Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters Collection (112 page)

Fran looks at me with raised eyebrows and a cunning smile. “So, did you kiss?”

My face comes alive. “Yup.”

“And...”

“Hmmm…” I stare dreamily into space, recalling the strength of his arms and the softness of his lips.

“You’re holding back on me! What was it like? I want details!”

“It was hot.”

“Yeah?” She smiles eagerly and gives me a tiny swat on the arm. “Come on, tell me!”

I sigh. “But it was also sweet, and sexy, and tender.” Another sigh escapes. “And…romantic.”

“Whoa…seriously?”

“I don’t know, Fran. I was so nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect because Brad’s so unassuming. But the way he kissed me was anything but unassuming.”

Fran smiles confidently. “I knew there was a tiger behind that dimple.”

I twirl my hair around my finger. “Well, I’m going to bed now.”

“Gee, thanks a lot. Now that you woke me up and made me all flustered.”

“So go wake up Kyle. I’m sure he can help you out with that.” I giggle and practically float down the hall to my room.

“Goodnight, Fran.”

“Goodnight, sweetie.”

I pull on my sweatpants and a soft cotton tank and climb into bed feeling hyper. So much so that I just can’t get to sleep. I keep replaying the kiss over and over in my head. The kiss that made my heart dance. My phone buzzes and snaps me from my train of thought. It’s Brad. Sigh.

Brad: You still awake?

Me: Yeah

Brad: I can’t sleep

Me: Me neither

Brad: I wish I hadn’t left

Me: Me too

Brad: Your kiss made my heart flutter

Did he seriously just say that? I feel a squeal coming on.

Me: Mine is still fluttering

Brad: Goodnight Gabby

Me: Goodnight

With that, I fall into a peaceful sleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

IT’S MONDAY, AND it doesn’t suck anymore. I wake up to the sound of heavy raindrops pounding on my windows. I love the rain. I love the sound of it, the feel of it as it falls lazily onto my skin, the…my alarm goes off, but I smack it silent, allowing myself to drift back to last night…to Brad. Just thinking about him makes my insides melt. He completely dazzled me and I feel as though I’ve fallen under his spell. My phone buzzes and I grab it quickly, thinking it might be him. As soon as I see Dane’s name appear on the screen, my smile disappears. Dragging this out is only going to make things worse, so I reluctantly accept the call.

“Hello,” I say with the lack of enthusiasm I feel.

“Hey, Gabby, it’s Dane.” His voice sounds a bit apprehensive and I’m wondering if he can read my thoughts. “I thought I was going to hear from you yesterday?”

“Yeah, sorry about that. Fran and I just hung out and relaxed.”

“I was wondering if I could see you tonight?” His tone sounds a bit more desperate now that I think about it, and it puts me on edge. It’s a familiar feeling with Dane.

“Yeah, we really need to talk,” I reply with determination, dragging myself off the bed and rifling through my closet.

“Can you meet me in my room at seven o’clock?”

There’s no way that’s happening. “Let’s meet in the lobby restaurant,” I say casually.

“Oh, okay. I’ll see you then.”

“See you later, Dane.”

Ugh. I dread tonight. I don’t want to hurt Dane, but I just don’t feel anything for him, which sounds weird, even for me. I actually
want
to feel something. I mean, the sex is incredible, yes, but it’s just not enough anymore. Shaking off my nerves, I quickly hop in the shower so I have time for my caffeine fix…and my Brad fix.

Everything looks so much brighter today. The rain has cleared and the sky is a magnificent cobalt blue, the clouds look like puffy white marshmallows, and I’m happy. Not the fake, suck-it-up-and-put-a-smile-on-your-face-happy. Really happy. For the first time in a long time.

The only thing that makes me happier is when I hear my favorite door jingle and see Brad. The moment his eyes meet mine, I see the sunshine in his smile and it lights me up inside. He leaves the counter and comes right over, his lips landing softly on mine. “Good morning, beautiful.”

“Good morning, yourself,” I reply, my entire face beaming.

“Do you do realize this is a first for us?”

“A first?” I answer with a confused grin.

“Our first kiss in my shop.”

“Oh, that, yes.” I chuckle softly. “Well, I’ll cross that off my list.”

“I was on your list?” There’s a smile in his voice.

