by Parker, Lexy
I laughed, knowing I hated my brother, but not enough to want him dead. I would hire the hitman to force Emmitt to stay in New York where he belonged, nothing more.
“I’ve got a date tomorrow,” I said.
I had been wanting to tell him but wasn’t sure how. It felt kind of strange to have a date. I had given up on dating a long time ago. I hung out with women at the bar on occasion, but I had never really let myself get into the dating world. It was a lot of drama and I hated drama.
“A date? With a woman?” he teased.
“Ha. Ha. Dani. I’m taking Dani to dinner,” I told him.
“Dani? Jamie’s Dani?” he asked.
“Should I have asked Jamie’s permission first?” I said sarcastically.
“I don’t know, maybe. Jamie is pretty protective of her. Dani is a good lady. A lot of people like her and respect her. You better be good to her,” he warned.
I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t like I had a reputation for being a lady’s man or a player. “I think you should warn her to be good to me. I’m sensitive.”
Philip scoffed. “Sensitive as a fucking cactus.”
“Hey! I’m sensitive. Kind of. Besides, I’m not like that. She seems like a nice lady and I felt a little connection between us. She could have turned me down if she didn’t want to go out with me. She wouldn’t be the first woman to shoot me down,” I muttered.
“I think the two of you will hit it off. I’m only warning you to be careful. You hurt Dani, and you might just get to meet that expensive hitman.”
I laughed, not letting his threat bother me in the least. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
I liked that Dani had a lot of people looking out for her. She deserved that. I hadn’t known her husband, but I imagine it would have been an extremely difficult thing for her to get through alone. I wasn’t sure of her family situation but considering how close she was to Jamie and how protective everyone was of her, I had a feeling Jamie was her family.
I hoped I could do right by her. I wanted to show her a good time, but I wouldn’t pressure her into anything she wasn’t up for. I hadn’t even really meant to ask her out. The words fell out of my mouth and when she said yes, I was afraid she would change her mind and ran away like a scared little boy. When I heard her speak about her late husband, I had told myself to stay away from her, but when I saw her Monday, all of that had gone out the window.
I wasn’t lying when I told Philip there had been a connection. I couldn’t explain it, but the way she looked at me told me it wasn’t all one-sided. I certainly wasn’t an expert when it came to women, but it was an undeniable pull. If she wasn’t interested in anything more than being friends, I was cool with that. There was something about her I instinctively liked and I wanted to know her better.
We could hang out as a foursome with Philip and Jamie and I would be cool with that. I just wanted to know her better. I would take whatever I could get.
Chapter 16
Dani
I sat at the kitchen table, flipping through an old magazine at Jamie’s house. I wasn’t really paying attention to the words and more focused on the pictures of the celebrities being rich and famous and completely glamorous. Jamie and Sadie were in the kitchen making dinner. Jamie had been teaching Sadie how to cook. The little girl was carefully stirring a batter Jamie was planning to use to dip chicken legs in. I was impressed with her new goal to become the next Martha Stewart.
“What’s going on?” Jamie asked.
I looked up. “What?”
“You’ve been staring at that magazine for almost an hour. It isn’t that interesting. I know, because I’ve looked at it.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “It’s interesting.”
“Liar.”
My eyes went to Sadie. Jamie smiled and nodded, understanding I didn’t want to discuss the matter in front of little ears.
“That smells delicious,” I commented instead.
Sadie turned to me and grinned. “It’s going to be fried chicken, just like Daddy likes it.”
“I bet he’s going to love it.”
I watched as the two of them finished dipping the chicken before Jamie told Sadie to wash up and she would call her when it was time to actually fry the chicken. With Sadie out of the kitchen, Jamie came to sit at the table. “Spill.”
“I have a date tomorrow,” I said with a grimace.
I knew she would be okay with it, but I still felt incredibly guilty. She was Gage’s little sister. Her brother had been everything to her. She had been encouraging me to get out there and meet someone new, but I was hesitant. I had a long list of excuses I pulled out every time she brought it up. I knew she would be okay with it, but it still felt weird.
“You have a date tomorrow?” she repeated.
“Yes.”
“Dani!”
“Is that okay?”
“Oh my God. Of course it’s okay! Who? When did this happen?” she questioned.
“Monday.” I squeaked out the word.
“Monday! You made the date on Monday and you’re just now telling me?” she shrieked.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy and you’ve been busy,” I said, knowing it was a shitty excuse. It wouldn’t have taken but a minute to send her a text.
“I’m never too busy for information like that and you know it. I’m happy for you. I am so happy for you,” she repeated. “Who is this mystery man?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Not really a mystery. It’s Clay. Philip’s boss, friend, whatever.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Clay? I knew it! I totally sensed there were some fireworks between the two of you.”
“I don’t know about fireworks. I mean, I kind of thought there could be something. Then, at the Memorial Day thing, he kind of shut me down and blew me off. I figured he wasn’t interested after hearing I had been married before.”
“That wouldn’t scare him away.”
