Neighbors with Benefits (Anderson Brothers, #2)(20)

“Whatever. I humored you, and now it’s your turn.” She pulled an empty sugar packet wrapper she’d used in her coffee at breakfast from her pocket and put it in her purse.

He was not riding in a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. “No.”

The light changed, so she led Clancy across the street to the park, leaving him with no choice but to follow. It was maddening. Of the millions of things to do in this city, she’d pick the most touristy activity possible. He pulled the bill of the Yankees ball cap lower and adjusted his sunglasses.

“Your problem is that you’re so worried about what people will think and how it will affect your business, you don’t really live.”

“I live very well, thank you.”

“No, you don’t. You miss out on stuff.”

“Like what?”

“Like carriage rides.”

“Sitting in a wagon that’s covered in kid snot, separated from a haggard animal by a bag of its poop is not living.”

She raised her hand and a red and white carriage pulled by a thick white horse stopped. “Well, humor me, like I humored you with the organization lesson.”

“That was for your own good.”

“Well, this is for your own good!”

A man with a goatee and top hat grinned down from the driver’s seat. “Good morning, friends. Lovely day for a tour of the park.”

“It is. Could you give us a sec, please?” She pulled him out of earshot of the driver. “Listen, Michael. Clearly, this isn’t going to work. We have less than a week before the wedding. I appreciate you saying you would go, but at this point, I think it would do me more harm than good.”

“I gave my word. I’m going.”

“Worse than you not going would be someone figuring out we aren’t really engaged. I know these people and they know me. They also know that there’s no way a guy like you would ever in a million years even date me, much less marry me.”

At that moment, Michael was more curious about her than he’d been about anyone or anything in his life. She was smart, outspoken, attractive, talented, and kind—hell, she worked at a nursing home. What on earth could be so wrong with her that her own friends would sell her short like that?

“And honestly, no one would believe I’d be interested in you, either. You are the most uptight person I’ve ever met.”

He was not uptight—he was organized and efficient. She had it wrong, and he’d prove it. “A carriage ride it is.”

“Oh, yay!” She wrapped her arms around him and gave a squeeze, her nearness jolting even his outermost extremities awake. Amused, he watched as she lifted Clancy into the carriage, and then followed, bouncing with excitement as she settled onto the white leather seat. So full of life. So unlike the type of woman he’d always chosen to spend time with. Her earlier words played through his head. “You miss out on stuff.”

Maybe he did.

“Come on, Stick, let’s go find some mud for you,” she joked, patting the space next to her. After he took his seat, Clancy settled between them and she held her camera out at arm’s length. “Smile!”

As he plastered a smile he didn’t feel on his face, she clicked a picture of them, and the carriage rolled into motion.

“First time to New York?” The driver asked.

“Yes,” Michael answered before Mia could respond. “So give us the full experience.”

“You bet.” He swiveled to half face them as the horse plodded along the paved road. “My name is Lee.” He stared at them for a moment, and Michael had a strange urge to look away, much like the feeling he used to get in school when his teacher caught him unprepared for class.

“You’re a great couple,” Lee said, turning back around. “I’ve been doing this forever, and I can read people like books.”

It took every ounce of Michael’s willpower not to roll his eyes at such a silly, cliché statement. The man didn’t know the first thing about them. Hell, they weren’t even a couple. He flicked a leaf off of the seat next to him and draped his arm over the side of the carriage, trying to look like he was enjoying himself. Mia clearly was, smiling and holding the dog in her lap so that it could see out.

“Yep,” the driver continued as they were passed by some joggers, “I’ve seen it all. Some people tolerate each other. Some don’t really even like each other, but you guys are in love.”

He shot a glance at Mia over his shoulder. “Am I right?”

She grinned. “Yes, you are.” Then she took Michael’s hand in hers and whispered, “Practice makes perfect.”

Seeing her this animated made Michael want to practice, all right. He wanted to kiss her again, but that had already been perfect. A jolt of heat shot to his groin and he shifted in his seat. What a surprise that had been. Her lack of physical inhibition made her the most responsive kisser he’d ever encountered. She melded to his body with no hesitation and returned his kiss stroke for stroke, which he hadn’t expected from a first kiss—especially one done expressly for show. He adjusted his position again and looked out at the lake, rather than at her full lips.

Still holding his hand, she gave his fingers a squeeze. Maybe this carriage business wouldn’t be so bad after all. It was certainly spontaneous. He smiled as he imagined Dr. Whittelsey’s face at their next session.