Her Kind of Man (10 page)

Maybe she'd misunderstood Syd? She picked at her fingernails. “Okay,” she grumbled. “Like I said, let's just forget it. I feel like an idiot.”

His fingertips grazed her neck and she leaned into his hand as he caressed her cheek. “You're not an idiot. I wanted to kiss you.”

She let out a shaky breath. “You did?”

He shrugged. “How could I not?”

“Because you never have before,” she answered.

“There are reasons for that.” He scrubbed his face with his hands. She missed his touch immediately, the way his fingers felt against her skin. “But it's not because I don't find you attractive.” He smiled at her. “That's so far from the truth, it's not even funny.”

“Then why?”

He shook his head. “It's not right. We're better as friends. That's important to me. I can't lose that.”

His words weren't malicious, but they felt like a smack in the face. She swallowed past a lump that had formed in her throat. Suddenly, it felt like she couldn't breathe. She opened the car door. “I have to…go to the bathroom,” she said before she jumped out of the car, grabbed her purse, and ran into the building.

I
'll be happy when this day from hell is over.
Well, the whole week had pretty much sucked. Actually, the past year had been one of the worst she'd ever had. And that was saying a lot, considering her past.

Allina huddled in a booth on the far side of the bar, her sketch pad open and a glass of water in front of her. She nibbled on her pencil and gazed at the design in front of her. She'd fill in details later, but it was shaping up fine. And she had the perfect bride in mind.

When she'd slid into the booth earlier, she'd wanted to just hang her head and cry until she couldn't cry anymore. He'd rejected her. Again. Not in a mean, just-not-attracted-to-you way, either. That would have been much easier to take. Instead, he'd been very sweet and completely sincere—which made it worse because she wanted him even more because of it.

“You look like you need some of this, girlfriend.”

Allina's head snapped up. “Cali!” She grinned at her friend, who set two shot glasses down on the table and waved a bottle of tequila in the air. Allina stood up and embraced her. “I didn't know you were going to be here tonight.”

“We just got back to town. I heard you were here with Kent so I figured I'd come and keep you company.” When Allina sat back down, Cali slid in across from her and set the fifth of liquor down on the table. “I called Syd and she said she's on her way. What are you working on?”

Glancing down at the fit and flare gown she'd been sketching, she held it up. “I figured I'd start with Syd's dress.”

Cali picked up the pad. “It's gorgeous. Syd will love it.”

Allina was in her element. Growing up, the only time she'd felt normal, free, was when she was sitting at the small sewing machine her mother had bought her one Christmas, creating her own designs. She still remembered how the fabric of the first shirt she'd ever made felt beneath her fingers, the soothing sound of the needle punching through the material; the pride she felt when her mother had tried it on and it fit.

She could never really leave her love of designing behind, even if she tried. Her major had been Business but she'd taken classes in textiles and kept up her skills by working for a local seamstress. If she hadn't moved back to Ohio to be with Isaac, she'd have had her own shop by now. So many regrets, so many wrong decisions. She had always been taught her gifts would make room for her. The maxim was biblical and she'd never really thought about what it meant. Maybe it was simple? Maybe she could start over and finally realize her dream?

“I have to warn you,” Cali said, smiling at the dress. “I talked to her about the wedding and she bit my head off. I don't think she's feeling the planning right now. They haven't even set the date yet.”

Allina closed the large book. “Don't tell her I'm working on it, then. I'll just surprise her with it when you give me the go ahead. I'm so glad to see you.” She reached across the table and squeezed Cali's hand. “How are you?”

A few months earlier, Cali had lost her uncle. Allina had been there when her friend discovered his lifeless body. It wasn't something she'd ever forget. The man had raised Cali since she was a young child. Uncle Cal had been the only father Cali had ever known.

“I'm good,” Cali answered, pouring a healthy shot into a small glass that she'd brought with her. “It's been hard, but Red and Corrine make everything better.”

Allina smiled. “I'm happy you and Red finally got it right.”

Cali and Red had fooled around for years as
friends with benefits
before they'd actually made it official. Cali was headstrong and said whatever was on her mind, hurt feelings be damned. It was about time Red had called her bluff.

Her friend's mouth curved into a smile. “He's all right,” she quipped with a chuckle.

