He pulled back, his face pleading. “I’m sorry. Can we just forget it happened?”
What was she supposed to say to that? If she said no and stomped off, she’d look like a stupid child. Especially when she’d been sucked into the kiss as well and had kissed him back. She was probably at fault as much as he was. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Fine.”
He let go of her and began gathering up his parachute. “I don’t know what got into me. The excitement of the jump, I guess.”
She picked up her helmet and goggles and mumbled, “I guess.” If he was trying to make things better, he wasn’t doing it right. She felt dead inside.
“I’m glad you liked the jump. Maybe we can go again in a few weeks.”
Not likely. She swallowed back the words and instead forced a smile. “Sure.”
They didn’t speak as they took off their gear and gathered their things. When they got to his truck, she waited for him to open her door, even though she wanted to hop in to annoy him.
He opened the door and she climbed in. “Do you want to go grab some dinner?”
I’d rather eat glass. She coughed into her fist. “Sorry, I have to go into the office tonight and get caught up on some things.”
He shut her door and climbed into the driver’s seat. “I could help.”
A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. How was she going to get out of this? She’d just told him she’d forget about the kiss and pretend it never happened. “It’s just data entry, and boring stuff. I’m sure you don’t want to—”
“I don’t mind. It will give me something to do.”
Sidney bit the inside of her cheek. If she protested too much, he’d think she was mad at him. Or worse, being a baby about the kiss. She sighed. “Okay.”
“We can order Chinese. Your favorite still the cashew chicken?”
“Sounds delicious.” Super. She was stuck spending the evening with Blake.
Chapter 14
Blake held the take out and the drinks, and still managed to open the door to Blissfully Matched without dropping anything. Sidney looked up from her computer and rushed around her desk.
She took the paper sack and set it down on her desk. “Sorry, I probably should have gone with you to get dinner.” She frowned.
It hadn’t bothered him. In all honesty, he was glad she wasn’t shoving him out the door. He’d royally messed up by kissing her. He hadn’t meant to do it. His body had just taken over, and he’d found he couldn’t control the urge anymore. Stupid. She’d put up her Ted wall so fast his head spun.
“No problem.” He pulled the chair closer to his side of her desk.
Sidney lifted the containers out of the sack, handing over his broccoli beef and a fork and doing her best not to look at him. The aromas filled the small space, and his stomach growled. She sat down and started on her meal.
The tension in the room was stifling. Why had he insisted on spending time with her this evening? She didn’t want him around. He was probably hurting the situation more than helping it. But something in him wouldn’t let go.
Kissing Sidney had been amazing. She’d ignited a fire in him years ago, and kissing her again had rekindled the flame. Kissing Melody had never been that way. There was something between him and Sidney he couldn’t deny.
Sidney looked up from her take out. “What are you doing next Friday night?”
He froze. She was asking him out? Maybe he was misreading her. Maybe she wasn’t upset about the kiss. “Nothing.”
“Great. Your next match will meet you at Thai Land, on Fifth Street. Wear something nice.”
He should have seen that one coming. Forcing a smile, he stabbed a piece of broccoli with his fork. “Okay. What’s her name?”
“Angie Nicholson. And don’t be so picky this time.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Is this how you talk to your clients?” She opened her mouth to respond, but he continued, cutting her off. “I see how you do it, now. You intimidate your clients so they feel obligated to say they found a match.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, puh-leeze. Stop being such a baby about it. Admit you were a little picky with Chloe.”
“I admit nothing.”
“Fine. Be like that. But Angie is a dear, and you need to give her a chance.”
“Of course.” He faked enthusiasm. The only girl who interested him right now was sitting across from him. The thought startled him and he swallowed. Sidney was doing everything she could to push him away. What kind of crazy notion did he have that she might get over it and become interested in him? Why was he doing this to himself?
She smiled. “Good. Meet Angie at six. Be nice.”
“I’m always nice.”
She picked up her soda and took a sip. “Mm hmm.”
“Are you implying something?”
“What about all those times you and Grayson would sit on me until I did what you wanted? How nice was that?”
Blake let out a hearty laugh. “I’d forgotten about that.”
“You weren’t the one scarred for life.”
He took another bite of his meal, assessing her. She was beginning to relax again, and joke around with him. How could he keep her this way? After he swallowed, he said, “You’re being a little dramatic.”
“Maybe so. But you have to admit, you and Grayson did your share of torturing me.”
He chuckled. “You dished it right back, if I recall. I remember a bucket of water landing on my head when I entered the kitchen.”
“Payback for the whoopee cushion.” She grinned and then sobered. “Do you and Grayson keep in touch?”
“We’ve chatted a few times online, but not much.”
“Yeah.” She stared at her food. “Me, too.”
The saddened look in her eyes made his gut clench. “You’re not close anymore?”
She shrugged. “He’s focused on his career right now. Rarely comes back to see us. The last time he visited was Christmas—three years ago.”
Silence stretched as she played with her food a little while longer. He wanted to take her hand but knew that was a bad idea. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I know he’s busy. I just…” She let her voice trail off.
