He laughed. “Not exactly high praise, given your opinion of the Hut, but I do like Shakespeare.”
“I know. Which is why I got us tickets to tonight’s dinner theater comedy.”
Once they’d crossed the street and were shown into the dining room, the second half of his surprise was revealed—the guests. His friend Sean hadn’t been able to make it, but Eli and Bex were there. Eli had also helped her track down one of Daniel’s college buddies; the guy lived in North Carolina now and had been willing to visit for this and to see his family while he was in town. Daniel looked legitimately shocked and thrilled to see him and his wife.
Originally, Mia had tried to purchase tickets for nights other than Daniel’s actual birthday, but the performances had all been sold out. So when she’d stumbled across the opportunity for two four-person tables, she’d snapped up the tickets before she’d even heard back from potential guests. In place of Sean and his date, Mia had invited Wren and Brant; she hoped Daniel wouldn’t mind that she’d rounded out the group with her own friend. It made dinner feel more like a party she was attending and less like all the ones she worked, as an outsider rather than a participant.
“Daniel, this is one of my best friends, Wren Kendrick, and her boyfriend, Brant Vaughn.”
The two men shook hands, and then Daniel turned to Wren with a twinkle in his eye, squeezing her shoulder in an almost hug. “The famous Wren! I insist you let me buy you a drink. You’re one of my favorite people.”
Wren giggled. “I understand you’re a fan of my taste in store inventory.”
Tonight, Daniel seemed to be a fan of just about everything. He was relaxed and prone to laughter, proclaiming the traditional pub food fantastic and calling Mia a genius. Dinner was scheduled so that there was just enough time for all of them to chat and unwind without any worry about running out of conversation before the show started. Eli and Bex showed a few pictures from their honeymoon, and Wren passed out special VIP coupons for discounts at the lingerie store. When the lights dimmed and the director took the stage to welcome everyone, Daniel leaned close to kiss Mia just below her ear.
“Thank you for this,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a birthday this much.”
Based on what she’d seen last night, the Keegans hadn’t offered any real competition. But she refrained from ruining the moment with sarcastic commentary on his family. Instead, she just grinned. “Wait until I take you back to my place.” She was working all weekend, so she planned to make the most out of every moment together tonight. “I made you a cake. I’ve never done that for anyone before.”
“You baked?” he whispered skeptically.
“Don’t worry, Shannon supervised.”
Later, after they’d laughed themselves silly over the play and hugged their friends goodbye, she drove him to her apartment. “There wasn’t enough time for the cake to cool completely before I left,” she said as she unlocked her front door, “so I didn’t have the chance to frost it.” She flashed him a meaningful grin. “Want to help me with the frosting, birthday boy?”
“Just so happens, I have a major sweet tooth.”
He took her hand and tugged her toward the kitchen, where he lifted her up onto the counter and kissed her with all the craving he’d had to repress for the last four hours. When Mia trembled with the force of her own need, he reached for the plastic tub of frosting.
But, in the end, not much of it wound up on the cake.
10
MIA WOKE IN stages on Sunday morning, emerging from sweet dreams to the even sweeter reality of Daniel nuzzling her neck, his morning scruff a teasing friction against her skin.
Without yet opening her eyes, she laced her fingers through his. “You’re actually here. I thought maybe I’d dreamed it.” She’d worked last night, but he’d asked her to text him and let him know when she got home safely. After their texts turned heated, he’d crossed town at one in the morning to be with her. They’d made love quickly, not getting any farther than her couch before he was thrusting into her and making her mindless; once they’d hit the bed, she’d been asleep in minutes. Now, she felt well rested, but she was starving.
“You know what would be fantastic right now?” she asked.
His fingers drew invisible loops down her spine. “I have some ideas. What was yours?”
“Breakfast in bed. I’m famished.”
“If I make you breakfast, do I get to pick the after-breakfast activity?”
She grinned, recalling his request to pick their after-dinner activity when she’d cooked for him and how that night had turned out. “Enticing. Unfortunately, making me breakfast in this apartment would require that there be actual food in this apartment. This week was crazy-busy, and aside from a few cake supplies, I never got around to any real grocery shopping.” Today would be busy, too. She had two client meetings this afternoon and a customized murder mystery party this evening. But she needed to fuel up before she could face any of that. Food! And much coffee.
“There’s a place not far from here that makes a killer Sunday brunch,” Daniel told her.
“I’m not sure I trust your taste,” she said suspiciously. “After all, you voluntarily eat at the Hash Brown Hut.”
“Oh, no, this place is worlds above the Hut. Galaxies, even. Omelets with just about any produce you can think of, fluffy Belgian waffles, mimosas, a variety of quiche—”
Her stomach gurgled. “What are we waiting for?”
They showered together, stealing kisses beneath the steamy spray, and she slicked her still-damp hair into a casual bun that went well with black jeans and a baggy sweater that was the most comfortable piece of clothing she owned.
Since Daniel was the one who knew where the restaurant was, he drove, seeming almost as eager to dive into brunch as she was. “This is one of my favorites places,” he said, pulling into a parking garage. “But I haven’t been in forever. Their bacon pancakes are life altering.”
