“Wow. You should do that more often.”
His smile vanished as quickly as it had arrived. “What do you mean?”
“You hardly ever smile, but when you do your whole face lights up.”
Dylan couldn’t remember the last time a woman had paid him a compliment. He didn’t know what to say or where to look, so he settled on his laptop. “I’ll think about what you said…about staying. I’ll buy some paint at the weekend if that’s what I decide to do.”
Annie fidgeted beside him. “You’ll need to get paint sealer, too. Otherwise, the orange paint that’s on the walls will change the color of your top coat.”
“Any other advice?”
“Smile at the sales assistant. She might give you a good discount.”
Dylan didn’t know whether Annie was joking or serious.
“Relax.” She grinned in the quick, infectious way he was getting used to. “I’m kidding. But remember to take your sunglasses off and use your manners. If you don’t, the person behind the counter will think you work for the FBI.”
“You sound like my mother,” Dylan muttered.
“She must be brilliant. Now, what about buying a house?”
“I thought you’d forgotten.”
Annie stared at him as if he’d said something strange. “I can work out someone’s bowling average quicker than a calculator. I’ve got hundreds of recipes memorized in my brain and I always remember my friends’ birthdays. I don’t forget very much.” She pulled a notebook and pen out of her bag. “What are you looking for?”
“Someone with a kind heart, long legs, and unlimited patience.”
Annie grinned and tapped her pen against her chin. “You’ve got a sense of humor hidden inside of you, too.”
Dylan didn’t like the gleam in her eyes. “Is that a bad thing?”
“No, it’s a good thing. But combined with your housing issues, I’d say you’ve got the nesting bug.”
“Nesting bug?”
Annie nodded. “A friend of mine went through the same thing when she hit her late twenties. She wanted a family, the whole white picket fence thing.”
“Did she find it?”
“She got the fence and two children, but her husband left a few years after they got married. Some people have trouble with stickability.”
“Probably depends on how much you want it.”
“True.” Annie sighed as she bent her head over her notepad. She wrote something in big letters along the top of the first page.
“White picket fence?”
“Yep.” She added an exclamation mark and a couple of little stars to the heading. “You might look like a tough guy, but you’re looking for the same thing most of us are.”
Dylan was beginning to feel like he was in a counseling session. Annie saw through him and it was making him uneasy. “I want four bedrooms, master ensuite, open plan living, good sized backyard and room for a man-cave in the garage.”
Annie’s blue eyes opened wide. “That’s an awful lot of house for your first home. You must be planning on having a large family?”
Heat hit Dylan’s face and other parts of his body that were trying to stay out of the conversation. “I’ve got a few things I need to work through before I have children.”
“Like finding a wife?”
“Something like that,” he muttered.
“There are lots of single women in Bozeman looking for love. Have you met anyone interesting?”
“Define interesting.”
Annie put her notebook and pen down. “You know…someone that makes your heart go zing.” She had a dreamy expression on her face, as if she’d already met someone that made her heart go zing.
Dylan looked at her for a few moments before answering. “No zing moments yet. What about you?”
Annie’s smile disappeared. “I’m not looking for zing. A slow burn would do me.”
A slow burn sounded pretty good to Dylan, too. He was getting confused and kind of turned on. But Annie didn’t look as though her alternative relationship was as good as he thought it was. “What’s wrong with a slow burn?”
“Nothing.” She picked up her notebook and started writing. “Here’s the big question. What price range are you looking at?”
“Anything up to five hundred thousand.”
“Half a million dollars?” Annie looked shocked. “That’s a lot of money.”
Dylan shrugged his shoulders. “I haven’t had a lot of expenses over the years.”
Annie put his budget in her notebook. “Do you mind if I use your laptop?”
Dylan pushed it across the table and didn’t wince when their hands touched briefly.
Annie, however, reacted like a firecracker had gone off in her hand. She jumped back so fast that she nearly slipped off the sofa and onto the floor.
“Sorry.” Her cheeks flushed bright red. “Some people have healthy personal space thresholds. I don’t. Sometimes I get too close without knowing how it happened. I’ll try and keep further away.”
“No…it’s okay. I wanted to talk about my…personal space threshold, too.”
“You did?”
Dylan felt as though he was about to step off the ledge of the biggest, deepest canyon he’d ever seen. He hoped like crazy that Annie didn’t laugh at him. He could take anything, but if she made a mockery of what he was going though, it would break him. And he didn’t know if he’d have enough courage to try again.
“I was wondering if you’d help me with my touching issues.” When she scooted along the sofa, he realized how bad his words sounded. “No, I don’t mean what you think I mean. At least, what I think you think I mean.” He dropped his head into his hands and hoped he didn’t sound like the demented idiot he felt like.
“You don’t want sex?”
Dylan’s head shot up so fast that it was a wonder it stayed locked on his shoulders. Making love with someone was so far away from ever going to happen, that he’d only considered the possibility in his dreams. And they’d been good dreams. “No, not that you’re not attractive, or anything. I’m a long way from ever being able to be that close to someone.”
