“The warehouse is fine. That’s not why I came to see you.”
“Is something wrong with your kittens? I know they can be a handful, but they’re cute and cuddly. They’ll calm down as they get older.”
He shook his head. “The kittens are okay.”
“Why did you come to the bowling alley, then?”
Dylan took a sip of red wine. “I’ve been thinking. About us. I told you I like you, and I do. Like you, that is.”
Annie looked over her shoulder to make sure Antonio wasn’t in hearing distance. He was still in the kitchen, thank goodness. If he heard what she was about to say, he’d disown her. She moved her wine glass, leaned forward and whispered, “Do you want to be friends with benefits?”
Dylan’s mouth dropped open and a bright red blush hit him smack-bang in the middle of his face.
Annie slapped a hand across her mouth. “Oh, no. You didn’t mean that, did you?”
“I…well, I…” Dylan didn’t seem to know what to say. This wasn’t good.
The kitchen doors opened and Antonio walked into his restaurant carrying two huge pizzas. “One Pizza Margherita and one Vegetariana. Buon appetito.”
Annie wanted to disappear under the table, or at least hang her head in shame. Instead, she smiled at Antonio and hoped he didn’t see how embarrassed she was. “Thanks, Antonio. The pizzas look amazing.”
“Anything for my favorite girl. If you need coffee or dessert, just ask.” Antonio nodded at Dylan and left them to their pizza.
Annie put her hands over her hot cheeks. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. It just kind of popped out. I take back everything, and I mean everything. Wipe it from your memory bank…”
Dylan grabbed hold of her wine glass just before her hand collided with it. “It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize…”
“I feel like an idiot. Why on earth would someone like you want to have sex with me? You must have slept with so many women that you’d have a hard time remembering their names.”
Dylan cleared his throat. “Annie?”
“Yes?”
“I’d stop now, if I were you.”
Annie closed her mouth.
“And just for the record, I haven’t slept with a lot of women, and I do remember their names.”
Annie bit her bottom lip and stared at the pizzas. “That’s good.”
“And I haven’t slept with anyone for a long time.”
She looked at Dylan. “Oh.”
“And I’m thinking about sleeping with someone. If she wants to sleep with me.”
Annie was so disappointed that she nearly cried. She didn’t know Dylan had been seeing someone else. Their touching sessions must have paid off big-time for him. Now it all made sense. He hadn’t come to the bowling alley because he liked her. He’d come to tell her he was in love with someone else.
“I’m happy for you. Really happy…” She looked around the restaurant, hoping Antonio would suddenly appear and give her a reason to leave. She channeled all of her psychic energy toward the kitchen, imagining Antonio walking through the doors…
“Annie?”
She blinked away Antonio’s mirage and looked at Dylan.
“It’s you.”
“Who?”
“You.”
She was confused. “Of course it’s me.”
Dylan smiled. “So what do you think?”
“About what?” She must have missed something while she was imagining Antonio being her knight in shining armor.
Dylan looked at her intently. “About us.”
She shrugged her shoulders. Cool, calm and collected, that’s what she needed to be. She was a modern woman who had options. Plenty of options. Maybe Dylan had done her a favor. If she could imagine herself dating him, then she could date someone else, too.
She glanced at the kitchen door, then back at Dylan. “Well, obviously we can’t see each other again. It wouldn’t be right. I’m sure your girlfriend can pick up from where we stopped…you know…with the touching sessions. It’s been really nice knowing you, but I need to leave.” She pushed her chair away from the table and stood up.
Dylan looked stunned. “Where are you going?”
She picked up her wallet. “Home.”
“You can’t leave.”
Annie started to get annoyed. “Of course I can. I’m not getting in the way of you and your girlfriend.”
“I want you to be my girlfriend.”
Annie froze. “Me?”
“Yes, you.” Dylan took a deep breath. “I want to be your boyfriend.”
