The Girl of His Dreams

by Susan Mallery

  “With warm sand and blue ocean,” Elissa said dream-ily.

  “And cute pool boys,” Kayla added, chuckling.

  “What about Prince Albert?” Fallon asked.

  “Oh, royal weddings take a long time to put together.”

  “How convenient. Okay, I’ll take care of it.” Fallon paused. “This is going to be different from our camp outs.”

  “I know,” Kayla told her. “I can’t wait. You remember the one we took during our junior year of college? Boy, the tents were getting ratty.”

  “Hey, we were traveling on a budget.”

  “I remember.” Kayla frowned. She also remembered how their mother hadn’t been interested in the triplets anymore. Once they stopped cooperating with her plans to have a show-business career, she’d emotionally abandoned them. So the three girls had clung to each other. They’d worked part-time jobs in high school, saving enough money to buy some camping gear. After that, they’d spent as much time as possible away from home. Even though they went to different colleges, they’d managed to spend long weekends together.

  “Didn’t we invite some guys to that camp out?” Fallon asked.

  This memory was more pleasant than thinking about their mother. Kayla grinned. “Yes, we did. I distinctly recall having a serious talk with them, explaining that there absolutely would be separate tents.”

  “Why didn’t they believe us?” Fallon sighed. “Never mind. I know the answer. They’re guys.”

  “One of them—gosh, I can’t even remember his name—got so bad, I had to push him in the lake.”

  Fallon chuckled. “Didn’t he leave after that?”

  “Can you blame him?” Kayla shook her head. “What fun we had.” She had the fleeting thought that it would have been nice to invite Patrick along. But back then she’d been all of twenty, and he’d been her boss. They had always gotten along, but they hadn’t been friends like they were now. She would have been too intimidated to ask him to join them.

  “What do you remember, Elissa?” Fallon asked.

  Their middle triplet cleared her throat. “I didn’t go. I’d already left college.”

  Her voice sounded sad. Kayla wondered if Elissa was ever going to let her past go.

  “Oh, that’s right.” Fallon quickly changed the subject. “I’ll let you two know what I find out about the hotel. Are we still talking about staying from the twenty-second of December through the twenty-ninth?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Kayla said.

  “Fine,” Elissa answered.

  “Okay, great. Look, I’ve got to run. I’ve got tons of errands, and it looks like it might rain. Talk to you guys next week. I love you.”

  “Love you, too,” Kayla called, and Elissa joined in.

  There was a click on the line as Fallon hung up. Kayla stared out the window and tried to decide if it was appropriate to talk about Elissa’s past.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  “Of course,” Elissa answered quickly. “Why?”

  “You sounded sad for a minute.”

  “I’m not sad. It’s just with our birthday coming up so quickly, and the trust money being released, I have a lot to think about. Some of it is serious.”

  Kayla understood completely. Elissa had gone down a different road from either of her sisters. “I’m here for you,” she said. “If you want to talk or anything.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  Kayla drummed her fingers on the arm of the sofa. “I’ve been thinking. Why don’t you come down here for a long weekend? We haven’t seen each other in a while, and it would be fun.”

  She didn’t bother mentioning her plans to fix up Elissa with Patrick. Maybe some quality time with one of the good guys would cheer up her sister.

  “Are you sure?” Elissa asked. “You’re going to be busy getting ready for your trip. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

  “Come on. You’re never in the way. We always have a good time. I think it’s what we both need.”

  Elissa laughed. “You’re right. I’ve got plenty of vacation days. I’ve already carried over a week from last year.

  I’ll do it. The computer program will keep me busy for about three weeks. When’s convenient after that?”

  They quickly settled on a date. “Bring something sexy to wear,” Kayla said. “We’re going out on the town.”

  “Kayla, what are you planning?”

  “You’ll just have to wait and see. But I promise, you’ll love it.”

  ***

  Kayla had nearly finished washing her kitchen floor when someone started pounding on her front door. She straightened and leaned the mop against the wall.

