“You can?” He looked askance at her, his eyes wide.
“Sure. Wiring things to light up or perform a task with electricity is kind of a superpower. I couldn’t do it.”
“But you can clean teeth. I couldn’t do that.”
She snorted. “Because working in other people’s mouths all day would make you gag?”
“Probably.” He chuckled.
Smiling, she settled back, no longer nervous. Wyatt was her friend, and maybe Haley would be too. Having friends was a good thing, and eventually she’d get over her unfortunate attraction to him. “You’re funny.”
“Funny good, or funny odd?”
Their gazes met for a hot second, and he looked so vulnerable, she wanted to reach out and take his hand. He swallowed. Could it be his mouth had gone as dry as hers? “Definitely funny good,” she said, twining her fingers together on her lap.
He nodded and focused on driving. Ten minutes later, they were parking at a metered spot next to Mears Park. “The Bulldog is right across the street.” He pointed before climbing out of the pickup and coming around to her side to open the door.
“You don’t have to do that, you know.”
“Do what?”
“Open doors for me. I can manage.”
“Does it offend you when I do?”
“No. Not at all, but—”
“Good, because Grandpa Joe raised me and my brother old-style, and it’s a hard habit to break. I’d hear his voice scolding me inside my head if I didn’t open doors for you. And if not his scolding voice, then Grandma Maggie’s, which is worse.”
Wyatt took care of entering his debit card into the meter, and she couldn’t tear her eyes from him. What was it about this man that she found so fascinating? He wasn’t available, and really, that was for the best, because neither was she.
She directed her attention toward the park. It had been nicely landscaped, with white birch trees growing along a man-made stream lined with boulders.
“All set,” Wyatt said from beside her.
Kayla slung her purse strap over her shoulder. “Lead the way.”
They crossed the street and approached the bar and restaurant, which was situated on the first floor of an old red-brick building. The front faced the park, and people took advantage of the sidewalk tables by the entrance. Wyatt held the door for her, and they had to push their way through the crowded entry and the bar area to search the interior. Wyatt waved, took her elbow and guided her across the floor where Haley and Wyatt’s brother were already seated.
“Josey’s not here yet?” Wyatt asked, pulling out a chair for her.
“She was held up at a job, but she’s on her way.” Haley smiled at Kayla. “Glad you could join us.”
“Thanks.” She took a seat, her stomach twisting with nervousness.
“You’ve already met Haley, and this is my brother, Sam.” Wyatt slid into the chair between her and Haley. “Sam, this is Kayla Malone.”
“Nice to finally meet you.” Sam’s smile was openly curious and friendly.
“Nice to meet you too.” Oh, wait. Had Wyatt asked her to join them in an effort to fix her up with his brother? Why hadn’t that occurred to her before? Though, looking at him, she couldn’t imagine Sam needing anyone’s help finding dates.
A server came by, set coasters down and asked if she and Wyatt wanted anything from the bar. Wyatt ordered a beer, and she told the server to bring her the same.
“Here comes Josey,” Haley said, holding up her hand to wave.
Kayla studied Wyatt’s sister. Good looks definitely ran in the Haney family. Josey’s hair was more tawny blonde, thick and straight like Wyatt’s, while Sam’s was lighter and wavy. Josey wasn’t very tall, but what she lacked in height, she made up for in fitness. She wore a denim skirt and a soft cotton top. The males at the bar definitely took notice as she walked by.
“Hey,” Josey said, sliding into a seat. “Sorry I’m late. I ran into a sewer drain with stubborn tree roots growing through it, and it took a little longer to clear them out than I thought.”
“No problem.” Wyatt slung his arm around the back of Kayla’s chair. “This is Kayla Malone. This is my sister, Josey.”
“Glad you could make it tonight,” Josey said with a welcoming grin. Then her attention swung to Haley. “You know what occurred to me about your name on the way here?”
Haley rolled her eyes. “I can hardly wait to hear.”
“Me too.” Wyatt barked out a laugh.
“Well,” Josey’s gaze turned solemn. “After you and Sam are married—”
What? Kayla blinked. Wait. Haley is marrying Sam . . . not Wyatt? Oh, hell.
