Intertwined Hearts Series (4 book collection): (Intertwined Hearts, An Exceptional Twist, Tangled Paths & Grafted Vines)

by Kimi Flores

  Mmm. Nice ass.

  Just as I was checking out the back of his carpenter shorts, he looked over his shoulder. Busted. Oh well. I’m sure girls look at his ass all the time.

  A smile broke out on his handsome face before his attention was pulled back to the girl at the counter. “I’m sorry, Blaine, we’re running a little late today, it’s gonna be another fifteen minutes if you don’t mind waiting.”

  He glanced back at me, then again to the cashier. “I don’t mind.”

  I raised an eyebrow, thinking, this guy is gorgeous. I loved that surfer-style blonde hair and damn, look at those ocean blue eyes. Strong arms, too. Hmm—might be the distraction I needed after seeing Josh. Old habits die hard. I guess I’ll always be running away from my feelings. Whatever.

  After that one fateful night when I’d given myself to that asshole who crushed me, I only went out with hot guys I knew wouldn’t try to take our relationship beyond a couple dates. The few times I’d traveled with my boyfriends, we’d always gone our separate ways before we’d even returned from our trip. It was safer than getting emotionally invested and then tossed aside. It was also a better option than ending up unhappily ever after, just like my parents.

  No thank you.

  “Hi.” He smiled as he stepped aside, motioning for me to go in front of him.

  “Hey,” I flirted back, well aware of this game. Looking at his ring finger, I was relieved to find it bare. That was a line I would never cross. No married men for me. As I stepped up to the counter, he inhaled and checked me out the same way I’d done to him.

  Oh yeah, this guy is a yummy diversion.

  Felicia, the older seamstress I was here to see, stepped up to the counter with her short curly hair sticking up in all directions. “Hi Bri, what do you have for me today? I love working on the beautiful clothes you bring in here.”

  I beamed, ready to show off the striking dress I’d picked up at my new favorite boutique on Mission Street. “I need a dress altered.”

  Felicia’s hippy, bohemian style was very different from mine but she did amazing work. “Go try it on. I can’t wait to see.” The eccentric seamstress led me to the dressing room in the back where I stripped off my sundress and put the designer dress on. I also slipped on matching shoes and fixed my boobs and hair again. Good thing I brought heels. Otherwise, I would’ve been standing here in this gorgeous dress with flip flops on.

  I was sure that Blaine would have a perfect view where I’d be standing.

  As I stepped out of the small room, Felicia started fawning. “Ohmigosh look at that dress, Bri. It’s breathtaking.” Her eyes sparkled as I took a quick glance at Blaine.

  Perfect, his eyes are on me.

  Standing in front of the mirror, I pointed out where I wanted the alterations. “I need it taken in here.” I pulled on the fabric around my waist, which in turn made it stretch tighter across the chest area. “And here.”

  I hiked the hem of the dress up, exposing more of my legs but careful not to show the thigh tattoo I’d gotten in Paris last summer. No matter what I’d been told throughout my life, I knew my legs were my best feature but didn’t need a dress that was so short my brother would have a shit fit when we went to the party. “I’d like it to be two inches shorter.” I looked past my reflection and saw Blaine sitting down, mouth gaped open. I had to bite back a grin.

  “What’s the matter, Blaine?” The cashier huffed under her breath. “Never seen a pretty girl before?”

  Finally, I made eye contact with him through my reflection and smirked.

  Once Felicia pinned all the areas I’d pointed out, she said, “Okay, got it. Go take it off and Cindy will check it in for you.”

  I held my shoulders straight as I headed back into the room. Ball’s in his court. Time to ignore him. I hated games, but guys like Blaine needed to feel in control, like I was a conquest or some stupid shit like that.

  While I was in the dressing room, I heard cashier girl’s voice again, “Here you go. Tell your brother I said hi.” Sounded like she had a crush on someone.

  Standing in the dressing room a little longer than necessary, I listened to their small talk. From what I gathered, Blaine was in the medical field and his brother was currently living in Colorado, managing a customer service call center. Blaine and who I now knew was Cindy didn’t flirt and the conversation seemed very casual.

