She shook her head. “We are getting off the topic. Now that Blair is getting married, it’s like that’s a green light for my parents to start pointing it out to us. Or me. That I’m single still.”

  “Why won’t they for Hannah?”

  “Because I told you. Hannah at least wants to settle down. She tries. I don’t even try.”

  That ex of hers again. He believed there was more going on than she was saying. “So you’re jaded. Your ex wanted you to be something or someone you weren’t?” he asked.

  “Among other things.”

  “And those other things are? I told you how my mother was a whore. I’ve got my own reasons for being jaded, but I guess deep down I’m not afraid to try either.”

  “So I heard,” she said sarcastically.

  “And that bothered you. I thought you said if you weren’t married by the time you were thirty-five you were going to a sperm bank. Now all of a sudden you don’t want any part of marriage.”

  “It’s not that. I just assumed you and I thought the same.”

  He snorted. “We do to a point. But what I said is the truth. Why waste time with someone for years if you don’t see them being the one?”

  “Do you believe in there being ‘the one’?”

  “I don’t know,” he said. “I haven’t experienced it yet. Not that I’m aware of. But I’m not shut off to it either.”

  His father believed in it and got heartbroken. His father wouldn’t try again because of it. Neither Dylan nor he had gotten their hearts broken. They hadn’t gotten hurt like his father.

  But they witnessed what their father went through too.

  “Okay. I guess I understand where you might be coming from.”

  “So the ex. What did he do?” he asked.

  “I told you I don’t like liars and cheaters.”

  “So he lied and cheated on you?” he asked.

  “Ben said he loved me. He said we were going to make a great team. We had all these plans to open our own firm. I thought he was going to save the world with me.”

  “And he got greedy,” he said. “You said that much before.” Not that they were going to work together though. He supposed someone like Brina would be seeing the stars in her eyes over doing good for people and having a partner to conquer the world with her. That alone would seem like a betrayal.

  “He did. And instead of just being honest over it all with me. He started to see someone behind my back. Someone that was in our class that he’d criticized before. He’d agreed with me that Angie was out for blood and wouldn’t care who got in her way; she’d pull the knife out and cut them to get her win.”

  “And it’s not bad enough he cheated on you, but he did it with someone that was the complete opposite of you? Do you think it was a statement?”

  “It was a statement. His statement was he was a douche on top of being a liar and a cheat.”

  “You loved him?” Nathan asked.

  “I thought I did. That just goes to show my judgment wasn’t that great when I thought it was. So why rely on it again?”

  “So that was what? Almost ten years ago?”

  “Yes. Just like what your mother did to your father was over ten years ago. Notice how we were both affected by it? Time makes no difference. Don’t try to tell me it does.”

  He had no argument for that. She was right.

  “I don’t want to give up though.”

  They pulled into her driveway and got out, went to the front door, and in. “I’m sure you’ve got things you need to do,” she said.

  “I get it. You want me to leave. Just say it. Don’t play games with me. Be honest with me and tell me why.”

  Her eyes started to fill. “This night hasn’t been what I thought. I’m so confused. I’m aggravated. I’m annoyed. I’m frustrated.”

  “Why?” he asked. Something more was going on.

  “Because everything you said is right and it bothers me that is the case.”

  “What part of what I said is right?”

  “That you aren’t afraid to try and I am. And as scared as I am, I’m starting to wonder if this isn’t just fun between us and if I’m going to mess it up.”

  He pulled her into his arms and held her. “You couldn’t do it alone. You are who you are and I like that about you. Don’t let anyone tell you to change.”

  “Thank you,” she said, lifting her eyes to look at him. “I know I’ve got faults. I know I don’t think like most women do.”

  “I don’t want most women. I want you. And what I want is for us to stop having these serious conversations so early. Why can’t we admit what we have is fun, but maybe it’s a bit more too?”

  “You’re a pretty smart guy,” she said.

  “Not many have said that to me before, but I don’t care what other people think.”

  “Do you care what I think?”

  “Yes,” he said, his mouth lowering to hers.

  23

  Love Shack

  “I’m sorry you’re going to be on your own most of the day,” Brina said. “But at least we get to go home together. And I’ll see how hot you look in a suit.”

  “It won’t be nearly as good as you’ll look in that dress that was hanging in the closet.”

  She’d spent the night at Nathan’s since she had to be to Brina’s so early for all the girls to get ready there. Hannah was doing her and Blair’s hair. Knowing Hannah, she’d be all made up when she got to Blair’s.

  “That dress was all me.”

  “Blair didn’t pick it?”

  “Nope. She picked the color and then told Hannah and me to get the style that fit us the best as long as it was the same color.”

  “You sure do know your own style then.”

  “Thank you. But I’ve been dressing myself for a long time and haven’t gotten any complaints yet. Are you going to do some work on the house this morning?”

  “I’m sure. Nothing too much,” he said.

  The wedding wasn’t until two, but she had to be at Blair’s around nine. “At least this suit will give me a taste of how you’ll look in a tux next month for Josh and Ruby’s wedding. It’s like nuptials are raining cats and dogs around here.”

