Love & Chocolate: Valentine's Day (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 4)

by Elsie Davis

  “It only happens in fairy tales, not real life.” Kevin helped her with her coat.

  Amanda smiled up at him and nodded. “I agree.”

  “Seems we agree on a lot of things,” he teased, pausing just long enough to turn back to Greg, catching the man watching. He lifted his hand to wave farewell, letting his other hand fall to her waist as he led her toward the door.

  Once they exited, Kevin dropped his arm, reality checking in. He was surprised to find he wanted to put it back where it belonged—on her.

  “That was fun,” Amanda said, her laughter like sweet music. “I have to say, I know it was stupid of me to introduce you as my boyfriend, but it worked out perfectly. You were amazing.”

  “Thanks. You were pretty amazing yourself. And it was a lot of fun. We make a good team.” Amanda deserved the truth and more, but it was the more he couldn’t give her.

  Unless…

  Unless there was a way for them to have the best of both worlds.

  “I agree,” Amanda smiled at him. Maybe she was thinking the same thing he was.

  There were the kids to consider. And his ex-wife. And the bakery. But then, tonight had worked out. Why couldn’t they have more nights like tonight?

  He helped her into the car, slid into the driver’s seat and then turned to face her. “I’ve been thinking, and maybe this is crazy, but I’ve got to ask you something.”

  She looked over at him, the light from the streetlamp illuminating the questioning gaze on her face.

  He swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. “All kidding aside, tonight was fun. And I was wondering if maybe we could do it again? Like a friend date. A secret date, though. You already know why, but if there’s a way around Victoria’s limitations, I’m all for trying. I want to spend more time with you. Would that be so bad?” It sounded lame even to his own ears.

  “A secret relationship?” Amanda shook her head, her smile disappearing.

  He couldn’t take back what he’d said. “I mean, not really a relationship. Just friends getting together secretly. So that we can spend time together. Can’t men and women just be friends?” He sounded like a sixteen year old boy asking a girl out on their first date. No, make that a twelve year old.

  “They can, but the secret part throws me off. I like you a lot also, but I’m not sure about the secret part. It sounds…off,” her voice trailed off to a whisper, but he heard her loud and clear.

  “I get it, I do. I’m sorry. Just forget it. It really was a stupid suggestion.” Given her reaction, Kevin knew he’d bungled the brainless offer. Not many women would agree to a clandestine friendship, of all things. He let out a deep breath. It had been wishful thinking on his part, but not very well thought out.

  “I understand why you’re asking, don’t worry. The whole secret thing just sounds wrong. I mean, it would be great to hang out sometime, maybe go to dinner and a movie. I have so much going on with my business, maybe a secret friendship is exactly what we both need since I’m not looking for a relationship either. It would keep everyone, including your ex-wife out of our business. But I just don’t know if it’s right for me. I’ll think about it, I promise. I don’t want to make any snap decisions and end up regretting them.”

  A maybe was better than a no. “Okay. You decide and let me know. Whatever you’re comfortable with is fine by me.” It made him realize how truly unique and special Amanda really was, and more importantly, made him more unsure of what he’d offered. She deserved better.

  Kevin drove back to Hallbrook and pulled into her driveway. “Let me get your door.” He slid out of the car, went around to the passenger side, helping her out. The ride home had been quiet, the awkwardness between them slipping back into place as reality intruded into the night.

  He walked her to the front door. “Thank you for tonight.”

  “Me, too. Thank you for dinner and, of course, for letting me save face tonight.”

  “You’re welcome. Amanda…” Kevin wanted to tell her to forget his offer but couldn’t say the words. Not while he still had a chance to make it work.

  “What is it?” She tilted her head slightly to one side and gazed up at him.

  “Nothing.” Only it wasn’t nothing. The memory of another kiss assailed him. “This.” He pulled her in his arms and kissed her, unable to resist the urge to hold her again. It might be the last chance he got if she didn’t agree with his suggestion.

