“So am I,” Ry groans. Lifting my hand to his lips, he rubs them back and forth before letting it go to return his hand to the wheel. “So, I see Angel came about her special brand of crazy naturally?”
“You have no idea.” Twisting in the seat slightly, I begin to regale Ry with tales of a much younger Angel when my cell phone rings. Pulling it out of my purse, I grin. “Oh! It’s my grandfather.” Twisting away, I answer. “Hey, Pop-pop! What’s up?” I smile happily over at Ry only to find his hands tense on the steering wheel. My smile dims a little, but I don’t have time to cover the phone to ask what’s wrong.
“Nothing, sugar. Nana and I just wanted to check in on how you’re doin’.” My Pop-pop’s sweet voice rings through my ear.
“Well, I’m stuffed with all kinds of Riviera deliciousness,” I tease him.
He groans in agony and delight. “Save me, child. I don’t think this stomach of mine can handle that kind of spice anymore.”
I chuckle. “It was one time that Angel cooked for you, Pop-pop. Once, and she toned it down. Maybe it was the fact you went back for thirds that caused indigestion, not the spice level.” When Nana and Pop-pop visited us in California, Angel made her family’s recipe for chile con quiles and cornbread. I smack my lips in my grandfather’s ear to remind him just how good it was when I say, “There was cornbread today.”
He groans. “I don’t s’pose it can be mailed?”
“You’ve asked me that before, Pop-pop.” I hazard a glance over at Ry, whose lips are twitching at my end of the conversation. “And I’ll remind you once again, the last time I brought some home, you tried to hide it from Nana. That was just wrong.”
“Your Nana was trying to ration it out…”
“And you tried to lock it in your safe!” I exclaim. Ry barks out a laugh before he controls himself. He shakes his head in disbelief at the antics.
“Unbelievable,” Ry says softly. Turning his head briefly, he gives me a wicked grin. “Now I understand where you get your sass from.”
“I’m sorry, Kelsey,” Pop-pop says contritely. “I didn’t realize you were out with a gentleman caller.”
I love how my grandfather refers to any date I’ve ever been on like that. “Actually, it’s someone I’ve reconnected with since the reunion.” To my shock, Ry begins immediately shaking his head vehemently.
“Oh? Was it someone you met at the hotel? Someone on the plane?” Confusion fills my grandfather’s voice.
“Kelsey,” Ry warns. But there’s an underlying note of sadness in his voice I don’t quite understand.
“Ry?” I wonder aloud. I didn’t expect the reaction I got on the phone.
“Ry? Ry? Do you mean to tell me you and that boy who hurt you…no! I won’t have it, Kelsey Isabelle Kennedy!” Pop-pop shouts so loudly.
Ry flinches. I know he heard.
“No, what I won’t have is you talkin’ without understandin’!” My Southern accent, normally smoother, picks up on the nuances in his in force. “You just stop!”
“Remember to respect your elders, Miss Thing,” he retorts in my ear.
“I will when they show some for the people I care for. What happened back then is between Rierson and me, Pop-pop. He explained and I accepted.”
“I don’t know how you could.”
“And I don’t care. Because if I hold on to what I felt for Ry at that moment, then I should hate myself still, shouldn’t I?” Silence greets my declaration in both ears.
“Kelsey.” Ry breaks it first as he reaches for my hand. “Sweetheart, you have nothing to hate yourself for. We talked about this.”
“And I was so afraid of the doubt feeding my mind that I didn’t trust my heart.” I give his hand a quick squeeze as the tension in me dissipates. “I’d have recognized I was better well before everyone else thought I was. If I’d realized that, maybe I’d have been able to stop sabotaging the happiness in my life. Who knows whether our lives would have intersected at a reunion five years ago? Ah…” I’ve forgotten I’m on the phone at all. I squeeze the hand I’m holding tighter. “You went back for me.”
He nods. We pull into the driveway at his house. Putting the car into park, he unclips his seat belt and faces me. “Every five years. In my mind, I couldn’t erase the pain on your face. I needed to know you were happy.”
My lip trembles. “There was no right answer then.”
