Lasts.

  Danica plopped onto the bed, grabbed the remote, and turned on the TV. She stared at the gizmo, trying to sort out the numbers. While the room spun, she focused and pressed on the numbers with all her might. Nothing happened, so she pushed the button again.

  “Give me that.” Sarah snatched the remote from her. “This bartender is cutting you off. No more wine.” Sarah clicked the channel button. “We’re in luck, ladies. The Holiday is on in a half hour. Jude Law will join us in bed tonight.”

  Juliet looked up from her computer screen and grinned. “There’s plenty of room for Jude over here.” She patted the mattress next to her.

  Danica heaved herself off the bed. Sauntering to the small ice bucket, she pulled out a bottle of Chardonnay and poured another glass. “Your turn, Mizz Sarah. Engagement in the wind-d?”

  “Whoa.” Juliet darted off the bed and grabbed the wine glass out of Danica’s hands. “You’ve had enough, missy.” She strolled to the bathroom with it.

  Sarah crinkled her eyes. “You mean engagements like film premieres, or engagement engagements?

  Danica raised her eyebrows. “Waa do you think?”

  “Fine.” Sarah shrugged. “It's a little early to start thinking about marriage, but yes.” Her eyes sparkled. “We have talked about the future.”

  “B-bridessmaid.” Danica waved her hand. “Oh wait…” Her voice cracked. “Never mind, they all hate me...” She staggered back to the bed.

  Juliet came back into the room. “Drink this.” She deposited a glass of water on the bedside table.

  “We’re not rushing things, but I can’t imagine being with anyone else.” Sarah scrunched up her shoulders like she just revealed a big secret.

  “Jamie feels the same way.” Juliet propped herself on a pillow. “At least, it appears that way. He’s said some things about you in the press. Really putting it out there that you are his one and only.” She moved her laptop to the side.

  “I can't imagine his publicist is happy about it, since Jamie’s such a panty-melter. It doesn't do his career any good to let all his potential movie viewers know that even the most random chance they would have with him is totally off the table. That’s pretty awesome, Sarah.”

  Juliet leaned back on the headboard, and stared at the TV screen. “I wish I could have someone like that in my life.”

  “Want me to fix you up?” Sarah offered.

  “Me?” Juliet cracked up. “No. I’ve got enough on my plate with work right now.” She winked at Sarah. “But soon, maybe…”

  “The Holiday is almost on, and we’re out of snacks.” Bracing to get up, Danica’s hand skidded down the side of the mattress.

  Whoops. I shouldn’t have had that third glass.

  She straightened her back, planted both feet on the floor, and rose. “I'm hitting the candeee machiney.”

  “Sure you can walk?” Juliet rummaged through her purse and handed her five ones. “Oreos for me, and whatever you want.”

  Danica threw her hand out to Sarah, who gave her eight quarters. “Low cal pretzel sticks, if they have ’em.”

  Danica frowned.

  “Okay, okay, M&Ms.”

  Whoosh! A cold, misty wind saturated her bones. Danica weaved, padding barefoot, occasionally leaning on the building for support. Their second-floor room faced the parking lot.

  Convinced she’d seen a candy machine close by, she squinted and peered down the dark corridor. I don’t want to miss the movie. She inhaled a long breath and dashed down the hall, swaying a bit, while keeping a hand on the wall so she wouldn’t fall.

  Clutching the money, afraid she’d lose it, she heard TVs blaring and children shrieking inside the rooms she sped by.

  She rounded the corner. An elderly man crouching over the bin of the machine grabbed a PayDay bar and waved it at her. “Cost me five bucks!” He snorted, sauntering off.

  Selecting slowly and re-thinking every step, Danica punched the correct buttons and scored a bag of Oreo cookies for Juliet in one try. Sarah’s M&Ms also dropped into the metal tray without a hitch. It’s my-y lucky day. She shoved the treats into her yoga pants pocket.

  Now what? They were out of Butterfingers and Snickers. Danica crouched down. Pressing her nose against the glass, she scrutinized the options.

  Straightening, she unfolded several sweaty, crumpled bills and threaded them into the slot. Satisfied, she pressed F4. The mechanism roared into action.