“You miss him.”
She nodded. “I watch Forensic Science each week, even though it’s a bit too bloody for me, just because I know he’s a part of it.”
“That’s really sweet.”
His cell phone rang out Bohemian Rhapsody, and he caught Sidney’s ‘oh brother’ look. He smiled as he swiped the front and answered. “Hey, Ma. What’s up?”
A muffled sound came through the line, and then she whispered, “Blake.”
His throat tightened. “Mom? You okay?”
Silence.
He stood, his heart racing. “Mom?”
The line went dead and he cursed.
Sidney jumped out of her chair. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.” He dialed her number again as he headed to the door. “She was fine this morning. I’ve got to go check on her.”
“I’m coming with you.” She grabbed her purse.
After Sidney locked the door, they ran to his truck. His mother’s phone went directly to voice mail. He tossed his cell to Sidney. “Keep trying.” He put the truck in gear and tore out of the parking lot.
Sidney’s hands shook as she fiddled with the phone. “What did she say?”
“Just my name. She could barely speak.”
“Dear heavens.” Her face drained of color and her eyes grew wide.
He wanted to say something to reassure her, but no comforting words came. The red lights seemed to take an extra-long time, and he tapped the steering wheel. Maybe he should call 911. But what if it wasn’t an emergency? His mother would be livid.
When they got to her house, he stopped in the driveway and both of them ran to the front door. He tried the handle, but it was locked. “Mom?” he called, lifting the plant to get the key hid
den under the pot.
No one answered, and he unlocked the door and ran inside. His mother lay on the floor in the kitchen, her phone in her hand. Blood pooled on the tile under her head, which sported a large gash. A chair lay on its side. He gently shifted her so he could look at the wound.
“There’s a first aid kit under the sink.” He looked up at Sidney and she nodded. She opened the cupboard and brought it to him.
He pressed some gauze to the injury to stop the bleeding. His mother stirred and he breathed a sigh of relief. “Mom, what happened?”
Her eyelids fluttered open. “Blake. I knew you’d come.”
“Are you okay? What were you doing, Ma?”
She pointed up. “The light was flickering again.”
He groaned inwardly. “I told you I would fix it.” But he hadn’t. He’d let it go. Guilt swarmed in on him like angry bees.
“I know.” She winced when he lifted the gauze to look. “I shouldn’t have messed with it.”
“The fall didn’t knock you out, because you had time to call me.”
She raised her hand and took hold of the gauze, pressing it to her head. “I think I fainted when I saw the blood.”
Sidney crouched down beside her. “You scared us, Mrs. Wellington.”
His mother’s gaze fell on Sidney for the first time. She looked at Blake, then back at Sidney. She struggled to sit up. He placed his hand on her back and steadied her. “I’m sorry. Did I interrupt something?”
“I was just eating dinner with an old friend. You remember Sidney Reed?”
His mother smiled. “Of course. Sidney, you’ve sure grown up.”
Suddenly, she burst out laughing. “That’s what I keep hearing.”
Sidney exhaled relief as Blake drove her home. She’d been so afraid something serious had happened. Thank goodness it was just a fall, with nothing broken. Blake had examined his mother’s injury and proclaimed it minor. Gave them a good scare, but she’d be fine.
Blake scowled and hit the steering wheel. “I should have fixed that light for her.”
“You couldn’t have known she’d get up on a chair and mess with it.”
He pulled into her parking lot and cut the engine. “She asked me to look at it days ago.”
Sidney felt his pain. “So, you’re human.”
“I knew the flickering bugged her. It wouldn’t have taken me long to look at it.” He ran his hand through his hair.
“You fixed it tonight.”
He gave her a flat look. “A little too late, don’t you think?”
She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”
“I could have gone over there. I’ve just been too preoccupied with—” He stopped and clenched his fist on the steering wheel.
“With what?”
“My own stupidity,” he said, under his breath as he got out. He opened her door for her.
He walked her to her door, his shoulders slumping. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“It could have been so much worse.”
“But it wasn’t. She’s fine.” Sidney didn’t know what else to say to make him feel better. She pulled him into a hug and laid her head on his chest. “You’re a good man, Blake.”
He patted her back but didn’t say anything. After he left, she plopped down on her couch, trying to ignore the empty feeling in her chest.
Chapter 15
Sidney looked at the clock. Six-thirty. Blake had been on his date with Angie for a half-hour now. She went back to her book, staring at the same page she’d been on for the past ten minutes. None of the words sank in. As soon as she started reading, visions of Blake and Angie filled her head and she couldn’t concentrate. Frustrated, she tossed the book on the coffee table and stood. Time to do something else.
She opened the closet and took out her running shoes. It had been a while since she’d put them on, but her restlessness wouldn’t leave. Running would be the perfect thing. She quickly changed and pulled her hair into a ponytail.
She strapped her phone to her arm and plugged in her earphones. When she pressed the button to play her favorite music, instead of One Direction, she heard the opening guitar riff from Stairway to Heaven.
