Only in My Dreams (15 page)

“Yep, that's me. Picking guys up in bars and taking them home.” She fought the urge to giggle. Tori would be shocked, and it was almost worth spilling the beans in order to see her reaction.

Except Sara hadn't taken him home. He'd gone out with his brother and Hayden and probably gone home with someone else. She'd moped about it all day yesterday. Even yoga hadn't been able to keep her mind off wondering what might've happened if they hadn't agreed to keep things professional.

It was a silly fantasy. They
had
to keep things professional.

“When's the last time you went on a date, Sara?”

Tori's question drew her attention back to the present.

“What?”

“You know, a date? With a guy? Something romantic?”

“It's been a while. I've been focused on my business.”

Tori started toward the trailer. “How's it going without you there?”

Sara walked beside her, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “All right. I miss being there, but I'm actually more into this project than I thought I would be.”

“Really?” Tori smiled. “That's cool. I admit, it's different designing something so personal. I'm enjoying it, too.” She paused just outside the trailer. “And hey, I get how hard it is to walk away from your life even if it's only a car drive away.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that.” Sara did miss her cute condo, but she had missed things about Ribbon Ridge—the small-town businesses, the country feel, her family. “How are things in San Francisco? It seems a crime for your condo to sit empty.” Though her place was small, Tori had a prime piece of real estate.

“It's okay.” Tori unlocked the door to the trailer as Hayden drove into the parking lot. He met them inside.

Six or seven years old, with slightly outdated décor, the office sported two desks, one small that was essentially for Dylan, and one large that Tori had commandeered for the most part, a kitchenette, a couch, and a sorry excuse for a bathroom.

Hayden set his case down on the couch and turned to Sara. “How was pool the other night, sis? I bet you creamed Dylan.”

“Naturally. But didn't he tell you?”

“I haven't talked to him.”

Dylan hadn't met up with them Saturday night? Warmth spread through her, but she reminded herself he still could've gone out. Maybe he'd tried to find them and failed. Why was she obsessing about this? Dylan Westcott was her employee, not her boyfriend.

The sound of wheels on gravel heralded the arrival of someone else. Sara gravitated toward the window and saw that it was Derek. He hurried over to the trailer and came inside. “Morning. Where's the coffee?”

Tori's mouth dropped open briefly. “Crap, I forgot to set the timer on the pot. I'll get it going.”

“Addict,” Hayden said.

Sara faced her siblings. “Before Dylan gets here, I wanted to run something by you guys. I was thinking about what to name the hotel and since it was Alex's vision . . . what do you think of calling it The Alex?”

Tori looked up from the coffee pot and blinked at Sara. Then her lips curved into a smile. “It's perfect.”

“Yeah, it is,” Derek said.

“Nice one, sis.” Hayden patted her on the shoulder.

Sara basked in their approval for a moment—she didn't remember the last time she'd felt like that with them. Maybe never. “I wanted to call the wedding venue something separate—Ridgeview at The Alex.”

“Also perfect,” Derek said. “You've got a real knack for this. Maybe you should take over naming the beers.”

Tori sucked in a breath and went back to making the coffee.

Hayden went to her and put his arm around her shoulders. “Hey, don't be sad. Life has to go on.”

“I know, but sometimes it's just . . . hard.”

Hayden wrapped her into a tight hug. “It's okay. We're all doing the best we can.” He pulled away, his eyes alight. “As long as we're naming things, let's call the restaurant The Arch and Fox.” Every Archer kid had an animal associated with them. It stemmed from Christmas ornaments Mom had given them over the years. Sara's was a kitten and Alex's had been a fox.

Derek nodded. “And we're on a roll.”

The sound of another vehicle drew Sara to look out the window again, but it had to be Dylan. They weren't expecting anyone else. He got out of his truck and strode toward the trailer, the light breeze stirring his dark brown hair. He looked like a superhero's alter ego whose sculpted body was covered in nondescript clothing. As if his magnificence could be cloaked.

He came into the trailer and glanced around. “Am I late?”

“Nope, right on time,” Tori said.