  “Paradise Place,” he said, laughing. “I keep hearing it’s like a love shack.”

  “Stop it,” she said. “That isn’t true and you know it. It’s not like housewives are all hooking up with other men in the development.”

  “You don’t know that,” he said, tweaking her hair.

  “I bet I do. Blair talks to everyone. You saw that at the summer party even though you had to be dragged to it by Josh and Ruby.”

  The Butlers that started the development over fifty years ago threw a summer party for the residents of Paradise Place in the pavilion every year, even fronting the cost of the hamburgers and hot dogs and rolls. The rest of the residents brought sides and desserts.

  “Josh is one of the most laid back guys I know. I can’t believe he needed me there by his side. He’d gone last year too. And not only that, he came later because of work so he still got out of most of it.”

  “But didn’t he complain that Ruby ditched him last year and was running around talking to a bunch of people she’d sold houses to? Or people were coming up to her that wanted to list their houses?” she asked.

  “Yeah. He didn’t want to be standing around by himself this year. Which of course was stupid since he’s lived here for just shy of two years now. He knows plenty of people.”

  “Maybe he wanted to make sure you knew some of your neighbors too since you’re the quiet scary type.”

  He frowned. “I’m not scary.”

  “Not to me anymore you aren’t. Even when you gave me my ticket that first time, you weren’t too scary because you grinned at the end. Then you didn’t smile at me much anymore.”

  “I smile plenty now.”

  “You do. And I’m going to be late,” she said, getting on her toes and giving him a kiss. “I’ll see you in a few hours. I hope my parents are better than they were weeks ago.”

  “I’m sure they will be fine,” he said.

  She grabbed her dress and bag filled with her shoes and everything else she needed for the day and went to her car in the driveway. Right now the garage was still filled with too much stuff for even Nathan to park his truck in it. Probably not much longer though since the kitchen was coming along.

  The walls were all painted even into the family room in the back. Nathan had moved his living room furniture back there. The cabinets were installed and appliances would be delivered this week. Counters were scheduled a week after that.

  Once the kitchen was finished, the only things left to do downstairs were the half bath and laundry room. It amazed her at how fast he was working when he said he wasn’t going to. She was still trying to figure out why he was busting his butt so much.

  “Oh my God, it must be a miracle,” Hannah said when Brina walked in the backdoor. “You’re only five minutes late.”

  “That’s because she stayed at Nathan’s last night and only had to drive around the corner. If she was at her house she wouldn’t have been here yet.”

  Brina wrinkled her nose at her cousin. “Not funny.”

  “You’re getting awfully cozy in paradise,” Blair said. “We should double date when we’re back from our honeymoon. I can’t believe we haven’t met him yet but your parents did.”

  “That’s only because he was sitting with them today. I didn’t want it any more awkward than it had to be.”

  “Remember,” Blair said, “I told you I dreamed of him looking hot in his suit? Bet you can’t wait to see it yourself.”

  “You’re right, I can’t.”

  Before she could say anything else, the backdoor was thrown open and Livi came rushing in followed by Blair’s father, Tyler. “I’m here,” Livi yelled. “Grandpa said I couldn’t carry my dress. Well, Papa said I couldn’t and Grandpa said he’d bring it over. They said Dad couldn’t see you. Why?”

  Blair always called her father, Tyler, Dad, and Jake, Pops. Livi now called Tyler, Grandpa, and Jake, Papa, to distinguish them. “Because your father needs to be surprised when he sees Blair in her wedding dress.”

  “Is that why he didn’t want to see my white dress either?”

  Jake laughed. “I believe it was Blair who didn’t want your father to see your dress, but he picked it up last week.”

  “My girl, I can’t believe we are giving you away today,” Uncle Tyler said to Blair. “Your mother is going to be looking down on you and watching the whole thing.”

  “She will be,” Blair said, her eyes getting misty. “And if you two don’t get out of here I’m going to cry and it’s going to hold Hannah up from finishing my hair and doing my makeup.”

  “Thank God she isn’t done. Big rollers aren’t really in style,” Jake said. “Bye, ladies. Have fun.”

  “And, Brina,” Uncle Tyler said, “I can’t wait to meet your man.”

  “Brina says he isn’t her man,” Hannah said, “but we all think she is lying.”

  Everyone looked at her, but she kept her lips sealed, which only resulted in a room full of laughter.

  The minute Brina left, Nathan grabbed a screwdriver and started to install all the pulls on the cabinets. It was coming together and he couldn’t wait for the kitchen to be done.

  He’d start on the backsplash Monday. He figured Brina would be around most of tomorrow so he wouldn’t get much work done and it wasn’t the end of the world.

  Only he was rushing more than he thought he would.

  He’d said he’d take his time, but the truth was he was dying to finish this room and then move onto the next.

  Everything he was doing was what he wanted. He tried to change his mind and get more standard options and colors and he couldn’t.

  He couldn’t seem to detach himself in his design choices. Another sure sign he’d be staying here.

