Small-Town Cinderella (The Pirelli Brothers)

by Stacy Connelly

  The hell of it was, he should have been in a great mood, an awesome mood, after the previous night. He was more ticked off than he wanted to admit at the way Debbie had snuck out of the hotel room like they’d done something wrong. It was one thing to keep their relationship secret; treating it like something to be ashamed of was something else.

  He’d agreed to the no-strings clause in their affair. He’d orchestrated the night at the bar, doing all he could to fulfill her fantasy of a stranger sweeping her off her feet, because she wasn’t interested in an ordinary guy like him.

  But this morning, he’d thought—what? That Debbie would change her mind about what she wanted...just because he’d changed his? Maybe, Drew admitted, feeling like a fool. At the very least, he’d expected to wake with her in his arms and to spend some time together before they had to head back to Clearville and the real world Debbie found so mundane. What he sure as hell hadn’t expected was to wake up alone.

  And that—sucked, was the first word that came to mind, but it was more than that. Lifting his hand from Rain’s silky fur, he rubbed at the ache in his chest. It flat-out hurt, but that was his problem, wasn’t it? Debbie was simply playing by the rules—a secret affair away from town, out of sight of friends and family. He was the one who already wanted to change the game.

  As if sensing his mood, Rain sat up with her front paws on his denim-clad thigh and licked the side of his face. “Thanks, Rain,” he said with a sigh, “but you’re not the girl who can kiss it and make it better.”

  A few minutes later, he arrived home. With the puppy trotting at his heels, he led the way into the kitchen over to the puppy’s water bowl. He’d just grabbed a beer for himself when his cell phone rang. A picture of his sister flashed across the screen. “Hey, Sophia. How’s it going?”

  “Drew! Oh, good. I’m so glad I caught you.”

  Sophia’s chipper voice took him back to when they were kids, and he couldn’t help using her childhood nickname as he asked, “What’s up, Fifi?”

  Ignoring his use of the despised nickname, she demanded, “Tell me you don’t have plans for tonight.”

  “Why do I not have plans for tonight?”

  “Because...Kara’s best friend is in town, and I thought it would be fun if we all went out together.”

  “Forget it, Sophia,” Drew protested.

  “What? I’ve seen pictures of her and she’s really pretty. And besides that, from everything Kara says, she’s nice and funny and smart.”

  “I’m sure she is, but I’m not interested in any of your matchmaking.”

  “What matchmaking? It’s going out with a friend of the family.”

  “It’s a setup, and not a very good one. Doesn’t she live in San Diego?”

  “That doesn’t mean you two can’t hang out while she’s here. And if things work out...”

  She left the unspoken words dangling, but he refused to take the bait.

  “Oh, come on! Say yes! I don’t want her to feel weird being the only one there who’s not part of a couple. Not that it makes you a couple if you show up. And of course Debbie and Ryder aren’t a couple, either, though my fingers are crossed....”

  “Wait! What did you say?” He’d almost turned out his sister’s matchmaking ramblings until that last part. The untouched beer clunked against the counter. “What was that about Debbie and Ryder?”

  “Sam invited him, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for Debbie and Ryder to get reacquainted.”

  “Jeez, Soph! His divorce isn’t even final yet!” Yeah, like that was his only objection.

  “No, but it will be soon, and since Debbie’s not looking for anything serious, I thought he’d be someone she could go out and have a good time with.”

  “And Debbie—” He cleared his throat. “She agreed?”

  “Sure. Just like you should agree to go out with Olivia. Come on. It’ll be fun!”

  “Right. Fun.” Drew could think of a lot of words to describe the upcoming night, but that would not be one of them.

  * * *

  Debbie had tried to get out of the “date that wasn’t a date,” but the more she argued with Sophia, the closer she came to blurting out the truth about her and Drew. And not just the truth that they’d slept together but the whole truth—that she was terrified she was falling in love with him. And once she spoke those words out loud—even if it was just to Drew’s sister—there would be no going back. Her feelings would be out there and she’d no longer be able to deny them. Not to herself and, she feared, not to Drew, either.

