No Foolin' (Willowdale Romance Novel) (17 page)

TEAGUE IMMEDIATELY flew back to L.A. after leaving Kate. For days, he moped around his house and cancelled all his appointments. He figured a few drinks could help him forget her. He was wrong. June finally picked him up in her own car and dropped him off at the new hip bar of the moment to get him back on the scene. It was no surprise to find Simone there.

She sat on his lap in the VIP room of the bar, like an alley cat that just kept coming back no matter how many times you pushed it away, and it took everything in him not to toss her off and march out the front door. Her arms were looped around his neck, and three martinis had left her giggly and off-balance, so she kept slipping off his lap.

“Don’t let me go, Teaguey. Not this time. Don’t let me get away again.” She hiccupped in his ear.

Teague detached himself from her grip and headed for the restroom. He needed a break from her and her cloying perfume, her forced, high-pitched laugh. Stan Remington had cast her in his next movie, too, and the director liked the idea of the two of them getting back together. Anything to keep buzz about the movie in the press. Teague had signed a ten-million-dollar contract for the role and filming would be starting in Australia in two months. He should be on top of the world, pounding his chest.

But all he could think about was Kate and those heavenly eyes. The way her mouth had felt on his, like it had been made expressly for his pleasure. They way they’d fit so nicely together—in more ways than one. He splashed cool water on his face and looked at himself in the mirror. It was not the image of a happy man.

The door to the restroom opened and Simone tottered up behind him. “Let’s get out of here.” She set her hand on his thigh, her thumb grazing his crotch. “Unless you want to do it right here.” He hadn’t made love to her in the two weeks they’d supposedly been back together. Hadn’t even kissed her. He knew she was doing her best to make that happen tonight.

He tried to push past her, but she grabbed his hand, leading him out of the door. Resigned, he realized he might as well get her safely to the limo. Any man would be thrilled to have Simone Peters leading him from a bar with that sassy little flip of her hip.

But Teague closed his eyes and tried to imagine it was Kate. Of course, his hands would have been all over Kate. They probably wouldn’t have even made it out for a night on the town. He’d be happy at home with her, talking and laughing. Okay, making out and making love, too. Lots of that. But he wouldn’t need much more than that with Kate.

He followed Simone into the waiting limo, and she was on him before the door closed. “What are you waiting for?” she breathed into his ear. “I’m here. I’m yours.”

Her breath was warm on his skin, and he pulled away from the boozy smell of her. “I’m only doing this for the cameras, Simone. We are not back together.” He laughed to himself, thinking how he was posing for the cameras with yet another woman. Nothing much in his life had been real, had it? But that wink of time he’d had with Kate had been the closest thing to real he’d ever known.

Simone leaned closer, apparently immune to the word
No
.

He slid his hand out of her grasp. “I don’t want you, Simone. Let’s just keep this up in public for Remington. I don’t care if you go out with other guys. Might make the whole thing more interesting.”

She snorted, shaking her head. “It’s that hillbilly chick of yours. Priceless.” Her golden eyes flashed a warning. “Oh, you are so going to regret this.”

“I already do.” He told the driver to stop and got out to hail a cab. What would another trip to Willowdale hurt?

TONYA PULLED THE shade closed on the door of her salon and led Kate to a chair. “We’ve tried chocolate, we’ve tried ice cream, this is the last trick up my sleeve. A new ’do. Maybe some highlights, too.”

Kate plopped in the seat ready to whine. “Just trim the ends. Teague liked how natural my hair was.”

“Liked. Past tense. And who even knows if that is true? He’s a liar.”

“And a cheater,” Jeanne offered.

“He didn’t cheat,” Kate said

“He’s with Simone now.” Jeanne held up a magazine with the two of them on the front cover.

Kate snatched it from her and tossed it aside. “Not really. It’s just for the movie. But even so, I left him. So, he’s not a cheater.”

Tonya spritzed Kate’s hair with water. “What about the pregnant girlfriend?”

“Clearly he got her pregnant before he was with me. That woman was round,” Kate said.

“But he’s a liar,” Jeanne said, her eyes narrowing.

But he wasn’t. He hadn’t lied about anything. He just hadn’t told her about the girl. That there was someone else. He’d never made any promises to her. So why had she expected any? Kate sighed. “I don’t care what you do to my hair.”

“Really?”

