“You know if you didn’t want to do it, you could’ve simply said no.” I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“What are talking about?”
“You making the kiss awful on purpose.” A prickling sensation of awareness started to work itself up my neck on its way to my brain. I realized I was missing something when I saw he stood there stunned.
“Are you being serious? You thought it was bad?”
Holy shit. Colby Singer—ladies’ man, hot as sin, man of my dreams, who I’d pledged I would marry at six years old—had to be the worst kisser in the history of kissing. It was unfathomable. “I, uh, kind of.”
His mouth opened and then closed. Finally, he looked suspicious. “Are you angling for another one? Is that what this is about?”
I let out a frustrated huff, crossing towards the bed in the spacious room and slipping off my shoes. “Believe me when I say one was plenty. When is the last time you actually kissed a woman?”
He had to think about it for a moment, which spoke volumes. “I’ve kissed plenty and haven’t had any complaints.”
“Did you think they’d leave you an online review? Rate you with a number of stars?”
“Funny, smart-ass. It’s only normally I get onto the good stuff. See, that’s the problem. You didn’t get a chance to see that part.”
Translation: he didn’t bother to kiss the women he fucked. “Alright then, show me.” It was too easy not to mess with him.
His panicked face was priceless. “I didn’t mean that we should. I—Shit. You’re screwing with me, aren’t you?”
I nodded.
“Look, I’m only saying kissing is overrated.”
“Says the guy who sucks at it.”
His jaw ticked in response to my flippant answer.
“I happen to think the kiss sets the tone and should hold a promise of what’s to come.”
He shook his head. “I would argue it’s more like an appetizer. If you know the main course and dessert will be amazing, why bother with the soup?” He looked way too pleased with his metaphors.
“Clearly, we have a difference of opinion, then. Soup is much more than an appetizer; it’s a representation of the type of food that’s coming out of the kitchen. And frankly, if it sucks, why would I want the next course or believe you when you say it’s amazing?”
He grinned. “I can think of a lot of dirty metaphors in response. How do you know it’s not you who’s the bad kisser?”
My face flushed. “You’re the one with all of the experience.”
“Maybe it’s because kissing someone like my little sister didn’t do it for me.”
I inhaled sharply, trying unsuccessfully to hide the hurt. “Point taken for the zillionth time. Look, I’m tired...”
“I’m sorry. That was a crappy thing to say.” He paused, searching my face. “Are we okay? Nothing’s changed?”
He seemed so sincere, it was impossible to stay mad at him. Plus, other than bursting my crush bubble with a Mack Truck, what damage had really occurred? It had only been a kiss. “We’re definitely fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He hesitated before leaning in for a hug. “Okay. ‘Night, Kenz.”
Giving him a small smile, I watched him walk out the bedroom door.
All that buildup, years of fantasies, and now…huh. Well, now it turned out he wasn’t as perfect as I’d made him out to be. I grinned at the irony. In taking him down off the pedestal I’d put him on many years ago, I oddly felt relieved.
CHAPTER SIX
At noon the next day, I met Sasha at her office to start our spa day together. I’d enjoyed a morning at the hospital, visiting and even getting to hold Josh and Haylee’s baby girl. But with the revolving door of friends and family dropping by to see the new parents, I tried not to overstay my welcome. Instead I’d returned to the apartment, used the treadmill to run seven miles, and then mapped out my commute route to my internship starting Monday. I hadn’t seen Colby since last night. He’d opted to go into the office to take care of some things for Josh, which had left only Mark and me for pancakes this morning.
As Sasha and I sat in our pedicure chairs, both of us with our feet in the water, she looked over. “Your brother said you didn’t notice that I’d left your party, but I apologize for doing so. Then having him take off early, too…”
I waved her off. “Please don’t feel bad. I promise you didn’t miss anything, and neither did he.”
Relief washed over her face. “Thank you.”
Clearly she didn’t want to talk about what had caused her to leave and I didn’t want to bring up a sore subject especially since she and Brian seemed to be good now.
“So, what else do you want to do for your spa day?”
I’d been contemplating something for a while. “A haircut. It’s been long—” I motioned to the small of my back. “—Forever. Time for a change.”
“Long layers would look good on you. Any reason for it?”
I shrugged. “Guess it’s time.”
“Everything okay?”
“Things are kind of in a weird place. Lots of decisions to make, but I’ll fill you and Brian in about the family stuff later. Thanks for this, by the way. I enjoy spending time with you, and I’m glad things are going well with you and my brother.”
“Me, too. How are things with Colby? I heard he took you to Vegas for the weekend?”
I’d confided my feelings to her months ago during Josh and Haylee’s wedding weekend. “You know the part where a crush inevitably comes tumbling down into reality?”
She nodded.
“That kind of happened. If I tell you how, do you promise not to say anything to my brother? If that puts you in too difficult a position, then I’d understand.”
She contemplated. “I’d never reveal any details. Instead I’d tell him to speak with you and I’d hope he’d rather have you confide in me than no one at all.”
