Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(75)

Two conversations about the same material in two days? What were the odds? Of course he knew his friends cared about him.

“Jack’s going to live over my garage if that happens. We’ll be bachelors together.”

Her violet-blue gaze never left his. “That’s not enough. I know what you want. You’re not going to be happy until you have a family and all the trappings that go with it. That will require you to believe in someone.”

He understood the words, but didn’t like being pushed. Sure, on the surface, all was well with Dellina. But what about the long-term? How could he know she wasn’t like all the others?

* * *

DELLINA GOT GLADYS out of the room, then returned to Sam’s side. Taryn waved and left.

“You did great,” Dellina told Sam. “Everyone was really impressed.”

“I was happy to help.”

He stared at her, as if seeing her the first time. She had the feeling he was looking for something, but she didn’t know what.

“You make numbers look sexy.”

He grinned. “Thanks. Then my work here is complete. Do you have time for lunch?”

“Sure.”

He took her hand in his and they walked out onto the sidewalk.

“Margaritaville?” he asked. “We could split nachos. You could get a salad and pretend it has no calories.”

Because she did that sometimes, she thought, nodding in agreement. “Sounds perfect.”

“Good.”

They headed toward the restaurant. Sam said something about the lecture. Nothing that required a response. Which was a good thing. Because out of the blue, with no warning at all, she knew.

Maybe she’d known for a while. Maybe she’d been hiding the truth from herself because, well, she wasn’t sure why. Or maybe she’d just figured it out this second.

She loved him. She loved his honor and sense of duty. She loved how he made her feel, how he protected those he cared about, and that even though stepping up in front of the town was his personal idea of hell, he would do it because the business lectures would help people. She loved that he was quiet and sexy and that he called when he said he was going to call. She loved how she felt when she was around him.

She loved Sam.

How totally ridiculous. She’d fallen for the one guy she knew who absolutely, positively, never, ever wanted to get involved in a serious relationship. Talk about stinky luck.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

FAYRENE GLANCED ANXIOUSLY at the clock. Her guests were due to arrive at six. She’d just put in the bubbly feta and sweet pepper dip that she was going to serve as her appetizer, but they needed to be served immediately. Which meant if Montana and Simon Bradley were late, she was in trouble.

Exhaustion swept through her. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could do this. Convincing Ryan to propose had proved to be a lot more complicated than she’d realized. But she wasn’t going to give up. Tonight’s dinner guests were blissfully happy. Montana was also weeks away from giving birth. Fayrene hoped talk of babies and being in love would get the message across.

The back door opened and Ryan and Caramel came in.

“The barbecue is ready,” he said as he walked to the refrigerator and pulled out the tray of marinated chicken pieces. Fayrene had gotten the recipe from Ana Raquel’s A Fool’s Gold Cookbook. The salad was ready, along with dessert. Ryan would grill corn with the chicken.

“They should be here any second,” she told him. She scooped Caramel into her arms and cuddled the little dog. Caramel settled in close and gave her a reassuring puppy kiss on the nose.

“How do you know Montana?” he asked, pulling a beer out of refrigerator and opening it.

“I’ve worked with her and the therapy dogs. Max, her boss, sometimes gets in several puppies at once and socializing them takes a lot of work.” She leaned against the counter. “I’ll admit, it’s one of my favorite temp jobs. I get to spend the day playing with puppies and taking them into town so they get used to different situations.”

“Like when we took one to the high school football game last year?” he asked.

“Exactly.” She petted Caramel. “I’m going to miss you, baby girl.”

“Me, too,” Ryan admitted, scratching the dog’s chest. “She’s been great. We should talk about getting a dog. After we’re married.”

Fayrene held her breath. Was it now? Was he going to ask her now?

The doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” Ryan said.

Fayrene sighed. She told herself that at least the arrival of their guests for dinner meant the appetizer wouldn’t be ruined, but it was cold comfort.

She walked into the living room and greeted Montana and Simon. The other woman was huge and moved awkwardly. Fayrene’s back gave a twinge in sympathy.

“How are you?” Fayrene asked. “Feeling okay? Should you be out?”

Montana, a pretty blonde with brown eyes, laughed. “Out is so much better than home. It distracts me. Plus Simon is less likely to hover so much in person.”

Dr. Simon Bradley shrugged. “I worry about you. Live with it.”

As he spoke, his gaze lingered on her, as if there was no one else he would rather see. Simon was an interesting guy. A gifted surgeon who specialized in helping burned children achieve normal again. He knew what they suffered. One side of his face was so handsome as to seem unreal, while the other side was a twisted wreck of savage burns.