Kevin wasn’t sure why he was surprised Holly was here. She was a wedding planner, and from what he’d seen so far, she was a damn good one. Once again, it confirmed that his mother bitched about her out of jealousy. Too bad his mother was too blind to see that Holly was going to bolt from his mother’s chains the first chance she got. Kevin would be cheering for her on the sidelines.
He’d been on his way out of the room, needing a breather from the noise and the chaos of the reception, when he’d seen her at the table. He hadn’t planned on asking her to dance—hell, he hated to dance—but he’d been desperate for a reason to talk to her.
When he sat back down at the table, Tyler wore a smirk. “Crashed and burned, huh? I thought you were going to the bathroom to take a piss.”
“I was. I just happened to run into a friend.”
“Run into a friend, my ass. I thought we’d sworn off women. I’ve held up my end of the Bachelor Brotherhood. And let me add that I had no idea my balls could turn this blue.”
“She’s a friend,” Kevin said, trying not to sound irritated and feed any more fuel to the fire.
“She’s his neighbor,” Matt said, taking a sip of his beer and giving Kevin a pointed look. “They’re friends.”
Tyler burst out laughing. “You got friend-zoned?”
“No,” Kevin said slowly, picking up his drink, surprised that Matt hadn’t told Tyler about the situation he’d stumbled upon. “I was the one who said I wanted to be friends.”
“Why?” Tyler asked, watching Holly with a little more interest than Kevin liked. “She’s hot.”
Kevin tried to keep his voice even. “She works for my mother. She’s the wedding planner here.”
Tyler’s mouth dropped. “She tolerates your mother? That has to take a special kind of woman.” Then he cocked his head. “Do you know if she’s seeing anyone?”
“No.” Kevin’s irritation grew.
Tyler stood and adjusted his tie, a smirk lighting up his eyes. “Screw the brotherhood. I think I’ll go over and introduce myself.”
Kevin was up in a flash. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?” He looked surprised. “She’s off-limits to you, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a go with her. She looks like she’d be worth a short break from my hiatus from women.”
Kevin stepped in front of his path, his jaw set. “Because you’re a prick who will use her and toss her aside, and she deserves a helluva lot better than that.”
Matt was up in an instant, grabbing Kevin’s arm. “Why don’t we get some air?”
“You like her,” Tyler said, slack-jawed.
“Of course he likes her,” Matt said. “For someone so smart, sometimes you’re an idiot.”
“In my defense,” Tyler said, “he said they were friends.”
“Okay,” Matt said slowly. “When was the last time you convinced a woman to be just a friend?”
“Never.”
“I rest my case, Counselor.”
Tyler sat back down, and Matt tugged on Kevin’s sleeve to get him to join them.
Kevin rubbed his temple, feeling like an ass. “I was out of line.” He was ticked at himself for getting so upset, but it was a reminder of the inevitable. He was going to lose her to some other guy. It was just a matter of time. Still, he couldn’t be expected to stand by and watch her get hurt. Despite their beginning, Holly was not a casual-sex kind of woman, and that was the only type of relationship Tyler knew.
“I can’t believe you didn’t last even a single week,” Tyler said.
“He didn’t last a single day,” Matt told him. “He slept with her the night after our agreement to remain single.”
Tyler burst out laughing. “For a tough-ass former marine, I expected you to be the last holdout, man. At least a week or two.”
“Holly’s different.”
“Holly, huh?” Tyler shrugged, watching her again, but with curiosity this time. “Did your mother actually say she won’t approve of you dating her?”
“No. But what do you think?”
“Yeah, no way in hell she’ll go for it.”
“If it was up to me, I’d just tell my mother I was seeing Holly, but this affects Holly’s job. It’s not my call.”
Tyler clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Chin up, my not-so-young Romeo. If you love her it will all work out.”
Matt snorted. “Love her? He barely knows her.”
Tyler looked Kevin in the eye and winked. “Ignore him. He’s just cranky because his bookkeeper stole all his money.”
Kevin cringed. “Not all of it.”
“Enough to make you start looking for another job.”
“What?” Matt demanded, leaning forward.
Kevin released a low growl. “Dammit, Tyler.”
Shrugging, Tyler picked up his glass. “If you’re leaving him high and dry, the man has a right to know.”
It took a good five minutes before he’d convinced Matt that his company wasn’t going to fold.
“But you are looking for another job?” Matt asked.
