“I sort of accidentally made him the boyfriend I’d blurted out to Brett.”
“That’s awesome. Way to go, Miss Owens.” Then in a sing-songy voice she added, “Kagan and Shane sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g—”
“Oh my God. Are you ten? Knock it off. It’s only a temporary pretend thing. And we are not doing any kissing. Not like I want to, anyway.” Ack! Had she said that out loud? She had to stop thinking that way. Shane’s niceties were only for show.
“You should go for it.”
“Go for Shane? Are you crazy? I don’t do flings.”
“Yet you want to kiss the daylights out of him. Kay, stop taking everything so seriously. He’s gorgeous. Seems nice. And he’s into you! I saw it with my own two eyes.”
“We’re supposed to be pretending.”
“So pretend while you screw each other’s brains out.”
“You are not helping.”
“Did you tell him who you are?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say? What is Brett doing? Lurking? He’s not trying to plead his case with you, is he? Your dad knows no bounds. I think you should—”
“Slow down, Char. I’ll tell you everything.” And she did—save for a few Shane details she didn’t want to voice out loud. Last night something had changed between them. She couldn’t put her finger on exactly what, and maybe it was the adrenaline from the fire, but a deeper current had flowed between them. The care he took with her was genuine, not for show. Right?
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Charlotte said. “And please stay well. If you feel any shortness of breath or anything, you should get it checked out.”
“I’m really fine, but thanks for worrying about me.” Being this far away from her best friend, she missed home more than ever. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Kagan got to her feet and looked out the window, thinking about her birthday wish. The past several months in Cascade had been her happiest since her mom’s death, and she was determined to find her own way. She was definitely more independent now, definitely closer to figuring out what she wanted to be. Jewelry designer flitted through her mind for probably the hundredth time in the last few days.
Her breath faltered. She’d zoned out and hadn’t noticed Brett coming up her walkway. She opened the door before he knocked. “I returned your call and left a message telling you I was fine.”
“Needed to see for myself.”
“You mean for my father.”
Brett shrugged.
“You know what? Come in. There’s a few things I want to say to you.”
He strode past her and took the same spot on the couch that he’d sat in the first time he’d shown up. She kicked the door shut.
His eyes were a little bloodshot, his clothes not quite pressed as usual. Grabbing a couch pillow, she hugged it as she sat across from him. “You look drained. Probably should head back to New York now.”
“Conference call with your father early this morning, and you coming with me?”
“No.” She glanced over at her dining table where she’d been busy working all day. “Look, Brett. I’ve got Shane. A couple more months on my rental. And friends. Real friends—not the kind who want to know me because of my father.”
Her heart gave a little tug. It was true. She’d made friends here in Cascade. Erin had called to check on her. Shane’s mom too. Even Lily, who hadn’t been working last night and wanted to be sure all the pub girls were okay. Kagan had felt a twinge of guilt for being jealous when she’d watched her with Shane at the arts and crafts show.
“You’re not a small town girl, Kay.”
“You have no idea what kind of girl I am.”
He gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod. “I’d like to find out.”
Kagan shook her head. “Never going to happen. I thought you were seeing someone.”
“It was casual. Nothing like what you and I could have.” He leaned forward. “Think about it. A partnership between the two of us would be huge. Combining our families’ wealth and prestige is a marriage made for the books.”
“Did you hear what you just said? That’s my dad telling you to do this to save me from the wrong guy or someone who’s just after my money. If I get married it’s going to be because I’m in love, because I can’t imagine my life without that person in it. I don’t care if he has two hundred or two million dollars. I want a partner, not a partnership. Life is too short to make everything about business.” Her attention moved to the picture of her and her mom on the mantle. Her parents had been so in love. She remembered how much they laughed and how they’d always held hands. “I’m asking you to back off and let my father know the same thing.”
“Arranged marriages work out all the time.”