Kate panicked. “No, not really. Give me some highlights, I don’t care. Nothing’s going to shake me out of this mood.”

“I should shave you bald for cutting us off like you did when you left town with him.”

“He had a secret to hide and I couldn’t trust myself not to tell you guys it was just a setup. That we weren’t really dating.”

Jeanne snatched a cookie from the pile of goodies in front of them. “I think you should find that woman and confront her.”

“She did nothing wrong. Besides, Teague said she needed protecting.” Kate shrugged. “Trust me, I wouldn’t wish a go-round with the paparazzi on anyone.” Not even the baby mama of the man she loved. “And don’t forget, I’ve got my own pregnant gal to contend with. Two might do me in.”

“Are Mitch and Dina going to keep the baby?”

“They’re going to give it a shot. So we better hurry it up here, gals. Forget the highlights and just give me a trim. I gotta get home and make sure she’s okay.”

“CAN I HAVE ANOTHER grilled cheese?” Dina asked, holding out her empty plate right as Kate sat down on the couch with a magazine.

Kate forced a smile. “That didn’t occur to you when I was back in the kitchen?”

Dina shrugged and flipped through the Babies‘R’Us catalog. “Sorry. Cravings, they just pop up, you know?”

Kate frowned. “No, I don’t.” And probably never would. “Anything else?”

“I’ll let you know,” she said without looking up from the page of baby swings.

Kate had been trying to keep the bickering with Dina to a minimum since she was on bed rest and all.
What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger, what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger
, she chanted, unwrapping two slices of cheese.

Tommy and Mitch walked in—without knocking—so she made a few more sandwiches.

As soon as she slumped onto the couch, Dina said, “Kate, could you get us—”

“Drinks,” Kate finished.

“Stay put, Katie. I’ll get some sodas.” Tommy patted her knee and pushed up from the couch. “Just because we’re waiting on you two this Saturday for your special dinner doesn’t mean you can take advantage of Katie like this.”

Dina tucked her blanket around her. “Did everyone forget I’m on bed rest?” Her lower lip popped out in a familiar pout.

“Did you forget Kate’s not your maid?” Tommy asked. “Have some respect for the woman who’s keeping this roof over your head, keeping your baby from coming early and trying to keep you together with the daddy.” He stomped off to the kitchen and Kate followed so she didn’t have to hear Dina’s grumbles.

“Wow,” Kate said. “Thanks.”

“I don’t like to see people take advantage of you. Like Teague Reynolds. What he did to you was wrong.”

“You weren’t much better to me,” she said quietly and looked at the ground. She’d tried to play it off for so long like it was no big deal. Like Tommy was doing the right thing marrying Ellen when he got her pregnant. Kate and Tommy had been broken up when it’d happened, after all. Still, it hurt.

He set down the cans of soda and was silent for a moment. “I’m sorry. Sorrier than you’ll ever know.” He stared at her. “But I hope I can rely on the excuse of my youthful stupidity. Just like Dina can. But Teague? He’s a grown man.”

Kate knew she couldn’t argue, couldn’t explain how wonderful Teague had been. “Alright. Truce.” She offered him her hand.

He shook her hand, then brought it to his lips, and she thought,
Oh, no. Hell no.

“MR. REYNOLDS, Jennifer does not want to give up her baby.”

“I don’t want her to either,” Teague said. “But I’m not sure what the solution is.”

Miss Johnson steepled her fingers in front of her. “We’re considering a few different options. An open adoption might work, if she had visitation rights. Have you considered asking for custody of the child?”

He shook his head. “Impossible. We could never keep it a secret.”

She dropped her hands to her desk and tilted her head. “How bad would it be for people to know the truth?”

He shook his head. “Very bad. For everyone involved.”

She shrugged. “Very well, then. We’ve only got a month before her due date. We need to make some decisions. Would you like to join her for her ob-gyn appointment tomorrow in Whitesville? They’re doing another ultrasound. You could see your nephew.”

“Absolutely. I’ll be there.”

He left the Willowdale Residential facility, determined to speak to Kate. He had to try again. Maybe he could make things right between them. Maybe she’d even join him in Australia for a few weeks. They seemed to do the adventure thing well together. They could pick up where they’d left off.

