“You’re the best.” He lay back down.
I carefully situated myself on the bed next to him, but as far away from him as I could get. I put some of the aloe in my hand and rubbed it together, so hopefully it wouldn’t be too uncomfortable when I applied it. “Did you have fun fishing?” I was on the cusp of making contact with his hot-to-the-touch skin.
“Eh, it was all right.”
“Didn’t you catch anything?” I braved it and made contact with his skin. He twitched some. “Sorry, I tried to warm it up.”
“It’s not your fault. I appreciate you being so gentle. In fact, feel free to rub my back where it’s not burned while you’re at it.”
“You really are something.”
“I’ll rub your back first if you want,” he offered.
“No,” I said firmly.
His head popped up and he looked back at me. “Are we okay?”
I averted my eyes and paid attention to applying the aloe carefully to his back. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
“I don’t know. You tell me. You seemed upset last night when you left the bonfire. Did I sound that bad?”
I shook my head no. “You’re very talented. Radio-worthy, even.”
“Thank you. So tell me what’s bothering you. I want you to be happy.”
“That’s not your job.”
“What if I want it to be?”
I shut the lid on his aloe and handed it back up to him. “You’re all set.”
His face faltered. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“No one can make you happy. Happiness is a choice,” I stated boldly.
“Fine, then let me help you choose.”
I smiled. He had that effect on me.
“I love your smile. And you know what else I love?”
“What?”
“This bed. My neck and back are killing me. Grown men shouldn’t sleep on child-sized bunk beds.”
“Probably not.”
“Make yourself comfortable.” He patted the space next to him. “I’ll have to hang out here, at least until my back dries.”
“Wow, you’re presumptuous.”
“What else do you have to do?”
I inadvertently looked at the television.
“I like this show, too,” he said as if that settled the matter.
I sighed and crossed my legs. There was no way I was lying next to him. It was bad enough I had to look at his almost perfect body lying on my bed with nothing but athletic shorts on.
I needed something to get my mind off his body. “You never said if you caught anything.”
He propped his head up on his hand and looked back at me. “You know, it would be easier to talk to you if you lie down, too.”
“You’ll live.”
“There you go being difficult again.” He winked. “And the answer is yes, we caught several white and red snappers. Zander’s dad is cutting it up and packing some of it on ice for me so I can take it home with me tomorrow.”
“That’s nice of him.”
“I think he’s doing it to stay away from the missus, if you get my drift.”
I smiled knowing full well what he meant.
“You know, I’m hungry. I’m going to go make us some snacks, and I’ll be right back. Anything in particular you want?” He headed for the door.
I was so taken aback by where this was going, I just shook my head no.
“I know what you like anyway. Be right back. Don’t move,” he instructed.
I rubbed my face. I really was feeling ill.
As promised, he returned with pita chips, hummus, and root beer in hand. He somehow managed to flip off the lights and shut the door on his way in.
“What are you doing?”
“My eyes are burning from being out in the sun all day and I like to watch TV in the dark.”
“Well, make yourself at home,” I said sarcastically.
He laughed loudly. “You know this is fun and I brought your favorites, so you’re welcome.”
I grabbed the pita chips out of his hands. “Thanks, I guess.”
He plopped down next to me looking as happy as I had ever seen him, which was saying something. He handed me a bottle of root beer. “Remember, slow sips.”
I yanked it out of his hands. “Thanks for reminding me of that.”
“By all means, get the hiccups again. I like seeing you all flustered.” He opened the hummus up and put it in front of us.
And there we were, having a picnic on my bed, in the dark, and watching Hawaii Five-0.
“So what did you do today?” he asked between bites of food.
“Not much. A little shopping. And I got a pedicure.”
“Let me see.”
“Okay.” I handed him my drink, so I wouldn’t spill it when I stretched out my legs to show off my pretty pink toes in the faint light of the television.
“Nice,” he commented.
I wiggled them in response.
“You have cute feet.”
“Now that’s one I’ve never heard.” I laughed.
He handed me back my drink. “Well, this has been the best part of my day.”
“Why? Don’t you like to fish?”
“I like it, but I like you more. Besides, Zander and his dad are like oil and water.”
“Oh. I thought maybe their relationship had gotten better as they both aged.”
“They seem to try harder now.”
“That’s something,” I responded.
He shrugged his shoulders and winced.
“You really did a number on your back. Let me get you a cool, damp towel.”
“Thanks, Nurse Kenadie.”
I got up and wet one of the extra towels hanging in my bathroom. I wrung it out as best I could, so as not to drip anything on my bed. I came out to find a sprawled out Jason, waiting for me to place the towel on his back. I gently laid the towel across the expanse of his beautiful, burned back.
He winced at first, and then relaxed.
“I’ll be right back. I’m going to get you some Advil and water.”
“You really are the best,” I heard him say as I walked out the door to the kitchen.