“Good. I was sure you'd said eight thirty.” He flicked a glance at Sara. Was there heat in his gaze or was that her imagination? She tugged the sleeve of her jacket up over her hand and worked the edges.

“We were just naming the hotel,” Derek said. He went on to tell Dylan what they'd discussed, then the meeting started in earnest as they reviewed the schedule.

They'd all taken seats around the trailer. Dylan sat behind the small desk that had been designated as his. “We're set to start demo on Wednesday. Any of you going to help out?”

Tori shook her head. “You have fun with that. I have to fly back to San Francisco to deal with some work issues for a few days. Leaving this afternoon. So sorry.” Her crooked smile was anything but apologetic. “In fact, I should get going. I still need to pack.”

“Convenient,” Hayden said as she gathered her bag and went to the door. Tori waved a hand at him that might've had an extended middle finger as she left the trailer.

Dylan looked to Hayden. “Does that mean you'll be here?”

Hayden winced. “Actually, Derek and I have a meeting at Archer, but I'll try to stop by at some point.”

Sitting next to Hayden on the sofa, Sara smacked him on the arm. “Also convenient.” She turned to Dylan. “Can I help?”

Dylan cocked his head to the side. “I'm sure we can find something for you to do.”

“Don't get in the way,” Hayden said.

Sara threw him a glare. “Don't be a bossypants. I'm older than you.” Not that age had ever stopped him from overprotecting her.

Derek stood up from a chair near the desk Tori had been sitting behind. “I'm older than both of you. Hayden, shut up. Let's go, we need to get to the office. We have a conference call in thirty.”

Hayden exhaled. “Never a dull moment. See you guys.” Derek preceded him from the trailer, but Hayden paused, his hand on the door. “Hey, this is the second time I'm leaving the two of you alone together. Do I need to be worried? Maybe have Dad polish his shotgun?” He threw Dylan a narrow-eyed stare that evaporated when he cracked a smile.

“Listen to Derek,” Dylan said. “Shut up.”

“Methinks the gentleman doth protest—”

Sara practically shoved him out the door and slammed it closed. She waited a moment before sneaking a look at Dylan, who was watching her intently.

“You didn't tell them . . .?”

“God, no. He's just being a stupid brother. You have those, don't you?”

“More than enough.” He stood up behind the desk. “Were you serious about helping with demolition?”

“Sure, why not? Breaking things apart sounds kind of fun.”

He grinned. “It is. Careful, Archer, a woman who likes to do construction is a bit of a turn-on for me.”

And just like that her insides melted. Not good. “Oh, maybe I shouldn't come then.”

He looked down and shook his head. “No, you should. I need to stop saying stuff like that. You're just too damn fun to flirt with, what can I say?” He cocked his head to the side. “I don't suppose you have a hard hat?”

His question thankfully jolted her from her own flirtatious thoughts. “Seriously?”

He chuckled. “Guess not. I'll get you outfitted. Just dress for work. Don't wear anything that can't be stained or ripped.”

Ripped? Her mind reverted right back to its amorous bent as she imagined him ripping her clothes. Maybe working with him wasn't such a good idea. “Are you sure I won't be in the way?” Ugh, now it sounded like she was listening to Hayden.

“Absolutely not. When it comes to demolition, we can use all the extra hands we can get.”

She worked really hard not to look at
his
hands. Or remember what they were capable of doing to her. “I have no idea what to do.”

“I'll show you. Like you said, it's breaking things apart. I'm sure you can do that.” His gray-green gaze raked over her, heating her from head to toe. “Despite your preference for pink, you don't strike me as terribly girly. You did, after all, kick my ass at pool.”

“True.” She smiled softly, really warming to the idea of letting out some physical aggression. “I can definitely break things. Just ask my brothers. Taking apart their Legos was one of my favorite childhood pastimes.”

“Then you'll be a natural,” he said. “We'll start at eight, but don't feel like you have to be here at the stroke of. You're not on the clock.”

“Okay. Thanks for letting me help.” And because she couldn't think of any other reason to procrastinate her departure, she went to the door. Pausing at the threshold, she looked back. “See you.”