“What if they’re not on the menu anymore?” she teased.
He slanted her a wounded glance. “Why would you even joke about that?”
“Sorry. Hunger makes me cruel.”
Hand in hand, they crossed the street to an upscale café. Obviously, the Sunday brunch was popular. The benches surrounding the hostess stand were packed. Still, the willowy woman with the shaved head assured them the crowd wasn’t as bad as it looked and that they should be seated in about ten minutes.
Happily, that proved true. A waiter led them to the table, through a dining room that smelled so delicious Mia’s mouth actually watered. Daniel talked her into a decadent combo platter so that she could try a variety of menu items and ordered them a round of Bloody Marys. Her first bite of biscuits and gravy made her eyes roll back in her head.
He grinned from across the table, looking as smug as if he himself had made the food from scratch. “Do I know how to pick a place or what?”
“Yes, you’re a genius. Now, be quiet a minute. I’m having a religious experience over here.”
Chuckling, he dug into his own sizable breakfast. It was long, contented moments later before he spoke again. “Any chance you’ve eaten enough that you’re feeling mellow and generous?”
Generous? Uh-oh. “I see how it is. Ply a girl with bacon pancakes, then ask for a favor. Diabolical, Professor.”
He winked at her. “I prefer strategic.”
“For this food, I will grant you just about anything. As long as it doesn’t involve dinner with your parents.” Never again.
“This won’t be hostile, just boring as hell.”
“You missed your calling as a salesman.”
His expression shifted, and vulnerability shone in his gaze. “The college administration is hosting a reception Friday night at the president’s house to welcome a new dean. Sever
al of the regents will be there, and it’s a chance to see them—my last chance to make a good impression—before they vote on the tenure candidates.”
She bit the inside of her lip. Friday? She was scheduled to be on-site at an event, but it wasn’t anything too complicated. There was a possibility she could delegate the job to Shannon. She knew how important that board of regents vote was to him, and she’d witnessed firsthand how important networking at social events could be.
He correctly interpreted her hesitation. “You have to work that night, don’t you?”
“Maybe. I might be able to rearrange some things,” she conceded.
“I’d love to have you with me.” He reached for her hand, brushing his thumb across her knuckles. “The moral support would mean a lot. Plus, needless to say, having a woman like you with me would make me look damn good.”
She laughed. “I don’t think I’ve—”
“Daniel?” A soft Southern voice came from just behind them. They both looked up to find a trio of blonde women who had to be sisters. The one in the middle, the youngest, was the one who’d spoken.
She was beautiful in an almost surreal way, with wide blue eyes and flawless features. She looked like one of the exquisite antique dolls Mia’s stepsister collected.
“Felicity.” Daniel’s smile was a little awkward, but still genuine.
He rose from his chair and gave her a quick hug while she kissed his cheek. They were a ridiculously attractive couple, the contrasts in their height and coloring striking. Behind Felicity, her sisters exchanged meaningful glances with each other.
One of them suggested, “You and Daniel catch up, we’ll meet you at the table.” Then they strode away, both texting furiously. The Keegans weren’t the only ones who wanted to see Daniel back together with his ex.
“Mia, this is Felicity Green, longtime neighbor and friend of the family. Felicity, this is Mia Hayes, my...friend.”
That stung more than it should have, but what else could he have said?
Felicity gave her a sweet smile that was almost shy. “I apologize for the interruption, but I haven’t seen Danny in weeks.” She turned her gaze back to him, humor lighting those impossibly sapphire eyes. “I guess we both had the same craving for Sunday brunch.”
This was clearly a place they’d frequented when they were together. Understandably. The food was scrumptious. Mia did not feel irrationally slighted that he’d taken her somewhere he’d shared with a past lover. This was a public place open to everyone, not a recycled engagement ring. There was nothing to stop her from coming back even after this affair with Daniel had ended.
The brunch that had seemed like heaven five minutes ago now roiled in her stomach. Would it be Mia six months from now, calling hello to Daniel while he dined with a new lover?
She listened with half an ear as Daniel asked Felicity about her job as a CPA, and Felicity laughed that she was fighting the usual struggle of trying to make her clients send her tax information in a timely manner and embrace more organized methods than throwing all their receipts in a shoe box. Then she cast Mia a sympathetic glance. “I’m probably putting you to sleep, aren’t I? Nothing makes for more exciting conversation than number crunching,” she said with gentle self-deprecation.
“Actually, I realized a couple of years ago that hiring the right accountant made a ton of difference to my company. I have a lot of respect for what you do,” Mia said truthfully. “If I had to wade through all of that incomprehensible tax code, my eyeballs would bleed.”
“There are days it feels like that.” She reached into a designer handbag that probably cost as much as one of Mia’s car payments and pulled out a business card. “In case you ever find yourself shopping for a new accountant. Or want to hear any embarrassing middle school stories about Danny.”
Mia took the card with a grin.
“I’ll bet your job is far more exciting than mine,” Felicity said. “I went shopping with Rachel Keegan and she told me all about it.”