  She had put her foot down on a few points, though. Ryder didn’t need to pick her up. After all, they were meeting at the bar and grill only a block away from her shop. And Sophia would not go out of her way to force the two of them together. This was simply a group of friends having dinner together and not a date.

  Sophia reluctantly agreed, but Debbie still found herself seated next to Ryder Kincaid. That she truly did believe was more by default than by design. They were simply the only two single people in the group.

  While she wouldn’t call the atmosphere romantic, their corner of the bar was dimly lit. Most of the illumination was provided by a few neon signs, the flash of the large-screen televisions, a chandelier made out of empty beer bottles, and the love-struck couples were taking advantage. Sophia was cuddled up to her husband, Jake, and Kara was seated next to Sam. The engaged pair had their heads bent together—maybe trying to hear each other over the mix of laughter, music and sound from the TVs, but somehow Debbie doubted the noise even penetrated their own private world. She had yet to meet Kara’s friend, Olivia, and thought perhaps the other woman was running late.

  “So...” Ryder began, and Debbie turned her attention to the man at her side. Wearing black trousers and a button-down black silk shirt, part of his San Francisco wardrobe no doubt, he leaned back in his chair and raised a questioning eyebrow. “How hard did Sam have to twist your arm to get you to come tonight?”

  “Oh, it wasn’t Sam. It was—” Debbie cut off the words, feeling her face heat as she realized what she’d just admitted.

  But Ryder merely laughed, a bit of the teenager she remembered from high school coming back. He had been two grades ahead of Debbie, but she still remembered how he used to walk the halls like he owned them—star quarterback, prom king and half of Clearville High’s golden couple. Ten years was a long time, and Debbie had expected him to have changed. But despite the familiar reddish-brown hair and sharp green eyes, she saw little of the carefree boy she recalled thanks to the shadows in those eyes and the new lines bracketing the sides of his mouth.

  “What I meant was that Sophia is the one who invited me tonight, not Sam.”

  “Either way, I’m glad you came. I’d be feeling like a fifth wheel for sure in this group,” he said, tilting his head toward the couple on the opposite side of the table. “And Sam was right about me needing to get out.”

  “What are your plans now that you’ve moved back?” she asked, careful not to stick her foot in her mouth again by bringing up his soon-to-be ex, Brittany, or the life he’d left behind.

  “I’m going to be working with Drew Pirelli for now.”

  “Really? He didn’t— I mean, I hadn’t heard that.”

  “Well, it’s not official since a remodeling job hasn’t come up yet, but I have some appointments lined up next week for job estimates.”

  They spoke for a few more minutes about the remodeling jobs he would handle while Drew concentrated on the custom building when Ryder glanced over her shoulder. “There’s my boss man now.”

  Startled, Debbie followed his gaze to the doorway leading to another area of the bar where patrons could play darts or a game of pool. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Drew and then plummeted toward the floor as she noticed the brunette at his side.


  The woman was overdressed for the small-town bar scene in a burgundy wrap dress that highlighted her slender curves. With her curly hair caught up in a messy twist and a pair of dark-framed glasses perched on her upturned nose, she had the sexy professor look down to a science. Wearing faded jeans and a navy T-shirt stretched across his wide shoulders, Drew looked that much more masculine, that much more ruggedly handsome in contrast to the beautiful woman laughing in response to his teasing smile.

  “I take it that’s Olivia,” Debbie said, barely able to push the words past the lump in her throat.

  “Yeah. Seems we’re not the only setup tonight.”

  Catching the last bit of their conversation, Sophia leaned across the table. “I think Olivia is just perfect for Drew.”

  As they neared the table, Drew’s gaze locked on Debbie. But while shock was still flooding her veins like ice water, he didn’t appear the least bit surprised to see her seated with Ryder.

  “I think they’re really hitting it off. Isn’t that great?” her friend gushed.

  “Oh, sure. Great.”