“And there’s no right answer now. It’s going to take your grandfather time to trust me, Kels. Don’t begrudge him the chance to do that when he spent so many years nurturing the heart that I’ve dreamed about.”
Lifting the phone to my ear, I ask, “Did you hear all that, Pop-pop?”
“I…I don’t know what to say, sugar. Maybe your nana and I will try to make a trip to visit you once you’ve settled in your new home.”
I nod, and it’s a moment before I realize he can’t see me. “Or we’ll come to you,” I offer.
Ry’s head jerks in shock. Then he leans down and places his forehead against mine before whispering, “Anytime you want, sweetheart.”
Leaning against him, I whisper, “Love you, Pop-pop. Tell Nana I said to send you to quilting class.”
He groans in my ear. I smile as Ry nuzzles my nose with his. “I’ll know if you don’t,” I warn him.
“I know, sugar. I know.” My grandfather swallows hard. His voice is raspy when he says, “I love you, Kelsey. You be careful. And tell that boy to take better care of your heart this time.”
“I love you too, Pop-pop.” I hang up. The phone clatters to the console between the two of us. The air is thick with emotion. “What is it?”
“I realized I could have been okay without you, but I’d never have been this…” Ry shakes his head as if he’s in a daze, and he needs to clear it.
“What?”
“Happy. I’m just happy.” And the kiss he gives me reinforces that.
Chapter 32
Kelsey
“I’m nervous,” I admit.
“Why?” Ry squeezes my hand as he eases me from the passenger seat of his car.
“Gee, I don’t know. Maybe because I’m about to meet your best friend?” I reply sarcastically.
Lisa breezes by me as she walks around the back of the car. “Nothing to worry about. Cade’s just like any other guy.” But I can tell she’s lying as a blush begins to crawl up her cheeks and she checks out her outfit in the reflection of the car windows.
“And that means?” I wonder aloud as the three of us cross the street to a slick restaurant down on the waterfront.
“Just like every other man, he’s got something between his legs he likes to have played with, but sometimes the mass between his ears isn’t all that bright,” Lisa declares resolutely.
I choke on my laughter as Ry shoots a withering glare at his sister. “Considering he’s a damn doctor, I’d say he’s got quite a brain on him.” To me, he adds, “Cade’s a resident at Tulane Medical Center.” To his sister, he says, “Lisa, I’d say he’s a little smarter than the average guy.”
Lisa gives a nonchalant shrug in response.
“Why do I get the impression there’s more here than a simple dinner?” I say softly to Ry as we follow Lisa, who’s still fidgeting anxiously with her hemline, her hair, her clutch.
“Because there is. Cade and I were roommates in college. He’s the brother I never had. And—” He sucks in a breath between his teeth. “—I’m getting accustomed to the fact he’s had feelings for Lisa for a long while.”
Ry holds the door open for me. Oh, boy. Deciding to navigate us back to safer water, I ask, “You didn’t room with Eli?”
Ry shakes his head back and forth. “No. He was a few years older than I was and lived with Beau and an adopted family member.” He extends his hand to me, and we catch up with an impatient Lisa, who’s tapping her foot in agitation.
Ry’s right. This isn’t just my meeting his best friend; it’s a coming-out dinner for the baby sister he’d do anything
for and the best friend whose antics he’d heard about for years as well. Pulling him close, I smile at the younger girl. “Are we all checked in?”
“Ry will check in. I’m sure they’ll seat us as soon as…” Her voice trails off as the door to the restaurant opens behind me.
“Cade,” Ry calls out. “Over here, man.” In front of me, Lisa’s body locks. Then I take a deep breath and turn around before every cell in my body freezes.
Holy hotness.
“What the hell did they inject into the water at that school?” I hiss at Lisa, immediately understanding her surface attraction to her brother’s best friend.
Forcing her gaze away from the black-haired man, she says, “I’m so glad I don’t have to suffer through another meal with them alone.”
I snort. “Let me guess, random women approaching, snide comments in the washroom, your order coming out wrong…”
“Every damn time!” Before I can stop her, Lisa leans over and grabs my cheeks. She presses her lips against mine firmly. “Finally, finally, someone understands!” she proclaims.
A dark shadow blocks out the light. “I think I just got a little turned on by that.” Cade’s deep voice wraps around us. “Want to go for it again?”