“Well, yes, but I didn’t know it.”

Grabbing my elbow, he escorts me to a table and goes to make my drink. He’s back in a flash, taking a seat beside me and handing me my Salted Caramel Mocha, extra whipped cream. “So, I was thinking maybe we could catch a movie tonight?”

I pick at my fingernails and look down. “I can’t tonight, actually. I have something I have to do. Listen, I want to be honest with you. I’m seeing Dane tonight.” A frown spreads across his face and my heart sinks. Feeling the need to immediately make it right, I continue. “It’s not a date. Really, it’s not. I’m only meeting him tonight to tell him that I can’t see him anymore.”

Brad’s mouth shows a hint of a smile. “Really?”

* * * * *

MY ANXIETY KICKS in as I make my way to Dane’s hotel. I don’t like confrontation and I don’t want to hurt him, but the need to be honest outweighs it. The irony of this whole situation makes me laugh. When I first saw Dane that day on the street, all I could think about was how his hot body would feel underneath me. If I’m honest, it was freaking amazing. At least that’s what my body said; my head just couldn’t catch up. I’ve tried to keep living on the edge; I’ve tried to be the one with no emotion. But when I think of Brad, that’s the only thing I want. I want emotion. I want to feel. Everything about him draws me in, and I find myself wanting more. Definitely more kissing, at least.

My body starts to heat just thinking about Brad’s soft lips and his strong, muscular arms. Shaking off the feeling, I head in to face Dane. When I see him in the lobby, my heart stops for a moment, for no other reason than the fact that he’s drop dead gorgeous. It’s hard not to notice him. The moment his emerald eyes meet mine, guilt consumes me. When I reach him, he comes closer to kiss my lips, and I offer him my cheek instead. His forehead wrinkles in confusion, which intensifies my need to get to the point.

“Gabby, I’ve missed you. I thought we had such a good time together and then suddenly you pulled back. Did I do something wrong?”

“Why do you keep asking me that?” I ask, completely irritated.

He crosses his arms over his muscular chest. “I don’t know, Gabby. Maybe because you keep disappearing.”

I pull my thoughts together and take a deep breath. “Dane, you’re a great guy. I’ve really enjoyed our time together, and the sex was great.” He furrows his brow, but I continue. “But, whatever this is we’re doing, I just don’t see it going anywhere.”

Before I can say anything else, Dane chimes in. “I think you’re lying to yourself, Gabby. Your body gave you away. I know you have feelings for me. Maybe you’re scared, but whatever we have here is worth exploring, don’t you think?”

My eyes meet his. “No, Dane, I don’t. We had sex, nothing more.”

Without hesitation, he says, “I don’t believe you.”

My feet are tiptoeing backwards when they need to be running full speed ahead. “Dane, I’m interested in someone else.
Very
interested in someone else.”

He’s just about to say something when he glances over my shoulder. His eyes grow wide and his face turns pale. When I look over my shoulder, I see a leggy blonde with blue eyes and a body to die for, heading towards Dane. Everything that happens next is almost as if I’m watching a movie play out in front of me. She runs up to Dane, throws her arms around his neck, and kisses him passionately. When she finally takes a breath, I hear her whisper, “hey, sexy, I missed you.” What the hell?

Feeling the need to pick up my mouth off the floor and control the anger that is bubbling inside, I take a calming breath. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your
friend
, Dane?”

Without hesitation, the woman whips her head around and extends her hand to me. “I’m Susan, Dane’s fiancée.”

I passed my hearing test with flying colors, so I’m pretty sure there’s no mistaking what she said. My anger bubble pops. “His
fiancée
?!” I practically shout, pure contempt drenching my voice. With a look of absolute horror, Dane starts to speak but I cut him off. “Well, I certainly wish you two the very best of everything.” The desire to spit on him almost overtakes me but I don’t want to ruin my new shoes. Instead, I turn on my heel and head towards the door.

I rush down the street to the subway, wanting to kick every brick wall I can find. It all makes sense to me now; the brief periods of not hearing from him, the mysterious phone calls. Even though I didn’t want anything more from Dane, the simple fact that he could screw me while he was engaged to someone else is pathetic…and mess around on his fiancée, the bastard. Not to mention, he told me he wanted more. The word “asshole” keeps playing over and over in my mind. He’s lucky I don’t go back and kick his ass. I just keep shaking my head. Unbelievable; he had sex with me while he was engaged to be married. If that doesn’t shout jerkoff, I don’t know what does.