“It did. He gave me that look, you know the look everyone gives me. I waited for him to pat me on the head and tell me it would all be okay,” I muttered.
“Clay is a super nice guy. I don’t think he meant it as a bad thing. He’s really nice and caring. He can get rowdy, but he’s just kind of like a quiet force. You don’t know he’s there until he lets you know,” she explained.
I nodded with understanding. “I got that. I always feel like he’s looking into my soul with those eyes. He could have been a priest or pastor or something like that. He has a way of looking at me that makes me feel like everything is okay.”
Jamie was smiling. “Yes, he does. He is really a good guy. So, when is this date?”
“Tomorrow, I think.”
“You think? How do you not know?”
I sighed, shaking my head. “He asked me to have dinner. I said yes and then he jumped in his truck to speed away. I managed to get him to stop long enough to ask when and he said he’d call me later. He didn’t want to stick around long enough for me to change my mind. What’s that about?”
Jamie was giggling. “I think you make him nervous.”
“He would have run me over if I’d been in front of that truck. I haven’t heard from him. Maybe he’s changed his mind,” I said.
“No way. If he got up the courage to ask you, I bet he’s serious. He’s probably nervous.”
I wasn’t quite as convinced. “We’ll see.”
“What are you going to wear?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Considering I don’t know if he plans on going to McDonald’s or to an actual sit-down restaurant, I have no idea. Doesn’t he know these things require planning? Doesn’t he know I can’t just wear a pair of jeans and a T-shirt?” I complained.
“Actually, I doubt that he does know. He isn’t a serial dater. I honestly don’t know when his last date was,” she said, looking thoughtful.
“You’re not giving me a lot of hope here.”
“Sorry. You’re going to have fun. He’s a respectable guy and I have a fee
ling you two will really hit it off. You just have to help bring him out of his shell a little. You’re outgoing enough for the two of you. It’s a true opposites attract situation,” she said with a grin.
I looked at her, reached for her hand and looked her directly in the eyes. “Are you sure I should do this? I feel like I’m about to walk through a door I can’t walk back through.”
“If you’re talking about Gage, yes, I think you should do this. He would want you to be happy, Dani. He would hate to think of you being alone. I know you guys talked about this. He talked to me about it. He told me to make sure you picked up the pieces and moved on if anything should ever happen to him,” she said in a solemn voice.
“I hated when he talked like that. I always tried to change the subject. I didn’t want to think of him dying. I guess I should have given it more thought. I guess I had this idea he was Superman, invincible and impervious to those fucking IEDs,” I hissed, not wanting Sadie to hear me.
“I wish he had been. He wasn’t. He knew what he was doing. You knew what he was doing. We knew it was a possibility. Of course, we never dwelled on it because that wouldn’t have done any of us any good. You have a life to live. Don’t waste the precious gift you do have,” she insisted.
I took a deep breath. “I’m going to try. I’m really going to try.”
“Good. That’s what he would want. He would want you to live your life and fulfill all those dreams you had. It would absolutely kill him to think of you suffering,” she said.
I nodded, blinking back tears. “I know. You’re right. He hated to see me upset.”
“Exactly. Now, I have Clay’s number. Why don’t you text him?” she suggested.
I grimaced. “I can’t do that!”
“Yes, you can,” she said and got up to grab her phone from the counter.
Despite telling her I wasn’t going to do it, I grabbed my own phone and waited for her to give me the number. “I feel like a complete fool for doing this,” I muttered.
“Sometimes you have to look like a fool. He made the first move. Now it’s your turn.”
“He didn’t really make the whole move. He made like half a move. He didn’t ask for my number and he didn’t really cement the plans. He just kind of tossed it out there,” I said, none too pleased.
I did it anyway. Hey, this is Dani. I got your number from Jamie. Are we still on for tomorrow? If so, what time? If you changed your mind, no worries.
I sent the message and waited. I once again felt like a little girl in middle school sending a note to a boy.
“He’s going to answer. Don’t look so freaked out.”
The phone beeped. Jamie and I looked at each other and squealed—just like schoolgirls.
What’s your address? I’ll pick you up at six.
“That’s kind of bossy,” I said, reading the message to Jamie.
“Bossy could be good. I told you he’s nice, but he’s not a pansy,” she replied.
I reread the message before sending him my address. “Is it weird that I liked that?”
She burst into laughter. “Not weird at all. Now, I’ve got to get this chicken cooked before Philip gets home.”
Together, she, Sadie and I finished making dinner. Philip walked in about five minutes after we had set the table. He walked in, kissed Jamie before turning to look at me, a grin on his face.
“I talked to Clay today,” he said in a singsong voice.
“Don’t you work with him? Isn’t it normal for you to talk to him?” I shot back.
He was still grinning. “Yep, but he doesn’t usually tell me he has a hot date on Friday night.”
I sighed. “I don’t know if you can call it a hot date.”
“I can. What’s with the two of you?”
I shrugged my shoulder. “Nothing.”
“Come on. Do you like him?” he teased.
I looked at Jamie, who had a huge smile on her face. “A lady never tells,” I retorted.