Teague parked down the street from Kate’s house. He was working out in his head what he could say to her to get her back in his arms. What he wouldn’t do for a scriptwriter’s help. He watched her house, trying to work up the guts to go over. He did a double take when a police cruiser pulled up. It was the police chief—her ex-boyfriend—climbing out, carrying a bunch of flowers.

Kate grinned when she opened the door and let him in.

Teague squinted as if he might not be seeing things clearly. But no, that really was the chief and Kate had been happy to see him. A flood of curse words pummeled his brain. He’d driven her back into the arms of the man she once loved. The man she claimed she hated. Somehow, her rejecting him hadn’t hurt as much as seeing her with someone else. He started his car and sped away. This time for good.

KATE’S STOMACH CLENCHED when Tommy walked in with the flowers. It was a big bunch of red roses like Teague had sent her back in LA. The memory of it sucked the air out of her lungs, like a balloon letting loose.

Tommy saw her expression and pulled one of the flowers from the bunch and handed it to her.
Ugh. He thinks I’m pining for him!

“I should’ve taken better care of you when I had you,” he said. “Did I ever send you flowers?”

Kate shook her head. She wouldn’t take the bouquet. “Leave it in there for Dina. She might count to make sure it’s an even dozen. I don’t think you should mess with a pregnant gal’s emotions.”

Tommy frowned and tucked the flower back in.

“Let’s get ready for the kids.” Kate set the flowers on the counter and scrounged around under the sink for a vase. There hadn’t been too many flowers in her house growing up. A few “I’m sorry” bouquets George had sent to her Mom, but that’s it. She pulled out a vase, filled it with water, and set the flowers in.

“I went into Whitesville and got the kids surf and turf. I bought extra for us. Figured once they ate and settled down for the movie, we could enjoy dinner, too.”

Kate bit her lip. She didn’t want to spend any more time with Tommy than necessary, but she wasn’t going to ruin the kids’ night. She opened the cupboard and reached for a platter on the top shelf. She stood on her toes and grabbed at it with her fingertips.

Tommy came up behind her and plucked the platter from the shelf. He set it in front of her and kept his hands on the counter, circling her. “Katie.”

She held her breath; she was not going to do this. “Tommy, we’ve got a lot to do before Mitch gets here.” She wouldn’t turn to face him.

“We’ve got some time,” he said, brushing her hair off her shoulders.

She pushed her way out of his arms and set two plates on the kitchen table.

He sighed and walked toward the door. “I’ve gotta grab something from the cruiser.”

Kate set the steak knives next to the plate and considered the shiny weapons. Too tempting, she thought, putting them back in the drawer.

Tommy came back in, holding up a bottle of champagne. “Nice, right?”

Kate put her hands on her hips. “Dina can’t drink alcohol. She’s pregnant.”

He stuck the bottle in the fridge. “It’s not for the kids. It’s for us.”

“Why would we need champagne?”

He shrugged. “A new start and all. We’re going to be related, we’re going to be aunt and uncle to this baby.”

And that’s all we’re ever going to be.
She dumped the bagged salad in a bowl. “Speaking of the baby, make sure Mitch shows up to the ultrasound tomorrow. Dina said he’s been cagey about whether or not he’s coming. Is he getting cold feet? He’s the one who was pushing to get married. If we’re going to do all this work to get them together, we better make sure he’s still got his heart in it.”

Tommy shrugged. “People can change, you know. Feelings change. Sometimes it takes a while before you realize what you’ve lost. Years, even.”

She shut her eyes. Was there any way this night could end without a fight? “And sometimes it takes years to realize how wrong someone really was for you.”

“I’m not giving up on you.”

“You’re going to be one disappointed man.”

“You’re not still pining over T-Rex, are you?” He hitched up his jeans. “If I see him in town again, I swear I’ll find a reason to toss him in jail. He did you wrong.”

She slammed the basket of cherry tomatoes on the counter. “No, he didn’t. I left him.”

Tommy’s eyes went wide. “Why would you do something like that?”

She shook her head. “It’s complicated.”

One corner of his mouth quirked into a smile.

“No. It had nothing to do with you. Sometimes two people just aren’t meant to be together.”

“What did you expect? You knew he was no good getting into it.”

She had. She’d fought it tooth and nail, knowing exactly the kind of guy he was, but she’d fallen anyway like a damn fool. She thought she saw something that just wasn’t there, like when the moon casts shadows in your room that make you think you’re seeing a ghost. That’s what her romance with Teague had been: a shadow that had never been there.