“The first two letters of your first name are H, A, and the first two letters of your last name will be H, A. That makes you—”
“Ha-Ha,” Haley muttered.
“Exactly.” Josey laughed and high-fived Wyatt. “It’s the perfect nickname.”
“Very funny,” Haley said, her tone flat. “Do you see now why you have to take my last name, Sam? These two clowns will never let up with their lame jokes. Last week, Wyatt told me the 4-H organization would be calling soon, because my initials will be too close to infringing on their trademark. If we don’t go with Cooper, I’m going to have to deal with this crap for the next fifty years.”
“I hope it’s more than fifty years, Ha-Ha,” Sam teased, putting his arm around Haley’s shoulders and drawing her close for a hug.
Wyatt winked at Kayla. “We do tease her a lot, but it’s only because we love her.”
She nodded. Stunned, Kayla pressed back against her chair and ran through every time the wedding had come up. He’d never actually said he was getting married, and she’d never actually asked the direct question. Talk about monster game changers. BAM.
“Want to split an order of the fried pickles?” He slid a menu between them, leaning close so they could read it together. “The burgers here are really good. We could order two different burgers and share those too. You don’t have to though. Get whatever you want.”
A thrill, followed by a wave of panic, swamped her. Yep. This was a date. This sweet, shy, adorable man had mustered up the nerve to ask her out, and she’d accepted. She’d misled him, and now she had to find a way to explain to him that she wasn’t ready to date.
“What’s wrong?” Wyatt leaned forward to catch her eye.
“Nothing.” Kayla stared at the menu. “Sure, let’s share an order of the pickles and a couple of burgers.” Why hadn’t she noticed earlier he was wearing some kind of aftershave tonight? She took in a lungful of his tantalizing scent. There ought to be a law against a man smelling better than a woman.
“I like the 50/50 burger.”
“Of course you do.” She snorted. “It’s half bacon. How about splitting the turkey avocado sandwich instead of another burger? We can pretend we’re eating halfway healthy.”
“All right. Tater tots or fries?”
“Tater tots.” Honestly, she could hardly breathe, much less eat. His timing was way off. She needed a few years before she could even think of putting her heart on the line again. At the same time, she didn’t want to cut him out of her life, which was totally selfish on her part. Could they be friends? Dazed, Kayla half listened to the banter going around the table while struggling to come up with a way to explain to Wyatt exactly why they couldn’t be a couple.
Chapter Six
Wyatt had his arm slung across the back of Kayla’s chair. They were going to share food. If she was willing to share half her sandwich, wouldn’t she also be willing to share a kiss? He was hard-pressed not to test his theory right this minute. Amped up with an entirely different kind of happy, he smiled so hard his cheeks hurt, and it all had to do with the woman sitting beside him—the lovely and mysterious Ms. M.
She’d gone quiet once his sister showed up, but Josey had started out by teasing Haley right off the bat. Kayla might be feeling a little out of her element. “Kayla is going to school to
become a dental hygienist,” he tossed out, giving her shoulder a brief bolstering squeeze.
“Wow. Good for you,” Haley said. “How long before you’re done?”
“December, and then the big job search begins.” Kayla wrapped her hands around her beer mug.
Josey peered at her over the top of her menu. “Don’t you have a child?”
“Yes.” Her chin lifted slightly. “I have a five-year-old son.”
He’d seen the same defensive chin lift when he’d asked her how old she was. Defensiveness was the last thing he wanted her to feel around his family. “His name is Brady,” Wyatt added. “He’s a great little guy—cute and really bright.”
“Thanks,” she said, ducking her head. “I think he’s pretty wonderful myself.”
“It can’t be easy managing single parenthood and going to school,” Sam said. “How do you do it? Do you work too?”
“No, I don’t have a job outside of school, which is more than enough. I have a small income because my husband died in the military. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough that I get by. Honestly, that’s the only reason I can manage.”
Heads nodded, and their server returned. “Are we set? Fried pickles, a burger, the turkey sandwich and tater tots?” Wyatt asked her.
