Just A Kiss

by Elks, Carrie

  Caitie - Sounds better than this date.

  Harper - That’s because I’ll be there.

  Caitie bit down a grin.

  Caitie - I’ll see you in half an hour. Better put two bottles in. I’ve got a lot of sorrows to drown.

  Harper - That’s my girl.

  Caitie pressed on the home screen, closing the conversation. As she was about to slide her phone back in her purse, it started to buzz, a familiar name lighting up the screen.

  Brecken Miller.

  It had been two weeks since she’d seen him, yet her heart started to flutter wildly. Her finger shook as she accepted the call.

  “Hi Breck,” she said, keeping her voice low.

  “Hey Caitie, how are you?”

  She leaned against the metal wall, closing her eyes as she heard his deep voice. “I’m good. It’s Friday, after all. And how are you doing? Long time no talk.”

  “Where are you? Your voice sounds all echoey.”

  She glanced around at the tiled floor and walls. “Um, in a bathroom.”

  His laughter was low and deep. “What are you doing in there? Not taking a bath, are you?”

  “No, I’m in a restaurant bathroom. Nowhere near a bathtub.”

  “Did I interrupt you?” He sounded amused. She could picture his face turned up into a heartstopping grin. “Do you want me to call back later?”

  She shook her head even though he couldn’t see her. “Now is good. I’m just…taking a break.”

  His laughter reverberated through the line. “If that’s all your taking, we’re good. What are you taking a break from? Did you eat too much?”

  “I’m on a date,” she admitted.

  “Oh.” Was it her imagination or did he sound surprised? “I really did interrupt.”

  He went silent. All she could hear above the creaking of the bathroom pipes were his slow breaths.

  “You didn’t interrupt, honestly. It’s nice to hear from you.” She swallowed, waiting for him to reply.

  “I didn’t realize you had a boyfriend.” He still sounded strange.

  “I don’t. Damon is a…” She screwed her face up, trying to figure out how to classify him. “He’s a friend of a friend. I kind of know him from the bar we all go to. He’s a graphic designer. It’s our first date.”

  “A first date? I feel even worse now. All those hormones and batting eyelashes. I should let you get back to him.”

  “No eyelashes were batted in the making of this date,” she told him. “And I’d like to think I left my hormones behind years ago.” She lowered her voice. “If you want to know, it’s kind of awkward, and I’ve no idea how I’m going to let him down gently. And I’ve even less idea why I’m telling you this.”

  Breck laughed. “Me either. But it sounds more exciting than my Friday night. I was planning to crack open a beer and sit on the deck. I’d be happy to live life vicariously through you.”

  “Glad I can be of service.”

  “Seriously, though, Caitie. Be careful. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, and you’ve said your friends know him, but men can be assholes when they’re turned down. Make sure you do it in a safe place. And don’t let him walk you home.”

  “I wasn’t going to.”

  “Good. Maybe I should stay on the line. If you need any help we can have a code word. Just say it and I’ll get the guys together and fly over to save you. The way we always did.”

  She grinned. “My four knights in shining armor. One big brother is bad enough, but when all of you were around…” She paused for a moment, remembering those days. “Unless it was you guys causing the pain, of course.”

  “Hey, we just liked to protect you from getting hurt.”

  She tried to imagine Damon being involved in any physical violence. He was way too metrosexual for that. The make-love-not-war type. “I’ll be fine. I’ve lived in New York for a long time, and I’ve learned to take care of myself. I did the self-defense courses as soon as I arrived. I can get a man in a chokehold in ten seconds.”

  He gave another chuckle. “I don’t doubt it for a minute. But I’ll still feel better if you call me when you get home. Otherwise I’ll be all edgy and that doesn’t sit well with my cool Californian vibe.”

  “You really don’t need to worry.”

  “But I will anyway,” he pointed out gruffly.

  “I’ll call you later. Promise.” She glanced at her watch. It was almost ten-thirty in New York. Only seven-thirty in Angel Sands.

  “Good. You can give me the full-debrief when you do. In the meantime, have a good time.” He paused, then added, “But not too good.”

