He looked at his watch and grinned. “I think I can spare a few minutes.”
She pulled her SUV next to Cal’s car and Jesse parked behind her. He was wearing his usual cargo shorts and faded t-shirt and his hair looked like he’d let the wind blow it dry after his morning shower. Her throat was suddenly dry. She looked down at her yoga pants, workout top, and tennis shoes. When she couldn’t care less what he thought of her, she was dressed to the nines, and now that she did, he’d caught her in exercise clothes and without a shower. Perfect.
“I’ll just unload these bags while you get to it then.” She tried to sidestep him at the hatch and breeze past before he could get a good look at her. A few minutes in the bathroom wouldn’t hurt.
He grabbed her arm as she tried to pass. “I’ll get these.” He plucked the bags from her hand and left her straggling after him.
“You don’t have to.”
“It’s no problem.” She opened the door for him and followed him inside.
“Can I get you some coffee? A muffin?” She pointed to the basket Cal had brought over the day before.
“Coffee would be good.” He stood where he was in the kitchen, watching her as she filled the carafe and added the grinds.
“It’ll be just a minute. How do you take it?”
“Black’s fine.”
“Okay.” She felt uncomfortable under his stare. He was probably wondering what he ever found attractive about her in the first place. “I’ll bring it out to you when it’s ready.” She really wanted to dash into the bathroom and survey her appearance. She didn’t have on a lick of makeup and could have died from embarrassment.
He stood where he was and cocked his head to the side. “How tall are you?”
He stepped to within an inch of her and measured the top of her head against his formidable chest. She was face to face with his collarbone. “Five-three. And a half,” she added when he kept looking down at her. She could feel his breath on her face and smell the citrus on his skin. She had to fight the urge to wrap her arms around him and burrow.
“Damn, I guess I never realized how much the heels added.”
“What is with you people and my height?”
“Who exactly is ‘you people’?”
She pushed back from him and reached up to get two mugs from the cabinet. “Your ex-wife. Sorry if I’m not of the ‘giant mountain people’ lineage.”
“I heard you spent the day with Kerri Ann yesterday.” He shuffled his feet and crossed his arms. “How exactly did the two of you hook up?”
“I ran into her at the general store in town; we got to talking. I like her.”
Jesse chuckled, shook his head. “Can’t imagine the two of you together, but I guess wonders never cease.”
“Funny,” Lita said. “I spent the whole day thinking the same of the two of you.”
He accepted the mug of coffee she handed him and set it down on the counter. “Have you given any more thought to my offer?”
She turned to face him and noted his cocky smile. Could he possibly be asking about his intention for them to be more than friends? “What offer?”
“Rafting. I had a group cancel this weekend.”
“Jesse…” Why wouldn’t he let this go? She wanted to spend time with him, but did it have to involve rushing water and a flotation device? As if to demonstrate how her thoughts tended to wander when he was near, she added two tablespoons of sugar to her coffee instead of one.
“You like it sweet, don’t you?”
“Huh?”
“The coffee, Angelita. Try to keep up, would you? Anyway,” he walked to the door and outside to retrieve the tire from his truck. She left her coffee on the counter and followed him outside. So much for freshening up. “I’ve got the patch of river all picked out. It’s a nice easy ride and the scenery is beautiful. How about I pick you up Saturday morning around seven?”
“Jesse, I never said I’d go rafting with you.” But she wanted to, if only to get him off her back.
“You’re not going to let a little thing like fear stop you from a new experience are you?”
She huffed out a breath and put her hands on her hips. He was enjoying her reaction and had probably planned to bully her into accepting. “I told you before, I’m not afraid. I just don’t want to.”
He stood up, wiped the gravel from his knees and faced her. “Prove it.”
He was incredibly handsome, standing there looking down at her trying to hold back his crooked smile. How had he figured out how to maneuver her already?
“Fine, I’ll go. But you’d better know what you’re doing.”
Chapter 10
Bryce stood before the gilded mirror in his office foyer and contemplated removing his tie. He unhitched the knot, tugged it off, unbuttoned one button, and surveyed the results. Damn. He hadn’t been this nervous or this insecure since the eighth grade dance. And the prom. God help him, how had he forgotten the prom? Susie Cunningham had worn a dress with spaghetti straps and he hadn’t known where in the world to pin the lily corsage on her ample bosom. What a nightmare.
“Relax, you idiot,” he said to his reflection and then cringed when Misty called, “What?” from the front of the office.