Kevin considered denying it, but Tyler was right, Matt had a right to know. “I contacted a headhunter yesterday.”
Matt’s eyes narrowed. “Because of what I walked in on Thursday?”
That caught Tyler’s attention. “What did you walk in on Thursday?”
Kevin could deny it, but that would be a lie. That was at least part of it. “I’d already considered it before that.”
Tyler shook his head. “If this is about a woman, let me remind you both: We swore off women. Remember? They’re nothing but trouble and carry around a bag of shit with them, something you’re finding out firsthand, once again.”
Matt shook his head, grinning at his friend. “Tyler, stop trying to convince yourself. Underneath all that cynicism, I suspect you’re really romantic at heart. You’re just really good at hiding it from the rest of the world. Your earlier comment about Romeo and Juliet only confirms it.”
Tyler laughed, but it sounded bitter as his gaze swept the room. “I suspect a long line of women would disagree with that assessment.”
Their banter continued, but Kevin was lost in thought, stuck on Tyler’s comment about loving Holly. He knew it had been a joke, but something had tugged at Kevin when he’d said it. He hadn’t known Holly long enough to love her, but he was falling for her hard. Which was obvious when he thought about the things he’d done since meeting her.
Like asking the vet tech to write down the gender of the kitten and put it in an envelope. It never would have occurred to him to do something like that in the past. But when he’d been at the vet with Whiskers, he found himself wishing Holly was there so they could find out together. The envelope seemed like a good in-the-moment solution. The tech had given him a look that suggested she thought Kevin was crazy, but he didn’t care. All he could think about was making Holly happy, and he’d been right. The happiness and excitement in her eyes proved it.
A clinking on the other side of the room caught his attention, and the newlyweds stood behind the cake, beaming from ear to ear as they prepared to cut the cake. Everyone’s eyes were on the happy couple, but Kevin had eyes only for Holly, who stood to the side with a watchful gaze. He suspected she’d tried to dress understated in her pale gray dress with the high rounded neckline, trying to avoid attracting attention. But the dress only showed off her generous breasts and her full hips. Her hair was up in some kind of twist that exposed her long neck, and his eyes were drawn to the place that had made her writhe beneath him when he’d licked it a week ago.
Everyone clapped and cheered as the couple fed each other cake and drank champagne. Michelle and Ken were looking at each other as if they were the only two people in the world. Kevin couldn’t stop the pang of longing that filled him. It was something he’d never had, and, given the women he’d dated, it was something he’d never expected to find.
Until Holly.
But then he realized why all his other relationships had crashed and burned. All those other women had been shallow and self-centered, incapable of real relationships. What that hell had he expected?
The dancing resumed, and Kevin was considering leaving. Matt must have suspected his discontent, and he grabbed Kevin’s arm, hauling him out of his seat. “Let’s mingle.”
“Mingle?” Kevin snorted. “Are we in a nineteen-fifties movie?”
“Stop being such a dick. You’ve been gone for almost a decade. Say hello to your old friends.”
Tyler laughed and finished off his beer before he stood, too. “You need another drink.”
Kevin disagreed, but Matt had driven, which meant Kevin was free to imbibe all he wanted. But Kevin was also smart enough to know that getting shit-faced wasn’t going to solve anything.
“Come on,” Tyler groaned, heading toward the bar. “I’m buying. I need to get you loosened up for that dance you promised me.”
“Like hell I did. You promised a Red Lobster dinner first.”
Kevin laughed, grateful that his friendship with Matt and Tyler was slipping back into something familiar.
Matt made the rounds, reintroducing him to all their old high school friends and stopping when they ran into a couple who caught Kevin by surprise.
Randy Harris had been a friend in high school, and now he practiced law in the same firm with Tyler. But what Kevin found surprising was his fiancée. Brittany Stewart had been in their graduating class, but she’d always been shy and reserved and had a different group of friends than the four men. Brittany had been studious and was in the marching band and math club—a total opposite from the popular football player and partier she was now engaged to. When Kevin voiced his surprise, both of them laughed.
“I never would have considered her in high school,” Randy said, casting a sly glance at the woman at his side. “I wasn’t good enough for her back then.”
Brittany laughed. “Good enough? You’re right about that. You acted like a fool then, but good thing you grew up so I can overlook your previous stupidity.” She turned her amused gaze to Tyler. “Now if we can get this one to grow up.”