  Her response encouraged him to continue, savoring every second. Kevin pulled back before he got too carried away, leaning his forehead against hers. “Goodnight, friend,” he said softly, before letting her go.

  “Goodnight, Kevin.” Amanda’s hand went to her lips as she slipped inside the house, Cupcake’s bark welcoming her home.

  At least she had someone to come home to. With the twins gone, his house was empty, which meant there’d be nothing to keep him from thinking about Amanda and the kiss and hoping against hope she’d say yes to his proposal. He wasn’t ready to let her go.

  * * *

  Amanda was more confused than ever by Kevin’s offer and then his kiss. Secret friends, ones who kissed goodnight, was probably not what Grandpa had in mind for her when he’d pushed her in Kevin’s direction. Friends who kissed would be akin to hanging over the edge of a cliff when it came to emotional safety. Something she’d vowed not to do.

  But who would it hurt if she agreed? Maybe, just maybe, she should say yes, this one time. Kevin was worthy of an exception to her rules, wasn’t he?

  Chapter Sixteen

  A little over twenty-four hours later, although who was counting, Kevin got word from Amanda. During that time, he’d warred with the right and wrong of his offer in the wake of her silence. He’d known in his gut she’d turn him down, so it had come as a surprise when her text said otherwise. And not only agreed to a secret friendship, but also suggested they try to meet up over the coming weekend if his schedule was open.

  It wasn’t until the girls asked to sleep over at a friend’s house that he was able to confirm availability, and after a couple of quick texts back and forth, they’d managed to confirm their first official secret-friend date. By Wednesday, Kevin had to admit he was looking forward to Friday night, with an excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time.

  His phone rang just as the students began filing into the classroom. He moved to silence the call and recognized the number. Victoria. He’d been expecting her call ever since he overheard the twins telling their mother about Amanda, but now wasn’t a good time for the discussion that would ensue.

  “Hey, kids, take out your books and start to read about the experiment we’re going to be doing on page 176. I have to take this call, and I’ll be just outside the door, so no monkey business.”

  The kids got loud; their teasing banter directed at him. “Oh, Mr. Thompson’s got a girlfriend. Trying to set up a hot date?” Tommy, the class clown asked.

  “Just read and leave your imagination for art class.” He shot them a stern look and shook his head. He stepped into the hallway and mashed the button to answer.

  “What’s up, Victoria? I’m in class.” He could guess what she wanted, but he wasn’t going to let on.

  “You tell me. I talked to the girls last night, and from what I hear, you’ve got a new girlfriend. We had a deal,” her icy tone confirming how he knew she’d react. It was exactly why he didn’t want her to find out.

  “I don’t have a girlfriend, and I’m quite aware of our deal. Is there a better time we can have this conversation?” He lowered his voice as several students passed by, glancing at him, curiosity in their expressions. A teacher on the phone in the hallway during class was an anomaly.

  “Absolutely. I’m flying into Mount Washington Regional Friday morning. I should be in Hallbrook not long after the girls go to school. That should give us plenty of time to talk before they get home. I’d love to see them again. I miss them.”

  She was coming here? This he hadn’t expected. A phone cal
l was surely more appropriate considering there wasn’t anything to discuss. Or nothing anyone knew about. “Sure, you miss them. Is that in between your fittings, runway walks, and the new boyfriend?” He couldn’t keep the derision out of his voice. “It was your choice to move halfway around the world.”

  “You don’t understand. I’m done trying to convince you why it’s so important to me. This is about you, not me and what I’m doing.”

  “So that’s the real reason you’re coming in town.” Nothing had changed. Her priority had never been the girls.

  “It’s definitely a big portion of it, but whether you want to believe it or not, I do want to see the twins. When and where can we meet?”

  “There’s no reason for you to fly home. We can have this discussion later via the phone.” He knew she wouldn’t change her mind, but it was worth a shot.