  Interesting, maybe her eyes were on the brother after all.

  Casually strolling from the back to the front counter, I handed my dress over. Cindy seemed nice enough, asking for my name as she typed away on the computer screen.

  “The account should be under Brianna Hunter.” I purposely let my strappy heels hang from my fingertips to get Blaine’s attention. I didn’t need to turn and see if it was working. The sound of his heavy breathing was proof enough.

  “Hunter?” she asked, to which I nodded. “You wouldn't by any chance be related to Caleb Hunter would you?”

  Surprised, my eyebrows raised. Wow, I haven’t heard a girl ask that since we were in college. I felt the smile on my lips, remembering all the lovesick girls trying to befriend me just to get to Stefen and Caleb. It used to bug me, but now I just thought it was funny. “He’s my cousin. How do you know him?”

  “Hear that, Blaine? Bri here is, Abby’s cousin-in-law.” Cindy nodded toward him, sneering.

  With a tight smile, he raised his eyebrows before looking down at the ground. “Caught that Cindy. Thank you.”

  I narrowed my eyes at both of them. “Am I missing something?”

  “Oh,” Cindy motioned back and forth between her and Blaine, “we went to high school with Caleb’s wife. Well, she was in my grade. Blaine’s a few years older than us.” A devious smile broke out on Cindy’s face.

  Why are they acting this way? I knew for a fact that Abby only dated one guy in high school. I couldn’t remember his name, but it definitely wasn’t Blaine.

  “I’ll make sure to tell her you guys said hi then.” I knew that was uncouth, but whatever. I didn’t like when people acted like they were holding a secret over me. With a hard smile, I turned and left.

  Blaine ran up behind me when I got to my car. “You forgot your pick-up slip.” He handed the pink receipt over. “I'm sorry about that,” he said sheepishly, gesturing toward the shop. “Cindy likes to play games when she thinks she holds the cards.”

  Popping my hip, I folded my arms across my chest nearly smacking myself in the face with those killer heels. “And you don’t?” I didn’t mean to sound so clipped, but I was annoyed.

  He snickered, gazing at me with those amazing blue eyes. “No more than you just did in there.”

  Letting my arms fall to my sides, my mouth pulled into a grin. He’s got me there. “Touché.”

  Relief washed over his face, a slow smile working its way onto his lips. “Let me make it up to you? How about dinner sometime?”

  Drawing my head back, I asked cheekily, “Why, are you asking me out?”

  He tightened his lips and looked down at the ground. “Sure, why not?”

  I tilted my head, eyeing him up and down. “Sure.” Then repeated his same words with a smile. “Why not.”

  “A little sarcastic, are we?” he teased.

  I laughed out loud. “Oh, you have no idea.”

  “Sounds promising.”

  Yes, it does.

  We exchanged phone numbers before I got into my car and rolled down my driver’s side window. He lowered his chin and eyes to me, smiling once more. “I need to check on something, then I’ll give you a call.”

  Hmm, wonder what he needs to check on. Really, who cares? “Sounds good.” I turned on the ignition as he tapped the door frame like a goodbye wave. With the stick shift in reverse, I backed my Roadster out and pulled onto the street.

  When I came to a red light, I called Dani from the cell phone controller on my steering wheel.

  “Hey girly, what’s up?” She yawned, sounding drowsy.

 
I reached for the volume control, turning it up so I could hear. “Are you just getting up?”

  “Yeah, I worked all night. I’m dead.”

  “Well, I have a shopping emergency. Get dressed, I’m picking you up in fifteen minutes.” I switched on my signal before turning right.

  “Shopping emergency? We just went the other day and you got a shitload of outfits, Bri. I think you have a problem.” She sounded like she was still lying in bed, stretching possibly.

  “Those were casual outfits and the dress for the wrap party. I might have a date and need something new.” A very polished, good-looking guy pulled up beside me in a luxury sports car, raising his perfectly trimmed eyebrow in approval.

  Wow, there’s an abundance of hot guys today. Lucky me.

