Her Backup Boyfriend (Entangled Bliss) (Sorensen Family) (11 page)

She and Dominic were not going to happen. They couldn’t happen. This proved it. Because now that he’d kissed her—really kissed her—she couldn’t think of anything else.

Best to avoid looking directly at him for the rest of the evening if she wanted to retain any semblance of her sanity. Instead she sat back and listened to the chatter around her.

The kids were the loudest and she was glad to see their initial shyness had dropped as they talked animatedly with each other and Dominic and Cruz—who had shown up while she was downstairs. They were clearly trying to impress their uncles.

Dominic’s father, who had been resting when they’d arrived earlier, had also joined them and taken a seat at the head of the table. A tall, broad-shouldered Viking with light blond hair and unsettling blue eyes, he was stoic and reserved while the rest of the family took part in more animated discussion. She couldn’t imagine anyone being more opposite his petite, dark-haired wife, with her easy, warm deposition and proclivity for smiling.

But even though he didn’t say much, she could see the love in the elder Sorensen’s eyes as he glanced around the table at his family. He clearly was enjoying having his family surround them with their energy and love. And she was enjoying it herself. As the meal progressed and Benny and Cruz took to teasing Dominic again, she saw their father’s eyes twinkle in amusement, a slight smile on his lips. When he caught her watching him, she was more than surprised when he gave her a quick wink. Kate blushed a little at his attention. She could definitely see where Dominic got his charm.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, feeling the warmth and love that surrounded her. Heady, tempting. For a moment, she felt a dark, hollow feeling in her gut. This couldn’t last, this glimpse she was getting into this family. Into Dominic’s life. Eventually his work would be done, the terms of their proposal would be met, and Dominic would move on to the next woman who caught his eye. Especially once Kate earned that promotion to junior partner, and she was consumed with work. She doubted he’d understand or tolerate that.

And she’d be alone again.

Despite her promise not to look directly in his eyes, she sneaked another peek. He smiled at her, so sweet, and that twirling in her belly started up again. Delicious and tantalizing.

She just needed to keep a level head when it came to Dominic, that’s all. But for the time being, she might as well enjoy the euphoria that being with him brought.

And the feeling of knowing that things were on track to getting everything she’d ever wanted.

Chapter Eleven

“This is me in shock,” Payton said while dabbing at the iced tea spilled down the front of her shirt.

They’d been grabbing lunch at the deli by the park like they did every Monday when Kate dropped the news that Dominic had not only talked her into skiing, but that she’d actually enjoyed it. Evidently, that was so shocking it had made Payton miss her mouth. And Kate hadn’t even told her about the kiss yet.

“I spend the past fifteen years trying to get you on skis, and after one game of Scrabble, he has you on the mountain.” Payton almost didn’t look like she believed her.

Kate laughed. “You know I never make a bet I can’t win, and with my track record, I didn’t think I could lose.”

“I’m liking him better already.” Payton stirred her tea with her straw and took a sip. “And have you heard any word about whether your little ruse was successful with the powers that be, or, more importantly, Michael?”

“According to my assistant, the break room was buzzing about who Dom is and how long I’ve been seeing him, which—come on—is either her overactive imagination or everyone seriously needs to get out more. But she did mention that Tim’s assistant had a few questions, too, which makes me wonder if she’s asking on her behalf or someone else’s.” Kate picked up her Reuben and took a bite, careful not to drip sauce on her blouse.

It was hard to miss the longing look that Payton gave the sandwich before stabbing a tomato with her fork. “Then your plan sounds like it’s already a success. But you’re being too vague. I need details here. About Michael’s reaction, about Dominic’s family, everything.”

In the explicit detail that Payton had grown to appreciate, Kate gave her a blow-by-blow of the weekend, taking a moment to decide whether to give her the details of the kiss, but then she realized that her need for her friend’s opinion outweighed any inevitable teasing.

Payton set her fork on the table and rested her hands on the top and leaned forward. “I can’t believe you were just toying with my ass for the past twenty minutes. We’ve been friends for how long, and you wait until
now
to give me the good stuff?” Payton’s eyes blazed, but more from avid curiosity and excitement than any real anger. “Tell me. Now.”

Kate laughed again. “There’s nothing more to give you. We kissed for a minute, maybe two, and then it was over.”

“And you never interrogated him about his intentions, the ifs, ands, or whys the rest of the night? I don’t know. That doesn’t sound like you. You question everyone and everything.”

“That’s why I’m such a damn good attorney. But really…what was there to say? We just got carried away with the moment.” Kate coyly brought her drink to her mouth. “Not that I’m saying it wasn’t a freaking good kiss, because it was, but it’s unlikely to ever repeat itself.”

“But we can hope?” Payton said and grinned. “So, since the two of you have this pretend relationship going for a few more weeks, does this mean he’s going to be your plus one at my engagement party? Because I’m dying to see Michael’s green complexion myself.”