Annie’s eyes narrowed. “Do you mean boyfriend as in a friend who’s male, or someone you go on real dates with?”
Dylan’s face lost some of its color. “The real date variety.”
Annie sat down and leaned forward. “What about everything else?”
Dylan dropped his head into his hands. “This wasn’t supposed to be so hard,” he muttered.
Annie frowned. “Just tell me what you want.”
“I want a normal relationship with you.”
“Including cuddling and kissing and…things?”
Dylan nodded. He didn’t look too happy about their normal relationship prospects. “I don’t know what will happen when we try to…you know. But if we could take things slowly it might help.”
“When do you want to start?” She asked. Dylan glared at her. She supposed it was his way of dealing with his scatterbrained girlfriend.
“Tonight?”
She pushed one of the pizzas closer to Dylan’s hand. “You’d better eat your dinner. You’re going to need all the energy you can get.”
Dylan grinned and slid the other pizza close to her.
It was going to be an interesting night.
***
Tess smiled at the four bridesmaids in front of her. “You all look beautiful.”
Annie flicked the hem of one of the Cinderella gowns in the air, watching it settle around the bridesmaid’s legs. “We need a bigger petticoat under this dress. It’s not poufy enough.”
Sally smiled. “Is poufy even a real word?”
“It is when there isn’t enough pouf in the dress,” Molly said. “And Annie’s right, the skirt needs to be fuller.” She walked across to a rack of petticoats and started working her way through the hangers.
“What about this one?” Tess held a petticoat in the air and everyone considered the fluffy white creation.
“It might work…do you want to try it on, Hailey?”
“I’d love to.” Hailey was a petite blonde with a megawatt personality. She’d written to The Bridesmaids Club, asking for four dresses for her sister’s wedding. Alice, the bride, had been so thankful for their help that it made Annie feel proud of what they were doing.
Instead of walking back to the changing room, Hailey stood where she was and wiggled out of the petticoat she had on. With some careful maneuvering, she pulled the new petticoat over her hips.
Annie flicked the skirt of Hailey’s dress in the air. This time it sat further out, supported by the tulle petticoat they’d found on the rack.
“It’s perfect,” Molly said. “What do you think, Alice?”
Alice smiled. “You were right. The dress did need more pouf. Thank you so much.”
Sally reached inside a box and handed Alice four white plastic bags. “Put the dresses on their hangers and cover them with these bags. They’ll keep the dresses clean when you transport them between here and home.”
Alice walked into the changing room with her four bridesmaids. Their smiles were so wide that Annie knew they’d enjoyed themselves. “Another five happy customers.”
Tess re-hung the dresses the bridesmaids hadn’t wanted. “It doesn’t matter how many times we give away dresses, it always feels special.”
“You’re right,” Molly said. “There are happy hormones in this room.”
Sally looked at Annie. “Talking about happy hormones, a little birdie told me t
hey saw you with Dylan yesterday.”
Annie picked up the petticoat Hailey hadn’t wanted. “Dylan goes to lots of places with me.”
“Of course he does.”
“He’s my friend.” Annie wasn’t ready to explain what was happening between her and Dylan. They’d started off taking things slowly. That had lasted all of five days. Since then, Annie had been living in the middle of a whirlwind. It had been nearly three weeks since Dylan had told her he wanted to be her boyfriend. And just over a week since she’d become the happiest person in Bozeman.
Tess walked back from the small kitchen carrying two cups of coffee. She passed Sally one cup, and Annie the second. “I hope that smile means everything is working out for the opening of your business?”
Annie sipped her coffee. “The painters have finished the kitchen. The cream color we chose looks lovely.”
“Did the electricians check the wiring?” Tess asked.
“They were in the warehouse last week, before the painters arrived. The wiring was fine. They made sure the ovens were working, too.”
Molly sat beside Annie on a sofa. “So everything is okay?”