Annie hadn’t run screaming out of the room so he kept going before she decided he was officially nuts. “I want to be able to shake someone’s hand, or hug them, or hold them without freaking out each time.” Dylan felt cold sweat trickle down his spine. This was so much worse than he’d thought it would be. He was embarrassed and so damn vulnerable. It was a wonder he wasn’t the one running from the room.
Annie didn’t move. “So how could I help?”
Dylan felt a spark of hope ignite deep in his chest. “We could practice.”
“Touching?”
Dylan nodded.
“Has this got anything to do with being in Afghanistan?”
His whole body froze. “Why do you think that?”
“After you tripped over my feet at Connie’s wedding, Tess mentioned something about Afghanistan. I thought you must have seen something that upset you.”
“Upset me?”
Annie watched him carefully. “I can’t even imagine what it must have been like. I’ve seen some documentaries on TV and it doesn’t look great.”
Dylan swallowed the sick feeling gathering in his throat. “It was the worst time of my life.” Annie didn’t say anything for so long that he was sure she was going to leave.
“And this wouldn’t lead to anything else?”
He didn’t want to sound desperate, so he simply shook his head. Annie seemed satisfied with his answer, but he wasn’t so sure he was. He wanted it to lead to something else, but that was beyond where even he thought he could end up with her. He had so many dark places inside his head that it wouldn’t do either of them any good to be more than friends.
Annie looked at her notebook, then at his laptop. The interior photos he’d found yesterday flashed in front of them. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
“Pardon?” Dylan didn’t think he’d heard what
she’d said. She looked so serious that he was sure he must have misheard her.
“I’ll do it. I’ll help you learn to feel comfortable touching people again. But I really need to go. I’ve got to be at work at seven o’clock tomorrow morning.”
He let go of the breath he’d been holding. “Thank you.”
Annie bit her bottom lip. “Don’t expect too much, Dylan. I’m not a professional counselor. I don’t know the best way to do this. I’m just me.”
For the first time in a long while, Dylan felt tears fill his eyes. “You’re all I need, Annie. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to pay you back.”
Annie put her paint samples back in her bag and stood up. “You don’t need to pay me back.” She glanced down at his laptop. “Don’t buy any paint until we’ve seen a few properties together. I’ll print off some listings. Are you doing anything at six-thirty tomorrow night?”
He shook his head.
“Good.” Annie crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Come to my home. I live at 404 Enterprise Boulevard. I’m in apartment two.”
“I’ll be there.” Dylan followed her out of the room and onto his front porch.
She fished her keys out of her back pocket and sent him a small smile. “We could have our first lesson tomorrow, if you like?”
Dylan nodded. It was the only thing he could manage.
“I’ll see you later.” She backed down his front path so quickly that he was worried she’d bump into something.
Before he could warn her that she was close to the edge of the garden, she turned around and headed toward her car. With a final wave, she left him standing in front of his house, wondering if he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life.
***
Annie typed the last of Adam’s notes up on the computer at Osborne and Sons. It had been a long day, not because of her late night, but because she was worried about tonight. She still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to help Dylan. Helping brides in distress was one thing. Helping a man who looked like a movie star was something else again.
“You’re thousands of miles away.”
Annie jumped, then looked guiltily at Adam. He’d been a lawyer in Bozeman for longer than she’d been here. She’d be forever grateful to him for offering her the job as his receptionist when she didn’t have any experience for the position.
“Sorry. I’ve got things on my mind.”
“Why don’t you finish early? My last appointment left half an hour ago and we’re pretty much up to date.”
Annie looked at the stack of paper on her desk. “I wanted to get your invoices in today’s mail.”
Adam shrugged his shoulders. “One more day won’t make any difference. Go home and enjoy what’s left of the afternoon.”
The front door opened and Tess walked inside. “Hi, Adam. I brought you these muffins as a bribe.” She handed Adam a brown paper bag.
“You’re already engaged, so it can’t be my incredibly defined body that you’re after.”
Annie tried not to smile, but as soon as she caught the gleam in Tess’ eyes they both grinned together. There weren’t many muscles on Adam’s lean body. If anything, he looked more like a string bean than a heartthrob.
Adam opened the bag. “Chocolate chip with lemon frosting? You must want something pretty bad.”
“I want Annie to come with me for fifteen minutes. One of our brides is getting fitted for her dress and she looks amazing.”
Annie shut down her computer and put the last few things on her desk away. “I’d love to come. Are you sure you don’t want me to mail the invoices, Adam?”
“Of course I’m sure. A glamorous bride trumps my invoices any day.”
“Why do I feel like you were already getting ready to leave?” Tess asked.
Adam held the muffins behind his back. “Probably because I told Annie to go home early. You can’t take the muffins with you.”
Tess laughed. “I’d have to wrestle you to get them back, and you’re too quick for me.”
Annie picked up her bag and stood up. “Let’s go. Thanks, Adam.”
“Any time. I like your vanilla cream muffins too, Tess.”
“I know. I’ll make some tomorrow.”
