Her stomach knotted with the intensity she saw there.
“Thanks. See you then and looking forward to it.” He hung up and shoved his phone back into his pocket. “Sorry about that.”
Cara shrugged off the apology.
He rose and came around his desk, propping himself on the edge, close to her chair, and leaned forward. “As it happens, I have news on the case we were working on. Lauren called.”
Cara leaned forward in her seat. “What did she find out?”
“Nothing helpful. All she knows is that at the time the Serendipity Police Department turned the information into the feds, six months had passed since the driver of the car with the drugs and the cash had been arrested there and released on bail.”
“How did that happen?” Cara asked. “Who gave bail to a guy with a carload of drugs and money in the trunk?”
“Judge Marshall Baine.”
Cara turned the name over in her head. “I don’t recognize the name,” she said at last.
“He’s retired now. But the guy must’ve skipped and nobody did anything about it. By the time anyone in Serendipity realized and contacted the feds, the perp had been hauled into jail in the Bronx for transporting cocaine over state lines. He was all too willing to make a deal in order to save his own ass and turn his suppliers over to the cops.”
“In other words, the feds had no interest in pursuing a small-town case,” Cara muttered.
“Exactly. Then somehow, the case went cold here, nobody dealt with it, and the money remained in the evidence locker in Serendipity.”
“So we talk to the guy who was arrested back then and see what he remembers,” Cara said, rubbing her hands together in anticipation. It was rare she got her hands on an old case that involved digging into the past. Despite its possible connection to Mike’s father, she found it fascinating.
“Can’t.” Mike burst her bubble of excitement. “He was doing twenty-five to life and was shanked by another inmate five years ago.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah.”
“But there is someone who might be able to help us. We can talk to the judge who gave the guy bail,” Mike said.
“Okay, cool. I’m up for that.”
He nodded, eyes laughing at her response. “I figured you would be.” He grew silent, and Cara could tell there was something more.
“What is it?” she asked.
Mike met her gaze. “Sam asked to be let back in on the case since he’s back on the job.”
Cara enjoyed working with Mike, and though it was Sam’s case originally, she hoped she wouldn’t lose that one intense work connection she and Mike shared. “What did you tell him?”
“That since it involved my real father, I would appreciate him letting me handle things.”
Mike’s real father.
Cara had deliberately put Ella Marsden’s confidence out of her mind, not wanting to think about the fact that she had information about Mike’s father that she couldn’t share. From the minute she’d found out Ella was in contact with Rex Bransom, she’d wished she’d never had that moment alone with his mother.
Cara glanced away, afraid her guilt would be reflected in her expression and he’d realize something was bothering her. “Is Sam okay with that?” she managed to ask.
“As long as I keep him in the loop, yeah. He is. He gets it,” Mike said, his voice low. “He knows how hard it’s been on me.”
“What is?”
He didn’t answer immediately. In fact he remained silent so long she wondered if he would. “My father left before I was born. He didn’t want me.” He didn’t look at her while he spoke, but shadows filled his eyes and pain crossed his face.
Cara swallowed her surprise at the admission.
She reached out and tentatively placed a hand on his thigh. “You grew up with parents who loved you. Real parents in the true sense of the word, and they didn’t run when things got tough. They stuck it out. That had everything to do with you and the man you are now.”
He let out a harsh laugh. “And who is that? A man who can’t stay in one place for very long? Who is nothing like either of those loving, giving people?”
God. She’d never have thought the overly confident Michael Marsden had insecurities that ran deep. Or that he’d admit to them.
“You’re very much like those loving people, Mike. And just because you can’t be the steadying permanent force they are, you give in your own way. Simon is sick and you’re here, for as long as he needs you to be, taking over his job, making sure things run smoothly until he returns. Would your so-called real father have done that?” she asked. And she’d continue to defend him to himself until he believed it as much as she did.
He burst out laughing, and that easily, the darkness was gone. “And that’s why you’re more than some damn itch,” he said, his sexy, chocolate-colored gaze meeting hers.
Her stomach curled sweetly at the compliment, and she just smiled in return. “Glad to help.”
“By the way, that was Faith Harrington on the phone earlier,” he said, completely changing the subject. “I ran into Ethan this afternoon and they asked me to come to the house for a cocktail Saturday night and then we’ll go out for dinner. Come with me?”
“What?” she breathed out, certain she’d heard him wrong.
“You and me, going with Ethan and Faith for dinner. You know Ethan, Dare’s brother?”
Cara nodded. She also knew Faith. Sort of. Although close in age, Cara and Faith hadn’t run in the same high school crowd, Faith being one of the rich girls.
“You look nervous.”
Cara lifted her chin. “It’s just a lot to think about. And handle,” she admitted.
“They’re good people,” Mike assured her. “Faith is nothing like her parents.”
Everyone in town knew the story of the Harringtons, the former owners of the house on the hill. The richest, smuggest, most arrogant people in Serendipity had fallen hard and fast when Martin Harrington had been convicted of running a massive Ponzi scheme that ruined many people’s lives. Ethan had bought the house at auction when he’d returned a few years ago; reconciled with his estranged brothers after a long, difficult journey; and married Faith Harrington.