  “Like I said, I’m overdue to see the girls anyway. I have birthday presents to deliver.” A Friday delivery being days late according to his calendar, but the girls would be over the moon. Who could compete with gifts from Paris?

  “I have first period free. You’ll have from 7:40, which is when I drop the girls at school, until 8:50. There’s a place called Sally’s in the middle of town on Main Street.”

  “It’s a date. See you then.”

  “It’s not a—” There was nothing about their meeting that spelled date, but Victoria had already hung up. The best thing he could do was have the conversation with Victoria and reassure her there was nothing to worry about, let her visit the girls, and then hope she left town as quickly as she’d arrived.

  And now that Victoria knew, there was no choice but for him to break things off with Amanda. He couldn’t risk having anyone find out they were secretly hanging out, and the twins telling their mother. But Kevin also knew he owed Amanda the courtesy of telling her in person. He’d been a fool to think he could date her secretly or otherwise and not pay the price.

  The next two days were miserably long, but Friday morning arrived, Kevin looking forward to his meeting with Victoria about the same way he looked forward to a visit with the dentist. Or worse. Definitely worse.

  He dropped the girls off at school like any other day, only this morning he headed for Sally’s Diner. Minutes later, he entered, choosing a corner booth in the back, knowing the fewer people who saw him, the better. Less questions that way.

  He kept an eye on the front door as several people arrived and left, the familiar jingle of the overhead bell alerting him each time the door opened. Never one for promptness, it was no surprise Victoria didn’t appear until ten after eight. Or was it just that she always wanted everything to revolve around her.

  Probably the latter.

  Kevin stood as she approached the table and waited for her to take a seat. Unfortunately, she took the move as a warmer welcome than he’d intended and leaned forward to embrace him. It was like hugging a cold fish.

  “You look nice, Kevin.” Victoria tossed her blonde, silky hair over her shoulder in a practiced move.

  “As do you.” Playing cordial was critical when dealing with his ex. She was like a child, her emotions all over the place when things didn’t go her way.

  She slid into the booth across from him and glanced around. “Couldn’t you have picked a better place to meet?” The corner of her upper lip curled in distaste.

  “It’s the only place in town open for breakfast.”

  “I passed a cute bakery that would have been nicer than this.”

  Kevin choked on his coffee. “Coffee went down the wrong pipe,” he offered by way of explanation. The last place he’d take her was to Amanda’s bakery.

  “This menu is somewhat lacking. No Eggs Benedict even. Guess I’ll stick with coffee. It won’t be like the Parisian blend I enjoy, but hopefully, it’s passable enough.” Her airs and graces wouldn’t be appreciated by anyone, least of all him.

  “Take it or leave it. I don’t think Sally Little has been to Paris lately, so you’re not likely to get anything fancy.” He let the comeback rip without giving it much thought.

  “Be nice, Kevin. Your condescending attitude doesn’t become you.” She shook her head, her scolding tone irritating him.

  “You flew here from Paris. What is it you want to discuss that couldn’t have been discussed on the phone? Time is ticking.”

  “Why, your new friend, of course. The girls told me all about her. How you took her with you for their birthday. Skating. Dinner. You’ve had her over to cook for you. Twice.” Victoria’s eyes had narrowed slightly as her gaze never left his face.

  He forced himself not to react. “Sounds to me as though you interrogated the twins.”

  Victoria’s expression darkened. “I didn’t have to. They were extolling her virtues all on their own. She’s made quite an impression on my daughters. But it seems to me, you and I made an agreement you’d be focused on the twins and not on chasing some woman.”

  “I’m not chasing some woman, as you call it. Amanda is a friend. She’s a sweet person. One I might add, who the girls pulled a prank on. I felt obligated to help out.” It was the truth, even if there was more to it than that.

  “The girls seem attached to the woman you claim to be just helping out.” Victoria had never worn jealously well and now was no exception. More to the point, it reminded him she was trying to control more than the outcome with the twins, she was trying to control him.

