Camden chuckled as Kenzie pulled back onto the interstate. He liked her. She was spunky and fun—and a tad bit weird, but maybe that’s what he needed.

He wanted to put her at ease. She was obviously nervous around him. “I swear I’m not a murderer.”

She flashed a smile at him.

“But I must confess, I did kill my pet fish when I was five. It was an accident.”

“What happened?” Kenzie asked, not taking her eyes off the road.

“I wanted to give Goldie a drink.”

She gave him a puzzled look. “A drink of what?”

“Sprite.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, my mom didn’t notice anything was wrong until the next day when Goldie was floating upside down.”

She cringed. “Poor thing.”

“I was crushed. It’s hard to see a pet die. It’s even harder to know you were the one that made it happen.” He still remembered the guilt he’d felt when he realized it was his fault. He’d cried for an hour.

“Did you get a new fish?”

“No, Mom got me a cat. She figured it would be a little heartier.”

Kenzie laughed, glancing at him. “And is that why you bonded with the skinny one hanging around your construction site?”

“I guess so.” He smiled at her. He liked her laugh. It sounded like it came from her toes. And he hadn’t thought about Lexi at all since he got in the car. If this would continue through the weekend, he’d have a nice time at the wedding.

“What’s your cat’s name?”

“Thor.”

She raised her eyebrows and peeked at him through her hair. “Hopefully he’s filled out a little. A skinny Thor just wouldn’t do.”

“He’s doing great now that he gets regular meals. And he’s cocky, so the name fits perfectly.”

She grinned at him, then tossed her bag of pistachio nuts at him. “Would you open this for me?”

“Sure,” he said as he tore off the top of the package and handed it back to her.

She put it between their seats. “You can have some if you want.”

“Thanks, but I’m beat. I think I’ll take a nap.” He settled in his seat and closed his eyes. He drifted off to sleep, barely aware of the passage of time.

He jerked awake when he realized the car had stopped moving. Had he really slept the whole rest of the way? The driver’s seat sat empty. Kenzie was behind the car pulling stuff out of the trunk.

He picked up his duffle bag and hopped out to help her. “I’ll get that.” He took her suitcase and picked his up from the pavement.

“You don’t have to,” Kenzie said.

“Yes I do. It’s in the written contract.” He nodded his head at her purse, which held the rules she’d written out, and gave her a wink.

He shut the trunk and headed toward the resort to check them in. Kenzie walked with him. He thought he saw her lips twitch into a smile, but when he glanced at her it was gone.

Even in the dark, Camden could see that the oceanfront resort was nice. The landscaping screamed upscale. The double doors leading into the lobby were made of glass, the fixtures plated in gold. He walked up to the desk.

Kenzie plopped her purse on the counter and pulled out her ID. “We have two rooms reserved under Kenzie Bennett.”

The woman behind the desk clicked on her keyboard for a moment. She nodded and gave them each a key card. “You’re in adjoining suites on the fifth floor. Breakfast is served from five to nine in the restaurant. Enjoy your stay.”

Camden picked up the suitcases again and went with Kenzie to the main elevator. He couldn’t help but notice her confident stride as she walked. She was self-assured. He liked that.

The late hour must have caught up with Kenzie because she yawned. He held in a grin. “What’s on the schedule for tomorrow?”

“There’s a Bride’s Breakfast, something I can’t remember in the afternoon, and then bachelor and bachelorette parties in the evening.”

They exited the elevator when they reached their floor. A young woman turned the corner down the hallway. “Kenzie? Is that you?” The petite blonde shrieked and ran toward them.

“Tessa,” Kenzie said, smiling. “Good to see you.”

Tessa looked pretty much like Kenzie had described her. The perky, cheerleader type. A little younger than he’d pictured. She embraced Kenzie and squealed. “I can’t believe it. You’re here. It’s been forever!”

An older couple appeared and approached them, and Camden could see the family resemblance immediately. Kenzie’s mother sported the same blonde hair Tessa had, except it was styled in a short I-have-money kind of cut. Tessa’s was shoulder length with soft curls.

Kenzie’s gaze bounced between them. “Camden, this is my sister, Tessa, and my parents, Michael and Helene. This is my boyfriend, Camden.”

Tessa eyeballed him before giving him a hug. “Glad you could come.” She turned and winked at Kenzie.

Helene gave him a polite nod, her lips pressed together. She turned a sour expression toward her daughter. “McKenzie, what have you done to your hair? It looks like someone spilled wine all over it.”

Kenzie cringed, and Camden wondered what was wrong with the color. “I think it looks nice.” Kenzie shot him an appreciative look.

Michael gave Kenzie a hug. “I do too, honey.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“It’s a popular color, Mom. And it shows off her freckles.” Tessa fluffed the curls.