“That’s fair. Okay, so I put it out there. The short version is I bet him into kissing me in Vegas. And I feel a little disloyal saying this out loud, but it was awful.”
She had been sipping on her water and nearly spit it out with my admission. “Seriously?”
“Shocking, huh?”
“Was it awful in the sense there was no spark, or was he plain bad at it?”
“The latter. At least, I think so.” I let out a resounding sigh. “The bizarre thing is it’s kind of a relief. If the kiss had been amazing, I might have become even more infatuated, thinking the man didn’t have a flaw in the world. But instead, it makes me feel more like we’re on equal footing, if that makes sense.”
She leaned back in her chair, looking thoughtful. “It does. Basically, you’ve traded a crush in for the real thing.”
I grinned. “I guess so. It was like a switch was thrown. Suddenly I’m not quite as anxious when it comes to him.”
She returned my grin. “That’s the very best place to be in, Kenzie. You aren’t a little girl with an infatuation anymore. You’re a woman with an attraction to a man who happens to be imperfect, just like the rest of us.”
“Yeah, it’s ironic that now that I know he’s terrible at something, I kind of like him more.”
***
After our spa afternoon, Sasha and I met Brian for dinner at a restaurant nearby. He had already arrived and, while standing to give me a hug, immediately noticed what was different.
“Your new haircut looks nice. Makes you look older, though.” This last sentence was said with a slight frown.
I laughed. “That’s kind of the point, but thanks.” The hairdresser had cut my long tresses into a style that was still past my shoulders, but had some shape to it with layers and long bangs. I’d never had hair with style and wondered what Colby’s reaction would be.
Brian wasted no time with small talk. “So, Mom called me today and said you’re moving home for your MBA at Georgetown. It was a shock to me as I don’t remember you mentioning that.”
<
br /> I should’ve guessed she would’ve contacted him. “It was a bombshell to me, too. Luckily, she agreed to the internship for the summer, but she withdrew me from UCLA and enrolled me in a school within commuting distance from home.”
Sasha’s face showed shock, like a normal person’s would upon learning how controlling my mother could be, however to her credit she didn’t make any comments and only gulped her wine.
Brian wasn’t as astounded since he was all too aware of the lengths my mother would go to for control. “I’d pay for your school out in California, you know.”
It really said something when I had two people offering to do so. “Thank you, but the common denominator in trying to figure out what want is realizing what I don’t. And that’s business school. Not that I’m ready to tell Mom yet, but obviously, I’ll have to eventually.”
“So you think this internship will help you decide if you have a career in music?”
“I hope so.” I’d already confided my anticipation for this position to him when I’d first applied.
“I’m only throwing this out there, but if music doesn’t work out, I can get you a job in the LA office with Gamble Advertising. You could do something in accounting with your degree.”
“That’s an option, and don’t take this the wrong way; I don’t think I can see myself behind a desk or wearing business clothes for a nine-to-five job.”
Brian laughed. “No offense taken. I have a hard time imagining you enjoying the world of finance too. You always seemed much more at home on the lacrosse field or playing your guitar.”
I gave him a small smile, thankful he got me. He always had. When Sasha went to the restroom after we ordered, he started on another line of questioning.
“So how was Vegas?” There was an underlying tension in his question.
“It was fun.” I took a sip of wine, studying him over the table. “You do know Colby was a perfect gentleman, don’t you?”
“I would expect nothing less. Otherwise, I’d kick his ass, and that would be after Josh did it. I didn’t worry about how he was with you; it was more what he did around you.”
It annoyed me that Colby was getting an unfair rap. “We gambled, ate great food, and then I lay by the pool while he worked. I wouldn’t say this in front of Sasha, and I’m not telling you to make you feel guilty, but he took a really shitty day after Mom’s ultimatum during my party and turned it into a really great weekend.”
“I knew I shouldn’t have left the party.”
“Yes you should have, but I wish you would’ve told me the real reason why.”
He sighed. “Everything is good now, but I didn’t want to concern you with unnecessary drama.”
Right. Because I was the little sister. “You know I wouldn’t have seen it as a burden to be there for you for a change. And if it helped ensure you and Sasha are good now, then I’m glad you did go.”
His face softened. “I appreciate it. Look I’m sorry for jumping all over you about Vegas.”
“It’s not me who you should probably apologize to.”
“It’s different between guys. Colby understands that I’m a protective big brother. Anyhow, do you want me to talk to Mom about school? She’s being unreasonable, and I hate the thought of you having to wrestle with this decision. I feel like I should be doing more for you.”
Funny how only a couple days ago I would’ve jumped at his offer, but maybe it was the internship that had me feeling confident about things working out for my future. “Brother, dear, I hate to break this to you, but I’m a big girl now. Not one with a plan at the moment, but definitely one who doesn’t need you to put me first all of the time. You have your own life. And from the looks of it, a very good one with someone I happen to really like.”
Perhaps it was for the best he hadn’t stepped in for me at my party. How many times had I relied on him over the years, having him drop everything for me?
