A Dream to be Loved Kandi Jaynes (15 page)

He led her to the door of the all too familiar hangout. Saturday night was a popular night at Pete's and from the look of the cars at least half of the shop was here tonight. Drake held the door and firmly guided her through it. She was standing with her back to the room, facing Drake.

"Can't we do this some other night?"

"No." He slipped her coat off her shoulders and hung it on a hook, followed by his own.

"Hey, Drake!" She heard Steve yell from the pool table. Other familiar voices followed but she was too nervous to turn and look.

"Hi, Drake," this voice wasn't quite as friendly. "Are you going to introduce us?"

"I'm surprised to see you here," came another less than friendly voice. "I thought you were occupied elsewhere these days."

Kate's brows drew together. She wondered why they seemed upset with Drake.

"Yeah, you wouldn't be dealing from a different deck now, would you?" Smitty didn't sound happy at all.

Drake smiled down at her, and with a lowered voice said, "If you don't introduce yourself soon I could end up in the dumpster out back. They've already threatened the life of any man who mistreats their favorite tool crib attendant and they seem to be under the impression I'm cheating on her with you."

It was obvious nobody realized who she was. None of them had ever seen her dressed in anything but jeans and work shirts, or with her hair down.

"They really threatened you?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes. They didn't know it was me at the time. They were talking about the flower guy, but there was no question about their intentions. Well, there was one question."

"Which was?"

"Whether Smitty got to go first or last."

In a voice soft enough for only Drake to hear, she said. "So if I don't say anything they will beat you to a pulp, and if I do let them see who I am they will think you are a really great guy."

"Right."

Kate narrowed her eyes and tapped her chin looking as if she were weighing her options.

Drake gave an exasperated sigh. Taking her by the shoulders, he spun her around to face the crowd. Kate looked nervously at her coworkers who all gaped at her in turn.

Drake spoke first. "I don't think I really need to introduce her. I'm sure you all know Kate."

Kate felt a deep blush slowly burn across her face as they stared.

"Wow!" After Smitty vocalized that one short word, a chorus of whoops, hollers, and wolf whistles broke out.

Things started to calm down until Steve yelled, "Hey, you never told us you had legs."

"Let me guess," Kate said. "You thought I just floated around on my broom all day."

They all laughed. "What he means," Terry corrected, "Is that you never told us you had legs like that."

Kate looked down. "They're just legs."

Laughter again. "No, those are not 'just legs'. Those are
legs
."

"Let's find a table." Drake placed his hand in the small of her back. They crossed the room and settled in a seat near the pool table.

 Steve held out his cue, "Wanna play, Kate?"

When many of the guys gathered around, she realized this dress was not designed for bending over a pool table. It was bad enough so much of her was showing already. They didn't need to see it hiked any higher.

She smiled. "Not tonight, thanks." She stood up and glanced at Drake. "I'm going to get something to drink." Drake followed her to the bar and they both ordered a soda. She took a sip and was going to return to the table when Smitty caught her around the waist and sat her up on the bar. He bent, leaning his forearms on either side of her, so he could look her in the eye.

"If you'd consider dumping the suit," he nodded toward Drake. "I'd consider losing the tattoos."

"Really?" She played along. "That's the best offer I've had all evening."

"She's with me Smitty," Drake said. Not that he looked genuinely worried. Kate had told him about the relationship her and Smitty had.

"Not really," Kate said. "It was either have dinner with him or be stranded in Fort Wayne with no ride home." She glanced in Drake's direction. "Doesn't the fact I have to be tricked and lied to by long time trusted friends before I'll go out with you tell you something?"

Drake leaned on the counter. "Yes. It tells me you're as stubborn as you are beautiful."

She glared at him. "I can find someone else to take me home you know." She cocked an eyebrow. "As a matter of fact I still have Phillip's number. He would probably come and get me."

Drake grinned. "I'm sure he would if you called him, but you no longer have his number."

"Yes I do. It's in my coat pocket."

"No it's not. I took it out when you were distracted in the parking lot." Kate's chin dropped.