Allina knew Cali was all in with Red. “I would say he's more than all right if you're smiling the way you are.”

“Well, if you told me a year ago that I would actually be in a committed relationship with Red, practically living with him and his daughter, I would have fallen out of a chair laughing.” Her whole face lit up. “But I can't imagine my life any other way. Corrine…she's a doll. My doll. And Red now has permanent custody of her.”

It made Allina feel good to hear the news. Red had recently found his daughter after the child's mother had run off with her. He'd searched for months for her, but it wasn't until Corrine's mother was arrested that he was able to locate them.

Allina rested her chin on her hand and listened as Cali told her about the court date and how it felt to basically be a mother figure to a child when she'd never wanted kids. Allina's eyes glazed over, suddenly overcome with emotion. She had no idea where it even came from.

“Girlfriend?” Cali said, with a concerned look in her eyes. “Are you okay?”

Allina waved off her friend, and discreetly wiped a tear from her face. “I'm fine. Just emotional, I guess. My turn, huh?” They'd each spent months crying due to life events. She felt like a faucet, as much crying as she'd done.

“Aw, I'm sorry, hun.” Cali gulped down her shot and filled up her glass again. Then she filled up the second glass and slid it toward Allina.

“No, Cali, I—”

“Wait,” Cali said, holding up her hand. “You've spent years doing the right thing. I understand why. But Allina, you went all runaway bride yesterday. You deserve a good shot of tequila.”

Allina giggled at her friend's sense of humor. Cali was the feisty one, always ready for a fight. But no one would know it by looking at her. With her short frame, brown skin, and big expressive eyes, she looked innocent. Only she was anything but and would cut anybody down without batting her eyelashes.

Allina twisted her lips as she considered taking the shot. It would be the first time she'd had a drink since she was a teenager trying to cope with her life. Hell, she'd probably fall out. The sound of hearty laughter drew her attention to the bar. Kent was smiling, his dimples on full display. He was standing next to Red.

“You brought that guy with you?” Allina asked, gesturing with her thumb toward the bar.

Cali turned around. “Yeah, you know he wasn't letting me come without him,” she admitted, a wistful look on her face. She shifted her attention back to Allina. “Plus, he wanted to see you too. He'll be over in a minute, with his loud ass.”

Allina laughed. “He is loud. I heard him over everything in this place.”

She stared at Kent—the easy and confident way he moved, the gleam in his eyes. Just thinking about him seemed to flood her with warmth. His gaze met hers across the room, and she glanced away. Her cheeks burned and she skimmed her fingertips along her jawline.

“Allina?” Cali called to her.

She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at her friend, who was eyeing her with a knowing look. “Yes.”

“What's going on with you?”

Clearing her throat, she shifted in her seat. Cali would notice right away that something was up. She was like that; could see right through a facade. Allina usually admired that quality in her friend, except when it was directed at her. “Nothing. Well, the obvious, of course. Like you said earlier, I'm a runaway bride and all.”

“Yes, but there's more, I can tell.”

Allina tapped the still full shot glass. “Remember that conversation we had when you told me that I didn't look happy to be marrying someone I claimed to love?”

Cali nodded. “I do. Is that what happened? You realized you couldn't go through with it because he didn't make you happy?”

“Actually I didn't go through with it because he threatened me.” Cali's expression hardened, but Allina rushed on. “But I thought a lot about what you said.”

“Wait a minute,” Cali said, her brows snapping together. “What do you mean he threatened you?”

“Syd didn't tell you?”

Cali shrugged. “Not that, but we haven't really had a chance to talk.”

“He doesn't know where I am. And I don't plan on telling him anytime soon. But if he should try to contact you, act like you have no idea where I am.”

“Got it,” Cali said, shaking her head. “I can't believe this.”

“Last night, I was terrified. I'm a little better today. Earlier I got an e-mail from him implying he would try to get to me through Syd.”

Cali narrowed her eyes. “He must have a death wish,” she grunted.

“Right,” Allina agreed. “Kent wanted to go down there and kick his butt. But we convinced him to stay put.”

“Well, I'm sure Kent is filling Red in on the details.” Cali placed a hand on top of Allina's. “Aw, sweetie. You know I'm here for you, whatever you need. How are you feeling?”