He scoffed. “You’re not a lady. I’ve heard you drunk. You could make a sailor blush.”
“Hey! That doesn’t count and you better not tell Clay that,” I warned.
We all sat down at the table as Sadie very proudly told her father that she had made the chicken. I enjoyed hanging out with them, but I realized I probably spent a little too much time there. Jamie had been my shoulder to lean on, but now, she had her own family and they needed her time and attention. It was time for me to put my life back together and give them the space they needed to grow.
“Are you and Uncle Clay a couple?” Sadie asked.
I looked at Jamie, then Philip. “Why? What makes you say that?”
She rolled her eyes. “I have ears. I’m not a baby. I like him and I like you. I think you two will make a very nice couple.”
The three adults burst into laughter. “Has anyone ever told you that you are way too mature for your age?”
“All the time, but I’m usually right about these things,” she said casually.
“You have a future as a professional matchmaker,” I told her.
“What’s that?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Never mind.”
“I hope you two have a nice time,” she said.
“Me too,” Jamie chimed in.
“Thank you. I hope we have a nice time as well. This is a first date, don’t expect too much,” I said to the group as a whole.
Philip had a twinkle in his eye. “I think you should expect a lot. Clay only pretends to be the cool, casual dude. Once you get to know him, you’ll get to see that other side of him.”
I waggled my eyebrows. “That sounds promising.”
I realized what I had said a second too late. I always joked and teased, but it had never been a real thing. I was actually going out with Clay. Philip was fighting back a laugh and Jamie was grinning. I had just revealed a little too much. I was looking forward to getting to know Clay and maybe even kissing him. I was craving a man’s touch and I had a feeling Clay could be the gentle man I needed to ease me back into the land of touch and so many other things. I was scared and anxious at the same time.
Chapter 17
Clay
I was nervous. Of course I was nervous. Dani was a beautiful woman, way out of my league. I was lucky she’d even agreed to go to dinner with me. I would enjoy the couple of hours I got to spend with her and not get too hung up on the idea of it ever turning into anything. Dani could have any man she wanted. She was way too good for me, but I was going to try like hell to make her like me.
I quickly shaved, added a little gel to my hair and pulled on the black dress shirt I had chosen. We didn’t have a lot of fine dining restaurants in Hope. I was settling for the best restaurant in town. If she agreed to go out with me again, I would drive the thirty miles to take her to a really nice dinner. She deserved the best.
With one last look in the mirror, I grabbed my keys off the kitchen counter and headed out the door. I knew the general whereabouts of her address. It was in a nice part of town. I found her house and parked alongside the curb. It was a nice place, a lot bigger than I would have expected for a single woman. I quickly reminded myself she hadn’t been single until recently.
I went up to the door, noticing the pristine landscaping and the little sign identifying the culprits behind the pretty yard. She hired a company to take care of it. That was a surprise. I couldn’t imagine that was cheap. I sucked in a deep breath, biting the bullet and ringing the doorbell.
When she opened the door, I sucked in a breath. I nearly turned and got right back in the truck. She was gorgeous. She was wearing a pretty black dress with a flirty hemline that fell just above her knees. The small sleeves and the V-neck were flirty but not overly sexy. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and she was wearing a little more makeup than I had seen her wear in the past.
I felt my mouth hanging open and quickly snapped it shut. “Wow,” I muttered.
She smiled. “I’m going to take tha
t as a compliment.”
I nodded, bobbing my head up and down. “Yes. It’s a compliment. You look stunning.”
“Thank you,” she said, blushing prettily.
“Are you ready?” I asked.
“Yes, come in for a minute?” she asked.
I stepped inside, taking in the warm, homey furnishings. There was a large framed picture on the wall over a fireplace mantle. It was a picture of her and a man in marine dress blues. She was wearing a pretty white dress that hugged her curves. I could see she had been young when she married. I had to fight the feeling to run away. I felt like I was treading on another man’s property.
She came back into the room, carrying a small purse. Her eyes went to the picture and then back to me. “That’s Gage,” she said.
I nodded, almost asked if she was sure she wanted to go again, but stopped myself. I had a feeling she was feeling just as guilty as I was. Philip told me I was the first man she’d been out with. It was like walking in a minefield. I had to tread lightly and do my best to avoid stepping anywhere I didn’t belong.
“You ready?” I asked with a smile.
“I am.”
I opened the truck door for her before getting behind the wheel. I could feel the tension between us and hoped it dissipated soon. I wanted to enjoy dinner, not feel like I was in that minefield. I parked at the restaurant and once again, opened the door for her walking beside her as we entered the restaurant and shown to our table.
We both ordered a glass of white wine. We needed to break the ice and I was hoping the small bit of alcohol would do the trick.
“I like your house,” I said for lack of anything better to say.
“Thank you. I know what you’re thinking,” she said with a smile.
“You do? What is that?”
“You think it’s too big for just me and you would be right. We scrimped and saved and bought that house right before we were married. We wanted to live in Hope and had planned to raise a family. The idea was I would live here and get things established while he was on base,” she explained.