“I’m not sure. I was so focused on this retreat I didn’t even think that far ahead, but I can ask him. And don’t give me that feigned outraged look, because I know for a fact you’re trying to forget about the damn thing yourself.”

Payton rolled her eyes. “Just don’t let my mother hear you say that. This wedding and the party have taken over her life—and mine. Did I tell you she bought my engagement dress one size too small to force me to drop ten pounds?”

Kate laughed. “I wondered what was up with the whole salad for lunch, since you usually only eat one if they bring it as a side to your order. I just figured weren’t very hungry.”

“I’m practically starving to death.” Which looked nothing farther than the truth with her smooth, glowing skin and healthy strawberry-blond hair that even now glistened in the sunlight that streamed in from their window. Then there were those darn adorable dimples. Kate would hate her if she wasn’t her best friend.

Unaware of Kate’s internal eye roll, Payton continued, “Normally I could care less about the dress my mother has selected for me and would tell her where she could take her advice—” She stopped when Kate raised a brow. “Okay, not so much told her where to take it as just ignore it, but the dress is a Jason Wu. His creations are just so beautiful.”

Kate would have to take her word for it, since she never followed things like fashion as diligently as her friend. “Well, your mother is crazy. You’re beautiful, and I’m not exactly seeing Brad complaining.”

“That’s hard to do when he’s in Europe all the time.” Payton reached across the table and grabbed Kate’s dill pickle. “But I’m dying to meet Dominic. He has to come if only to appease my curiosity.”

The prospect of having Dominic at her side, ready to slay dragons—or in this case, sharp-tongued socialites—on her behalf, filled Kate with tentative excitement. She did have one dress that she’d been waiting to show off, and to see Dominic’s look of appreciation when he saw her—even if things were just pretend—might be something to look forward to after all.

She smiled back at her friend. “I’ll try my best.”

…

Kate pulled up her driveway the next evening, trying to settle the fluttering in her belly at the sight of Dominic’s truck parked at the curb in front of her house. He hadn’t been able to come by yesterday due to some unexpected problems at the site from the weekend, but he’d texted her at three today to confirm he was there and working demolition on her bathroom. He had wanted to warn her that it was going to look worse before it got better. But anything had to be better than the Pepto-Bismol–colored tile, and she was looking forward to seeing the changes.

And a certain someone.

The door was unlocked, and she dropped her keys on the table and climbed the stairs, following the sounds of destruction. She found him pulling drywall down with gloved hands, and he didn’t appear to have noticed her arrival. She leaned against the doorway and appreciated the scene.

Broken pink tiles scattered around the floor along with more dust and debris than she’d have thought possible. But that wasn’t what had her attention. It was the sight of his strong, bulging biceps as he smashed a section of the wall with the sledgehammer, often stopping to pull at the drywall with both hands, that had her pulse racing. And the beads of sweat sliding down his neck and through the black T-shirt he wore. Who knew sweat could actually be so sexy?

She must have been breathing too heavily, because suddenly he stilled and glanced back to see her.

“How long you going to stand there checking me out? I warned you it wasn’t going to be pretty.”

That was a matter of opinion.

…

“I can’t believe you’ve never tried this,” Dominic said and took another bite of his sloppy joe, enjoying the mix of sweet with salty and tangy.

Kate looked at his sandwich and visibly shuddered, and he tried not to laugh. “It’s not so much the sandwich, but the piles of potato chips you’ve smashed on top. Are you trying to kill yourself?”

He ignored that last bit. “Come on. You can’t knock it until you try it.” He held his concoction in front of her. She eyed it with suspicion but finally took the tiniest bite, the crunch sounding through the kitchen. He stared a little too long at her mouth as she chewed, remembering how it had felt under his and wondering if he’d ever experience that again before this thing was over. He definitely was hoping so, even though he knew it was a bad idea.

She looked thoughtful. “Okay. So it’s not horrible.”

“That’s what I thought.” He wolfed down another bite, aware of Kate still watching him. Something she’d been doing a lot of since she got home, even though she would look away or pretend to be looking somewhere else when he tried to catch her. But it wasn’t nearly as often as he’d been sneaking glances at her, only less obvious.

Like they were both in junior high. It was pathetic.

He blamed the damn ponytail, and the way her long red hair flipped around when she turned her head. The way her lips parted when she stared at him, as if she was remembering that amazing kiss from the other night. Or the way she flushed for no apparent reason, making him wonder what she might be thinking.

But he knew a small part of it was that he liked to look at her. To fill the ache he’d been experiencing since they’d parted Sunday night.

They had spent an amazing weekend together, though. It was perfectly normal for him to want to see her again. They’d become good friends. Right?