“Dare adores his sister-in-law,” Cara said. “And I like what I’ve seen of her.” Especially how she protected Tess as if the teen were her own sister. “But…”
“What?” Mike leaned closer.
She supposed she’d have to broach the crux of the issue, no matter how uncomfortable it made her. “Are you ready to go out in public together?” They hadn’t discussed this before, and she was shocked he was suggesting it now.
“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate. “Are you?”
Was she? Going public wasn’t a work issue. She’d already decided the guys here knew her well enough not to assume she was after special favors. And everyone knew Mike’s position here in Serendipity was temporary—he’d pretty much reinforced that five minutes ago when he’d compared himself to his father. She was just scared that the more public the relationship, the harder the fall when he left.
“Cara?” Mike’s voice brought her out of her thoughts. “I’m here and I’m willing to push out of my comfort zone with you. Are you willing to do the same?” He eyed her warily, and she knew this was important to him.
Between his admission about his father and the fact that he was making an effort, she could do no less. “I’ll go with you,” she said, before she could back out.
He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her lips before easing back, a genuinely pleased smile on his face. “Good. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Okay,” she said.
Except she didn’t have anything to wear to the house on the hill, and that was trivial compared to her real worry. Once they went out together in Serendipity, she’d have memories of him everywhere in town long after he was gone.
If there was ever a time to let loose and have fun, tonight was it. Cara w
as off for the next two days, she’d visited Daniella and the women at Havensbridge and everything was calm, no talk of changing minds or calling abusive exes, and on a personal note, she wanted to forget she had a public date with Mike on Saturday night.
Tonight was Eighties Night at Joe’s, and Cara had plans to meet Sam and Alexa for drinks. Alexa had invited Dare and his wife, Liza, and they all grabbed a table; the two guys sat side by side, as did the women, so they could talk.
Cara had gotten to know Liza when she was having some personal problems last year, and she liked her a lot. Though she didn’t have a lot of friends, Liza had expanded her social circle and included Cara, and they had fun together; over time, they’d begun to confide in each other. Now Liza and Alexa were Cara’s closest girlfriends.
They dressed like the movie Flashdance: cut sweatshirts hanging over their shoulders with big hair, chunky jewelry, and heavy makeup. Bubblegum band music alternating with heavy techno and New Wave synthesizer sounds blasted on the jukebox, and Cara was on her second Long Island Iced Tea and happily feeling the buzz when she felt a strong hand on her bare shoulder.
She glanced up and into Mike’s warm gaze, and before she could register what was happening, he leaned down and kissed her hello—smack on the lips. Not a short peck, either. A long, happy-to-see-you, tongues-included kiss that left her dazed and out of breath, her body pulsing with sudden need.
“I’m going to sit with the guys,” he said, as if the hello had been perfectly natural and expected.
Cara centered herself and had just refocused on her surroundings when both of her friends leaned in close.
“What was that about?” Alexa asked.
“Holding out on us?” Liza said at the same time.
Cara raised her hands to her flushed cheeks. She’d been keeping everything about Mike to herself, including the fling a few months ago. Only Sam had known about that. Somehow they’d sneaked out of the bar and nobody asked her any questions.
Tonight, however, was another story, and Cara knew her friends wouldn’t accept any hedging. “Mike and I had a one-night stand last time he was in town. When he came home this time, neither of us mentioned it again; I thought it was over, but it’s not.”
She blurted out all about dinner with his family, the overnight trip to Manhattan, and his most recent invitation to dinner Saturday night.
“I guess when he said he wanted to go public, he meant it,” Cara said, still dazed enough to be in shock.
“That was hot,” Alexa muttered, fanning herself.
“You can say that again.” Cara decided she deserved another big sip of her drink and treated herself to a healthy gulp.
“Easy, that’s strong stuff.” Liza’s brother was an alcoholic who’d completed three months as an inpatient at a treatment facility. As a result, she was always their designated driver if needed or, at the very least, their voice of reason.
Since Cara rarely indulged this much because of her own family history, she totally understood where Liza was coming from.
Still, Cara didn’t mind nursing a drink when the occasion warranted. She tipped her head to the side, toward where Mike sat, knowing he’d made this just such an occasion.
“You look flushed,” Liza said.
“Are you okay?” Alexa asked in her doctor voice.
“I’m in shock,” she admitted. “He totally took me off guard. I mean, I can’t remember the last time I was in a relationship that was so public.” Cara was fussy about men and figured she had good reason. She’d had an exclusive dating situation in the past and a couple of hookups with nice enough guys, but this thing with Mike was different.
He was different.
Her heart pounded hard in her chest, and she crossed her legs tight in an effort to rid her body of the aftereffects of the kiss. Unfortunately, the act had the opposite result.
She suppressed a shiver and focused on her friends. “I’m fine.” He’d just defined their status publicly, and she’d have to adjust as well as keep her heart locked up tight. Not an easy thing to do, but she’d known that going in.
“What about you guys? How are things going?” Between Alexa’s schedule at the hospital and her own private office hours and Liza’s at her architectural firm, they didn’t manage to catch up often enough. “Liza?”