"Who's Phillip?" Smitty asked.

She closed her mouth and smiled at him. "He sent me champagne and a rose at the restaurant. There was also a note with his name and phone number on it."

Many eyes turned to Drake. "I went to get our coats and Phillip tried to steal my date."

"Man, that's pretty low. I would never try to steal her behind your back," said Smitty. "I'm not opposed to doing it openly in front of you, though." He turned back to Kate. "So, how 'bout it, darlin'? I'll take you home."

"Sorry, Smitty, I get that privilege." As the other men went back to their activities, Drake excused himself and walked toward the men's room, leaving Kate and Smitty to talk.

Smitty looked at her more serious now. "So what's really going on tonight?"

"It's my birthday." He already knew about the birthday tradition so Kate filled in this year's events for him.

"He's a great guy, Kate. What are you so worried about?"

"Smitty, he's a VP. A suit, as you so eloquently put it."

"You know what that tells me, along with what I've seen of him at work?"

"What?"

"That he's smart and ambitious, and that he has very high standards. He doesn't settle for less than the best. Which is why he likes you. You are definitely the best."

Kate blinked back tears. She hadn't cried in years, and yet it seemed like lately she was doing it every few hours. Enough is enough. Slamming all emotions back down where they belong, she blew air out between pursed lips and grinned at him. "Smitty, there is something I've wanted to do for a very long time. Normally I wouldn't consider actually going through with it, but since there has been nothing normal about tonight, why not?" She lifted her hands and placed them gently at the base of his neck. Slowly she ran them across his massive shoulders and down his biceps, then back up to his neck. She giggled. "Wow. That is just amazing." She gave him a wistful smile. "Oh Smitty, why is it you and I couldn't fall in love and spend the rest of our lives taking care of each other?"

He grinned. "Darlin', I've asked myself that many times over the years. On paper we're perfect for each other. Unfortunately, nature just doesn't seem to see it that way." His eyes roamed over her. "Believe me, I have never regretted it more than I do tonight." He chuckled when she blushed.

"You guys aren't going to think of me differently now you've seen me as a girl, are you?"

Smitty laughed. "I've got news for you, there's not one of us who has ever seen you as anything but one hundred percent pure female. It seemed to make you uncomfortable to have us treat you that way so we haven't. This," he pointed to her dress, "is just icing on the cake."

She looked stunned, and he smiled. "Jeans and work shirts can't hide the kind of woman you are. We've all noticed your figure." He cocked an eyebrow. "Most of us notice it frequently." The fact you don't flaunt it or use it to try to get what you want has gained you respect. We also appreciate you haven't tried to act like a man to fit in. We admire the way you can work so well with us. Not many women would handle it so gracefully."

She was amazed. "I had no idea."

"That's part of your charm, young lady."

She slid her arms around his neck and hugged him. "Thanks, Smitty." Then she whispered, "Promise me we'll always be friends."

He hugged her back, his voice slightly thick as he spoke. "You can always count on me, darlin'. I promise." He straightened and looked her in the eye. "Although I have a feeling I'm not the only one who will be there for you."

She glanced at Drake who had been watching them since returning to the table. "I suppose there's a chance you could be right," she admitted.

Smitty dropped a kiss on her forehead. "Give him a chance. It's obvious he cares about you a lot. Think about it, he knows if he hurts you he'll have to contend with all of us, and he still wants to go out with you. That should tell you something right there."

Kate giggled. "Yes, that he's either genuine, or a complete idiot."

Smitty laughed and lifted her off the bar. "Now go enjoy the rest of your birthday."

For the most part Kate did enjoy the evening. She played darts and beat Drake at a game of shuffleboard. Later after the crowd had thinned, she was on her way to the ladies room when she felt something in her shoe. Sitting down at a corner table she removed the intrusive item and was about to continue on when a paper caught her eye. She recognized it of course. It was a copy of the standard betting pool sheet used in the shop. "What are they betting on now?" she murmured. They constantly had one of these going and it was usually about something silly, just for something to do. When she read the topic of this one though, she was stunned. They had started a bet as to what she had on under her dress. They are betting on my underwear! She glanced around. The few guys that remained were involved in games and not paying any attention to her.