Tyler winked. “Not a chance.”
“I hope you’re ready for our wedding festivities,” Brittany said, taking a sip of her drink. “The couple’s shower is in August.”
“Like hell I’m going to a couple’s shower.” Tyler snorted.
Brittany gave him an amused look that should have warned Tyler he was in trouble, but he seemed pretty clueless as she turned her attention to Kevin. “Hey! I just put it together.” Brittany snapped her fingers and pointed at Kevin. “Your mom has the event-planning business, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Her employee is doing my wedding.”
“Holly?”
“Yeah, she’s amazing. The wedding is going to be gorgeous. She knows how to work wonders on a budget. She’s sweet, too, and she just happens to be single.” She gave Tyler a sidelong glance. “You could do worse, Tyler. It’s time for you to settle down.”
Tyler grinned. “I was just mentioning to Kevin that I should introduce myself.” Kevin stiffened, and Tyler added, “But she’s not my type. Too straightlaced and stuffy for me.”
Tyler didn’t even know her, and Kevin was sure his answer was meant to get him off the hook without outing Kevin’s interest in her, but damned if his criticism of her didn’t sting, too. What the hell was wrong with him?
He needed to get out of here for a few minutes.
He excused himself and went outside. Pressing his back to the wall, he stared up into the now star-filled night. The heat had broken and the humidity had decreased, and it was one of those rare summer nights when it felt better outside than in the air-conditioning.
The door opened and he turned his head, prepared to go back inside, but the woman walking outside made him change his mind.
Holly let the doors close behind her as she stood on the sidewalk. She closed her eyes with a loud sigh and leaned her head back, exposing her neck to the moonlight.
God, he wanted her.
Of course, that had never been in question. He’d wanted her since their first encounter, even in all her awkwardness. It was the intensity that stunned him. The grief he felt when faced with the idea that she might never be his. He had to find a way to make this work. He had to find a way to make her his.
“Hey,” he said softly, so as not to startle her.
She opened her eyes and turned to him, wariness quickly replacing her surprise. “What are you doing out here?” She looked like she was ready to bolt.
A wry grin lifted his mouth. “I needed a moment alone.”
“You needed a break from your friends?”
He hesitated then said, “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“Oh.” She tilted her head toward the door. “Do you want me to go back inside and leave you alone?”
“No. As cheesy as it sounds, you being here makes me feel better.” He hoped she didn’t think he was feeding her a line.
Her shoulders relaxed, and she looked more at ease. “Me, too.”
Those two words filled him with more hope than their hot makeout session in his kitchen.
They were silent for several seconds before she nudged his arm with her shoulder. “So, where’s this mysterious envelope?” she teased. “I figured you’d whip it out so you could gloat.”
He grinned. “I don’t just carry it around in my pocket, and I had no idea you’d be here.” He turned to face her. “We can open it later. After you finish here. How much longer will you be?”
She sighed, her exhaustion evident. “The party’s in full swing and I don’t see any chance of it ending for at least another few hours. Then I need to pack up all the centerpieces for the bride’s mother to take home and take down the decorations.”
“Don’t you have an assistant who can do it for you?”
She released a soft chuckle. “Everyone thinks I’m the assistant, remember?” Still, there was no bitterness in her comment, only sad acceptance.
“I’ll help you.”
She glanced up at him, her expression wary. “You don’t have to do that, Kevin.”
“I know, but I want to anyway.” He gave her a grin. “Just think of me as your assistant.”
She shook her head, looking at him like he was a naughty schoolboy. “You working as an assistant to a wedding planner?”
“Why not? Are you worried I’ll be a difficult employee?” he teased. “I promise to obey your every word.”
She laughed softly, and he decided there was no better sound than her laugh.
Her smile faded, but her eyes remained soft. “You don’t have to help me, Kevin. It’s part of my job.”
“I know, but I want to open the envelope and I can’t do it until you go home, so it’s a selfish motive.”
She playfully cocked an eyebrow. “So either way, it’s all about you.”
“Of course. But Matt drove me and I have a feeling that packing up centerpieces isn’t his thing, so will you take me home?” He flashed her a mischievous grin. “It’s not that far out of the way.”
She laughed again, and it warmed his heart more than a laugh should. It only confirmed that he was falling for her. Hard.