“Nothing.” He retreated behind his desk. It was only five o’clock. He had thirty minutes to second guess his attire and try to tamp down the jittery stomach that had plagued him all day. It’s just a date, he told himself. With the woman of your dreams. The woman you’ve wanted to be with since you were thirteen years old.
He’d made reservations at his favorite restaurant in Asheville. Thank God he knew Kerri Ann liked all kinds of food. She was an adventurous eater, one of her many appealing qualities. He’d once dated a woman who wouldn’t eat anything more daring than chicken. Kerri Ann was always up for trying something new or something old prepared in a new way. Whether it was the restaurateur in her or just the way she was made, he didn’t care.
They had an hour’s drive to Asheville and at least two hours in the restaurant. He thought he’d suggest a walk around the city afterward and possibly a drink at one of the area’s varied bars. He could see the night play out in his head, the way she’d look in her new dress, her appreciation of the meal, the dawning in her eyes that they were meant to be together. He wondered if she’d let him kiss her. He wondered if he’d be able to stop.
He stood up and began pacing the room, decided to stuff his tie in his suit jacket until he got a look at Kerri Ann. He could always steal into the restroom and put it back on if necessary. He thought of Kerri Ann, slipping into her new dress, primping in the mirror as he had. Was she nervous like him? Or was she cursing Lita for forcing her to accept a dinner invitation with someone she considered only a friend?
Damn it, it was only 5:10. Was time standing still only for him?
***
Kerri Ann swiped the mascara wand over her lashes and applied a fresh coat of shimmering gloss to her lips. She stood back and crinkled her nose at her reflection. She wondered for the millionth time what Bryce would think when he picked her up in…fifteen minutes, she discovered with a quick glance at her watch. Damn. She pulled the clip that held her bangs off her forehead and ran a brush through her new layers. The knock at the door of her office bathroom had her screeching in worry. Was he here already?
But it was Lita who poked her head in the door, a mile-wide smile on her face. “You look beautiful, Kerri Ann. Can I come in?”
Her office bathroom was barely big enough for one of them, much less two, but she ushered her in anyway and closed the door behind her. “Have you seen Bryce?”
“No, he’s not here yet. Look at you.” Lita clapped her hands and then grabbed Kerri Ann’s shoulders. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh, God. I don’t know if I can take any more surprises.”
Lita shushed her with a scathing look and pulled a large shoebox out of her shoulder bag. “I had these over-nighted from my shop. Size eight and a half, right?”
“How did you know my shoe size?” She took the box Lita shoved in her face.
“I looked at your shoes while you were in the dressing room the other day.” She pulled off the top and lifted the tissue paper reverently. “What do you think? We call it Desideria. In Portuguese, it means longing.” She shrugged. “I thought it was appropriate.”
Kerri Ann pulled out the shoe, a three-inch sling back sandal of soft leather that felt like butter in her hands. It had swatches of lime paisley fabric across the upper, held together with a crystal pin. They were stunning and Kerri Ann knew without a shadow of a doubt that she’d kill herself trying to walk in them. Plus, she’d Googled Lita’s boutique and had discovered her shoes retailed for more than Kerri Ann spent on her high-end running shoes. “Lita, these are beautiful, but…I can’t wear these.”
“What? Why not?”
“I haven’t worn heels this high since the prom and even then only for a few hours.”
“Kerri Ann, look at me. Do you like the shoes?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts. Somewhere along the way, you’ve forgotten that you’re a woman—a beautiful, strong, independent woman. It’s your right, damn it—your duty to wear heels and dress up every now and again. No one will think you look foolish or silly, not if you don’t.”
“But what will Bryce think as I’m hobbling along on these pencil sticks?”
“He’ll think what every man who sees you thinks. That he’s incredibly lucky to be with a woman with legs like yours.” Lita pulled the other shoe out of the box, knelt down, and put it on Kerri Ann’s foot just like The Grand Duke had slid the glass slipper on for Cinderella. It fit perfectly. “Even the polish you chose matches.” She stood up when Kerri Ann put on the other shoe. “How do you feel?”
“Tall,” Kerri Ann smiled like the Cheshire cat. They were beautiful and Lita was right, she did feel every inch a woman. “I love them, Lita. Thank you.” She hugged her new friend and found Lita laughing when they pulled apart. “What’s so funny?”
“You are tall. Oh, how I’d kill to be a fly on the wall with you tonight.”
Kerri Ann turned to face the mirror, brushed at the bangs in her eyes, and dabbed on the perfume Ty had given her last year for her birthday. “What do you think you’d see, Lita? We’re just friends.”