  She examined the contraption, while shifting her weight from one foot to another, trying to keep her balance.

  “Pop-Tarts huh?” The sexy voice behind her shoulder made her jump.

  She spun around and almost fell. Luca. Her Luca’s blue eyes were focused on her. His white Crushers T-shirt hung loosely over his taut chest, and in those baggy shorts, he looked boyish and adorable, like the Luca she knew from long ago.

  Her heart pounced. Suddenly lurching, it took off at full speed. Not knowing what to do, she froze in place. What if she said the wrong thing and he vanished?

  Her murky brain flooded with things to say, mostly stupid things like, Hey, great night, or I love you. Danica clenched the leftover money in her clammy fist. The machine made a hurling metal sound, and her order plunked into the metal bin.

  “I'll be yours, Pop-Tart.” She brought her hands to her mouth. “Ooops. Noooo, not that. That came out wrong. I’m the poppin’ tart, not you.” Why did she have so much wine? “I-I, don’t know what I am.” She swayed a little, trying to figure out how to tell him what she felt.

  His thick lashes fluttered for an instant, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. His beautiful mouth curved up in a dangerously sexy smile.

  She tried again. “Can I just be s-ssomething in your life…anything? Luca. Please?”

  “You don't have to get so dramatic, Danica.”

  “I w-went to all of your games. D-didn’t you see me?”

  “Were you even wearing underwear?”

  Was he joking? She couldn’t keep her focus very well, so she stared at his forehead. It looked very smooth. And the way a little lock of hair fluttered against his skin up there made her want to grab it, but she remembered he had just said something. Something important. “Youu saw mee?” She didn’t mean to sing. She was only asking a question.

  “Three florescent yellow chairs parked in a line between third and home? I’m surprised they didn’t tell you move. C’mon, you in that skirt? I’m lucky I got a hit at all.”

  “S-so, you don’t hate me, at least not very much? I mean, I’m sure you don’t like me, but maybee you don’t hate me?”

  He inched in close and touched her arm. Luca caressed her so tenderly, she gasped.

  “What are you doing out here all alone?”

  “Pot parts. Sssnacks run.” She blinked several times, and decided his eyes were sapphire tonight, a dark sapphire. “You want sumpthing?” She needed to focus and say that again correctly, but she couldn’t pay attention to her words, because now his eyes looked big and sparkly, like the Caribbean ocean glittering in the sun.

  Luca moved closer to her instead of running away. He reached
into the bin, pulled out the little bag of strawberry Pop-Tarts, and delivered it to her hand. Placing his strong hand under hers, he wrapped her fingers around the package and held them there for a beat.

  “Nah.” He winked. “I’m good.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  She looked adorable, standing there in her little pants with pink stripes. He had planned to wake up early tomorrow and wait in the parking lot to catch them before they left, but now he wouldn’t have to spend another minute in agony. They could get everything out in the open now.

  Luca swallowed hard, taking in the soft skin of her face, clean of makeup, and the way she wore her thick hair in a loose ponytail. She looked sixteen again. He battled the urge to just grab her, take her in his arms and keep her there forever, because he’d learned his lesson. He’d back her against the wall and kiss her, over and over, and, with every kiss, say I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.

  Forgetting what craving brought him to the snack machine in the first place, he could only concentrate on the way her gorgeous brown eyes locked on his.

  The way her stunning face lit up and her eyes flashed with vulnerability gave him the unspoken cue he’d been dreaming about since their last night together. He knew they could easily fall into each other’s arms again, and he could get away with doing whatever he wanted with her in such a wobbly state. But he wasn’t going to let her off so easy.

  He wanted Danica, his Danica, to know he loved her, without any boozy haze. He wanted her to feel every tender touch of his fingers, and know with a clear head exactly who was making her shudder in ecstasy. Still, he felt relieved it was him and not one of his crazy teammates who found her barefoot and alone in the dark.

  He squeezed her hand. “Did you get everything you need?”

  She nodded, giving him the sweetest smile. “I thhink I have eeverything, now.”

  “Then come on, let me take you to your room.” He cupped her elbow and ushered her away from the machine.