Adam smiled and locked the door behind them. They walked quickly along the sidewalk, dodging a group of teenagers and a lady using a walker.
“It’s been a busy afternoon,” Tess said as they crossed the street. “After you left the café, Molly came in and showed me The Bridesmaids Club website. She’s uploaded the photos of Connie’s wedding and they look lovely. And then Becky came looking for her. They had a flower emergency at an event with the mayor. The only person I haven’t seen this afternoon is Sally.”
“She’s gone to the museum with her class. Which bride is trying on a dress?”
“Julie. Emily offered to do the first fitting in her boutique. Julie’s mom is going to do the sewing, but she was worried about unpicking the bodice.” Tess smiled at someone she knew, then held the door to Emily’s boutique open.
Annie walked through the big wooden doorframe. She loved visiting Emily. Her boutique was filled with beautiful clothes and accessories. She even had a selection of fashion magazines, books and jewelry that her customers could buy.
She walked toward the huge staircase in the middle of the room. “Which dress did Julie decide to wear?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
Annie could hear lots of laughing and talking coming from upstairs. As she got closer to the second floor, the laughing disappeared.
“You look beautiful.” A woman in her mid-fifties was sitting on one of Emily’s chairs, staring at the young woman in front of her.
“Don’t cry, mom.”
“I can’t help it, Julie. Your dad would have been so proud to see the woman you’ve become.”
Julie lifted the skirt of her satin dress and walked across to her mom. “You’re going to make me cry, too.”
Emily rushed across with a box of tissues. “For emergencies. Whatever you do, don’t cry on the satin.”
Both women started laughing.
Annie looked at Tess. “You’re right. The dress looks incredible.” Julie was wearing one of the first bridal dresses that had arrived. Instead of being white, the fabric was a soft shell pink satin. With a ruched bodice and spaghetti straps, Annie could see why Julie’s mom didn’t want to alter the dress without some expert advice.
As Julie moved back to where she’d been standing, Emily beckoned Julie’s mom across the room. They spoke quietly, turning Julie to the left, then to the right, as they discussed what needed to be done to make the dress fit snuggly.
“What about a veil?” Annie whispered.
“She doesn’t want one,” Tess whispered back. “I think she’s going to weave some flowers through her hair.”
Julie would look absolutely stunning on her wedding day. Her long blonde hair and peaches and cream complexion already suited the dress to perfection. With a bouquet in her hands and flowers in her hair, she would look amazing.
Emily waved at them. “What do you think?”
“All I can say is, wow,” Tess said. “You look lovely. I couldn’t imagine you wearing any other dress, Julie.”
“Neither can I.” Julie lifted her arm as Emily finished placing a row of pins from her waist to the top of the bodice. “I hope you know how much this means to me. To us. I don’t know what we would have done without your help.”
“You would have had a beautiful wedding and a great marriage,” Tess said. “We’re glad we could help.”
Emily made some final adjustments to the dress before Julie changed back into her jeans and t-shirt.
After Julie’s mom checked that they’d pinned all of the changes in place, they left the boutique with smiles on their faces.
Annie glanced at her watch and frowned. “I’ve got to go home.”
“We’re meeting Molly at Charlie’s Bar and Grill for dinner,” Tess said
. “Do you want to come?”
“I can’t. I’m helping Dylan…” Annie felt a blush work its way across her face, “…find a house. We’re looking on the Internet tonight.”
“Bring him with you. They’ve got wifi at the bar now. We could all help.” Tess watched Annie’s blush darken. “Why are you blushing?”
Annie held her hands against her hot cheeks. “I’m not. It’s hot in here. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.” She grabbed her jacket and bag and headed toward the stairs. “Bye, Emily. Thanks for helping.”
“It’s no problem. Aren’t you coming with us?”
Tess grinned. “She’s got a date with Dylan.”
Emily stopped putting away the pins and scissors on her work table. “Dylan Bayliss?”
Annie nodded. “And it’s not a date. I’m helping him find a house. He doesn’t know whether he wants to keep renting or buy a property.”
“Good luck with your search. It’s not easy finding the perfect place. It took me months to find this building.”
“And look what else you found,” Tess said. “If Alex hadn’t been looking for a project to keep him busy, you might never have married him.”
“Now he’s got lots of projects to keep him busy.” Emily sent a worried glance in Annie’s direction. “Just be careful. Dylan’s…intense.”
“Don’t worry. I’m used to intense men. Enjoy your dinner.” Annie left before Tess and Emily could ask her more questions. She’d already had second, third and fourth thoughts about the other reason Dylan was coming to her house. And she still didn’t know if she’d done the right thing.
***
Dylan checked Annie’s address, then knocked on the wooden door in front of him. The two-story condo sat in a fairly new residential development. She’d planted large pots full of daisies at the front door, making her home stand out against a row of identical apartments.
The front door opened and Dylan stared at the pretty brunette in front of him. He’d never seen Annie with her hair loose around her shoulders or wearing a sundress. He felt ancient compared to the young, carefree woman in front of him.
Loving You (The Bridesmaids Club Book 2) Page 5