  “I’m coming,” she called as she stripped off her yellow rubber gloves and dropped them on the floor.

  As she headed for the door, she crossed her fingers, hoping her visitor was Patrick. After the phone call with her sisters, she’d decided her apartment needed a thorough cleaning. She’d been at it for a couple of hours. She was sweaty, not wearing a speck of makeup, her ponytail was coming undone, and she wore cut off shorts and a shirt that should have been tossed six months ago. Patrick was used to seeing her looking scruffy; any other neighbor would be shocked.

  The pounding continued. She pulled open the door. Patrick stood beaming on her front porch. “Where’s the fire?” she asked.

  His grin broadened. “I got it!”

  She stared at him, not sure she understood. “Got what?”

  He waved a multicolored overnight-mail envelope. “The grant.” He stepped into the apartment and tossed the package in the air. “I got it!”

  She screamed his name, then opened her arms wide. “You did it! I knew you would!”

  He swept her close and swung her around the room. She held on tight, laughing with him. Joy filled her. “This is so perfect,” she said.

  “Tell me about it.” He lowered her to the ground and took her hands in his. “They gave me all the money I’d asked for. Enough for the building, the equipment, everything. I can hire the scientists and the staff.”

  “I’m so happy for you.”

  She couldn’t stop smiling. She figured she was probably glowing as much as Patrick. His irises glittered with excitement. A lock of light brown hair tumbled onto his forehead, and she brushed it back.

  He hugged her again. She squeezed his muscled body. “You’ve worked so hard,” she said. “This is great. I’m thrilled and proud.”

  “Hey, I couldn’t have done it without you. We both spent a lot of hours on those grants. I owe you.”

  She chuckled into his chest. “No, now we’re even. You’ve done a lot for me, Patrick. I helped because of that, and because I wanted to.”

  She pulled back slightly. He looked down at her. “Okay, we’re even. That means the glory belongs to both of us.”

  Her hands rested on his sides. She could feel his strength. “I’m always willing to accept the glory.”

  “This time, you earned it. Thank you.”

  He raised a hand to her cheek. He cupped her face gently, then bent down and kissed her.

  Kayla raised herself up on tiptoe to meet him halfway. For that split second before their lips touched, she didn’t think anything of it. She and Patrick had kissed lots of times. Pecks on the cheek, brief brotherly-sisterly kinds of greetings. They’d tickled each other, given back rubs, cuddled when it was cold, clung together during scary movies.

  She didn’t notice anything different when his lips first brushed against hers. Without thinking, she slid her hands up his chest to his shoulders. His fingers touched her waist.

  She started to smile in anticipation of what she would say next. But the words disappeared as Patrick’s mouth lingered against hers.

  Confusion blossomed first, then a faint tingling that started at the tips of her fingers before skittering down her arms. Heat came next. Surprising heat that stole her breath and made her want to cling to him.

  His lips moved gently, softly, sweetly. H
er world spun suddenly, nearly knocking her off balance. His grip on her waist tightened, and she found herself leaning into him, wanting her aching breasts to press against his chest.

  She’d been kissed before. Short kisses, long kisses, kisses that felt as if the guy were trying to perform a medical procedure. But she’d never been kissed by Patrick. Not a real kiss.

  Her breath caught in her throat as she waited for him to deepen the pressure, to touch his tongue to her lips and let her invite him in. He did neither. Just when she was ready to surrender, he pulled back and released her.

  “This is going to be great,” he announced, ruffling her bangs as if she were a ten-year-old. “We’re both going to get what we want.”

  “Huh?” The tingling lingered, and her mouth ached so much, she couldn’t form words.

  “You’re going off to Paris, and I’m going to build a research center.”

  “Oh. That. Um, sure. It’s going to be wonderful.”

  Kayla stared at him, searching his face for some proof that he had also been affected by the kiss. But Patrick looked the same as ever. No fire darkened his eyes, no passion tightened his body. His lips barely looked damp.