I was idiotic, is what I was, and let’s not forget masochistic.
My patient was demanding, but in that adorable sort of way that reminded me why I had such strong feelings for him. I wasn’t admitting to the “L” word.
“Talking to you would be so much easier if you would lie down next to me.”
“I know you can’t see this; so just know I’m rolling my eyes at you.”
“Come on, Kenadie, I’m in pain here.”
I relented and lay down, but as far away from him as I could. I propped myself up on my side, facing him. “Better?”
“Much.”
“Men really are babies.”
“I’ll give you that one,” he admitted.
We both turned our attention back to the television. Just in time, too. My TV boyfriend had finished his morning swim in the ocean and he stood up out of the water in all of his glory.
Jason smirked over at me. “Now I see why you like this show.”
I tried not to grin. “The acting is top notch.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, not believing a word of my lies.
“I started watching because my daddy and I used to watch the reruns of the original one.”
“You miss him?” he asked tenderly.
“Very much.”
“Tell me about him.”
I thought for a moment. Where did I start? He was the greatest man that ever lived. “I had him wrapped around my finger. I’m pretty sure I was his favorite.”
Jason laughed. “I have no doubt.”
“He had this way of making me feel like everything would be all right.” I realized it was the same way Jason made me feel, but with Jason, it wasn’t in the fatherly way. “And every day before I left for school, he would say, ‘Kenadie, remember to use your head more than your beautiful face.’ He taught m
e how to believe in myself and not wrap up my value in the way I looked. But then I had my momma, who right after my daddy said that, would remind me that a little lipstick never hurt anyone.”
Jason got a kick out of that.
He was so easy to talk to, and it was so easy to get lost in those eyes. So much so, I didn’t realize we fell asleep. All I knew was that we hardly watched any Hawaii Five-0, but we talked and laughed for hours.
I woke up disoriented, and at first I thought I was dreaming because surely that was the only way I’d find myself lying in Jason’s arms against his bare chest. Any other explanation was a preposterous notion. My eyes finally came into focus.
“Good morning.” Jason grinned.
I scrambled to untangle myself from him, jumped up and off the bed. I ran my hands through my hair. “What happened? What did we do?”
Jason looked amused by my reaction as he slowly sat up. “I would hope if we had done something, you would have at least remembered.”
“What?”
He laughed. “Relax. All we did was sleep. I’m not the kind of guy to take advantage of a woman while she sleeps, or even while she’s awake for that matter.” He almost sounded offended.
“I’m not accusing you of anything. I don’t understand how this happened.”
That illegal grin of his came out in full force, and I had to say it looked really good first thing in the morning, even with his bed head. “Easy, you asked me to hold you, and being the gentleman I am, I obliged.”
“What do you mean I asked you to hold me?”
“You rolled over next to me and said, ‘Jason, please hold me,’ so I did.”
My dang dreams. “Did I say anything else?”
“No. I don’t know why you’re freaking out. We slept together, big deal.”
“Shhh. We did not sleep together.”
“Sure we did. I was asleep and you were asleep and we were together.”
“Okay, smart aleck. You better get out of here before anyone sees us in here together.”
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and don’t you think they’ve already put two and two together?”
“Why are you getting so much pleasure out of this? This is completely unprofessional of me.”
His smile faded quickly. “This has nothing to do with your job.”
“This has everything to do with it.”
He stood up slowly. If I didn’t know better, I would think he was angry. He approached and stopped right in front of me. He gazed down into my eyes. He looked frustrated, though I couldn’t understand why.
He sighed loudly before lightly kissing my cheek. “I’ll see you when you get back. Have a safe trip home.”
“You, too,” I said quietly.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“You’ve been quiet.” Zander brought me out of my thoughts as I stared out the car window. It was Monday afternoon and we were driving back to Atlanta.
“Too much fun in the sun,” I lied as I spoke into the window.
“Are you sure it isn’t because you slept with Jason?”
“Okay,” I turned to an evilly grinning Zander, “we did not sleep together. I wish you would quit saying that.”
“Come on, Kenz, this is big news for you.”
“Seriously, knock it off.”
He reached over and took my hand. “Tell me what’s wrong, Kenz. I’ve been worried about you.”
I leaned my head against the window and sighed. “It’s stupid me, making the same stupid mistakes.”
“And what is it that you think you’ve done?”
“I opened doors I shouldn’t have.”
“Could you be any more cryptic?” he asked, annoyed.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m handling it.” I was firing myself immediately from being Jason’s relationship manager and I was going to write him a refund check if he argued about it. I didn’t know what I was going to do about the images in my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking about lying there, wrapped up in his arms. It was better than I could have ever imagined, and I ached for it. I ached for him.
While unpacking that night, I wished I had never gone. That trip was supposed to get my mind off Jason, not cement him in there forever.
I dressed in black on Tuesday. I was back in serious business mode. My distractions of the past two months were being eradicated as of now. As soon as I was settled in at my desk, I picked up my phone and dialed Jason’s number.
