Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(27)

“No.” Sam dropped his head to his hands. This could not be happening.

Taryn patted his back. “Look at it this way. She was coming to town for a signing. There was no way she was going to leave without seeing you. At least you can be prepared.”

He nodded. “I was going to come up with a plan.”

“There you go. Forewarned and all that. You’ll get through it. I know your folks are difficult for you. But they’re sweet people. I still remember when your mom explained to me how to do deep-throated fella—”

He rose and faced them all.

“Stop. Just stop. Don’t talk about my parents, don’t reminisce and, for God’s sake, don’t encourage them. Do I make myself clear?”

Before any of them could answer, he stalked away.

* * *

FAYRENE PUT THE first dish in the oven and checked the timer. Ryan was setting out the appetizers and their guests were due any second. Everything was going according to plan.

After racking her brain for a solution to the “Ryan” problem, she’d finally come up with the perfect answer. She was going to show Ryan how amazing married life could be. So she’d invited Pia and Raoul over for dinner. They’d been married a few years now, had four kids, including three-year-old twins and a six-month-old little boy. More important, they were wildly in love with each other. Her plan was for Ryan to see that and realize what he was missing.

Ryan didn’t know the other couple very well, but Fayrene had worked for both of them. They were lovely people. Maybe ten years older, but so together in their relationship.

Tiny nails made a clicking sound on the kitchen floor. Fayrene smiled as Caramel rounded the corner and hurried toward her.

“Hey, fluffball,” Fayrene murmured, reaching for the small dog. Caramel, ever the polite little girl, gave a tiny push off the floor as she was picked up. “You know, I think I can handle the four pounds plus fur.”

Caramel stared adoringly into her face, then leaned in and kissed her chin.

“Thank you,” Fayrene said, holding her close. She’d only had the Pomeranian a few days, but somehow Caramel had melded with her life effortlessly. “I’m going to miss you when Mayor Marsha takes you back. You know that, don’t you?”

Fayrene always connected with the pets she took care of, but something about this one was different. A problem she would deal with later, she told herself as she set the dog on the floor and together they walked out into the living room.

“Impressive, huh?” Ryan said with a grin.

She nodded in agreement. He’d not only straightened up the room, he’d set up a drinks station on a bookshelf and put the appetizers on the coffee table. For a second she let her gaze settle on his handsome face. Sometimes, when she looked at him, she thought her heart would crack from being so full of love for him.

She crossed the room and put her hands on his shoulders, then rose on tiptoe and kissed him. He kissed her back. About three seconds later, she felt Caramel’s little feet on her leg as the Pomeranian stood on her back legs as if asking, “What about me?”

“You’re important, too,” Ryan said, sweeping the little dog up in his arms. Caramel immediately rolled onto her back and gazed lovingly into his eyes.

“She’s got you twisted around her little finger,” Fayrene told him with a grin.

“Yeah? I’m not the only one.”

The doorbell rang. Ryan walked to open it, Caramel tucked under one arm.

The next few minutes were a flurry of greetings. Raoul, a former Cowboys quarterback, stayed close to Pia, his attractive wife. They were warm and friendly, saying nice things about the small apartment. When they were seated on the sofa, Caramel hopped onto the cushions, then stepped onto Raoul’s muscled thighs and studied him.

Pia smiled. “Pretty girls are always attracted to him.”

Raoul petted the dog. “Yeah, but this time I want to like her back.”

“What can I get you to drink?” Fayrene asked.

“Do you have wine?” Pia asked. “I haven’t had wine since I found out I was pregnant and tonight’s the night.” She covered her mouth briefly, as if holding in a yawn. “Just one, though. Ryder’s started teething and that means I’ve been up a lot at night.”

Ryan went to get the bottle of wine from the bookcase. “What about you, Raoul?”

“A beer if you have it.”

Ryan grinned. “I do. It’s from a local microbrewery.”

“Good man.”

Pia accepted the glass of wine and kicked off her shoes, then tucked her legs up under her. She took a sip and sighed.

“This is so nice,” she said to Fayrene. “Thank you for inviting us. These days we rarely get out. We could, of course. There are plenty of people willing to babysit. It’s just with the twins turning three and Ryder, it’s difficult.”

Raoul put his arm around her. “Plus you’re shepherding Peter to a lot of things these days.” He glanced at them. “He’s thirteen now. Seriously into baseball and cycling.”

Ryan returned from the kitchen with a beer in each hand. He gave one to Raoul. Fayrene took her glass of wine and sat down opposite the sofa. Ryan settled on the floor at her feet. Caramel abandoned their company to crawl on Ryan’s lap and curl up as she frequently did.