  “I wasn’t planning on it,” she said. Strange how breathy her voice sounded. As though she was flirting.

  She wasn’t though, was she?

  “I’ll talk to you later.” For some reason he sounded relieved. “And be safe, okay?”

  “Sure,” she said softly. “I’ll speak to you soon.”

  * * *

  “You managed to escape.” Harper looked up from the sofa as soon as Caitie walked through the door. She had a large bowl of popcorn wedged between her legs, and a half-empty glass of wine on the table beside her. Picking up the remote control, she paused the black-and-white movie she was watching, the screen freezing on a close up of Bette Davis.

  Caitie dropped down onto the sofa, lifting Harper’s legs and putting them over her own. “What are you watching? Is there more wine?”

  “There’s another bottle in the refrigerator,” Harper said, grabbing her glass before Caitie could. “Didn’t you drink on your date? Or is that the problem, you didn’t drink enough?”

  “I drank just the right amount.” Caitie grimaced. “I had one and a half glasses, enough to get me through the most boring date ever, but not so much I couldn’t get myself home.”

  “He didn’t bring you home?” Harper sat up. “I thought he was better than that.”

  “I didn’t let him. The last thing I needed was an awkward conversation on the doorstep. The one where he leans forward and tries to kiss me and I step away. Or even worse, the one where he tells me I’m a lovely girl but there’s no chemistry between us. Which was true, by the way.”

  “That you’re lovely?” Harper didn’t look convinced.

  Caitie slapped her arm good naturedly. “No! That there was no chemistry. It’s weird, because last year I swear we got along great. Although we’d both drunk a hell of a lot more that night.” She pushed herself off the sofa and walked over to the kitchen, grabbing a wine glass and the fresh bottle from the fridge. Bringing them back to the couch, she poured herself a glass, before she filled Harper’s now-empty glass.

  “You know, it’s too late to put the wine goggles on now.”

  “I’m drowning my sorrows.” Caitie leaned back on the sofa. “I’m not cut out for this dating thing; I’m clearly not interesting. Even Damon looked relieved when I told him I needed to go home because I have to get up early tomorrow. Seriously, Harper, I should concentrate on work. At least I’m good at that.”

  “Stop it. Remember what I said about the ten percent rule? You can’t make any judgment based on one date. You wouldn’t give up everything if you didn’t win a contract at work, would you? You’d dust yourself off and try again. Put it down to the wrong place, wrong time. Learn from it. But don’t tell me you’re no good at dating when you’ve been on precisely one date.”

  “I’ve had other dates,” Caitie protested. “It’s not as if this was my first one ever.”

  “I know that. We’ve double-dated a few times, after all. But I’m talking about you doing it seriously. Not just because you’re trying to appease me.”

  Caitie took a sip of her wine, closing her eyes as the cool liquid ran down her throat. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m all out of dates right now.”

  “Then try online dating.”

  Her eyes flew open. “Seriously? I’m not that brave. It’s hard enough going out with a friend, I can’t put myself out there a
nd meet strangers.”

  “So you’d rather be alone?”

  “No I’d rather—” She was cut off by the sound of her cell phone ringing. She pulled it from the pocket of her jacket and checked the screen.

  It was Breck.

  Immediately, she covered the screen. She wasn’t ready to tell Harper about him. It would only take her a moment to put two and two together, and realize the guy she’d kissed back when she was a kid wasn’t named Brent or Brant. She should let it go to voicemail, pretend it was a work call, do anything to pull Harper’s attention from the way Caitie’s face was starting to redden, her heart sounding like a train hammering down the tracks.

  “I should take this.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Um… a friend.” God, she was lame. Harper raised her eyebrows as Caitie swiped the phone and lifted it to her ear. “Hey.”

  She turned to Harper and mouthed, “I’ll be back in a minute,” intending to finish the call in her bedroom.

  “Who is it?” Harper mouthed back, catching her wrist before she could leave. “Don’t leave me hanging.”