“Honestly, I'm glad I didn't marry him. Which leads me to what I was going to tell you. I don't think I was in love with
him
as much as I was in love with the
idea
of him.”

Cali leaned forward. “What made you come to that conclusion?”

“Kent,” Allina said simply. “Because one night with him and all those feelings just bubbled to the surface. We've never been together for such a long time at once. He held me, listened to me, took me shopping…he was awesome.” She lowered her voice, “We almost kissed today.”

Cali's mouth fell open. “Oh my God. Really?”

“Really, what?” Syd said, approaching the table and sliding in next to Allina.

Allina smiled at her best friend. “Hi, Syd.”

“Hey,” Syd said, picking up the shot glass and taking it to the head. She slammed it down on the table. “Really, what?” she asked again, her gaze darting back and forth between Cali and Allina.

“Allina kissed Kent today,” Cali announced, a slow grin spreading on her face.

“What?” Syd said, staring at Allina, eyes wide.

Allina covered her face with her hands as a blush worked its way up her neck. “It wasn't a kiss, Cali. I said we
almost
kissed,” Allina murmured.

“My bad,” Cali said. “What exactly is an almost-kiss anyway?”

Syd laughed and smacked Cali's hand lightly. “Stop.”

Hunching her shoulders, Cali yelped. “What? You're wondering the same thing, right?”

“No,” Syd said. “Unlike you, I've had many almost-kiss moments in my life.”

Cali twisted her lip. “With who? You were with Den for umpteen years. And you and Morgan skipped the almost and got right down to it, Ms. I-made-a-mistake.”

Allina giggled. When Syd glared at her, she covered her mouth.

“I'm ignoring you, Cali,” Syd said, holding a hand up in Cali's face while she refocused her attention on Allina. “So, what did you mean when you said you almost kissed him? Were you leaning really close to him, so close that you could feel his breath on your skin? Or did your lips actually touch his?”

Allina dropped her head on the table. “Both,” she grumbled.

“Fuck yeah. We have some action over here,” Cali said, smacking the table.

“Oh my God,” Syd squealed. “I told you. I knew it.”

Allina glanced up, pushing her hair out of her face. “Don't go too far. We didn't actually kiss.”

“Why?” Syd asked.

Allina's feet shuffled under the table. “He stopped it, said he couldn't do it.”

Their smiles faded and Syd's face paled. Without another word, Cali filled up the shot glass and slid it toward Allina.

“See, you do need this,” Cali exclaimed.

Allina glanced at Syd, who had a pained expression on her face. Then she looked at the full glass on the table. Picking it up, she finally took the shot.

The tequila burned going down her throat, and she shuddered. “That's awful.” She scowled. “I don't know how you drink that mess.”

Syd poured herself another shot and took it. “This is my last one. I have to be ‘mommy' when I leave here.”

“Good thing my doll is school-aged,” Cali said before she gulped a shot down.

“That really sucks, Allina,” Syd mumbled. “Kent needs a smack to the head.”

“No,” Cali grumbled. “He needs his ass beat, that's what. How could he turn down my girl like that? I need to talk to him.”

“Please don't,” Allina murmured. “It's okay. He did tell me he wanted to kiss me.”

“So why the hell didn't he pucker up and lay one on you? Lord knows you need it,” Cali said.

Allina gasped, her hand flying to her chest. “Really, Cali?”

Cali shrugged. “What? I've always said you needed a little something something. And Kent is definitely the guy to give it to you. Look at him,” she said, pointing over at the bar. “He's fine as hell. But don't tell Red I said that,” she added under her breath.

“He is very nice looking,” Syd agreed.

They all turned to watch the three men standing there, each of them attractive in their own right. Morgan and Red were tall and slender. Kent was not as tall, but he was built like a building; and he stood out from the others, in Allina's opinion. Syd used to call them the dimple crew because they all had them. They each had their own personal, fly style. In college, they'd been pretty popular with the ladies.

Cali tipped the bottle in Allina's direction. “Another one?”

Allina lifted her empty shot glass up. “Why not? I can drink away my troubles for the night. Maybe I'll get a good night's sleep out of it.”