The New Guy in Town

by Teresa Southwick

  She turned to see Linc motioning him over. “It would appear that you’re being paged.”

  “Whatever it is, I’ll make it quick.” He met her gaze.

  “Famous last words,” she scoffed.

  “Promise me a dance?” he challenged.

  “A waste of breath since you’re going to abandon me.”

  “Oh, ye of little faith.”

  He went off to do his thing after giving her a smile that promised something more than just his company at the reception. Her toes curled, her knees went weak and she was counting the seconds until she could find out what more he had in mind.

  Chapter Ten

  Sam’s family obligations at the reception turned out to be more extensive than he’d anticipated. Finally dinner was served, toasts made and his responsibilities complete. It was time to collect that dance from Faith. He searched the room and finally saw her sitting at a table not far from the door. She had her cell phone in her hand and, if body language was anything to go by, looked ready to make a quick escape.

  It was now or never and he had some figurative dancing to do in order to distract her from the fact that he’d abandoned her as she’d predicted. Due to family commitments, but still...

  He crossed the room and stopped beside her table, holding out his hand. “They’re playing our song.”

  “Does that cheesy line ever work for you?”

  “There’s always a first time. You promised me a dance.”

  “Not exactly,” she reminded him. “I said it was a waste of breath because you were going to abandon me. And I was right.”

  “Blame the bridal couple. They’ve got this thing for pictures to commemorate this day and for some reason my presence in them was mandatory.”

  Surprisingly, her face softened. “You’re fortunate to have people who want you in their life and memories.”

  “Does that mean you’ll dance with me?”

  “It does.” She put her fingers in the hand he was still holding out and let him pull her to her feet.

  Right there by the table he settled her close and started moving to the slow song. If she wondered why he couldn’t wait to get her to the center of the room where other couples were dancing, she didn’t ask. And he didn’t want her to think about it. The lights were low, the mood was intimate. That was good enough for him. She felt nice in his arms and he sighed, as if he’d been holding his breath for a very long time in anticipation of this exact moment.

  “Are you sorry you stayed for all this?” he asked.

  “No.” She slid her hand farther over his shoulder. “Are you sorry you got me an invitation to crash the party?”

  “Only a little.”

  “Really?” She leaned back far enough to look at him.

  “I was sorry you had to see that scene with my cousin Logan.” Their feet were barely moving. This conversation could have happened sitting at the table but the slow song gave him a chance to keep holding her. “He has issues with his father.”

  “He’s not a dedicated flower consumer like yourself, so I don’t know him well.” She grinned at her not-so-subtle reference to his dating history. “But the tension between the two of them was obvious. I haven’t heard anything bad about Logan. And in this town, I would have. Especially the bad stuff. It spreads faster than the flu.”

  “He is a good guy, no thanks to his father. My uncle is—” Sam tried to think how to diplomatically label the underhanded, integrity-challenged, womanizing bastard. “Let’s just say he’s the polar opposite of his brother. My father.”

  “Hastings Hart sets a high bar.”

  Sam brushed his thumb lightly over her back and wished he could feel her bare skin. “Oh?”

  “Your father knew Linc wasn’t his son, but he accepted the child as his own and no one was the wiser. Not just any man could pull it off.”

  “True.” Sam nodded. “I don’t know whether or not that makes him a good man. Just one who would do anything for the woman he loves.”

  “Hmm.”

  “What does that mean?” Another song started to play and Sam’s luck held when the slow, sweet strains of a ballad filled the room.

  “I was just thinking about Linc and Rose. They were split up for ten years and it was finalizing their divorce that brought them back together.”

  “Because they never got over each other. And they’re still madly in love.”

  She shrugged. “They got lucky.”

  “That’s one way of putting it,” he said drily.

  “You know that’s not what I meant.” She playfully punched his shoulder. “Let me rephrase. They are among the fortunate few who found their soul mate.”

  “And came close to losing each other. Who knew a lawyer would be responsible for bringing two people back together?”

  “I know what you mean.” She laughed. “For the record, romantic attorney is sort of an oxymoron.”

  “You got the ‘moron’ part right. If Linc had hired a barracuda like my ex-wife did...”

  “Or like my ex-husband.”

  The light was too dim to really see her face, but he didn’t hear anger or bitterness in her voice. He wanted to know what was going through her mind and if she didn’t want to answer, she would tell him. So he asked, “What are you thinking?”

  “Love complicates everything. Things would have been fine if he and I hadn’t taken that step.”

  “You mean marriage,” he said.

  “No, way before that. If we’d just stayed friends. Friendship is so much better.”

  He thought back, to the beginning of his relationship with the woman he’d married. She was funny and beautiful. There had been hints that she was mercenary, spiteful and self-centered, but he’d ignored them. He’d been in a hurry to leap into love and if he hadn’t been, things might have been different.

  “You know,” he said, “now that I think about it, friendship is better. Do you have a flower for that?”

  “A forever friendship flower?” She looked thoughtful. “I’d have to do some research. Off the top of my head, I would make it a daisy. They’re pleasant and cheerful. Who doesn’t like daisies?”