  Was she crazy? Hadn’t he felt the fire between them? Or hadn’t it happened at all? Had it just been her imagination?

  She stepped back and moved to the window. For once, the familiar view didn’t comfort her.

  The measles, she thought quickly. A relapse, like with malaria. Or she was getting that flu everyone had been talking about.

  There had to be a perfectly logical explanation for her reaction to his kiss. She wasn’t attracted to Patrick; she couldn’t be. He was her friend, and it would be wrong to feel that way about him. Besides, she was leaving. She had places to go, people to meet, including Prince Albert.

  Fortunately, Patrick didn’t seem to notice her preoccupation. He moved next to her and touched her arm. “I’ve got to get to the office,” he said. “Someone is bringing in a pregnant cocker spaniel and wants me to supervise the birth.” He ran his hand through his hair. “There’s so much work to do. I’ve got to start interviewing replacements.”

  He bent down and kissed her on the cheek. Much to her amazement, the tingling started up again.

  Before she could protest or examine what was happening to her, he’d stepped back and headed for the door. “We’re celebrating tonight,” he announced. “Steaks and champagne. I won’t even make you cook anything. Say seven?”

  “Ah, fine,” she murmured, unable to do anything but stare at him. As the door closed behind him, she continued to look at the place where he’d stood and wonder what was wrong with her.

  When she heard his car backing down the driveway, she shook her head and tried to break the spell. She glanced at the clock. She had nearly six hours to figure out her strange reaction and what had caused it. Then came the tricky part. She needed either an antidote or a way to make sure it didn’t happen again.

  Chapter Five

  Patrick flipped channels and listened to the splashing sounds coming from the kitchen.

  “I hope you appreciate this,” Kayla called. “You know how I hate to do the dishes.”

  “I wish I could get grant funding every day.”

  She laughed. “Then it wouldn’t be special, so we wouldn’t have to celebrate. Therefore I wouldn’t have to do the dishes.”

  “I knew you’d try to weasel out of it.”

  “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  That she was. She’d arrived on time, bringing him a huge plant and a bottle of his favorite Scotch. She’d even dressed for the occasion, replacing worn jeans with newer ones, and her ancient T-shirt with a long-sleeved white blouse that buttoned down the front.

  He returned his attention to the television, but nothing looked interesting. He glanced at the clock. It was nearly nine. Maybe there was something good coming on. He clicked the channel for the cable listings and read through the offerings. One of the all-family networks had a special Saturday-night feature. He chuckled, then turned to that channel.

  “Kayla, come out here.”

  “Just a sec. I’m nearly finished.” Several cupboards banged shut as she put the pots and pans away. There was a moment of silence, and then the refrigerator door opened. “You want more champagne?”

  “Sure.”

  She came out of the kitchen carrying her glass and the half-full bottle. As she walked toward the sofa, he increased the volume on the television. The sound of children singing filled the room.

  Kayla stopped in her tracks, stared at the TV, then at him. “Turn that off this instant.”

  He grinned. “No way, kid. Come on.” He patted the sofa cushion next to his. “You can take it.”

  She shuddered visibly. “I haven’t seen one of these for years. And I would prefer to keep it that way. Tell me it’s just one episode.”

  “Sorry. A four-hour marathon, until well after midnight.” He patted the sofa again. “You’re here for the duration, so make yourself comfy.”

  She plopped down with a groan and handed him the champagne bottle. After setting her glass on the light oak coffee table in front of her, she pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face. “I can’t stand it.”

  Patrick glanced at the television. The credits finished, and the first scene opened. Several children played in a courtyard. Girls jumped rope, while the boys were involved jn a game of baseball. A pretty eight-or-nine-year-old skipped onto the ringlets, her eyes were bright green. A yellow-and-white gingham dress flared out to her knees, and she wore black and white oxfords.

  She walked up to the pitcher and smiled prettily. “Let me play, Billy,” she said.