She couldn't help but be somewhat impressed the bet was ten dollars. They rarely went above five. Just as she stood up an uneasy thought hit her. How do they think they're going to find out who won?

On the spur of the moment Kate made a decision. Quickly tucking the paper at her side, she strode to the ladies room. When she returned she carefully dropped it back where she found it making sure no one saw her. Casually strolling over to Drake who was engaged in a dart game at the time, she told him she was getting tired and asked if he would mind taking her home when his game was finished.

"We can leave now if you'd like," he answered.

"No, that's okay, you go ahead and finish your game."

The game finished about fifteen minutes later and they said their good-byes. Kate tried to stay calm but her level of nervousness intensified as they approached her house. Kate was out of the car before Drake had a chance to get out and open her door. She scurried to the house and stopped as she was about to put the key in the lock. Taking a deep breath she repeated
you can do this, you can do this, you can do this
. She unlocked the door and turned to smile at Drake, "Would you like to come in?"

He seemed a bit surprised, "Yes, I would."

Kate led him in. "Would you like something to drink? I should still have some soda, unless my friends finished them off without my knowledge, or I have iced tea, or juice or I could make some lemonade."
Stop babbling, stop babbling, stop babbling.
Take a deep breath and just calm down. She turned to look at him.

"Whatever you have is fine."

"Please, have a seat and I'll get the drinks."

Kate retrieved two sodas from the fridge and set them on the counter. Then she went to a small cupboard in the corner and took out a box wrapped in satiny white paper with delicately embossed roses. She carefully lifted the lid and removed a piece of white chocolate. She had never been able to resist white chocolate. For some reason however, she had yet to touch any of this.

Until now.

She felt like it would somehow be giving in if she ate it. But this was an emergency and called for a dose of chocolate. Unfortunately this was all she had. She took a bite and let it slowly melt on her tongue. She savored the rest of it in small bites as she filled glasses and arranged a plate of snacks. The last bite was melting slowly as she walked into the next room. Drake stood as she entered and offered to take the tray. She jumped when he touched her hand and nearly spilled the drinks. Taking a calming breath as the last of the chocolate dissolved on her tongue, she slid in beside him on the sofa. He gave her another surprised look when she sat so close, but didn't complain.

He took a sip of his soda and set it back on the tray. As he sat back, he draped an arm around her, causing her to tense even more. Knowing if she were going to make this work, she was going to have to relax. She took a deep calming breath and let it out slowly.

With a finger on her chin, Drake gently turned her face to his and looked into her eyes. "What has you so jumpy? I would think by now you'd know I'm not going to attack you. I might kiss you, but I've done that often enough it shouldn't have you so nervous." He leaned forward and kissed her softly. A knowing grin crossed his face as he pulled away. "White chocolate. Something must be wrong if you needed a shot of that. What's going on?"

He's right, I'm not good at games. I'll just come out with it and get it over with. Kate stood up hands on hips and faced him. "Okay, here it is. How exactly do you plan to get me out of this dress?"

Drake looked stunned. "Well, I hadn't planned to get you out of your dress." He stood, giving her an exaggerated leer, wriggling his eyebrows. "But if you'd like me to, I'd be more than happy to oblige."

Kate realized as soon as the words left her mouth she had said it all wrong. She covered her face with a hand and tried to think coherently.

"Ahh..." Drake interrupted her thoughts, "You found out about the bet, didn't you?"

Kate raised her head and replaced the hand on her hip, "Yes I did. I assume you're the one who is supposed to discover the answer. I'd like to know how you thought you were going to find out."

"Well," Drake said. "I hadn't really thought much about it. I didn't find out about the bet until just before we left." He took her hand and pulled her back down onto the sofa. Facing her, he continued, "They did ask me if I would help and I told them I didn't think I could."