The doorbell rang and Kate hurried over, almost as nervous as if she was expecting the date. Mitch stood there with his hands stuffed in his pockets, studying his biker boots.

Kate smiled and held the door for him. “Hello, Mitch. Welcome to Chez Willowdale. Please have a seat while I let your date know you have arrived.”

But Mitch hesitated. “Do you really think this is a good idea?” He’d put off moving in, and Dina said he was calling less often. Which probably meant ten times a day instead of twenty.

Kate laughed. “A gourmet dinner date isn’t a good idea?”

He frowned. “No, I mean pretending like this. We’re supposed to get to know each other better, but this isn’t real. Once the baby comes we won’t be enjoying fancy candle-lit dinners. Playing make-believe doesn’t make you love someone.”

Wasn’t that the truth. She smiled at him and squeezed his bicep. “You’re a pretty smart kid. Just come in and enjoy the night for what it is.”

He stepped in and Kate led him to the couch. “I’ll let your date know you’re here.” She dashed up the stairs and found Dina sobbing in her bed.

“What?” Kate asked, uncertain she could douse another fire today.

“This is stupid.”

If one more person calls this stupid .
 . .

“I didn’t want him, but now I do .
 . . and now . . .” She took a deep, shaky breath. “Now he doesn’t want me. Love is so stupid.”

You’re telling me, sister.
Kate smoothed Dina’s shiny black hair. “It sure is, honey. But I don’t think Mitch doesn’t want you. I think he’s just realizing how real this all is. I think you’re both a little scared. So go downstairs, enjoy your dinner and don’t think you have to plan out your whole future tonight. Things’ll work out. I promise.”

Dina nodded and swiped the back of her hand under her nose.

Kate followed her downstairs. Mitch popped up from the couch and smoothed his hands down his dress pants. “You look pretty,” he said quietly.

Dina blushed and lifted her gauzy skirt off the ground. “You don’t think I look like a blimp?”

He shrugged. “Maybe a hot air balloon, but not a blimp.”

She blushed and gave him a playful shove, and he didn’t quite look her in the eyes.

If not for Dina’s bitty bump—which wasn’t so bitty anymore—Kate would’ve never believed these two had gotten naked together.
Odd time to get shy with each other.

Tommy stepped out of the kitchen and Kate caught her breath. He’d changed into a tuxedo. He brought a tray of appetizers over to Mitch and Dina. “Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spear?” He handed Dina a napkin and she picked one off the tray.

Kate had never seen this elegant, sophisticated side of Tommy. She shook off the feeling and dashed into the kitchen for the sparkling grape juice.

“Tonight we’re serving surf and turf with twice-baked potatoes, soup and salad. For dessert, we have tiramisu. Dinner will be served in half an hour. Feel free to stroll the grounds while you wait.” Kate tried not to giggle. This was kind of fun.

Tommy flipped on some romantic music, and they hustled back to the kitchen.

“Nice music,” Kate said. “Where’d you get it?”

He shrugged. “Downloaded some stuff from my music library.”

“Right. You’re the romantic music type.”

He stopped and took her gently by the arm. “Kate, a person can change. And sometimes if that person is lucky, they get a second chance. That’s what I’m hoping for.”

She pursed her lips. “There are no second chances on love, Tommy.”

He ignored her and grabbed her other hand and slowly moved her to the music.

She looked up at the ceiling. “Tommy .
 . .”

He pulled her closer. “Shhh.”

Dina walked into the kitchen with her empty glass and her eyes popped open. “Sorry to interrupt, I was .
 . . uh, looking for another drink.”

Kate pulled herself away from Tommy and scurried to the refrigerator. “You didn’t interrupt, we were just goofing around.” She filled Dina’s glass—without looking her in the eyes—and went to work on the salad.

Kate was cheered to hear the two kids chatting in the living room, laughing a few times, even. Luckily, she and Tommy were both too busy for any more impromptu dancing. What bothered her even more than his gumption was her lack of outrage. She tried channeling the hurt she’d felt over the years, but it just wasn’t there. She felt .
 . . numb.

When they sat down to eat, Mitch pulled out Dina’s chair for her. Kate set their salads in front of them and slipped out onto the back porch to give them some privacy. She sat on the swing and stared out at the big back yard. She took a kitchen timer with her, set for ten minutes when she’d go inside and serve the main course.