Maybe a marriage of convenience was the way to go. Without love, there would be no risk to her heart.
She silently scolded herself. No. She’d much rather be alone. Independent.
“Are you forgetting I have a boyfriend?” Her fingers ached so she let up on squeezing the life out of the pillow in her lap.
“You love Shane?” he asked, his tone neutral.
Lie. Tell him yes. “That’s none of your business. My life is none of your business.”
He narrowed his eyes. “The extent of my business isn’t up to you.”
Kagan tossed the pillow aside and pushed to her feet. She’d told him how she felt, now she wanted him gone. “Whether or not I choose to talk to you is my business, and I’d like you to go now.”
“We’re not—”
The doorbell rang. Kagan glanced at the decorative iron wall clock—three o’clock. Her boyfriend was right on time. She opened the door and flung herself at Shane. She wrapped her arms around his neck and played with the soft hair at his nape that curled just slightly at the ends. She drew him inside like a siren…or at least that’s how she hoped she appeared.
“I missed you,” she cooed. She turned before he could give a reply, but grabbed his left hand with both of hers so her arms were pulled back. Then she ambled forward like she was drunk on love.
It wasn’t a difficult task, considering he looked good enough to eat in his cargo shorts and washed-out green collared shirt, sunglasses dangling at his tanned neck. With zero effort he’d still have every girl in Cascade chasing him. Some guys just had that look no female could find fault with.
“Shane’s here to pick me up,” she told Brett.
“I’ll see myself out,” Brett said. “Where you two headed?”
“My parents’ house. Then I’ve got a surprise for Kagan.”
“You do?” She half turned to smile up at him. No one surprised her. Ever. Well, Charlotte sometimes did. But her surprises were usually always about shopping and shoes. Kagan had a feeling Shane had something else in mind.
She took happy steps back to the front door to make sure Brett left quickly.
“Nice welcome, girlfriend,” Shane said the second they were alone. His blue-gray eyes danced with mischief.
“Sure thing, boyfriend.” She went to the dining table to grab her purse and cell phone.
“You look great.” Shane’s deep, beddable voice shot shivers down her spine. He had his eyes on her—she could feel them on her back. Relax, Kagan.
“Thanks.” She palmed her phone and turned. “You look pretty good yourself.”
“How are you feeling? No cough? Breathing okay?” he said.
“I feel great. You?” She rested her backside against the table, needing to keep some extra space between them until those stupid beddable thoughts cleared out of her head.
“I’m good. A little tired after not sleeping well.”
Hmm. She hadn’t slept great either. She’d kept thinking about how Shane hadn’t hesitated to help get Barney out of the kitchen. How he hadn’t hesitated to stay by her side afterward. She had a feeling no one knew the real Shane, but she’d gotten glimpses s
everal times and for a guy who came off as affably self-centered when you first met him, he was anything but. What had kept him up last night, though?
He stepped closer, checking out the jewelry supplies on the table. “Looks like you got a lot done today.”
She turned and picked up her latest design: pink pearls bound in brown leather that wrapped around the wrist twice and fastened with a sterling silver-plated heart. “I did. I think this style is my current favorite. And I started writing a business plan. Since the ladies here really like my creations I think I can have success elsewhere too.”
“I know you can.”
“Thanks. I’m pretty excited about it.”
“Got a name for this new business venture?”
“Yes, actually. It’s called…” A wistful ache pressed against her rib cage and she broke off.
Shane bumped her side. “Hey, don’t be embarrassed. I had a lemonade stand when I was kid called Shane’s Sweet & Sour. Painted the name on a piece of plywood. The little old ladies loved it, but I couldn’t understand why my friends gave me crap. It was a good name.”
Kagan laughed. The pain in her chest lessened. “You are so cute.”
“You think?”
“I meant you were cute. I bet you gave your mom a run for her money when you were little.” She put the bracelet down.
“It’s part of the boy code. Otherwise you’re a sissy.”