  Caitie rolled her eyes at her friend, but stayed where she was. “Nobody you know.”

  “So you’re not dead?” Breck asked, his voice soft in her ear.

  “Yep. I’m dead.” Caitie grinned. “This is me answering from beyond the grave. By the way, turns out in Heaven there are no oceans, no lakes, and no baths. My kind of place.”

  “Is it Damon?” Harper mouthed furiously at her.

  “No,” Caitie mouthed back. Trying to keep up two different conversations was harder than it looked. She really should have gone to her room.

  “Very funny,” Breck replied. “I’ve been worried about you. Kept imagining having to tell your brother that I could’ve saved you from a serial killer, but instead I let you sweet talk me ‘round. I think I’d have joined you on the other side.”

  “I didn’t sweet talk you.”

  Harper’s eyes widened.

  “Of course you did,” Breck said, his voice full of humor. “You always have. Remember that summer when you persuaded me to help you make mud pies in the garden? Your mom went crazy when we pulled up all her begonias to decorate them.”

  “It’s a guy, isn’t it?” Harper mouthed. “What’s his name?”

  “Breck, I’m sorry, Can you hold on? I need to go to my room. It’s really noisy in here.”

  “Breck?” Harper said out loud. “As in Brant?”

  Oh shit. Caitie swallowed hard and covered the mouthpiece. “Um…no…”

  The next moment, Harper grabbed the phone from her hands, and ran out of the living room and into the kitchen. Caitie rushed after her, trapping her next to the stove, but Harper was holding the phone out of her reach.

  “Hey, Breck,” she shouted. “This is Harper, Caitie’s best friend. Remind me, where did you two meet again?”

  “Give it back.” Caitie jumped once, then twice, trying to grab the phone from her. But each time she tried, Harper moved back. Then she was running again, this time down the hallway, the phone against her ear.

  “Is that right? You’re in Angel Sands now?” Harper was breathless from running. “Ah, yes Lucas, he’s a great guy, isn’t he?” She stuck her tongue out at Caitie who had caught up with her.

  Harper was in the corner of her bedroom, her knuckles white from holding the phone. She was laughing, still listening to Breck.

  Murderous thoughts galloped their way through Caitie’s head.

  “Oh, Caitie wants her phone back,” Harper said, her voice as sweet as honey. “It was great talking with you, Breck. Oh, by the way, are you going to be in California for Thanksgiving? Caitie’s coming back and I’m sure she’d love to meet up with you again. I’ll be there, too. I can’t wait to meet you.” She paused while Breck replied, then said, “Oh yeah, I’m sure we can sort something out.”

  Smiling sweetly, she handed Caitie back the phone. Giving her a death stare, Caitie snatched it away, turned on her heel, and walked into her own bedroom. Slamming the door, she locked the knob, and finally lifted the phone to her ear.

  “You still there?”

  “Yeah.” He sounded as if he was smiling. “Who was that?”

  “My roommate. Or should I say my soon-to-be-ex-roommate,” she said loudly, in case Harper was listening at the door. “I’m so sorry, they’ve only just let her go on day release. She’s pathologically crazy.”

  “Harper the costume designer?” he asked. “The one you met in college?”

  He remembered that? The day they’d visited the Chateau, Caitie had given him a brief rundown of her life in New York, but she didn’t figure he would’ve retained all she shared. Especially not about her roommate. “Yeah, that’s the one. Though it’s going to be hard for her to sew when all her fingers are broken.”

  He laughed again. His chuckle warmed her from the inside out. “She sounds like quite a character.”

  “Definitely. A real character.”

  Breck cleared his throat. “So how did the date end up? Did he let you go without a protest?”

  “Well he didn’t stalk me home. So I’d call that a win.”

  “That’s a relief. I had images of you fighting him off. I didn’t fancy his chances with your chokehold.”

  She sat down on her bed, swinging her legs around so she was laid down. “Why are you so interested anyway?”

  “You’re Lucas’s little sister. I kind of owe it to him to make sure you’re okay. I know he’d do the same for me.”

  “You don’t have a sister.”