“As okay as it’s ever going to get,” Annie said. “Some days I have to pinch myself. I can’t believe how far I’ve come from where I was five years ago.”
“Time heals a lot of things,” Molly said.
“Time and good friends,” added Sally.
The door to the changing room opened and five giggling women emerged carrying big, white bags.
Tess met them in the middle of the room. “If you need anything else, just give me a call.”
Alice hugged her. “Thank you. It’s amazing what you’ve done for us.”
Tess touched the bag in Hailey’s arms. “This is the easy part. It’s what comes after the wedding that’s important. I hope your marriage is even more amazing.”
Max, the Irish Wolfhound Sally was looking after, stood up and yawned. His jaws quivered as he settled back into the blanket Tess had left on the ground for him.
Hailey laughed. “I think someone is telling us it’s time to go home.”
Sally went across to Max and scratched between his ears. “He’s a big softy. He likes coming with me, don’t you boy?”
Max looked up, and Annie could have sworn he smiled.
Alice and her sisters gave everyone a hug before they left. Annie closed the door after them and sighed. The loft seemed incredibly quiet after they’d gone.
Max wandered over to Sally and sat at her feet. She absently stroked his fur while she sipped her cup of coffee.
“What happened about the home you thought you’d found for Max?” Molly asked.
Sally wrinkled her nose. “I got an email from Dylan’s friend yesterday. I’m going to see him on Sunday.”
“Have you actually talked to him, yet?” Annie asked.
“No. He’s been spending a lot of time away from Bozeman. He used to volunteer at the animal shelter during weekdays. He didn’t come to any of the weekend events we organized, so I never met him. ” Sally looked down at Max. “I’m not sending Max home with someone who won’t give him a great life. If Dylan’s friend can’t give Max a stable home, then I’ll keep him with me.”
Molly sighed. “Your apartment is even smaller than mine. Max doesn’t fit.”
“I could work something out.” Sally tilted her chin at a stubborn angle.
Annie knew that Sally was running out of options. Because Max was such a big dog, it wouldn’t be easy finding another home for him. “Maybe Todd wasn’t ready to look after Max before now?”
“I hope that’s the reason he didn’t contact me.” Sally frowned, then glanced at Tess. “While we’re talking about contacting people, did you send your wedding invitations out last week?”
Tess left a plate of cookies on the coffee table and sat down. “They’re in their envelopes and ready to go.”
Annie laughed at the expression on Tess’ face. She looked as though she was heading toward a prison sentence instead of one of the happiest days of her life. “It’s not too late to elope.”
Molly reached for a cookie. “Don’t you dare. I want to wear the bridesmaid’s dress I chose.”
“Me, too,” Sally said. “Who knows, we might find some yummy bachelors at your wedding.”
Tess grinned at the hopeful look on Sally’s face. “Don’t get too excited. Apart from Logan’s friends and a couple of cousins, the rest of the unattached males are twice our age.”
“Age is no barrier to a match made in heaven,” Sally said with a dramatic wave of her hand. Max got excited and yapped his agreement. Sally patted his head. “Maybe I should marry, Max. At least he’s loyal and doesn’t disagree with me.”
Molly laughed. “You really need to spend more time away from the animal shelter.”
“Or with someone like Dylan.” Sally smiled at Annie. “Is there another match made in heaven happening right under our noses?”
Three pairs of eyes swiveled toward Annie. She bit into her cookie to delay the inquisition that was about to start.
What her friends didn’t know was that she may not have found a match made in heaven, but it was pretty close.
Chapter Thirteen
Dylan stared at Annie’s front door. He was nervous, too nervous for what he had in mind. He’d told Annie he’d pick her up at seven o’clock. He was early, which wouldn’t have been bad if it had been six-thirty in the evening. But six-thirty in the morning had issues that he didn’t want to consider.
Annie could be sound asleep, in the shower, half dressed…if he didn’t stop now, he’d never make it through the next few minutes. He looked at his truck, looked at the door, then wiped his hands down the side of his sweatpants.