  But the other thing pushing him was Brina. She liked coming here because it was bigger and they had more space to move around than in her small apartment. Plus she knew he didn’t care for her bed.

  The house wasn’t all that comfortable without a kitchen though. They had to go to the garage to get anything out of the fridge. The microwave was sitting on a kitchen bench he’d had at his old place that he wasn’t sure he’d keep once he was done.

  He had only ninety minutes until the wedding, so he figured he might as well shower and change. It was going to take him close to thirty minutes to get to the church where the wedding was taking place anyway.

  He got there on time and when he was sitting in the pew, he realized that he’d never been to a wedding before. How was that possible?

  He’d never been close enough to anyone to be invited to a wedding. Or friends he’d had from school he’d lost touch with or was in the Army when they’d gotten married.

  He supposed he should pay attention since he was going to be in Josh’s wedding. Thankfully he hadn’t had to do much other than help organize the bachelor party with Josh’s cousin, the best man. That’d been easy enough.

  It wasn’t long before the church started to fill up and the music began. He was guessing the first person walking down the aisle was Brina’s sister, Hannah. They looked alike and he knew there were only the two of them in the wedding.

  The next was Brina and he was right about the dress—his breath was knocked right out of his lungs as if he’d taken a slug to a bulletproof vest. More so when she walked by and winked at him. Then Blair’s future stepdaughter came down almost at a run, followed by the bride.

  When she got to the altar, two men stood up to give her away. Blair’s two fathers. Two of the men he’d be sitting with shortly who most likely were going to grill him.

  He’d gone through worse. It shouldn’t be a problem.

  Only it was. Once everyone was seated after the pictures, Blair’s fathers came over and introduced themselves.

  “I’m Tyler McKay and this is my husband, Jake. Did Brina tell you that we were close?”

  Shit, no, she hadn’t, but he didn’t want to admit that. Before he could say anything, Brina’s mother jumped up. “Tyler, cut it out. He’s not the least bit intimidated by you. You could try to do that to Philip but not Nathan. Excuse my brother, Nathan. He’s a lawyer and I know you aren’t very fond of lawyers, but Brina has looked up to her uncle for years and he helped nurture her love of law.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Nathan said. “Nice to meet you. She never said a word.”

  “Probably because she knows you don’t like lawyers,” Jake said. “I manage a jewelry store. If you need anything for my niece, I can hook you up.”

  His eyes widened a bit, and he looked at Brina’s father who then said, “Welcome to the family.”

  “How bad is it?” Brina asked him over an hour later while they were waiting for dinner to be served. “Are they making you feel uncomfortable?”

  “Since you’re asking me in front of everyone, you don’t think I’m going to say yes, do you?”

  There was laughter at the table. It’d died down after that and wasn’t so bad. He’d supposed the fact most men thought he was scary would have given him an edge at this table, but not one person in Brina’s family seemed to care.

  “We like your man,” her Uncle Jake said.

  “It seems I’m hearing you’re my man a lot today.”

  “I haven’t heard anyone call you my woman.”

  There was more laughter. “If you called her your woman she’d walk out on you,” Brina’s father said.

  “I know that. I’d never consider it.”

  “Smart man,” her mother said.

  “Crap, they are bringing the food out. Drink. We’ll be here awhile. It will help you get through.”

  He shook his head when she went back to the table. “Is she always like that?” he asked around the table in general.

  “She’s always spoken her mind. She’ll never stop.”

  And another hour later he realized he’d never want her to stop.

  Brina was in his arms, they were dancing to a slow song and he wasn’t about to let Philip’s cousin put his hands on her again for another dance.

  He didn’t care the guy was married, all he cared about was that even though he’d never say the words, Brina was his woman.

  He’d just have to find a way to get her to accept it.

  24

  Glory Story

  A few weeks after the wedding, Brina was in her office prepping for the first meeting with the lawyers for the suit against Accurate Employment Agency for age discrimination.

  She’d put a lot of work into this case so far. More grunt work than anything but she didn’t care. Researching and coming up with facts, doing paperwork was what she excelled at.

  Sure, she loved to go in the courtroom. She loved to argue her case and she loved to get her clients the victory. But she didn’t live and breathe it like some lawyers did.

  She didn’t need the action and the excitement of it. She didn’t need that kind of thrill of victory.

  Closing arguments...some lawyers thrived on that. Not her. She was always strong. She was always sympathetic. She was always truthful.

  If she could play on the jury’s emotions with her facts, then so be it. But she didn’t fib. She didn’t exaggerate, and she didn’t make promises like some did.

  Carol was a lot like her and they were working well on this case together.

  When she walked into the conference room she didn’t expect to see Ben Fowler. Her ex.

  She wasn’t even aware he was working at the firm representing AEA. She didn’t keep tabs on him. She’d never come across him in any other case.

  Not that she really would since they didn’t fight the same things. He’d want no part of what she did work on; there’d be no money in it for him.

  But this could be a big win for either side. She was hoping for hers.