Ry’s sharp “No!” causes Cade to give me a head-to-toe perusal. Which, in turn, sets Lisa and me off laughing again.
“Well, Ry, I’ve been interested in meeting your girlfriend for a while. After this little display”—Cade Miller’s eyes scorch over Lisa—“by my own woman, I’m more than a little intrigued.”
I’m about to hold out my hand to introduce myself when Lisa—the imp—whispers, “I’ll give you the details later. I’ve been dying to share, and Ry definitely does not want to know.” Ry groans as he slips away to check us in.
So instead of being calm and composed, I’m fighting back the need to snicker in Cade’s face when I hold out my hand. “Kel…” I stammer before regaining my composure. “Kelsey Kennedy.”
Cade lifts my hand to his mouth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you after all these years, Kelsey.” Jesus, this man is potent. His dark eyes burn like coals even as his breath whispers over my fingers. I’m like a lovesick puppy worshipping him before I shake my head to unscramble my thoughts.
Years?
“I’m afraid you have me at a complete disadvantage. I only started getting the scoop on your antics a short time ago. But truly, Ry’s done nothing but sing your praises.”
A smile that I’m sure has done its fair share of melting the panties off plenty of women curves his lips. “Good. Then I don’t have to redeem myself with you.” As he slips an arm around Lisa, his face softens. “I’ve spent the better part of a month explaining away years of my life to this one.”
Lisa makes a face even as she settles deeper into his embrace. A look of pure contentment flashes across her waiflike features. “The problem was I knew you, Cade. There was no using that sexy voice to talk yourself out of the truth.” Beneath her exasperated tone is someone who’s taken a dive off the deep end and doesn’t regret it.
I understand the feeling completely. Judging by the tightness of Ry’s arms from behind me after he rejoins us, he’s feeling the same way. I’m on such a cloud, I’m feeling a bit tongue-tied, so I let my smile speak for me.
Cade winks before dropping a kiss on the top of Lisa’s head. “Should we head to the bar while we’re waiting for our table?”
Lisa and I begin to nod when a young gentleman approaches us. “Mr. Perrault? Your table is ready. If you and your party will follow me?”
Cade raises a brow in surprise. “Well, that was fast.”
It was. But then I see the young man give Ry a head-to-toe perusal, and I can’t control the giggle that escapes. I hazard a glance at Lisa, whose hand is slapped across her mouth to cover her mirth. “I think I might know why,” I offer.
“Shit, not you too,” Cade says grumpily, with a mock glare down to Lisa. “I see Lisa’s been offering up her accounts of dinners out with us.” Her giggles waif over us as we begin to follow behind the patient host to our table.
I’ve regained my composure, but I’m barely able to hold on to a straight face as the host offers to seat both Ry and Cade first before scurrying in retreat when Ry growls, “I think we’ll be okay after we sit our dates.” His emphasis on the last word only adds to the disappointment on the host’s face. I want to tell him I understand; Rierson Perrault is pure heartbreak mixed with simple lust. Really, he should come with a hazard label.
“You think so?” Ry murmurs in my ear when I realize I said the words aloud.
Blushing, I catch Cade’s eye as Ry slides my chair under the table. The approving smile he sends me does much to calm my nerves.
Then Lisa pipes up, “So, this is kind of late to make dinner and a show.”
“It’s called dinner theater, Lisa,” Ry says patiently.
Our waiter comes up behind us. “What a lovely way of phrasing it. Hello, darlings. I’m Zach. I’ll be your server this evening. Let me get you started with some water while you have an opportunity to look over the drink menu.” Zach hands Cade the bar menu with a hungry smile, but when he faces Ry head-on, he stops dead in his tracks.
I bite my lip. Ry squeezes my leg warningly under the table.
“And the wine list for you, sir.” Zach’s voice is a touch raspier than it was a moment ago.
“Thank you,” Ry’s deep voice answers cordially. I’m pretty positive Zach might be on Cloud Ry and doesn’t plan on coming down all night.
Almost in unison, the heavy drink menus are opened by the men. I’m about to blast Ry for not asking if I’d care to peruse the list when I see the dark flush riding his cheeks.