As soon as he rung Annie’s doorbell he’d be putting in motion a series of events that could change his life forever. Events that he never thought he’d do.
Annie had turned his world upside down and inside out. She’d given so much of herself, helped him in ways that no one else had managed to do. And now it was time to tell her how much she meant to him. How much he wanted her in his life.
The front door flew open and a brown, furry barrel ran straight into Dylan. He stumbled backward, grabbed hold of a wooden post and hung on for dear life.
“Max, no.” Annie raced after Max, jumped a hedge between her house and the neighbors, and disappeared out of view.
Dylan pulled himself upright and ran after Annie. Max could move fast and he was heavy. If a 130 pound Irish Wolfhound didn’t listen to you, you could be in serious trouble.
By the time Dylan got to the neighbor’s front yard, Max and Annie were nowhere in sight. He stopped and listened. Annie was talking to someone, apologizing for the mountain of dog that had probably destroyed most of her neighbor’s garden.
When he saw Annie, he smiled. The old blue sweatshirt and tight black leggings she had on clung to her body. Her short, dark hair glistened with water. She was holding the collar around Max’s neck and talking to a lady who must have been well into her eighties. Every now and then, Max gave a half-hearted whimper and Annie patted his back.
Dylan glanced across the yard and saw the object of Max’s affections. An orange and white striped cat sat on the back fence, licking its paws and looking altogether pleased with itself.
Max tried to pull free, but Annie held on tight and told him to sit.
“Do you need help?” Dylan asked.
Max’s head swung toward him and he barked a good morning greeting.
Annie repositioned her feet to accommodate Max’s new found interest in Dylan. One quick move from Max, and Annie would end up flat on her back, staring at the sky.
Annie sighed. “Mrs. MacNamara, this is my friend, Dylan.”
Dylan smiled at Annie’s neighbor, then turned his attention to Max. “How about I take you home?”
Max wagged his tail and looked at Dylan with a goofy smile on his face.
Annie nudged Max forward. �
��Thank you. That’d be great.”
Max didn’t need any encouragement. He trotted toward Dylan, happy to be the center of everyone’s attention.
Dylan bent down and patted Max’s head. “What are you doing here, boy?”
Max sat down and thumped his tail against the ground, waiting to see what Dylan wanted to do next.
“Max has taken an interest in my cat, but don’t worry about Peaches,” Mrs. MacNamara said. “She’s quite happy on the fence.”
“I’m sorry about Max,” Annie said.
“That’s okay. Peaches is used to him. Between you and me, I think she deliberately looks for him when Sally visits.”
“He wouldn’t hurt Peaches. I think he likes having a friend to play with.”
Mrs. MacNamara smiled. “You could be right. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to have breakfast and get ready for Church. It was nice meeting you, Dylan.”
Dylan nodded. “Nice meeting you, too. Come on, Max. You and I are going to have a talk.”
“I’ll come with you,” Annie said. She waved at Mrs. MacNamara and followed Dylan and Max. “Thanks for being early. I thought Max wanted to go outside to do his business, but he wanted to chase Peaches.”
“I thought Max was living at the animal shelter?” Dylan really needed to call Todd. A dog as big as Max needed wide open spaces to run around in. A small apartment in the middle of Bozeman wasn’t the best place for him.
Annie bent down and tried to rescue some flowers that Max had trampled under his paws. “He stays at the animal shelter during the week, but Sally brings him home on the weekends. We sat up talking for so long last night, that she decided to stay here. She still had Max’s blanket in the car from Tess’ place.” Annie stood up and wiped her hands down the side of her leggings. She’d pushed extra soil around the fragile stems of the flowers. For the moment, they were standing upright. “Max was good all night. When he woke up, he must have seen Peaches sitting outside.”
Loving You (The Bridesmaids Club Book 2) Page 25