He picked up on the first ring. “Kenadie,” he sounded happy. “You never call me first.”
“Yes, well.” I don’t know why I was feeling guilty, but suddenly I didn’t want to tell him what I had called about, but his bare chest popped up in my mind and I knew I had to. “Jason, um … I’m calling to say I can no longer be your relationship manager. If you don’t want Eva to take my position, I will refund you your money.” I said it so fast I hoped he got it all.
He didn’t answer for several seconds. “I understand.”
“I appreciate that. Should I give Eva your contact information, or should I write you a check?”
“Neither. I have a proposition for you. I need help with one more thing and I promise, after that, I’ll never ask you to do anything as my personal relationship manager again.” He almost sounded desperate.
“I don’t know, Jason. This has really—”
“Please, Kenadie.”
Why did he have to be so sweet? “Fine, but I mean it, after this I’m done.”
“You won’t regret it. I promise.”
Oh, I already did.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow night at five. Wear something athletic.”
“Why?”
“Trust me. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He hung up without letting me get in another word.
Despite Jason, I was determined to focus on my business. Every time my mind drifted off in his direction, I reminded myself he was dating someone else. Then I went back to work.
Halfway through the day, after our scheduling meeting, I was struck with genius. We desperately needed more relationship managers, but it was a harder position to fill than one would think. I called Meg into my office. She seemed nervous. I smiled at her kindly and tried to put her at ease. Maybe it was the black dress. Zander had already commented that I was back to looking like a serial killer. I ignored him.
“Meg, please have a seat.”
She did so nervously.
“First of all, let me say how pleased I’ve been with how well you’ve done your job.”
She smiled and sat up straighter. “Thank you.”
“I’ve also noticed that you have good camaraderie with the other staff members.”
She folded her hands in her lap. “Everyone here is great.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re happy here. That’s why I’m hoping that you will accept my offer to become a relationship manager.”
Her green eyes lit up. “Really? I don’t know if I’m qualified.”
“Well, you would have to do some training with Kate, Eva, and Cara, but I think you have what it takes. It would mean a raise for you. I hope you’re okay with that.”
She nodded her head vigorously. “Yes, of course. Thank you.”
“I’ll still need you to fulfill your receptionist duties while you train and while we look for your replacement.”
“No problem at all.”
“Perfect. I’ll let Kate know to schedule some time with you and I will send you a formal offer letter by email by the end of business today.”
She stood up perkily. “I won’t let you down.”
“I have no doubt.”
One half of my problem solved. I still needed to find a male counterpart and a new receptionist, but at least I felt like I had made some progress. I spent the rest of my day in research mode. I was always looking for ways to improve our software application. This was normal and I needed normal desperately.
Wednesday dawned and part of me dreaded it and the other part felt guilty b
ecause I wanted to see Jason. I had missed him.
I tried to stay overly busy at work. I talked to some ad agencies about the best places to advertise and I analyzed costs. I went over budgets and forecasts. I even skipped lunch. Anything to keep me busy and focused. When four o’clock rolled around, I knew I needed to go home and get ready, but I was scared. Jason scared me, or should I say, my feelings for him did. And I wasn’t sure how I was going to walk away from tonight and never see him again. At this point, we couldn’t even be friends. I had to cut him out of my life with razor-sharp precision. It was easier said than done, I knew.
Once at home, I threw on some black Nike shorts, a matching mint-green tee, and some tennis shoes. I wondered what he had planned. I hoped he didn’t want to run, and I hoped it was a short event or … maybe a long one. I had to quit thinking like this. I reminded myself I was only doing this so that we could sever any contact between us.
He was early, as usual. I startled when he knocked on the door. Just breathe, I reminded myself. I could do this.
I opened the door to find him standing there with a large bouquet of daisies. It wasn’t a good start, and that smile that lit up his beautiful aqua eyes wasn’t helping either.
“You didn’t need to bring flowers. This isn’t a date,” I said before he could even say hello.
I thought, for a moment, his smile was going to falter, but no, for some reason, it seemed to embolden him. He walked right into my condo. “This is my final test tonight before I graduate, so I’m pulling out all the stops.”
“This isn’t a test, Jason. And besides, you seem to be doing fine.”
“I haven’t impressed the one woman I really want to, so I need your help.”
“Are you having problems with Jocelyn?”
“Not that I know of.”
“I’m confused.”
He handed over the flowers. “I know. I’m hoping to clear that up tonight.”
I took the flowers. “I don’t understand.”
“You will,” he said in that way that had me feeling that all was right with the world, even though for me at the moment it was anything but.
I was helping the man I thought I might be in—well, we won’t mention the word—impress some other woman.
I stood there, staring at him blankly, not sure what I was doing with my life.
“You better put those in water. We need to get going.”
Dating by Design Series Box Set Page 27