  “So.” Sam shot a knowing grin at his older brother. “Did Olivia kick your, um, butt in pool?”

  Drew clapped him on the shoulder as he walked by. “Ran the table on me.”

  As Sam hooted with laughter, the brunette held up her hands. “I’m telling you guys—it’s all about geometry and physics.”

  Debbie picked up her glass and stabbed at the ice with her straw. More like chemistry. She could just imagine Drew watching the slender brunette’s every move as she bent over the pool table. Any guilt she felt for agreeing to go out—even as part of a group—with Ryder was quickly burned away by jealousy that Drew was there with Olivia.

  “Debbie, this is my friend, Olivia Roberts. She’s one of the professors at the college where I used to teach and my best friend.” Kara made the introduction as Drew pulled out a chair for the other woman and then claimed the seat right next to Debbie for himself.

  Leaning around Drew, the brunette greeted Debbie with a warm smile. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you and stopping by your bakery. Drew says you’re the best.”

  Debbie’s gaze shot to the man next to her. He’d talked to Olivia about her?

  His dark eyes captured hers, and she couldn’t look away. Couldn’t do anything but recall the look in those same eyes as he’d watched her come apart in his arms. “Totally addicting,” he murmured now. “One taste, and I was hooked.”

  Hoping the sudden rush of heat to her face didn’t give her away, she tore her attention away from Drew and forced herself to return Olivia’s smile. “Nice to meet you.”

  She wasn’t sure how long she sat at the table, pretending to enjoy the appetizers being passed around as she sipped at her soda. A cheer went up from the raucous crowd, but the noise, like the various games on the large-screen televisions, hardly penetrated. She could barely focus on what she and Ryder were talking about, uncertain and yet unconcerned if her responses even made sense.

  All she could do was watch Drew out of the corner of her eye and wait. Wait for him to realize how pretty Olivia was. How much smarter and funnier and more interesting than Debbie was.

  But as the night went on, she realized Drew had maneuvered his chair closer to hers. Close enough where his knee brushed against the outside of her thigh, robbing her of her breath while he casually participated in the conversations around them.

  The first time, Debbie thought it might have been an accident. With eight people crowded around the two small tables they’d pushed together, the seating was cramped. By the fourth or fifth time, she knew he’d purposely made each move. Even through two layers of denim, she could feel the heat from his body, and it was impossible not to remember their legs tangling together with nothing in between....

  Reaching for her glass, she gulped down a large swallow of diet soda, but it did little to cool last night’s memories or the desire burning through her veins right then. And when Drew pressed his leg closer and left it there, she couldn’t take it another second. After setting the glass aside, she slid her hand beneath the table and immediately realized her mistake. Because the second she touched his thigh, she was the one who couldn’t pull away.

  The shape and size and strength of the muscle beneath the warm, faded-to-soft denim fascinated her. Her intention to push him away evaporated as her fingertips found the inside seam of his jeans. Her nails scraped along the raised stitching as she inched higher. Drew tensed, and she thought she might have heard him mutter a curse beneath his breath before he reached down and stopped her upward progress. But instead of removing her hand, he held her palm pressed against the rock-hard muscle, teasing and tormenting them both.

  Desire heated her veins, almost hot enough to burn away the reminder that Drew’s “date” was sitting on his other side. Almost.

  Some of that heat turned to anger as she pulled her hand from his grasp. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute.”

  Her chair leg caught on Drew’s as she tried to push away from the table, locking her in place. She had to wait for him to slide back before she could try to escape. She’d barely made it to her feet before he stopped her. A simple touch on her arm and everything stopped—her breath, her heart, the entire world around her.

  She jerked back, stumbling against the stupid chair that seemed out to get her—and might have fallen if not for Drew. He caught her by the shoulders, pulling her close, just as he had in the hotel room the night before. She sucked in a quick breath, his familiar scent only adding fuel to her memories, and she could see the desire reflected in his dark eyes....

  “Sorry.” She forced a shaky laugh, hoping anyone watching too closely would mistake the color rushing to her face for embarrassment. “I’ll be right back.”

