The Sheriff's Plus One (The Kincaids)

by Marquita Valentine

  You’ll fall in love and get your heart broken again. “He ends up being exactly like Bailey Howard or Travis McLean. You don’t exactly have a great track record when it comes to men.”

  Molly visibly recoiled. “Gee, thanks, for rubbing it in.”

  “Wasn’t rubbing it in. I was stating a fact. How long are you going to keep going after the same type of guy.”

  She tossed her napkin on the table and gathered her things, slapping a twenty dollar bill on the table. “Remind me: how’s your track record with getting married?”

  He didn’t bother to reply because the fact of the matter was that he was wrong for being so shitty to Molly. He was jealous. Plain and simple.

  And stupid. So incredibly stupid.

  He’d had his chance with Molly and he’d blown it. Obviously, she’d never given a second thought to that kiss. Then again, he hadn’t exactly chased after her or told her how he wanted something more from her. Later, he’d met Liz and Molly had started seeing Travis. All was right in their world.

  But not anymore.

  “Coward,” he said under breath. He grabbed the check left by their server and covered the bill, pocketing Molly’s money so he could return it later. He would apologize when he did.

  Hopefully, Molly would forgive him.

  His phone went off and he groaned internally as he answered dispatch with a, “Be there in five.”

  The rest of his day went by in a blur. He didn’t have many calls to go out on, so he spent most of his workday dividing his time between paperwork and training.

  A knock on his door made him jerk his head up. Gunnar stood there, a serious look on his face, but he also had a box of donuts. “Mind if I come in?”

  “I guess.” Archer saved his work and closed out the program on the iPad. “Did our parents make you stop by?”

  “No.” Gunnar sat down, but not before placing the box on his desk. “Peace offering.”

  “By giving me the most stereotypical cop food item?”

  “I’ll toss them in the trash.”

  Archer smacked his hand down on top of the box. “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Look, the real reason I’m here is to give you some advice. Stop messing around when it comes to Molly. If you want to be with her, then I suggest you do something about that. Time’s running out, my dude, and one of these blind dates that Cora sets her up on will end up being someone who will go the distance with her.”

  “She has one tonight.”

  “And he could be the one. You willing to chance that?” his brother asked.

  Archer regarded him skeptically. “Weren’t you the guy who wanted to go out with her?”

  “I was yanking your chain.” Gunner tipped his head from one side to the other. “Actually, I wanted to kick your ass in gear by putting that out in the world. Look, I know you were in love with Liz. Never questioned that and I believe you were fully committed to her. But she’s gone. Molly’s single for the hundredth time. What are you waiting on?”

  “You think it’s that simple?” Archer snapped. “You think I should rebound with Molly? She doesn’t deserve that.”

  “Which is exactly why it wouldn’t be a rebound.” Gunnar made an impatient noise. “Get it through your thick skull, Arch. If you don’t act now, you’ll lose your chance with Molly for good. And honestly, I think that would hurt you more than it did when Liz didn’t bother to show up at the altar.”

  “Why did I let you talk me into this again?” Molly asked Cora for what had to be the hundredth time. They were in her bedroom, Molly seated at the vanity. A mirror surrounded by old school style lightbulbs highlighted the makeup Cora had masterfully applied to her face. Cora was so talented. She could make anyone look good, armed with only a makeup bag, good lighting, and a knack for figure flattering clothes.

  Cora’s hand hovered over Molly’s head, mid-brush stroke. “Because we are looking for the one and this guy could be your one.”

  “Why are you still looking? I thought Graves was your one.”

  Cora’s hazel eyes twinkled. “Oh he is, but until he comes around again, I’m going to have some fun.”

  “Fun, huh?”

  “Celibate fun?” Cora smiled. “I’m not disloyal to the one.”

  “You’re allowed to have a life before you meet the one,” Molly pointed out. “Kiss a few frogs before-

  “La-la-la-la. Not going to listen to your negativity.” Cora set the brush on the vanity. “And I expect you, missy, to be very excited about tonight.”

  Molly made a face. “What if he’s a dud?”

  “What if he’s not?” Cora sat on the edge of the stool and Molly scooted to one side to make room. “Fine. If the date’s going badly, you can text me and I’ll save you.”

  “How?” Molly tilted her head to one side. “I can’t text him in the middle of dinner. That would be obvious.”

  Cora’s head fell back for a minute. “Excuse yourself to the ladies’ room. I swear Molly it’s like you’ve never watched a rom com with me.”

  “Ohhhh. Sorry, I’m nervous.” Butterflies were zooming around in her stomach but not the good kind. More like the butterflies that turned into birds with super pointy beaks that poked her repeatedly. “I have the worst luck. You know this.”

  “You have to have good luck at some point. This date could be the one,” Cora said cheerfully. “And if it’s not, then text me and I’ll rescue you.”

  “Kinda sucks to have a contingency plan.”

  Cora wrinkled her nose. “What sucks is not to have dates at all.”

  “Don’t put that on me. I think you should date whoever you want and stop pining after Graves Churchill.” Cora made a face, but Molly held her ground. “You know I’m right. Besides, he rarely comes home. What if you don’t see him for another year or two? What if his family sells The Mansion and he never comes back.”