“See you,” he said, sitting back down at his desk.

She closed the door and stalked back to her car.

Ugh!

He flirted with her. He stopped flirting with her. He gave her vibes that he wanted to repeat their one-night stand. He gave her vibes that he wanted to keep their relationship professional. What the hell?

Wednesday's demolition and the chance to release her frustrations couldn't come fast enough.

A
FTER DITCHING HIS
brother Saturday night, Dylan invited him over for dinner and to watch the Blazer game Tuesday evening. Cameron arrived with a bottle of pinot noir in hand and sniffed as soon as he stepped inside. “Did you cook?” he asked incredulously.

“Don't act so surprised,” Dylan said, “I've been known to cook.”

“Actually, I was surprised you didn't ask me to pick up a pizza.”

It was true that Dylan typically resorted to take out, especially when he had guests, but for some reason he'd decided to cook. Maybe it was that conversation he'd had with Sara about successfully cooking. He'd been thinking about her an awful lot lately. He should probably knock it the hell off. It was bad enough that he kept flirting with her. He'd stepped over the line yesterday.

Dylan tuned from the door and led his brother down the hallway to the kitchen.

“Damn, that smells pretty good, Dylan. What did you make?”

Dylan crossed back to the stove and stirred the pot. “Chili. I hope it tastes as good as it smells.”

Cameron set the wine bottle on the large granite-covered island. “I'm sure it will. I should've brought beer instead.”

“I have beer. Help yourself.”

“Don't mind if I do.” Cameron went to the fridge. “I barely cook, but damn, I have kitchen envy.” He traveled a lot for his job as a sales manager for a local winery, so he lived in a small townhome in “downtown” Ribbon Ridge.

“Great, then you can clean it later,” Dylan cracked.

“Funny.” Cameron popped the top off his beer. “You need another brewski?”

“Not yet.” Dylan tasted the chili. Not bad. “We can eat whenever.”

“No rush. Game's not for another twenty minutes or so.” Cameron pivoted and looked at the TV in the living room, which was on with the volume at half. He went around the island and sat in one of the stools. “How's the project going?”

“Starting demo tomorrow.”

“That's the best part.”

Dylan pulled sour cream and cheese from the fridge. “Like you'd get your hands dirty.” He went into the pantry and snagged a bag of tortilla strips.

“Look at you with all the fancy condiments,” Cameron teased. “Has a woman been shopping for you? Sara Archer maybe?”

Dylan nearly dropped the bag as he crossed back to the island. He ripped the top off the package before setting it down. “Why would you say that?”

Cameron shrugged as he took a drink of his beer. “Because you hung out with her the other night. Or did she ditch you?”

Dylan considered lying. He didn't want anyone to know about their . . . what was it? Connection? Flirtation?

“Uh-oh, you're hesitating,” Cameron said, leaning forward with interest. “What happened?”

“Nothing, we played pool. No big deal.”

“Then why'd you think about it first? You weren't gonna tell me, were you?” Cameron grinned. “You didn't take her home, did you?”

“I did not.”
That night
. “Like I said, it's no big deal. I wasn't hesitating. We played pool, ate some potato skins, and I walked her to her car. End of story.” Minus the part where he'd gone home and dreamed about her.

Cameron sat back, looking a little disappointed. “That's too bad. She's cute.”

“She's also my boss, so knock it off, Cupid.”

“Fine, fine.” Cameron took another swig of beer. “But dude, you seriously need to get back out there. Why didn't you come out with us the other night? I was worried you were maybe bummed out about Jess getting married.”

Dylan took a couple of bowls from the cupboard and set them on the counter. “Bummed isn't the right word. Surprised, I guess.” He grabbed a ladle from a drawer and spooned chili into the bowls. “Which is dumb because it's not like we're friends or anything. I haven't spoken to her since the divorce. It's weird that I never run into her in town.”

“No, it's not. You barely do anything in Ribbon Ridge. Sometimes I wonder why you moved back here since you keep such a low profile.”

“I do stuff. I went to the Ribbon Ridge Festival last summer.”