  She hurried from the table, Drew’s watchful gaze dogging her every step.

  * * *

  “Is it just me or is something up with Debbie?” Sophia asked Kara, almost shouting over the noise in the bar. Once Debbie had rushed off, Sam had challenged Jake to a game of pool, Ryder had gone for drinks and Drew had slipped way to make a phone call, leaving Sophia, Kara and Olivia alone at the table. “She hasn’t been herself all evening.”

  “I haven’t really seen her since Darcy’s wedding.” The blonde pulled a guilty face. “Sam and I have been busy with plans for our own wedding, and then the past few days, I’ve been spending time with Olivia,” she added with a smile at her best friend.

  Only then did Sophia notice how the brunette was eyeing them both with eyebrows raised above the frame of her glasses. “You all really don’t see it?” she asked.

  “See what, Liv?” Kara asked.

  “It’s Drew.”

  “Sorry...what’s Drew?” Sophia asked.

  Olivia gave a quiet laugh. “The something that’s up with your friend—it’s Drew.”

  “You mean like there’s something going on between the two of them?” Sophia gave an incredulous laugh. “As much as I like the idea of my best friend getting together with my brother, I’m afraid you’re wrong, Olivia. Debbie and Drew are friends—just like she’s friends with Jake and Sam.”

  The brunette shook her head. “Debbie wasn’t avoiding looking at Jake and Sam all evening. And didn’t you notice the way she practically jumped out of her skin when Drew touched her? Plus, he talked about her the whole time we were playing pool. I’m telling you, something’s going on.”

  “But if that’s true,” Kara asked with a frown, “why would they keep it a secret? They’d have to know how happy everyone would be to find out they’re a couple.”

  “It’s hard for you to picture the two of them as a couple because you’re so used to seeing them as friends. Maybe Debbie and Drew are still getting adjusted to the idea, as well.”

  “I don’t know,” Sophia murmured
doubtfully. “Debbie’s been pretty adamant about not going out with Clearville guys.”

  Olivia lifted a slender shoulder. “Another reason why she might be keeping quiet about their relationship.”

  “If you’re right—” Sophia couldn’t stop the huge grin from spreading over her face. “My best friend and my brother... I’ve always felt that Debbie was like a big sister to me, and now we could be sisters-in-law!”

  “Whoa! Moving a little fast here, don’t you think?” Kara asked. “We’re not even sure they’re together yet.”

  “You’re right. So what should we do?”

  “Well,” Olivia said wryly, “for starters, you should probably stop setting them up with other people.”

  Sophia threw her hands up in exasperation. “How was I supposed to know?”

  * * *

  Drew didn’t know if anyone bought his excuse of needing to make a phone call seconds after Debbie disappeared toward the restrooms. Ryder had already headed to the bar, and Jake and Sam had gone off to play pool. Sophia and Kara were talking over each other in a conversation that skipped from baby names to bridesmaids’ dresses to nursery decorations and honeymoon locations so quickly, even trying his hardest not to listen made his head swim. But Olivia had given him a studied glance as he pushed away from the table—like he was some kind of equation she was trying to solve.

  Good luck with that, he thought with a snort. He couldn’t even figure out what he was thinking or feeling or doing from one second to the next. He still couldn’t believe he’d let Sophia set him up, even if he had his own reasons for showing up at the bar that night.

  He had to admit, though, that Sophia had been right about Olivia. She really was pretty. Behind the dark-framed glasses, her eyes were a rich, warm brown, and she had a sprinkling of freckles like gold dust across her upturned nose and fair cheeks. “First Sam and now you,” she had commented after Sophia made the introduction. “I can see why a single woman would consider moving to your hometown.”

  She was smart and funny and charming. But as cute as her upturned nose was, it didn’t crinkle when she smiled. And as much as he liked the freckles, somehow he’d missed the sight of a dimple in her cheek when she laughed, and her eyes couldn’t nail him to the spot with just a glance because they were brown. Brown and not blue.