  The older boy dismissed her with a wave. “Get out of here Sally. Baseball is just for guys. Girls aren’t smart enough or good enough to play.”

  “Boys against the girls,” Patrick said. “Let me guess. Sally rallies the girls to form their own team, there’s a play-off game and the girls kick butt.”

  Kayla rocked slightly and moaned. “I can’t believe you’re making me watch this.”

  “Is it really that awful?”

  She raised her head and glanced at the TV. “I guess not.” She studied the screen for a minute. “At least that’s not me. I think it’s Elissa.”

  She relaxed a little, letting her feet slide to the floor. Patrick leaned back against the sofa and shifted his weight. Then he cursed silently. For the first time since buying the couch four years ago, he noticed the damn thing had a high back. Too high for his purposes. The top of his head barely cleared the top. There was no way he could casually rest his arm along the back.

  He tried to picture another way of making it work, then had to hold in a laugh when he realized he was acting as desperate as he had on his first date in high school. Back then, getting his arm around Christina’s shoulders had been paramount. He vaguely recalled succeeding, because he could remember her gazing up at him, as if inviting him to kiss her. Of course, he’d been too scared to try. He’d left that for their second date.

  This isn’t high school, he reminded himself. He wasn’t a nervous sixteen-year-old. He was a grown man, and he’d known Kayla for years. If he wanted to put his arm around her, he could. He’d done it countless times.

  But tonight was different, and he had no one to blame but himself. It was that kiss. He hadn’t been able to forget it all day.

  Had it really happened the way he remembered it? Had that incredible passion been real? All through the afternoon, when he should have been thinking about his grant and the new research facility, not to mention a pregnant cocker spaniel, he’d thought about Kayla. She’d haunted him. He’d heard her laugh, seen her smile, imagined the shape of her body. He’d relived the kiss until his body heated with desire.

  He didn’t have any answers. He just knew that if he didn’t touch her soon, he would go mad.

  Casually, he let the remote control slip from his hand. Instead of just bending over to pick it up, he rose and p
oured them both more champagne. Then he picked up the remote. But when he sat back down, he moved closer to her. Close enough that their arms were almost touching.

  Kayla winced at the show. “Some of this dialogue is really bad. Or maybe it was just the delivery.”

  A commercial came on, and Patrick muted the volume. “How long did you and your sisters appear on ‘The Sally McGuire Show’?”

  “We started just after our eighth birthday and completed four seasons. At first it was fun, but after a year or so, we were ready to get out.” She brushed her hair off her shoulder. “None of us wanted to be Hollywood kids. It was unfortunate, because that’s all our parents wanted from us.”

  The show came back on. He increased the volume. Sure enough, Sally had organized the girls into a rival baseball team. They had cute pink-and-white uniforms. Even their mascot, a little white poodle, wore a matching coat and cap.

  Kayla pointed to the girl on the pitcher’s mound. “That’s Fallon. She was the best pitcher of the three of us.”

  “How can you tell?” In his eyes, all the Sallys on the show looked exactly the same.

  “I don’t know. I just can. I recognize her, of course, but I also remember shooting most of the episodes.”

  When Sally came up to bat, Kayla laughed. “That’s me. I even run the bases. Elissa had started out with this scene, but she fell and skinned her knee. They didn’t want that showing, so she isn’t in much of the baseball-game show.”

  “I’ve never met your sisters.”

  “Really? I guess not. The few times they’ve visited me here, you’ve been gone. But Elissa is coming out for a weekend, and you’ll meet her.”

  He turned to Kayla and frowned. “You’re not going to set us up. Understand?”

  “Why not?”

  Because right now he couldn’t think of anything but how to get his arm around her. “I can find my own women.”

  “I haven’t seen any hiding out here. Apparently you’re not doing a great job.”

  “Kayla.” His voice was a low growl.

  “All right. I won’t fix you up. I’ll just introduce you. If you like her, ask her out yourself. If you don’t, no harm done. I didn’t tell her about you. Don’t get all in a snit.”