  “That’s such an ugly thing to say to your bestie.” Cora’s eyes lowered. Molly couldn’t tell if she were angry or sad or a combination of the two. “But you wouldn’t be a true friend if you only told me what I wanted to hear.” Cora wrapped her arms around Molly. “I really hope Elton is the one.”

  “Even if he’s not, hopefully, he’ll be a great time.”

  Molly hid another yawn as Elton droned on and on about his accomplishments. Not since she’d first met him at the entrance of the restaurant had he asked anything more about her life.

  “It seems to me that someone with my abilities would be more in demand in the business world, but I think that it speaks volumes about my patrons who support me with their more than generous contributions each month.”

  “Mmm,” she said, barely nodding in agreement. At least the food was fantastic even if the company made her head pound.

  “But like most geniuses of our age, I am regulated to the sidelines.” Elton shook his head. “Enough about me.”

  She perked up. Was he going to shut up now?

  “What did Cora tell you about me?”

  Ugh. Of course, he wanted to continue to talk about himself, only from her point of view. “Not much at all beyond your name and that you’re a writer. She wanted our date to be a complete surprise.”

  He smiled thinly. “Interesting. She went on incessantly about you and your business.”

  “That was really kind of her.” She knew without a doubt that he was not happy with her answer and she knew without a doubt it was time to bail on her date. She set her fork down. “If you—”

  “Who left you the money to start your business?”

  “What?”

  Elton sat back in his chair, his dark eyes beady. “Who generously provided you with the funds to start your business. Cora says it’s wildly successful. One can only assume it’s due to—”

  “Hard work, sacrificing, learning from mistakes, and of course a little right place, right time sort of luck.” Molly tilted her head to the side. “I worked two jobs to save money in order to have the funds to start it. I even shar
ed an apartment with Cora until I could afford to get my own place.”

  “Must be nice to have the privilege of time.”

  Her mouth dropped open, then she closed it with a distinct snap until she decided she should verbally burn him to the ground or simply excuse herself. While she wanted to lay into him, she knew it would backfire. He was the type to always be the victim and would most likely attack her business with fake reviews.

  “I need to use the ladies’ room.” She stood, not bothering to wait around to see if he replied as she stalked to the bathroom. Her phone was out as soon as the door shut behind her.

  Molly: It’s time to pick me up. I can’t make it to the entrée.

  Cora: Nooooo. Okay. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.

  Molly: Thanks.

  She waited another minute or two before returning to the table. The appetizers had been cleared. Elton was on his phone. He barely acknowledged her with a flick of his lashes before he put his phone away. Honestly, she was surprised he didn’t leave it on the table so his notifications could affirm how amazing and talented he was. She didn’t even feel sorry for having such ugly thoughts about Elton.

  He was the worst date she’d ever had.

  “I was just sharing with the waiter that in fine dining bistros, they always serve from the left. Naturally, I,being someone of exceptional manners, did not point out that he served us from the right.”

  “Naturally,” she agreed. “Anyway, I’m sorry to do this but Cora called and needs my help. She wouldn’t explain but said that it involved her dad. I know you understand.”

  “Mr. Woodhouse is particularly susceptible to colds. I wonder if I should offer my services.” He stood and she barely contained her rising horror. “I’ll pay for dinner and then we can be on our way.”

  His services? “No,” she all but shouted. Elton gave her a look that was borderline suspicious. “What I mean is that Cora is on her way to pick me up so there’s no need for you to take me. It’s too much to ask of you. You’ve been so kind and effusive this evening.”

  “I am known to be those things. It’s an honor to be in my presence.”

  Molly stared at him for a moment. Surely, he hadn’t just give himself a compliment. Oh dear Lord. He had.

  Elton cleared his throat as he sat.

  And he expected her to acknowledge the honor or worse give him another compliment. “It’s been an experience that I’ll never forget.”

  He sat, looking reasonably mollified by her quasi-compliment. “Don’t be a stranger dear.”

  She didn’t bother to answer. Instead she grabbed her purse and walked as quickly to the front door as manners would allow. Just because he was the worst date ever didn’t mean she had to live down his standards.

  Thankfully by the time, she stepped outside, Cora’s white SUV was idling by the valet. She didn’t hesitate, blindly grabbing the door and sliding inside… only to find Archer in the driver’s seat.

  Chapter 6

  “You’re not Cora,” Molly said as she shut the door. “Where is she?” Her heart beat out a strange rhythm as Archer put the SUV in drive.

  “She had an emergency. Sent me instead.”

  “Wouldn’t she need her car?” Her mind reeled in confusion… and slight embarrassment. They’d fussed over her bad luck with guys and now Archer was here, saving her from a horrible date.

  “She took mine. That way, your date wouldn’t think the worst of you and tell everyone.”

  “Oh, that was really nice of her to think of that. As for Elton, he’ll probably write about it anyway.” She smoothed the material of her skirt.

  “Naturally.”

  She side-eyed him. “You know Elton?”

  “He’s a pompous windbag but otherwise okay, I guess.”

  “That’s one way to describe him.”