  I was just about to flirt back when a little white Pomeranian dog popped its head up at the passenger side window, panting with its little pink tongue jutting in and out. Completely turned off, I rotated my head forward again. Adorable dog, but it’s either his girlfriend’s or his. Either way, he just lost his man card with me. He probably got manicures too. Oh wait, so does my brother. I snickered quietly.

  Dani interrupted my internal snide comments. “I’m sure you have something in your closet Bri. It’s busting at the seams and don’t think I haven’t noticed you starting to put clothes in the hall closet. Forget the shopping, grab us some food and get home so you can tell me all about this date.”

  “Fine,” I grouched. “What do you want to eat?”

  “Surprise me.”

  Checking my rearview mirror, I noticed the driver of the sports car behind me. “When are you going to surprise me and actually cook something?”

  “I told you, manicures or cooking. Not both.”

  With a place in mind, I made a U-turn on Las Positas Road. “You’re such a brat.”

  “I know but you love me anyway.” I could hear the smile in her voice.

  Jumping onto the 101 freeway, I took the five-minute drive north toward Goleta. “Yes, I do. Okay, I’ll grab some burgers and fries from In-N-Out and be there in a bit.”

  “You sure know how to make a girl happy.”

  I had no problem making my friends and family happy. Maybe, just maybe I could make a guy happy one day. Yeah, who am I trying to kid?

  “Goodbye!” I chortled playfully before checking my rearview mirror again and ending our call. But the mini doggie whisperer wasn’t following me. Thank goodness.

  Chapter Five

  That’s a Wrap

  Bri

  “Couldn’t you have worn something a little less revealing?” Stefen grumbled into my ear for the third time since we’d gotten into the limousine an hour and a half ago.

  I backhanded his chest, speaking loud enough for everyone in the confined space to hear. “Trust me, I won’t be wearing the skimpiest outfit of the night.” I looked down at the beaded crystals on my short champagne-colored dress that I’d picked up from Felicia earlier today.

  I don’t care if Dani thinks I shop too much. This outfit was a must-have.

  Seated on Stefen’s other side, Leah creased her eyebrows. “Amor, your sister is a beautiful woman. She should be able to wear whatever she wants.”

  Leah whispered something in his ear before leaning forward, causing the curve of her breast to peek out of the top of her red halter dress. “By the way, your outfit is absolutely gorgeous, Bri.”

  Stefen moved his glare from my bare legs to his wife’s exposed cleavage. “You girls are trying to give me a heart attack tonight.”

  Caleb cleared his throat from across the limo. “Come on Stefen, give them a break. We’re surrounded by stunning women who enjoy looking their best.” He pulled Abby’s hand to his lips and tenderly kissed her knuckles. “Other guys would kill to be in our position.”

  Thank you, cousin.

  Lowering his brows, my brother murmured under his breath, “I have a feeling I’m the one that’ll be doing the massacring tonight.”

  I rolled my eyes, glancing back and forth between the two couples. I was the only one without a date. As usual. Frowning, I wondered why Blaine hadn’t called. He seemed interested the other day.

  Dani was supposed to be my date for tonight but was lucky enough to get a last minute job. She’d been struggling to get clients for her new at home nurse care business, and I didn’t have the heart to make her feel guilty about not coming. But had I known a few days ago that I’d be a third wheel tonight, I probably would’ve just stayed home and watched old movies in my jammies.

  ⁂

  Josh

  “How did I let you talk me into this?” I climbed into the backseat, bitching and complaining to my younger brother. “A limo? Really, Brad?” I shook my head. “You live twenty damn miles away from this party.”

  A million-dollar smile spread across Bradley’s face. My brother was way more relaxed than I thought he was going to be. “Dude, you know how these things go. I can’t exactly pull up to the curb with my muddy dirt bike in the bed of my truck.”

  On edge, I rubbed a hand down my jaw and around to the back of my neck. “I know. It’s just ridiculous, if you ask me. The whole thing. It’s a wrap party, not the Oscars. Why’s the media there anyway?” I closed my eyes, waving my hand. “Never mind, I know why. The studio arranged it, right?”

  He nodded, rubbing his palms on top of his thighs. “Every opportunity to promote the movie, ya know.”