Liza brushed her bangs out of her eyes and sighed. “I’m happy,” she admitted. “Happily married, my brother’s managed to stay sober so far, and I’m really really scared it’ll all fall apart any minute.”
Cara reached out and squeezed her friend’s hand. “Totally normal reaction coming from you. My advice? Push away the fear and enjoy every minute. You deserve it. You and Dare both do.”
“She’s right,” Alexa said. “You’ve been through enough. The bad stuff is behind you. Don’t look for trouble where there is none.”
Liza nodded. “I know. You’re both right.” She tipped her head to the side and glanced at her husband, who was deep in conversation with his friends. “It’s all good.” She smiled. “What about you, Alexa?”
She stirred the straw in her drink. “All work, no play,” she said.
“I figured that. The question is why?” Liza asked.
Cara studied her pretty friend. Though Alexa had gone out of state to med school, she’d returned home to Serendipity, and though she occasionally dated, she’d never been seriously involved. At least not that Cara knew of. She worked part time for her father, also a doctor, and put in many more hours at the ER. Her looks weren’t the issue; with her auburn hair and green eyes, men were definitely attracted. She had brains and an amazing personality. But Alexa kept men at a distance and always put her work first.
“I just haven’t met the right guy.” She shrugged like it was a simple answer.
Cara suspected there was something more.
“Well, take it from me and now Cara. You never know when the right guy will come along,” Liza said with a grin.
“Oh, no. Mike’s not the right guy. Not that way.” Cara shook her head, realizing that was stupid when the room grew fuzzy.
“What do you mean?” Liza asked.
“He’s not permanent. Not like Dare,” Cara whispered. “He’s here for as long as his dad is out of commission. He’s got an apartment in Manhattan to return to, and he’s made it clear he isn’t into long relationships.”
No hearts involved, he’d said, and Cara wouldn’t forget it.
“But you never know, right?” Liza asked hopefully.
“Don’t you remember Tiffany Marks?” Cara spoke softly. “The minute she got serious, he left town. Normal people break up. He took off the minute she hinted at an engagement. And everyone thought they’d end up together.”
“Maybe that was all Tiffany’s doing,” Liza said. “I don’t remember hearing that it was Mike looking at churches and reception halls.”
“And she didn’t have a ring on her finger, so maybe it was all in her head?” Alexa suggested.
Cara shook her head. “He left town. Went to Atlantic City. Settled in Manhattan. Still has an apartment there. So I know what I’m talking about.” Cara exhaled a long breath. “And I can’t let myself think any other way unless I want my heart seriously broken.”
“But—” Liza started to speak, but Alexa shot her a warning look even Cara couldn’t miss.
“Okay, I’ll let it go,” Liza muttered. “I just want you to be as happy as I am. So take note. The man can’t take his eyes off you,” she said, obviously unable to heed her own words.
Cara’s entire body heated up at her friend’s statement. She turned her head and yep, she caught Mike watching her, a sizzling look in his eyes she could not mistake. He held her gaze, a mesmerizing smile lifting his lips.
“That was even hotter,” Alexa said, following her pronouncement by lifting her glass. “Well, darn. Empty.”
“I’ve got the next round,” Cara said, even though she didn’t want another one herself.
She rose from her seat bef
ore either friend could argue and made her way through the crowd to the bar. Despite its being busy, Joe refilled her order quickly and placed the drinks on the counter.
Before Cara could turn, Sam came up behind her. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He wedged in beside her. “We’re friends, right?”
Cara bit the inside of her cheek. She thought she knew where this private conversation was going, and she didn’t want to get into it. “Of course we are.”
“And you trust me.”
She nodded.
“Then tell me you know what you’re doing.”
She swallowed hard. “Mike’s your brother.”
“Yeah, he is. And I know him better than anyone.”
“Which is why I can’t talk to you about this.” She picked up the two glasses, but Sam boxed her in, not letting her pass. “I care about you, Cara, and as much as I love my brother, I know him. He won’t hurt you on purpose, but—”
“I know.” Cara met Sam’s gaze and tried to reassure him even though her stomach was twisting at both his words and the reality. “He hasn’t made any promises, okay? I’m in this with my eyes wide open.”
“Getting into my business?” Mike asked, coming up behind Sam.
Uh-oh. “No, everything’s fine. Sam came to help me carry drinks back to the table.” Cara, not wanting to cause conflict between the brothers, shoved one glass at Sam. “Right?”
“Right,” he muttered, and took the second drink from Cara as well.
Mike stepped aside to let Sam pass, eyeing him warily the entire time. “I heard the tail end of the conversation and he wasn’t here to help with drinks.”
“He’s just looking out for me.”
“By warning you away?”
“By making sure I know what I’m getting myself into, and I do. Come on, Mike. You made a public statement with that kiss. Did you really think everyone would let it slide?”
His eyes darkened. “I didn’t think. I did what I wanted.”
Unable to help herself, she ran her hand along his stubbled jaw. “And you live with the consequences,” she told him, liking the feel of his scruffy day-old beard.
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