Helene’s scowl deepened, her thin lips almost disappearing. “And what are you wearing?”

Kenzie’s cheeks flushed and Camden resisted the urge to tell the woman off. She was Kenzie’s mother, and he was here to be the . . . what did she call it? Man candy? He needed to shut up and act polite.

“Printed leggings are in now,” Tessa said, putting her arm around Kenzie. “How was your drive? Was it long?”

“Not so bad.” Kenzie looked relieved to have the subject changed. “At least until Camden fell asleep and started snoring.”

“What? I don’t snore.”

Tessa laughed and playfully hit him on the arm. “Long car rides put Eric right to sleep, too.”

“Well, it’s late,” Kenzie said. “And we have an early morning.”

“You’re right. We should all get to bed. We’re around the corner.” Tessa ushered her parents down the hall. “Have a good night. See you tomorrow.”

Kenzie turned to him, a weary look on her face. “See you in the morning.”

 

***

 

Kenzie awoke, a feeling of dread clinging to her. Why had she come? She wasn’t ready for the slew of memories seeing her mother would bring her. The pain of never measuring up. She thought she’d buried it, but it was back with a raw vengeance.

She climbed out of bed and tried to ignore the dark mood pressing down on her as she showered. After she slipped into her dress and pinned on one of her favorite brooches, she knocked on the door joining her room to Camden’s. “You awake?”

Camden pulled the door open. His blue dress shirt was unbuttoned, and she struggled to not stare at his chest. Construction workers really got buff lifting all those heavy things. He could grate cheese off his abs. “I’m almost ready,” he said, struggling to put in his cuff links.

Without thinking, she reached out and took over. Her fingers grazed his skin and electricity shot through her. She had to force herself to breathe normally and continue. The heat from him made her heart pound, and her breathing difficult. Finally, when she was done, she took a step back from him. “There. Now button up your shirt.”

“Thanks,” he said, his dark eyes smiling at her. It was almost like he knew how he was affecting her.

She pulled the door almost shut. “Knock when you’re all done.”

He nodded, now grinning at her. “Sounds good.”

She shut her door and leaned up against it. Holy cow, she hadn’t been expecting that kind of physical reaction to him. Tiny zaps still skimmed over her skin. She would have to watch herself and remember why she was hiring out the part of her boyfriend.

Real relationships always ended up with her getting hurt.

By the time he knocked, her breathing had returned to normal. She grabbed her purse and headed out with him.

“You look nice,” he said, his gaze traveling over her dress.

“Thanks. You, too.”

“Do you have any other siblings or other family I should know about?”

“No other siblings, just me and my sister. I’m sure my Aunt Vita will be there. She’s my father’s sister. A warning—she can say some odd things. She had a head injury a few years ago and hasn’t been quite the same since.”

“Oh.”

“And don’t look so nervous. You’ll do great.” She smiled up at him to help him relax.

They entered the restaurant and the smell of bacon and coffee hit her in full force, making her mouth water. She hadn’t realized she was so hungry. “We’re here with the Bennett-Adams party.”

The hostess motioned. “Right this way.”

As they approached the table, Kenzie saw they were the last to arrive. Aunt Vita sat on the end, her hair teased up to look like she stepped out of a 1960s ad. Her parents were next, followed by an older couple she could only assume was Eric’s parents. Tessa and her fiancé sat on the opposite side, two empty seats next to them.

Eric’s mother stood. “You must be Kenzie. I’ve heard so much about you.” She extended her hand. “I’m Veronica, and this is Rodger,” she said, indicating her husband.

“Nice to meet you. This is my boyfriend, Camden.” They shook hands.

Camden pulled her chair out for her and she smiled. He was acting like the perfect gentleman.

Tessa elbowed her and leaned closer. “Where did you pick him up? He’s gorgeous.”

Panic filled her. They hadn’t made up a story yet. What should she say? She couldn’t think. The first thing to pop in her head came out. “We met on a blind date.”

Camden put his arm around her. “Through Matchmaker.com.”

Tessa’s mouth dropped open. “We met online too. What a coincidence! How long have you been dating?”

“Don’t ever date a zookeeper,” Aunt Vita said, her high-pitched voice carrying through the area.

Everyone stared at Vita, waiting for her to finish. When she didn’t say anything else, Tessa piped up. “Why not?”

Vita took a drink of her water, taking her sweet time to answer. Finally, she said, “They spend all day with their hands up an elephant’s you-know-what.”

Her mother’s face paled. “Vita, please. We’re eating.”

Her father wiped his mouth, hiding a smile behind his napkin. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”

Kenzie stole a glance at Eric’s parents. They were sitting there, smiles frozen on their faces. Camden coughed into his fist and ducked his head down. Kenzie bit her lip so she wouldn’t laugh out loud. This should be an interesting wedding.