  As cocky as my brother acted in front of the cameras, I knew how nerve-wracking these events could be. That’s the only reason I’d agreed to go with him tonight. But he seemed fine. I might just be the one who passes out though.

  Brad shook his head, eyeing me. “I still can’t believe I got you in a suit, but where’s the tie?”

  “In the trash can in your bathroom.” I smirked. “I appreciate you having your people take care of the suit, but I’m definitely not into ties.” I ran my hand down my chest, feeling the silky material of my button-down shirt and the lapel of my blazer. “I actually like the jacket. It’s pretty light.”

  “Yeah, I know you’ve probably forgotten, but that’s what a good suit feels like.” He clapped me on the shoulder as we pulled up to the curb. Peering out the window, he added, “Here we go.”

  Fan-fucking-tastic.

  The door opened and the flashing lights immediately filled the space of the limo.

  I put on a smooth face, but cringed inwardly. I don’t miss this shit one bit.

  I waited for Bradley to get a head start before stepping out, hoping I didn’t get noticed. No such luck. As soon as my feet hit the pavement, photographers were yelling my name. Trying my best to ignore them, I scanned the walkway that led to the gates in front of the iconic Hollywood mansion where the party was being held. Thankfully, the brick pathway was lined with metal barriers to keep the wolves at bay, while the opposite side had a white backdrop stamped with the movie title’s logo all over it.

  Steadying my hands, I took a deep, comforting breath. This was the first time I’d been to one of these things in years, but now that I was here I was ready to leave. It reminded me of times filled with too much partying, too many girls, and definitely too much of it in the gossip columns. Put there by some of these same vultures.

  Memories of being in front of all the cameras with my close friend flooded me. Kai lived for this shit.

  Still standing there, I turned when a car door opened behind me. I desperately searched for a familiar face. It would make the evening that much more bearable if some of my other entertainment industry friends were here. Everything moved in slow motion as the first couple of people stepped out. I recognized Caleb Hunter and his wife from my Uncle Joel’s vineyard.

  Blinking hard I started to feel lightheaded.

  Caleb grabbed my bicep. “Hey, you okay, man? You look like you’re gonna throw up.”

  Deep breath in, slowly exhale out.

  I braced my palm on the limo’s roof, keeping my back to the photographers. “Y
eah, I just need a minute.”

  Unbuttoning my collar, I focused on the pavement while the camera lights continued to flash behind me, and I took another deep relaxing breath. As I stared at the ground, something caught my eye—petite toes poking out of a pair of glittery high heels. A sense of calm washed over me as my gaze slid up to a pair of long tanned legs that led to a mini dress covered in sparkling crystals.

  Oh shit. It’s her. Of course it’s her. Now I really can’t breathe.

  When my eyes landed on the stunning brunette I’d been so conflicted about, I heard a chuckle from one guy and a grunt from another beside me. Turning slightly, I watched Caleb walk away, pulling the guy I recognized as Bri’s brother with him as Leah and Caleb’s wife followed.

  Bri’s rounded hazel eyes gaped at me. “What are you doing here?”

  I shook my head, starting to speak, but several more flashes blinded me.

  Dammit. She can be mad at me later. I need to get the hell away from these lunatics.

  It didn’t matter how vulnerable I felt. Right now she was my lifeline. “Will you, um, walk with me inside? I—I can’t do this.” Oh shit, I was feeling lightheaded again and about to pass out if I stayed much longer. And that would be embarrassing as hell.

  More limos were approaching, more cameras flashing.

  She frowned, looking mildly concerned. “Can’t do what?”

  Invading her personal space, I didn’t care how pathetic I sounded as I pleaded, “Please. Walk with me, and I’ll answer whatever questions you have.” Standing this close, I couldn’t help myself as I breathed her in. Our chests were touching, and I could feel her heart hammering against me.

  She gulped and let out a weak, “Fine. Let’s go.” Looping her arm in mine, she pulled me up the pathway as reporters shouted out their questions.

  “Josh, where have you been hiding all these years?”

  I kept my gaze smartly glued to the ground as I took in shaky breaths.

  “Tucker, who’s the brunette?”

  Eyes on the ground. Eyes on the ground.

  “Do you still blame yourself for Kai Brenson’s death?”