“I can’t let you help me, then make you walk home, can I?” She was silent for several seconds, then looked back at the door. “I suppose I should go back in.” But she didn’t budge from her spot.
As much as Kevin wanted to believe he was the only thing keeping her here, her exit from the building led him to believe there was something else going on. “What are you doing out here?”
She hesitated. “I needed a breather, too.”
Anyone else might have bought it, but Kevin knew there was more to it. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Guilt filled her eyes.
“What happened, Holly?”
“It was nothing I couldn’t handle.” Her gaze held his and he believed her, but he still wanted to know what had happened. Thankfully, his silence worked her tongue loose. She looked away. “The groom’s brother has shown a great deal of interest in me throughout the day, and he’s had too much to drink tonight.”
His chest seized and he forced out through gritted teeth, “Did he do something inappropriate?”
She turned back and studied him, her wariness returning. “I made sure it didn’t get out of hand, but it’s a tricky balance, trying to make sure I don’t offend the clients while also making sure the guy is convinced nothing is ever going to happen between us.”
“Did he touch you?” His mind was shuffling through his high school memories, trying to remember how many brothers Ken Douglas had.
She grinned up at him and shook her head. “He tried to kiss me, but I avoided it. I lied and said I have a boyfriend. But he’s drunk enough it could have turned into…a situation.”
“If he bothers you again, I want to know.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“So I can back up your story.”
She sighed and her gaze dropped. “While I appreciate you corroborating my lie, that’s really not necessary.” It was obvious that the lie—told to smooth out a potentially disastrous encounter—bothered her.
He started to tell her he could ease her guilt—that it didn’t have to be a lie—but wisely choked back the words. “Hey, we’re friends,” he said. “Friends have each others’ backs.”
She smiled up at him, but he saw the sadness, too. “You know we can’t be friends. We tried that and it doesn’t work. In fact, you should just go home with Matt. I never should have agreed to let you help me.”
“I miss you, Holly,” he whispered.
“I miss you, too.” She stared straight ahead, blinking. But then her back straightened and she was back “on,” ready to face her clients. “We need to go in separately,” she said, taking a step away. “Otherwise, people might talk.”
He had no problem with that, but then his reputation had never been the issue. “Okay.”
“And if you change your mind about helping me clean up later, I understand.”
Even if he hadn’t seen the exhaustion on her face now, his answer still would have been the same. “I won’t.”
He watched her walk back in, unable to stop his gaze from wandering over the sexy body she tried to hide in her utilitarian gray dress. But as soon as she left his sight, he sent a group text to Matt and Tyler.
Is Ken’s only brother Pete?
Yeah, Tyler responded.
Why? Matt asked.
He didn’t answer. Instead he made his way back into the reception, and it didn’t take him long to find the drunken bastard. Pete was leaning against a wall, and it looked like he’d trapped a woman into a conversation she didn’t want to be in. The observation appeased any guilt he might have felt when he approached and caught the woman’s eye. “If you’ll excuse us for a moment, Pete and I need to have a word.”
“Sure.” Then she shot him a look of gratitude before she ran off.
“Hey,” Pete said, taking a step toward him and nearly falling on his ass. “I was about to score with her.”
“Like you were about to score with Holly?”
“Who?”
Rage washed through Kevin. Jesus Christ, he didn’t even know her name. He grabbed a handful of Pete’s shirt and moved his face closer, nearly gagging from the man’s breath. “Stay away from her, do you hear me?”
“Which one?” He sounded confused.
His grip tightened. “The wedding planner.”
“Oh!” His eyes widened but remained unfocused. “She told me she’s got a boyfriend, but between you and me, I think she’s playing hard to get. I just need to wear her down.”
Kevin pushed Pete hard against the wall, part of him thankful the music drowned out the thump and the rest of him not giving a shit. “She does have a boyfriend and you’re looking at him, you sorry piece of shit. If you go near her again, it won’t be a warning, you got it?”
The man’s eyes were wide with fright, but he nodded.
“He got the message,” Tyler said, prying Pete’s shirt out of Kevin’s fist. “I think you can let go now.”
Pete scurried off like the rat he was while Kevin turned slowly to look into the stunned faces of his two friends.
“I told you he had it bad,” Matt said with a sidelong glance at Tyler.
“Talk about the understatement of the year,” Tyler said. “I think we just lost one of the Bachelor Brotherhood charter members.”
Not yet, but Kevin was determined to make Tyler’s statement true.