Mia’s smile tightened on her face. She’d really liked Rachel, but Felicity’s casual comment reminded her that Daniel’s ex fit seamlessly into his family in a way Mia never would. The only reason Felicity wasn’t officially joining his family was because she’d said no.
Did she regret letting Daniel go? Mia searched the woman’s face as she told him goodbye, watching for signs of regret or possessiveness. But Felicity’s smile was open and seemed utterly without agenda as she waved to both of them and left to rejoin her sisters.
Daniel’s gaze stayed firmly on his plate as he said, unnecessarily, “So, that was Felicity.” Was he not meeting her eyes because he had emotions he was trying to hide? Or was he trying to scrutinize Mia’s reaction without being obvious about it?
“Yeah. I got that.” The other woman was a living, breathing reminder that just last month, Daniel had wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. It took time to move on from feelings that strong. “I also get why your family adores her.” A sweet-natured woman with sharp intellect and a sense of humor, who’d give them gorgeous grandbabies? “She’s damn near perfect.”
Daniel glanced over his shoulder in the direction Felicity had gone. “Yeah.” He smiled back at Mia. “But imperfect can be a lot of fun.”
Right. Fun. She swallowed hard. “Do you miss her?”
He frowned as if confused by the question. “Not really. There’s no reason to—Felicity will always be part of my life.”
It wasn’t quite the answer she’d selfishly hoped for.
* * *
“IT WAS AWKWARD,” Sean said as he passed the basketball to Eli. Sean’s teammate wasn’t there yet, and the three of them were warming up.
Daniel raised an eyebrow at his friend’s assertion. “I’m the one who was there, and I’m telling you, it wasn’t awkward at all.”
“To run into your ex-girlfriend with your new lover?” Eli asked skeptically. “Sorry, I’m with Sean on this one.”
“The three of us had a nice chat. Felicity even gave Mia her card in case she wanted to get in touch sometime.”
The ball got away from Sean as he stared. “That’s not natural.”
“Sure it is. We’re all civilized adults. And you know how kindhearted Felicity is,” Daniel reminded him. “She may not have wanted to marry me, but she still wants me to be happy.”
“So you’re okay with her shooting down your proposal?” Eli said. “No...lingering feelings?”
“Not bad ones.” The more time that passed, the clearer Daniel could see that his love for Felicity hadn’t been based on passion. They’d been...sensible. On paper, they were the perfect couple. Unlike his relationship with Mia, who approached situations very differently than he did. Still, it was Mia who filled his thoughts and rocked his world. “I invited Mia to the faculty reception,” he said.
Sean made a face. “I thought you liked this woman. These receptions are full of boring people.”
“Hey.” Eli shoved the other man lightly. “I’ll be there.”
“I didn’t mean you were boring,” Sean said. “I was talking about Daniel.”
Daniel ignored the jibe. Mia didn’t think he was boring, and that was good enough for him. Under her influence, he was learning to be more spontaneous, to have fun. And if I want this to be more than casual, naked fun?
It had only been a few weeks, too soon for anything serious. He didn’t want to ruin a good thing—or scare her off—by getting uptight about their relationship. Small steps, he cautioned himself. Never mind that they were about to spend Valentine’s Day with her parents or that Daniel had invited her to meet his boss.
* * *
MIA DIDN’T ATTEND every event she arranged; sometimes, it was simply a matter of making the necessary reservations for her clients and following up with them later to make sure everything ha
d been to their satisfaction. But the woman who’d called her about putting together a charity event for Valentine’s Day was close friends with Penelope Wainwright—Mia’s most influential client—and Mia went the extra mile to make sure that everything was perfect for the ball. It was a formal father-daughter dance with pricey tickets that benefited a pediatric cancer center.
The silver lining was, since half the guests were under twelve, the event didn’t run very late. On the other hand, by the time she left to pick up Daniel, she was already emotionally raw from watching doting fathers with their adorable little girls. The hurt teenager who still lurked deep inside of her wished she was wearing better armor—preferably a leather skirt and a middle finger emoji T-shirt. But she was a mature adult now. Besides, she didn’t have time to change, so she’d be arriving in the same emerald green cashmere dress and French braid she’d chosen to look professional at the charity ball.
Probably for the best. They were having dinner at her parents’ hotel, which she’d heard had a fabulous ballroom space. Mia planned to introduce herself to the manager on duty, who might be less inclined to work with her if she was sartorially flipping the bird.
As she took the elevator up to Daniel’s place, a wave of affection swamped her. Things between them lately had felt very two-steps-forward, one-step-back. She vacillated between believing the tension heralded the inevitable end of their affair and wondering optimistically if the strained moments were growing pains leading to a richer relationship. But tonight she was just damn glad he was coming with her.
She appreciated the moral support more than he would ever know. Which was why she’d asked Shannon to take point on their event Friday night so that Mia was free to attend his university reception. She’d texted him yesterday, and he’d been thrilled. He’d promised that however stuffy it was, he’d make sure their “after-reception activity” was unforgettable.
Tempting the Best Man Page 14