“Sure.”
He gave the waiter their order, a ridiculous pride swelling his chest. He’d mustered the courage to ask the Mysterious Ms. M out on a date, and he’d managed to put her at ease about her son. Once he handed the menu to the waiter, he slid his arm around the back of Kayla’s chair again. He could get used to having his arm around her. He wanted to get used to having his arm around her.
Still grinning like a fool, he shared a look with his sister. She smiled back, her expression full of approval, and he reveled in a moment of pure bliss. The next date he took her on, it would be just the two of them. A movie, or he’d take her to a Twins game, and he’d hold her hand as they walked to the stadium. “Do you like baseball?”
“Hmm?” Her brow rose.
“Baseball. Do you enjoy watching sports?” He loved sitting so close to her and wanted like hell to be even closer.
“I do, but I’ve only watched high school sports.” Kayla shrugged. “I grew up in a small town. There aren’t any professional stadiums nearby.”
“Where was that?” Haley asked.
“I was born and raised in Decorah, Iowa, population around eight thousand.”
“What about hockey?” Sam asked. “Do you like hockey?”
“My brother coaches a peewee hockey team with one of our cousins,” Wyatt explained. “Sam also played in high school.”
“I guess I’ve led a sheltered life. I’ve never been to a professional game of any sort,” Kayla said, her tone rueful. “That’s one of the reasons I decided to move to the Twin Cities to go to school. There’s so much going on here all the time. Once I finish school, and I’m making a decent living, I plan to take advantage.”
“Hockey and baseball games?” Haley flashed her a questioning look.
“Not sports so much. I’m leaning more toward the old State Theatre, the Orpheum, Guthrie and the Ordway.” One side of Kayla’s mouth quirked up. “I’ve never been to a live play either, other than high school performances back home. I was even in a few of those dismal productions.”
“You know what?” Josey leaned in. “I’ve been to lots of live concerts, but I’ve never gone to a play either, and I’ve lived here my whole life. We should plan a night out at the theater.” She looked around the table. “If I do the research, are the rest of you interested?”
“I’m game.” He loved that his sister was trying to help him out, and Wyatt wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity. “Would you be interested, Kayla?”
“Depends,” she said, her eyes fixed on her beer mug.
Great. What did that mean, and why did it feel like she was withdrawing again? He glanced at Sam and Haley. Had they noticed Kayla’s noncommittal answer?
“We’re in,” Haley chimed.
Sam raised his brow. “We are?”
“Sure. It won’t kill you to see a play,” Haley said, nudging him with her shoulder.
“If you say so, dear,” he teased. “So long as it’s about hockey.”
“Geez. It’s a sign. Even my brother’s favorite sport starts with an H. Unfortunately for you, Haley, it’s clear fate meant to stick you with my big brother.” Josey snorted.
Wyatt groaned. “Even by my standards, that one stunk.”
“Whatever. I’m not complaining.” Haley leaned in to kiss Sam’s cheek.
“I see what you mean,” Sam said, running his hand up and down Haley’s arm. “The jokes just get lamer and lamer, and they don’t seem to get when to quit.”
Another one of those annoying envy pangs hit Wyatt, but this one didn’t last long. Maybe someday soon, he and Kayla would tease each other the way couples did, and she’d lean in and kiss his cheek.
A few minutes later their food arrived, and the conversation lulled. Wyatt split the burger and made the transfers, so he and Kayla each had half the turkey sandwich and half the burger on their plates. “Anyone want fried pickles?” He took a few, dipped them in sauce before passing the basket to Kayla.
“Sure, I’ll take a few,” Josey said. “Pass them around.”
After the table had been cleared, and they’d had one more beer, their server placed the bill in the center of the table. Kayla reached for her purse, and Wyatt put his hand on her forearm. “I’ve got this.”
“I can put in for my share.”
“You bought the pizza the other night. Remember? It’s my treat.” He fished his wallet out of his pocket.
“But the pizza was to thank you for helping out after the fire.”