  “That would be like despising kittens, puppies and butterflies.” The music stopped but he didn’t let her go.

  “Did I just come up with your new dating strategy? Is there something you want to tell me?”

  “Yes. I really—” A fast song blared from the speakers and seemed to vibrate the whole room. It didn’t do his hearing any favors, either.

  “What did you say?” Faith shouted.

  Sam saw a lot of people flood the dance floor and knew the DJ was trying to shake things up. That didn’t work for his purposes. “I said, I really li—”

  She shook her head. “Can’t hear you.”

  Sam grabbed her hand and tugged her through the doors and into the hall, which was also vibrating. The wall didn’t stop the harsh sounds. Looking around he saw an exit sign. Without letting go of Faith, he walked toward it and didn’t stop until they were standing outside on the hotel’s patio. The air was cool and smelled of pine and flowers. There was a shrub-lined sidewalk with benches, chairs and old-fashioned streetlights. A nearly full moon hung in the spectacular sky and, most of all, it was quiet. If there was also an element of romance, well, he would just count his lucky stars.

  “Oh, thank God.” Faith took a deep breath and let it out.

  Sam was mesmerized by the simple movement of her chest. Moments ago it was pressed against him and he missed the feel of her.

  “Sam?”

  “Hmm?” He lifted his gaze to hers.

  “What were you trying to say in there? Before the music broke my ears.”

  He couldn’t remember. Apparently he was that guy and easily distracted by
a woman’s assets. More likely it was specifically about Faith. “What were we talking about?”

  “Friendship. Leaving love out of it.”

  “Right.” Now he remembered. “Relationships as defined by Faith Connelly.”

  “You think I’m wrong?”

  “On the contrary, I completely concur.”

  “You do?” She blinked up at him. “When did the sun, moon and stars align so that we’re in agreement about something? I must have missed that.”

  “Smart aleck.” The fact that she could make him smile was one of his favorite things about her. “I like you, Faith. That’s what I was saying in there.”

  Her face softened. “I like you, too.”

  “And I like Phoebe. She’s smart and funny. Really terrific. If I could pick any kid in the world it would be her.”

  “Aww.” She smiled as if he’d handed her a star. “And that just proves that there’s hope for you. In terms of your judgment about women.”

  “I’m serious. Your friendship means a lot to me and I don’t want to lose it. But—”

  She pressed a finger to his mouth to stop the next words. “That’s not going to happen to us.”

  He thought about it for a moment and nodded. “On the plus side, we have been living under the same roof for a while now and we still enjoy each other’s company.”

  “See?” She tilted her head to look up at him. “That’s because we haven’t complicated it with sex.”

  The pathway lights illuminated her expression and Sam saw the exact second when teasing turned to awareness. Suddenly her eyes were wide and her lips parted slightly.

  His serial dating days had taught him something about women. He knew when one was feeling sexual tension and he could see it crackling in Faith right now. If that wasn’t enough, her breathing was shallow and fast.

  He cupped her face in his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. The touch was meant to be sweet and tender but quickly turned hot and demanding. He traced her lips with his tongue and she opened to him, letting him invade and explore. She settled her hands on his chest, pressing closer, and he slid an arm around her waist, holding her tighter.

  The sound of their harsh breathing filled his ears, drowning out the night sounds. He wanted her and she wanted him right back. But... There was that damn word again.

  He lifted his head, leaving only millimeters between their mouths. “Faith, I wish we—But we can’t—There’s a—”

  “Wedding reception,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

  “Yeah.” He stepped away from temptation and willed her to believe what he was going to say. “You should know this isn’t sudden, kissing you, I mean.”

  “I know. It wasn’t for me, either.”

  “I’ve wanted to do that for a while.”

  “I can’t say I haven’t wanted you to.”

  “Okay, then—” He blew out a long breath. “Fair warning. At an appropriate time, there will be more kissing. And stuff—unless you’re not interested. I’ll back off. No harm, no foul. Just say the word and—”

  She shook her head. “I’m all in favor of—stuff.”

  “Good.”

  “It’s love I have a problem with.”

  So did he. How perfect was that?

  * * *

  The afternoon following the wedding, Faith had picked Phoebe up at her friend’s house and was headed back to Sam’s. Her daughter’s sleepovers rarely resulted in a lot of sleep so she was normally quiet afterward and today was no exception.

  Having time to mull over what had happened with Sam the night before at the reception may, or may not, have been a good thing. But unless aliens landed their spaceship in front of her van, forcing her thoughts in a different direction, she was compelled to think about kissing him. There was debatable satisfaction in the fact that she’d been right. He made a move and she hadn’t pushed him away. What’s more, she’d basically given him a rain check for sex.

  Those persistent tingles of hers kicked into high gear at the anticipation she’d seen in his eyes. Since Phoebe was at her friend’s, they probably would have continued their make-out session at the house, but Sam had brought Cal home with him. His brother’s visit had been so last-minute he had nowhere to stay. So that was that.