He swallowed some soda down. “So how were things in the office? Was everyone buzzing about who the dashingly sexy guy was at your side all weekend?”

“That’s right, I was besieged by your fan club when I hit the break room for coffee. They’ve even posted a picture of you on the fridge in homage.”

“Yeah, I should have warned you about the effect I have on people. They practically find me irresistible.” He ignored her cute snort as she covered her mouth. “In another interesting development, my mom called me today. Told me that Daisy set up an appointment with you for later this week. She’s already started gathering the documents you requested.”

“I can’t confirm or deny that. It’s a matter of attorney-client privilege.” But she smiled, confirming that it was true.

“Don’t worry. I know if you’re on the case, she’ll be in good hands. Just make sure you hit that asshole where it hurts—his bank account.”

“I’ll give it my best. Which actually reminds me…I had lunch with Payton yesterday and she reminded me that I hadn’t RSVP’d yet for her engagement party.”

“Nice segue there. I can totally see how those two things would be related. Wait. You’re her maid of honor. Aren’t you already obligated to go to this thing?”

“Unfortunately, yes. But the real question she was asking was…who was going to be my plus one. I know I didn’t specifically mention this when we made our arrangement, but Michael is bound to be there, and if I go solo, it might arouse some suspicions. So…I was kind of hoping that you might be willing to go with me?”

For a brief moment, Dominic wished that Kate had asked him to go because she wanted to be there with him. Not because she had some appearance to make—and especially not for Michael. But he shook it off. Despite their attraction for each other, this thing between them wasn’t real. “They still do that sort of thing? Formal engagement parties?”

“The Vaughns do. Payton’s mother was on the phone with the country club the minute after Payton flashed them her ring. They’re pulling out all the stops. Believe me, Payton’s excitement level for this thing is barely higher than mine. But she knows a losing battle when she sees one.”

He pretended to think about it for a minute. “Since we wouldn’t want to disappoint Michael with my absence, I don’t see how I have much choice. Please tell me I don’t have to wear a monkey suit.”

From the way Kate cringed and tried to smile, he got his answer.

“You owe me big.”

“Yeah. Believe me, I’m not looking forward to this thing any more than you. In fact, you’ll probably enjoy yourself more.” She shuddered.

It was the same reaction she’d given at hearing the invite to Glenda’s and later his parents’ for dinner. He had to ask. “So what gives? I mean, no one likes to go to parties where they don’t know anyone, but you seem to have an especially low tolerance for these things than I would say is normal.”

“Let’s just say my experience has taught me to be wary of social occasions. Most people are usually subtle enough not to come right out and ask about your family’s background, your social connections, the amount of your investment portfolio and where you vacation every year. Usually weaving the questions in just when you’re starting to feel comfortable. Not Michael’s parents. They don’t pull any punches.”

“Sounds like a bunch of assholes. Where the hell do you find people like that?”

She shrugged. “Guess I’ve just been lucky. Take for instance the Vaughns, Payton’s family. Well, her mother, anyway. Emily Vaughn. Everything for her is about impressing people. The right people, that is. She can be pretty scary, not helped by the fact she totally loathes me.”

“You?” He dumped some chips on his now empty plate. “If I were laying bets, especially considering I haven’t met your friend yet, I would bet on you being the levelheaded one in that friendship, keeping Payton on the straight and narrow. Not the other way around.”

“No. That sounds about right.” She smiled softly and paused, as if remembering something before continuing. “Mrs. Vaughn’s dislike stemmed more from the fact I was the charity case. Payton was supposed to be hanging out with other rich kids who had successful parents and good connections that Mrs. Vaughn could brag about. I was on”—she lowered her voice—“scholarship.”

Anger twisted his gut at the possibility that anyone could make Kate feel like she wasn’t good enough. Especially a younger, more impressionable Kate, whose life had been plenty tough. “Sounds like a bitch. Hope you didn’t take her opinion to heart.”

She shrugged. “It’s easier now, but when I was twelve, not so much. You should have seen the look she gave me the first time Payton invited me to go skating with her.” She laughed, but it was a short, dry laugh that he could tell cost her. “My grams was on Social Security and what with all the school fees, books, and uniforms that my scholarship didn’t cover, we were just getting by. Spare cash wasn’t a luxury we had. So instead of handing over the cash for my admission, Grams ran over to the window of Mrs. Vaughn’s shiny black Lexus and handed her a buy-one-get-one-free coupon. You should have seen the horror on Emily Vaughn’s face. A used Kleenex would have been less abhorrent.” Kate paused at the memory, a sad smile twisting her lips. “She’s been giving me that same look ever since.”

One thing was for sure, things were going to get really interesting when he met up with this heartless bitch. But for now, he pretended that Kate’s words hadn’t ripped at his heart. “But Payton didn’t care,” he prodded her as she paused to stare out the window a second too long.