  “Yeah, but he’d look after Daniel if I asked him to. He did when we were kids, after all.”

  “Yeah, I guess he would.” Her shoulders slumped. She didn’t know why she felt so disappointed by his reply. Of course he would look out for her the same way he always had. There was no ulterior motive, he was being protective, the same way Lucas’s friends always were.

  “But you’re okay, right?” Breck asked her. “Not too upset about the date?”

  “I’m fine.” She fought hard to keep the disappointment from her voice.

  “That’s good.”

  “Yeah, it is.”

  “So, ah, I guess it’s getting late over there. I should let you go to bed or something.”

  “Yeah, I’m pretty tired. But thanks for calling to check up on me. I appreciate it.”

  “I almost forgot why I called,” Breck said, before she could disconnect. “I spoke to Daniel earlier. He was wondering if you’re coming to Angel Sands for Thanksgiving. He’s hoping to see you there. But asking is a bit of a moot point now, since my little chat with Harper.”

  “Um, yeah, we’re coming. It will be good to see him. Tell him I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Okay, I will.” He paused again. Caitie waited for him to say goodbye, to hang up, something, but instead all she could hear was his breathing. His breaths were low and regular. For some reason, she found their cadence reassuring, like a baby hearing its mother’s heartbeat. “You sure you’re okay?” he finally asked.

  “I am. It’s just been a long day. I had to be up early to prepare a presentation for next week; then the date from hell really topped things off. I’ve never been happier to see my bed in all my life.”

  “I’ll let you go, Cait. Hopefully we’ll see you at Thanksgiving.”

  The way he said her name made her heart skip a beat. Cait. He was the only one who’d ever called her that. God, she really did need some sleep. “Good night, Breck.”

  “Good night. Sweet dreams.”

  With Harper sure to be outside the door, no doubt full of questions, she was pretty sure she wouldn’t be sleeping at all.

  11

  Breck walked out of the water and along the sand, laying his board down as he reached for his towel. He grabbed his water bottle, opening it and taking long gulps. His skin felt rough, beaten up by the early-morning wind and the salt from the sea. Pouring some water into his hand, he splashed i
t on his face, rinsing away the dried-on granules.

  “I’m getting too old for this.” Lucas threw himself onto the sand next to Breck, throwing his arms above his head until he was laying prone. “Remind me why we do this again?”

  “Because it’s the closest thing to God?” Breck suggested. “Plus the beach is so perfect at this time of the morning. No tourists, no litter. The only sounds are the sea, the birds, and your complaining.”

  Lucas grinned. “It sure is beautiful.” The wide expanse of sand was barely touched by humans that morning. The only footprints were from surfers, running in and out of the ocean. Between the hours of ten at night and eight in the morning, nature ruled the beach.

  “You love it. You’re the guy who comes out here in the rain and wind, no matter the time of year. You told me the other day you hate summer, because when school’s out, the kids take away from the early morning tranquility,” Breck said.

  “I said that?” Lucas grinned. “I didn’t even know I knew the word tranquility.”

  Breck bumped his shoulder. “Shut up. You’re always pretending you’re not as clever as you are. We both know you’re the cleverest guy on the beach.”

  “Nah ah. I’m sitting next to him.”

  Reaching behind him, Breck unzipped his wetsuit. Snapping his arms from the sleeves, he rolled it down to his waist.

  “Anyway,” Lucas said. “I’ve got something to ask you.”

  “Sure, fire away.”

  “I told Mom about your dad and brother visiting for Thanksgiving, and she’s got it in her head that you should come over and spend the day with us. I know you probably want to catch up with your family, but it would really get her off my back if you’d agree to come.”

  Breck blinked. “Your mom wants all three of us to come? Won’t that be extra work?”

  Lucas shrugged. “She’s already invited half the town. What’s three extra people among friends?”

  “A lot of people to cook for?” Breck grinned. “But yeah, that would be great. My dad always liked your folks. Plus Daniel already said he wants to catch up with you all. Are you sure your mom doesn’t mind cooking for us?”