“I know you are. Just as I know you’ll figure it out. It may or may not be this internship which does it; however at the end of the summer, I’ll be supportive of whatever you decide to do. And if you need financial assistance, I’m there, too.”
“I appreciate that.” And the thing was I did. But for the first time, I wasn’t looking for him to fix it or tell me what to do. I was simply asking for him to be supportive. It kind of felt like something a grown-up might do.
***
When I arrived back at Josh’s building, Colby stood leaned against the frame of his brother’s front door, waiting for me to come off the elevator. “You cut your hair.”
Not exactly a compliment, although he’d definitely noticed. “Yes, I did.”
“You’re home early. I wasn’t sure if you had plans tonight.”
“I had dinner with my brother and Sasha. I thought maybe you’d still be out with Mark or your mom.” I hadn’t thought he’d be home.
“Mark had to return home to Connecticut. After I had dinner with my mom, we went by the hospital. Then I figured if you were coming back, we could watch a movie.”
Huh. Was this his way of saying he was hoping I’d spend the evening with him?
“I have dessert.”
I grinned. “Obviously, you have my number. Let me change, and then I’ll be right out.”
A familiar flutter took root in my stomach, except this time I felt much more confident about playing it cool. Changing into shorts and a T-shirt, I put my hair up in a ponytail, deciding to keep it comfy.
When I returned to the living room, I noticed he was doing the same in gray shorts paired with a soft black shirt. He was unbelievably handsome, and the thought of him being a terrible kisser was kind of endearing.
I took a seat on the plush sofa, appreciating the large-screen television in the living room and the floor-to-ceiling views of the city. “So, whatcha watching?”
“You pick. You prefer action, gore, or scary?” He knew I wasn’t much of a chick flick kind of girl.
“Action, please. Hey, what did you end up getting for a baby gift?” I needed to figure out what to buy, not wanting to have my mother or Brian put my name on one of their gifts.
His face split into a grin. “Here, I’ll show you. I had one made up for their place in Connecticut, too.”
He led me down the hallway into a room which, when he flicked on the light, showed itself to be the baby’s nursery. It was beautifully done in pink and gray, all set with the rocking chair, crib, and changing table. He pointed to the framed quote above the changing table in matching colors.
“Let her sleep….For when she wakes she will move mountains.”
“What do you think?” he asked, looking uncertain.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. This was the sweet side of him many weren’t privy to. “I think it’s absolutely beautiful. They’ll love it.”
“I wasn’t sure what to get. It’s indescribable to see my brother the way he is, and to realize that I’m an uncle to that little angel is—It’s silly, I know.”
I put my hand on his arm. “I don’t think it’s silly at all. Matter of fact, you’re kind of adorable.”
He frowned, meeting my eyes. “I’m not sure how I feel about the word adorable. It might be like your aversion to the word cute.”
I linked my arm through his, leading him out of the room. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”
And I certainly wouldn’t tell him that, as devastating as his dimples could be on the opposite sex, finding out he’d given such a thoughtful, beautiful gift to his niece was the type of stuff that truly got to me.
We settled down for the movie, and I purposefully took a seat next to him on the couch that was a little bit closer than usual. Considering we’d shared a bed, he’d held my hair when I puked, and we’d kissed, I figured sitting only inches apart wasn’t a big deal. We were both quiet while the latest Expendables movie started. Mindless explosions with eighties big-name stars, it was perfect.
“Why didn’t you go out with
Will tonight?”
There he went acting almost jealous again with this question. “He said he had to work, although I’ll see him in LA in a few weeks.” I turned to face him, which had our knees touching.
“So the pretty boy model is your type?”
“Uh, I’m confident Will could be any woman’s type. But if I’m being honest, normally I’m more attracted to a different sort.”
“Oh, yeah?” he smirked.
“Yep, the bad-boy, rocker types who have brains under their tattoos.”
He arched a brow. “Seriously?”
No, however telling him pretty boys with wicked dimples, and big hearts who make me laugh would make me totally obvious. “I have eclectic tastes. In fact, my criteria is all over the map.”
“You have a list?”
“Not exactly, but every girl has an idea in their head of the things they look for in a man or their deal breakers. I had a friend in high school who was so particular she wouldn’t go out with a guy if he chewed gum.”
“That’s a little high maintenance.”
“Agreed, and so was she. My deal breakers are for the most part straightforward and not quite as petty.”
“Tell me what they are.”
Shaking my head, I met his sexy green eyes. “Uh-uh. I’m not saying.”
“Come on, why’s it a secret? Give me three of them.”
He was waiting me out I realized a minute later when he paused the movie and stared at me. Taking a deep breath, I figured why not. “Okay. First deal breaker is a smoker.”
“Makes sense. For me, too.”
I shook my head, laughing. “You smoke when you drink.”
He waved me off. “That’s different. It’s only cigars.”
Well, then, lucky me to have gotten the opportunity to taste the ashtray which had been his mouth last night after he’d smoked them with his brother. “Hm, anyhow, another one is kind of general, but it’s being a douche bag.”
Bet Me Something (Something Series Book 3) Page 8