  “He tried something with you,” Archer’s voice was sharp, his brows pinched.

  “Oh God, no.” She blew out a breath. “Um… I think my blind dating days are over. I can’t take it anymore.”

  “Sorry about that. I was hoping you’d have a good time.”

  He had? “This is your way of apologizing, isn’t it.” Her heart settled into a normal beat. Yet a small pang hit her as it did. “That was very kind of you, and I wanted to say that I’m sorry for being oversensitive.”

  “I’m not apologizing.”

  She scrunched her nose. “You’re kidding.”

  “No, I mean… I am sorry we had words, but I didn’t pick you up to apologize.” His fingers flexed around the steering wheel. “Just let me concentrate on the road, and I promise to explain when I get you home.”

  Had the world gone insane? “Fine.” She cranked up the volume of the radio, keeping her eyes straight ahead. She wasn’t sure what to make of the situation, not beyond relief and of course she was always safe with Archer. When they weren’t at odds with each other, she could always count on him for a good time. The best time actually.

  Heck, their dates felt like real dates… and oh my Lord.

  No… nope. Nope.

  Just because it felt real didn’t make it real. Sure they’d kissed once too and it had knocked her socks off, but they were simply friends. Really good friends. Friends who basically knew each other inside and out. The only person who knew her better was Cora, but…

  Stop. Stop it right now, she inwardly scolded herself. You’re only feeling this way because you feel sorry for yourself over yet another craptastic date.

  Abruptly, the SUV stopped.

  Molly blinked. She was home. Just as she turned to Archer, he reached between them, his palm coming to rest on the back of her neck. She shivered—a good shiver that she felt all the way to her toes.

  He leaned forward and she did the same. They were so close and it was so natural to be like this with him. “Molly, please tell me you remember the night we kissed.”

  She could lie. She could say that she had been too tipsy to remember and she knew without a doubt that Archer would let her go. Things would go back to slightly normal.

  The question was: did she want to find out what would happen next if she admitted the truth?

  “I remember, but what does have to do with your eventual apology?”

  He smiled, perfect lips curving upwards. How had she not noticed how amazing his mouth looked? “Not a damn thing.”

  She licked her lips. “Then why bring it up?” Breathing became difficult and the way he smelled filled her senses. “Don’t tell me you think we can kiss and make up.”

  “That’s the best idea you’ve ever had, Molly.” He brushed his mouth against hers and her eyes opened wide, then fluttered closed. Archer was kissing her... again. More importantly, he was an even better kisser the second time around.

  He deepened the kiss, slanting his lips over her and she let out a small moan. She touched her tongue to his, sliding and curling around his in a way that made her body tingle.

  "Molly," he whispered. "What are you thinking? Tell me you felt something."

  Eyes still closed, she sat back, her chest heaving as she attempted to process that kiss. Their kiss.

  “I want more. I want to be more than friends with you. We can take things slow. I swear I won’t—

  Her eyes opened. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  “All right.” He grimaced. “I guess I read the room wrong.”

  She tilted her head to one side. “You’re still not reading it right. I didn’t say no.”

  His eyes crinkled at the corners, a smile lurking on his very kissable mouth. “That’s right. You didn’t.”

  “But I’m not saying yes—completely. How much of a floozy would I look like to go from Elton to you. In the same night.”

  Archer started laughing.

  “It’s not funny. I’m serious.” Honestly, she was only half serious. She couldn’t care less about what Elton would think or what anyone else would think either. The only thing she cared about what losing Archer as a friend if so
mething were to go wrong… and judging by her past history, something would go wrong.

  “You’re not that serious.” He leaned forward, kissing the tip of her nose. “You forget that I’ve known you as long as I can remember.”

  Her heart soared at his words. Maybe if she gave him a chance, her luck would turn around. He wasn’t like other men she knew because she knew him. Really and truly knew him to his soul. He would always be honest with her. He would always do the right thing, and he kept his word.

  “What’s in that head of yours, Parrish?” he asked softly. “I can take it.”

  “I need some time to think about it; I’m not saying no. Just not yet. I’ve had yet another awful date and need some time to recover.” She scrunched her nose. “Although the kiss helped… and don’t you dare get all smug about it either.”

  He mimed zipping his lips, then grinned. “Never.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “I don’t know if I believe that.”

  “Believe this then: I won’t pressure you,” he assured her. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, touching her skin and making her shiver from the sheer pleasure of it. “Don’t take too long.”

  “You’ll move on if I do?” she challenged.

  His expression grew serious. “I’m not that kind of guy.”

  “I know.” She kissed him softly and then opened the door. She needed some time to think and being in the same, small space as Archer only made her want to make out with him. That was not conducive to thinking. “Talk to you later, okay?”

  “Counting on it.” A sexy smile pushed the corners of his lips, making her knees go weak. “Night, Parrish.”

  “Night, Kincaid.” She shut the door, slowly walking to the side entrance before she remembered Archer would wait on her to go inside. “Whoops.”

  She waved at him, then picked up her steps, hurrying inside and locking the door behind her. For an awful date, it sure had ended rather nicely.

  Only, now she had to figure out if she could risk her friendship with Archer for something more. What more did he want?