She took a deep breath. “Victoria’s Bloom. The name I’m going to use is Victoria’s Bloom. Victoria was my mom’s name.”
His warm hand cupped her chin, and he turned her head. She met his tender stare, and her legs wobbled. “Sela mentioned your mom had passed away. I’m sorry.” He paused, his throat working like he was having trouble swallowing. “Your mom would be really proud of you and honored by the name.”
Stepping back to keep herself from pressing her cheek to his very nice chest while her arms wrapped around his waist, she nodded and smiled. “You ready to go?”
“Whenever you are.” His soft voice told her he understood she didn’t want to talk about it anymore, but hinted he’d listen to more.
They got to his parents’ house about ten minutes later. The two-story shingled home with a white picket fence sat on a quiet cul-de-sac across the street from the beach. Sunshine glinted off the large picture windows. Vines with dark green leaves wrapped around the columns on both sides of the entrance.
“This is where you grew up?” Kagan asked. The beautiful home brought back so many memories from when she and her parents spent time at their house in the Hamptons. After her mom had died, they’d never gone back.
It was another reason why, she thought, she’d settled in Cascade. It reminded her of happier times.
Shane picked up her hand, wrapping their fingers together in a way that took every weight on her shoulder and smashed them to tiny pieces. “My parents bought this house right after they got married,” he said as they strode up the rose-lined walkway. “Two years later I showed up.” He tossed her a wide smile. “And their life became full of infinite joy.”
“I didn’t think that happened until Sela arrived.”
He chuckled. “You saying you don’t feel joy when you’re around me?” He leaned over, hesitated a moment, and then nuzzled her neck, his warm breath causing tickles in places other than behind her ear. “Because I see the way you look at me, Jelly Belly.”
She pushed him away, not sure what to make of this intimate gesture when no one was around to witness it. “I do not look at you in any special way.” At least she didn’t think she did. And if she did, it was only in response to the way he noticed her. This whole once-over thing was entirely his fault. She vowed not to make eye contact for the rest of the day.
“You do.”
“Do not.” She started back up the walk.
A second later he had an arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad you left your hair down.” He wove a few strands around his finger. And dang, he smelled good. Light, cool, minty. Delicious.
Kagan knew there were no nerve endings in her hair, but she’d swear every single thread quivered. Her scalp tingled.
Before she could think of something to say, the front door flew open and Sela rushed to greet them. “I’m so glad you’re both all right.” Sela squeezed Kagan first and then gave the same attention to her brother. “Milt’s here and he’s been filling us in on what you guys did.” Then she playfully punched Shane in the arm. “And thanks for telling Luke before me, you big oaf.” Sela turned to Kagan and put her hands on her hips. “And don’t you know friends need this information, like, ASAP?”
“What information?” Kagan said, her forehead creasing.
“Luke made me…” Her cheeks flushed. “Let’s just say Luke made me pry it out of him last night.”
“I’m lost,” Shane said at the same time Kagan said, “I’m confused.”
“I’m talking about the two of you!” Sela got in between them and took each by the arm for the short walk to the front door. “I am scoring a foot massage, though, so I guess I’ll forgive you.”
Kagan was confused again, but didn’t have long to dwell on it because the moment she entered the Sullivans’ home, Meg and Henry welcomed her with big smiles and even bigger hugs.
Their warmth stirred tender emotions that she quickly blinked away. Her father hadn’t hugged her in forever. Ever since her mom had died, it was as if touching her would remind him of the woman he’d lost.
“Kagan, we’re so glad you could join us today,” Meg said, taking her arm. “Come on in and let me give you a tour.”
Being whisked away by Meg, Kagan couldn’t help but relax. The older woman put her at ease with her soft yet assured voice. And the house held just as much coziness. Dark hardwood floors, black and white family photos lining the walls, soaring ceilings that didn’t take away from the down-home furnishings. Meg shared stories behind several art pieces—especially the ones handmade by Shane and Sela.