“And this is to thank you for listening to me read my comic books.” He picked up the bill, did a quick tally, put in their share plus a nice tip, and handed the folder to Josey.
She wasn’t acting like this was a date anymore. What had changed? This time he’d ask. He no longer felt quite so shy with her, and he had a feeling the why might be important.
“Wyatt has shared his comic books with you?” Sam asked.
“Yes, and I think they’re amazing. His style really stands out. I suggested he look for an agent. He might have a greater chance at getting published if he has representation.”
“You’re probably right.” Sam set his elbows on the table. “What did you think of his Mysterious Ms. M character?”
Kayla’s brow rose. “The Mysterious Ms. M? I don’t remember seeing her.”
Oh, great. Wyatt’s face heated, and he shot his idiot brother a glare. “We haven’t gotten that far in the series yet.” And they wouldn’t for some time to come either.
“What does the M stand for?” she studied him.
“Ah . . . I don’t know. That’s what makes her so mysterious,” he mumbled.
“Hmm.” She turned away.
Did she suspect the M stood for Malone? “Well, this was fun, but we promised Kayla’s sitter we wouldn’t be out too late.” He stuffed his wallet back into his pocket. “Ready?”
“I am. Tomorrow is a school day, and it’s already past my bedtime.” Kayla placed her napkin on the table, pushed her chair back and stood up. “Thanks for including me tonight. This was fun, and I’m glad I got to meet all of you.” She smiled and draped her purse over her shoulder.
“We’ll do it again,” Haley said.
“And we’ll plan our theater outing in the next week or so,” Josey added.
“See you tomorrow, Wyatt.” Sam placed a few bills with the rest of the money in the folder. “Glad you joined us tonight, Kayla.”
“Me too.” Kayla gave a little wave, and they started for the door.
Wyatt placed his hand at the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd, and out into the humid August evening. “I’ve noticed it’s already getting dark earlier.” He steered them down the sidewalk toward the traffic light where th
ey needed to cross.
“Mm-mm.” Kayla blew out a breath and glanced back at the door. Then she turned to him. “I thought you were marrying Haley.”
“Me?” He stopped walking. “Why?”
“Well, you had that wedding-planning thing to go to, and I asked you when the happy day was going to be, and then I met Haley in the hall that day, and she had wedding stuff with her, and she had that glow about her, and—”
“I did have a wedding-planning thing, and it is a happy day. Just . . . not mine. I’m Sam’s best man.” He frowned. “Why would I ask you to go out with me if I was engaged?”
“I don’t know.” She twisted the hem of her blouse with both hands and lifted a shoulder. “I thought you were just being friendly because I’m new to the area. It was a group thing, beer and burgers with your siblings and your fiancée . . . who happened to be very friendly. I thought it was her idea to include me.” She looked toward the park for a second before her gaze returned to meet his. “For a minute there, I even thought you might be trying to fix me up with your brother.”
“Umm . . . no.” He shook his head and stared. Her pretty blue eyes held uncertainty and a vulnerability that stole his breath. They stood beneath a street lamp, and the soft fluorescent glow gave her a full-body halo, turning her into a demigoddess straight out of his wildest fantasies. He reached for her. Her eyes grew wide, and her mouth opened slightly. Acting on instinct, he drew her close and kissed her. He’d dreamed of kissing her for months, and here she was in his arms.
For an instant, she stiffened. Had he made a disastrous mistake? But then she melted against him and kissed him back, and thinking was beyond him. He drew her closer, his heart pounding like crazy. He couldn’t imagine any woman feeling more perfect against him. Kayla’s full breasts pressed against his chest, and her arms came up to circle his neck. Desire ignited in a flash, and blood rushed to his groin. Her lips parted, and he slipped his tongue inside to taste her.
“Mmm.” He pulled back, drinking in the sight of her from her slightly dazed eyes to her plump kissable lips. “Sweetest dessert ever,” he whispered before going in for another taste. His breathing ragged, he deepened their second kiss, wishing like hell they were in his apartment and not standing on a corner under a streetlight.
Whatever You Need (The Haneys Book 2) Page 9