And I can no more hold in the splutter of laugher that escapes than Lisa can.
“I don’t know why I’m laughing anymore?” I gasp to Lisa. “Is it because of the puppy eyes Ry just received or…”
Lisa’s laughing so hard her mascara is running down her face. “The fact they tried to seat Cade first?”
Ry’s ignoring us. He’s flipping the pages of the wine menu without reading a word while Cade’s glaring at the bar menu. I’ve managed to get myself under control and have just reached for the glass of water in front of me. “I’m guessing this is a first?” I ask Lisa while I’m fiddling with the stem of the glass.
Her shoulders are shaking uncontrollably, which naturally set mine in motion. Blood rushes to my face. I’m certain it’s a lovely color to complement my black strapless dress. But Lisa? Soon she’s panting in and out in an effort not to succumb to the hilarity of it all.
“Who chose this place?” Lisa manages to gasp out. But before either Ry or Cade can answer, the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen comes up to our table wearing a silver low-cut gown with a high slit along the side. Her platinum-blonde hair is impeccably in place, pulled back with a diamond clip in the shape of a flower.
“Sugars, I’m Madame Magnolia,” she drawls. “Welcome to Belle la Mer.” My eyes go wide when I hear the restaurant name. Even I’ve heard of this place. But there was nothing but a beautiful emblem on the door as we entered. Now, I’m excited. I crane my neck back and forth, trying to look for someone I know who works here. Oh, I can’t wait to tell Angel I finally made it here.
Magnolia continues. “Are you celebrating a special occasion with us?” Her attention drifts to Ry, and her lips curve into a beautiful red smile.
“No,” I say, somewhat disappointed, not only that I don’t spy Raul, but that we’re not celebrating something because I’ve heard the staff goes all out. Fascinated by this woman before me, I wonder what she does to paint on her makeup so perfectly. “I almost wish we were. I’ve heard wonderful things about your place from my best friend; her cousin works here. Is there a special you recommend?” I turn in my chair slightly to give her my complete focus.
Madame Magnolia’s attention turns from Ry to me. “Honey, I stole my cook from Antoine’s. There ain’t anything you can�
�t get here you aren’t gonna enjoy better than that. Now tell me, who’s this cousin?”
“Raul Riviera.” With a sidelong glance at my companions, I impishly add, “But his stage name is Raquel Rivers. Will he be performing tonight?”
“Not tonight, sugar,” Magnolia says, her red lips parting in pleased surprise. “Raquel’s a big draw, so I save her for weekends and special shows.”
“I’ll have to tease him about that the next time he tries to raid his cousin Angel’s closet.” I hold out my hand. “Kelsey.”
Before I know what’s happening, I’m being pulled from my seat and engulfed in a huge hug. “Oh, sugar. I know just who you are. Raquel comes in with your books each time a new one is released.” Then in his real voice, Magnolia says, “Your books give the child inside of all of us hope, Ms. Long.”
Gently pulling back, I’m overwhelmed with the bright emotion flagging her cheeks.
She claps her hands together. “Enough. Now, do any y’all have any allergies?”
Mutely, we exchange glances before shaking our heads no. Madame Magnolia just smiles. “Then you let ole Mad Mags here order for you while you enjoy the show.”
Suddenly, Cade’s coughing savagely into his napkin.
Lisa reaches over and cups the side of his face. “Babe? You okay?”
“Fine. Water went down the wrong pipe.”
“That happens a lot for first-timers,” Magnolia clucks with false sympathy. Brushing her hand over my shoulder, she says, “I’ll take your menus. Zach will be back for your drinks shortly.”
There’s a pregnant pause before Ry turns to Cade. “You’re the damn doctor. Am I wrong, or was there an Adam’s apple…”
“You’re right,” Cade agrees.
Just then, Zach returns, no longer focused on Ry but on me. “Ms. Long, it’s an honor to have you here.” He bows slightly. “Madame would like to let you know your evening meal is complimentary, and she hopes you enjoy the show.”
“Oh, but I…we couldn’t.”
He chuckles before lowering his voice. “It’ll take an argument much stronger than that to change Mad Mags’s mind.”
Easy Reunion Page 21