The angel with eleven toes painted by Shane in kindergarten was Kagan’s favorite.
By the time Meg led her through the French doors that opened to a giant deck with views of the ocean, Kagan’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
And she couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to be a permanent part of this family.
Chapter Seven
Shane knew the second Kagan stepped onto the deck. This awareness, this consciousness that swooped over him whenever she was near did some serious wreckage to his head. He never played games with women. What she saw was what she got—a guy out for a good time. Nothing more. No commitment. No attachment.
But things had started to change with Kagan. With her, things were different.
He didn’t want different. He was perfectly happy with his life the way it was. Well, would be, once he got his promotion.
He’d almost called her this afternoon to cancel their agreement. When he’d woken from a nap in a cold sweat because of his nightmare—the same shitty nightmare that had plagued him for the past five years—he couldn’t tear his mind away from his mistake with Mia.
There were things he couldn’t take back. He knew that and knew dwelling on the past didn’t do him any good. He’d wished dozens of times he’d done things differently. He hated that he still let it eat at him. But it also served as a reminder not to let anyone get close enough to count on him.
Mia’s accident had been his fault. When he’d learned what had happened, he’d rammed his fist into a wall. He’d let her down. If he’d been with her like he’d said he would, none of it would have happened. Shame had ripped him to shreds.
Mia hadn’t blamed him, but she couldn’t get past the circumstance, and they’d ended things. They’d been on the rocks for weeks before the incident and the accident was just the final breaking point. From that moment on, Shane knew he’d never allow anyone else to rely on him like that. He’d screwed up bigtime and if it happened again, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.
&
nbsp; He still hadn’t forgiven himself for Mia.
“Hey,” Kagan said, her voice soft and low. “Want some company?”
Shane blinked away his memories and took stock of where he stood. Alone by the deck railing, he moved his faraway gaze from the deep-blue sea rippling against the warm breeze and fell into Kagan’s brilliant green eyes instead.
“Absolutely. How was the tour?”
“Educational.”
He scratched the side of his head. “How so?”
“Well, I learned even more new things about you, Shane Sullivan. My favorite piece of info is that you’re a softie.” She tilted her head and the corners of her lush lips lifted a fraction. Her pretty complexion brightened underneath the mid-day sun.
“Jelly Belly, there is nothing soft about me.” And he wanted to prove it to her. Over and over again in his bed, on the kitchen table, against the wall. In her shower with the candles burning.
“I beg to differ. Your mom told me about the time you snuck Sela out of the house after she’d been told she was too young to ride her bike to Crem’s. You rode your bike with her so she could get a chocolate-chocolate chip cupcake.” The little smile that played across her lips widened. “When you two snuck back in, you were too young to notice the evidence all over your sister’s shirt.”
Shane laughed, grateful to Kagan for helping him remember something much happier than his regrets with Mia. “What about you? Any brothers or sisters?”
“No. Just me.” She looked down at her feet.
Her toes were painted pink with a tiny white flower etched on each big toe. So it was just her and her dad. She hadn’t wanted to talk about her mom earlier, but a crushing desire to know more had him opening his mouth.
“Your mom. Was she sick?”
Kagan leaned her back against the railing and closed her eyes.
Shane took the opportunity to move a little closer, stare a little harder. She sucked in her bottom lip. The pink in her cheeks paled. “No. It happened out of the blue.” Her lids lifted, but her gaze remained somewhere on the wood deck. “We were at home. It was a Sunday morning. Mom had made French toast for breakfast. She shooed Dad and me out of the kitchen when we were done so I could finish beating him at Scrabble. A few minutes later we heard a noise. A thump. Dad called out to Mom and when she didn’t answer he got up. I followed him back to the kitchen.”
Her Accidental Boyfriend: A Secret Wishes Novel (Entangled Bliss) Page 8