When I finally arrive back at the apartment, it’s empty. Fran’s at Kyle’s again tonight. I just want to see Brad. His phone rings several times before he picks up.

“Hey!” I say, my voice rising at the thought of him.

“Hey yourself. I was just thinking about you.” He sounds so sincere, so real.

“You were?” That gets me curious.

“Well, I’m always thinking about you. How did it go with Dane?”

“Let’s just say it was interesting.”

“What do you mean? What happened?” He sounds edgy now, almost a little angry.

“I discovered something about Dane tonight. Kind of an important tidbit he left out.”

“What’s that?”

“He’s engaged,” I drawl, “to be married.”

“What? Wow, what a jerk.” Brad sounds appalled but relieved.

“Yup, my sentiments exactly.” Talking to Brad helps lessen the sting.

“Want me to kick his ass? Because as a superhero, it’ll be fairly easy.”

I snort. “I considered doing it myself, but he’s not worth it. I did almost spit on him though.”

He chuckles. “Now that’s something I’d pay money to see.”

“I’d really like to see you. Do you want to come over?” I close my eyes and cross my fingers. The desire to see him is overwhelming.

“Hmmm…I’ll have to think about it.”

“Take too long and I’ll rescind my offer,” I warn.

He snickers. “I’ll be right over. I can’t wait to see you.”

I push all thoughts of the world’s greatest asshole away and let all thoughts of Brad in. He’s on his way over! I run to the bathroom and brush my hair and my teeth, twice. I’m so excited to see him; I feel like a school girl with a big crush. I find myself pacing the living room when I frantically start cleaning anything that looks remotely dirty. By the time I’ve finished, the kitchen counter is sparkling, the brown carpet actually looks relatively clean, and there aren’t any crumbs under the sofa cushions. I run in the bathroom and slather on a bit more deodorant, then brush my hair again and dab some perfume behind my ears. Oh no! I realize I have my butterfly undies on, so I bolt into my room and pull a pair of purple lace ones out of my drawer, then slide them on…just in case.

After about half an hour, I hear the doorbell ring and let out my new signature Brad squeal. Thankfully, it’s one he can’t hear. When I see him, it’s like an instant charge. He has a wide grin on his face and mine lights up from the sheer sight of him. In fact, I’m smiling so big, it hurts, in a good way. Brad comes in and drops a brown bag on the counter.

“Hey,” he says as he walks up to me.

“Hey,” I greet him with a shy smile.

“I already said that.”

“Yeah, I have this weird tendency to repeat what you say. Must be because you’re so cool.”

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

“Yeah?” I stand on my tippy toes so I can look into his eyes.

His eyes meet mine as his fingers graze the curve of my cheekbone. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the color blue for some reason, about a cute little nose, and lips that I hope I get a chance to kiss again.”

I look up into the many hues of brown I see in his eyes. “Well, if you play your cards right, you might just get another chance.”

“Lucky for me then, I’m an ace at cards.”

“Oh
yeah
?”

He inches closer. “Yeah.” He brushes his lips against mine, teasing me with his tongue. I open willingly and he slips inside for a taste then pulls back with a knowing smile. “Mmm…you brushed your teeth for me?”

I’m mortified he knows. “It was really for the first guy who showed up here, you just happened to be the lucky one.”

A mischievous sparkle alights his eyes. “You’re right, I’m damn lucky.”

I look over at the brown paper bag resting on the kitchen counter. “What’s that?”

Brad opens the bag and hands me a large glass jar covered with a red bow, containing hundreds of Swedish Fish. “For you,” he says with a sweet smile. “I wanted to feed your addiction.”

He’s so freaking adorable. I lick my lips and eye his. “I can think of other ways you can feed it.”

He lets out a small chuckle and closes the gap between us. Settling his long fingers around the nape of my neck, he brings me in close and sweeps his lips over mine.

“Thank you,” I whisper quietly against his mouth.

He threads his fingers through mine and walks me to the couch. We sit, thigh to thigh; I rest my head on his shoulder while he quietly strums his fingers through my hair. After a moment, he looks down at me. “Do you want to talk about what happened?”