  “I can’t help who they become friends with. They were the ones who asked her to go with us that night, and that was because you weren’t here. Leave me out of the equation.”

  “That doesn’t change things. We had a deal.” Victoria trailed her finger around the rim of the mug as she glanced up at him. “I just want to make sure that we are on the same page still. I know you’d prefer to stay out of the courts, and for the girls’ sake, I agree. But that only works if we both do what we agreed to.” Victoria reached for his hand, her rings and bracelet glistening in the overhead light.

  Kevin struggled not to yank his arm away. Amanda’s words flitted through his brain, giving him the courage to push the envelope. “So how is it that you get to date? The girls’ words, not mine. Apparently, it’s okay for you to have a new man in your life, but you don’t want me to have a new woman.”

  “My relationship status is of no concern to you, and my ability to date was never part of our agreement. You’re the one who has the girls full-time. It’s your behavior that they see, and that must be exemplary. You promised you’d stay focused on the twins, and you can’t do that if you’re dating someone.”

  Kevin shook his head. It was useless trying to make her understand. It’s not as if he was planning on marrying anybody, for Pete’s sake. It would just be great to be able to enjoy the companionship of a woman on occasion. Amanda’s company. There were times that being a father and a teacher wasn’t enough for Kevin, but those times weren’t enough for him to risk losing the twins.

  “You have nothing to worry about.”

  “See that it stays that way. It’s either that, or I’ll see you in court. I’m sure the judge will want the girls to be with their mother.” Her threat stuck in the middle of his gut and twisted hard. He hated the control she had over him, her words driving him over the edge.

  “You didn’t fight to take them because you couldn’t handle them and maintain your highfalutin career. It would be a mistake for you to go for custody, and you know it. And you have no right to dictate who I’m friends with, or who I date, for that matter. You lost that right when we divorced.” Kevin couldn’t stop once he started, erasing all the groundwork he’d laid over the past year trying to be agreeable in the hopes of keeping everything civil for the girl’s sake.

  “Try me.” Victoria shot him an evil grin that all too clearly suggested she would follow through on her threat.

  “I know what you’re doing, and it won’t work. You and I will never be together again. No matter what happens with your career, I’m not your landin
g zone.” She was controlling so much of his life, but this was one area she couldn’t control, and he was determined to make sure she knew it.

  “But, darling, we have the girls to think about.” Victoria’s grin reminded him of a snake before it struck its prey. “What time do the girls get off school? I can’t wait to surprise them.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be thrilled.” Problem was, they were the only ones who would be. As far as he was concerned, she couldn’t leave town fast enough.

  “When’s your flight out of here?”

  “Trying to get rid of me already?” She shook her head and smiled.

  “Just trying to know what to tell the girls.”

  She let out a heavy sigh. “I have to catch a red-eye flight leaving at seven o’clock tonight. It’ll be heck on my complexion, but I’ve got a show to do tomorrow night.” Of course, it was all about her. Some things never changed.

  Kevin breathed a sigh of relief. Victoria would have to be at the airport by five, and therefore, would be long gone before he was scheduled to pick up Amanda for their official first and last date.

  * * *

  “Diana, I really appreciate you working a few hours this morning since your off school. I’m going to head over to Sally’s to grab some take-out breakfast. Can I bring you anything?” Amanda stopped by the register to grab her purse.

  “I don’t mind picking up the extra hours. And yes, to breakfast. I love the pancake, sausage, and hash-brown special. I don’t know what Sally puts in those pancakes, but they sure do keep me coming back for more.” Diana laughed, reaching into her pocket to pull out a ten, handing it to Amanda.

  “They are delicious. She adds vanilla and orange juice to the batter. But I agree, they’re better when she makes them. Trust me, I’ve tried. It must be her loving touch.” Amanda grinned. “I’ll be right back. The timer is set for the scones in the oven and they’ll be done in about ten minutes. I can top them when I get back.”