“Not for long. What?” she asked when Kerri Ann turned around abruptly.
“We can’t be more than friends. We just can’t.”
“Why?”
“Bryce is…he deserves so much more than I can give him.”
Lita’s hands flew to her hips. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. The man wants you, Kerri Ann. People deserve to be with the person they want.” She held up a finger when Kerri Ann tried to interject. “And you want him too. You can’t deny what’s written all over your face.”
Kerri Ann opened the bathroom door and went into her office to look out the window for Bryce’s car. When she didn’t see it, she turned around and leaned on the windowsill. “You don’t always get what you want. Didn’t anyone ever tell you that?”
Lita walked over to stand in front of Kerri Ann and placed a consolatory hand on her shoulder. “I think both you and Bryce will find exactly what you want tonight.” She looked over her shoulder and smiled. “He’s here.”
***
Bryce winced when he reached for the screen door of the Pizza Den and saw his hand tremble. The familiar sights, sounds, and smells of the interior helped to calm his nerves. Maybe she wouldn’t be ready and he could have a quick beer at the bar to settle him. He nodded to Patty Holloway as she waited on a table of college-age kids and was about to sit on one of the stools when Lita emerged from the kitchen’s swinging door.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Just dropping off a little something for Kerri Ann.” She moved out from behind the bar and jerked her thumb upstairs. “She’ll be down in a minute.”
“Great.” He settled onto the stool and contemplated ordering a drink.
“Do you have a tie to go with your suit?”
Bryce stood up and pulled his tie out of his coat pocket. “I didn’t know if it’d be too formal.”
“Wear it. Kerri Ann looks fabulous and she’ll appreciate the formality.”
He lifted his collar and began looping the tie into a knot when he heard a low whistle. When he looked up he saw Frank, standing at the beer tap, the summer special brew spilling over the lip of the already full mug. His eyes followed Frank’s to see Kerri Ann, frozen and blushing in the kitchen doorway.
Holy mother of God. She looked more beautiful than he’d ever thought possible. Her hair was different, sexy like, and she’d done something with her makeup so her eyes glittered like emeralds. And the dress. There wasn’t an ounce of cleavage with the high straight neckline, but her strong shoulders glistened in the low light and the way the fabric gathered at her waist made her seem impossibly thin and curvy.
“I’ve never seen you in a dress, boss,” Frank said. “You look real pretty.”
It was just the thing he should have said, but had been too floored to speak. He needed to say something soon because she was looking at him now and waiting. “Pretty doesn’t even come close, Kerri Ann. You take my breath away.”
The blush that rose beneath her dress, up her bare neck, and to her cheeks made him want to gather her in his arms and never let go.
“Thanks.” She walked slowly out from behind the bar. “You look nice too.”
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. It was like he was seeing her for the first time, this familiar stranger.
“Do you want to have a drink before we go?” she asked when he stood staring at her.
“Huh…um, no. I mean, yes, I’d like a drink, but I thought we’d have one in Asheville. If that’s okay?” Away from the prying eyes of everyone in Sequoyah Falls. He didn’t want to share her with anyone tonight.
“Okay. I’ll just get my purse.” She leaned over the bar on her tiptoes and stretched her hand under the counter. The slit in the back of her dress rose high on her thigh as she lifted a leg. It was a wonder he didn’t drool. “Frank,” she said. “You’ve got my cell number. If anything goes wrong with trivia or anything else, just call me.”
“Nothing to worry about, boss. You go on out and have a good time.”
As Bryce steered her through the restaurant, he heard Lita tell Frank the only reason to call Kerri Ann would be if there was blood shed or gunfire. He nearly laughed. It was just what Frank needed to hear so they weren’t interrupted every five minutes.
He opened the car door for Kerri Ann and when she’d settled, she looked up at him and smiled. Just like that, as if someone had taken the blinders from his eyes, his nerves were gone. He closed her door and walked around to the driver’s side. Tonight was the start of something good, he just knew it.
Chapter 11
Lita was smiling as she left the Pizza Den and her smile grew brighter as she retrieved the ringing cell from her bag. It was Sophie and she couldn’t wait to thank her for helping with the shoes.
“I’m so glad you called,” she said into the phone. “I just delivered the shoes and they were perfect. You’re an angel.”
“Lita,” Sophie said on a sigh. Lita stopped herself from putting the car into gear and sat back in her seat. From the sound of Sophie’s voice, she knew something was wrong. “Your father keeps calling the shop. He’s threatened to do a sit-in if you don’t call him back or show up at his house or office. I’m a little bit afraid.”
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