  She pulled into the driveway and it was hard to miss a couple of cars parked in front that hadn’t been there when she left. “Hmm.”

  “Who’s here?” Phoebe asked.

  “That’s an excellent question. I have no idea.”

  She found an unoccupied space for her van and the two of them went inside. Phoebe set her backpack at the bottom of the stairs and they followed the loud sound of voices that led them to the kitchen. No one noticed them standing in the doorway, what with most of the Hart family gathered there. Hastings, Katherine, Cal and Alex McKnight stood around the island. It was a good bet Ellie and Leah were around somewhere.

  Faith had the random thought that these men could easily be Mr. September, October, November and December on a hunky guy calendar.

  “Mom?” Phoebe saw the strangers and moved closer.

  Sam must have heard because he looked over and smiled. “Hey, Squirt. How was the sleepover?”

  “Good.” She put her hand in Faith’s.

  “Don’t be afraid, Phoebs. This is my family. Although I know they look like it, no one is a fugitive from an asylum.” Sam slapped his brother on the back. “Except maybe Cal here.”

  “Cal was raised by wolves and left on my doorstep when they didn’t want him anymore.” Hastings walked over and held out his hand to the little girl. “I’m Sam’s dad. You must be Phoebe. I met your mom yesterday and I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Really?” She put her little hand in his bigger one.

  “Yes.” He winked. “Sam tells me you’re a troublemaker.”

  “No, he didn’t,” the little girl loyally defended.

  “You’re right. He didn’t.” The older man gently took her by the hand. “Let me introduce you to everyone. Except Linc and Rose, who are on their honeymoon. This is Sam’s brother, Calhoun, and his mother, who is also my wife, Katherine. She’s much nicer than I am.”

  “You’re pretty nice,” Phoebe said. “Like Sam.”

  Hastings smiled fondly. “He gets that from me.”

  Faith was swept into the chaos and ended up sitting at the table in the nook with Katherine Hart. Phoebe was looking at ease with the hunky Hart men but Faith had a sudden case of nerves because she really cared about making a good impression. Not that she wanted Sam’s mom to hate her, but it shouldn’t be this big a deal what the woman thought of her. Except it was a big deal and that was a troubling sign.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Hart.”

  “Katherine, please.” She smiled. “I’m so pleased you were able to join us at the reception yesterday. And it has to be said again how perfect the flowers were. Rose was so happy with everything and that made my son happy, too.”

  “I’m glad. Thank you for telling me. And for including me in the festivities.”

  “Technically Rose and Linc hosted, but I know they were glad you were there.”

  “Yes, they told me.” She clenched her hands in her lap, beneath the table, so tight her fingers started to lose sensation. “The truth is that Sam insisted. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

  “Is that so?”

  Faith hadn’t meant to blurt that out but she was stuck now. “Not even the fact that I wasn’t properly dressed for the occasion could sway him.”

  “He’s stubborn. Always was. He was determined to marry that society schemer.” A shadow crossed her face when she looked at him across the room, laughing with the men. Then she seemed to shake it off. “Sorry.”

  “No problem. He told me about
the divorce.”

  “Funny,” she said. “Divorce was a game changer for both of my sons—one in a bad way, the other good. It scarred Sam and brought Linc and Rose back together.”

  Faith had no idea what to say to that. So a change of subject was in order. “Where’s Ellie?”

  “Potty training,” Katherine answered.

  “I’m going to assume you mean Leah,” Faith teased. “Probably Ellie is competent in that regard.”

  “Yes.” Katherine laughed. “I promise not to boast that she came out of the womb proficient in all things potty.”

  “Bless you for not being one of those mothers whose little darling was trained by his or her first birthday.”

  “Heaven forbid. That drove me crazy,” the older woman admitted. “I felt like a failure as a mother if mine weren’t taking care of business by themselves when the so-called pediatric experts said they should be.”

  “I know, right?” Faith realized the nerves were gone because this woman was down-to-earth and real, not pretending to be a superwoman.

  “Mom, are you telling secrets about me?” Sam wandered over and put his hand on her shoulder.

  “Of course.” Katherine gave him a sassy look. “A mother knows where all the bodies are buried.”

  “Just kill me now.” He looked heavenward and sighed. “And the day started out so promising. Then Ellie declared my house was a family dinner zone. Without my knowledge or consent, I might add.”

  “Stop whining,” his mother teased. “We brought all the food. You’re just providing the party house.”

  “And I felt so special. Right up until the zinger.” He looked at Faith and there was a gleam in his eyes. “So much for a quiet Sunday.”

  “Peace and tranquility are highly overrated,” she said. Especially when there was very little tranquility and not a lot of peace because all she could think about was the next time she could kiss Sam—alone. Except aliens, in the guise of his relatives, had landed and she was forced to put personal stuff on a back burner where it would simmer slowly.

  “Bebe!” Leah ran into the room and threw her arms around Phoebe, then said at the top of her lungs, “You here. I big girl. Go pee pee in the potty!”