What? She scrolled through and saw that Blake had managed to put a bunch of his songs on her playlist.
Ugh. She swiped until she found her own playlist and turned up her favorite pop song, letting the music flow into her soul.
When she stepped outside, she took a deep breath. The late evening sun cast long shadows, and the cool breeze felt refreshing. She started jogging on the sidewalk, down a residential street.
Blake hadn’t contacted her all week. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but for some reason his lack of communication was driving her nuts. She’d gotten used to seeing him pop up for one reason or another, but now, his absence left a hole.
Maybe he’ll come over after his date, like last time.
She shook her head to clear the thought away. No. She didn’t need to see Blake. He needed to leave her alone so she could get over her stupid crush and get on with her life.
She turned down Ash Avenue, picking up her pace. It was dangerous keeping Blake as a friend. The kiss proved that. He was just messing around, and she…what was she doing, falling in love?
Oh heavens. That couldn’t be right. She couldn’t fall in love with Blake. Not again. She ran faster, feeling the burn in her lungs and an ache in her muscles.
Last time, she was sixteen years old. Everything had been so dramatic at that age. Her massive crush. Her first kiss. Her humiliation when Blake called her a little girl. It had caused such heartache, she had learned to push her crazy impulses away and rely on her level head.
And now her head was telling her to stay away from flirty men who just wanted nothing more than a fun time. She huffed in disgust.
Her phone pinged, letting her know a text had come through. She pulled it out of her arm band and looked at the message.
Phyllis: Can you come over?
Sidney looked up at the street sign. She actually wasn’t too far away from her parents’ house. She jogged in place while she texted back.
Sidney: I can be there in ten minutes.
Phyllis: Thank you. See you soon!
When she reached her parents’ street, she had a nice sweat going. Her lungs begged for a break and she slowed to a walk to cool down. She pulled her earphones out as she came up the walkway.
Her mother had the door open before she reached the steps. “Come on in.” She wore an overly wide smile on her face.
Sidney’s Spidey senses kicked in, and she glanced around. “What’s going on, Mom?”
Her mother took her hand and led her into the living room. The first thing she noticed was Ted sitting on the couch, his hands on his knees. Then she saw her father, looking uncomfortable sitting in a folding chair someone had brought in. Then her gaze landed on Reverend Joseph.
Oh crud.
She sucked in a breath and looked to her mother.
“Sidney, I thought we could all sit down and have a conversation.”
Panic enveloped her as she looked down at her shirt, stuck to her skin by the large sweat stain on her front. Nice. Her underwear was also creeping where it shouldn’t be, but now wasn’t the time to fix it. “Mom, I was just out running…”
Reverend Joseph stood and extended his hand. He was the kind of guy you’d see on television playing a reverend. Young, but not too young. Mildly good-looking. A wide smile you could trust. “Nice to see you again, Sidney. Your mother tells me you’re getting married?”
Her throat closed up and she had difficulty breathing. Was it too much to hope for a zombie apocalypse to start up right about now? She glanced out the window, but got no help from the walking dead. She blew her hair out of her face and shook his hand. “Yeah.” Oh, she was so going to the Bad Place.
“Why don’t you sit down?” Her mother indicated the vacant seat beside Ted.
/> There wasn’t anything else to do but sit. Ted looked just as he had last time she’d seen him, in a button down white shirt and a tie. Maybe the tie had changed. She probably looked a fright sitting next to him, in her sweaty workout clothes, her hair a mess.
She fiddled with her hands as Reverend Joseph cleared his throat. “Well, there’s no point in beating around the bush. Your mother tells me you’re getting married, and that she’s worried about the two of you.”
Ted tugged on his collar, but said nothing. Sidney squirmed. “We’re fine,” was all she managed to squeak out.
Reverend Joseph nodded, a knowing look on his face. “You’re both young.”
Sidney picked that up and ran with it. “Yes! We’re young. In fact, we haven’t set a date yet because we want to take things slow.”
Ted nodded and grabbed her hand. “We aren’t going to rush into anything.”
Sidney’s mother frowned, obviously not pleased by this. Reverend Joseph, on the other hand, smiled and leaned forward. “I think this is a good idea.”
Her mother clicked her tongue against her teeth. “But, waiting too long can be—”
“Phyllis,” the reverend interrupted. “They need to go at their own pace. You wouldn’t want them to rush into anything and then regret the decision later.” He turned back to the two of them. “Now, let’s set up a time when you can come in and talk. I’d like to go over a few things with you two that I think would be helpful.”
Sidney swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She forced herself to speak. “Sure.” Anything to get them out of there.
Her mother gripped the arms of her chair. “But Reverend, do you think it’s wise for Sidney to be spending so much time with another man?”
Heat climbed her face. “He’s a client, Mom.”
“I’m sure Sidney can make those decisions on her own,” her father said, looking mortified.
The front door swung open and Natalie walked in. She froze when she saw everyone sitting in the living room. “What’s going on?”
A Fake Marriage Romance Collection Page 59
