After I placed all the chicken on the grill, I wandered into the kitchen with the pan. In a matter of seconds, I had rinsed it and loaded it in the dishwasher. All the while, I could feel Kate watching me with what I had come to recognize as a mixture of shock and disapproval. Still, I persisted. She needed help, even if she refused to admit it. Not only that, but I seemed to be the only one offering any. I saw how long she worked the other day. For all I knew, she was on her way to an early grave.

Instead of sitting down with her, I looked around for some other way to keep my idle hands busy. While I was slicing the vegetables I’d found on the counter, she peeked into the kitchen. “What are you doing?” She bit her lower lip and I suddenly had to fight the urge to kiss her.

“I’m prepping the vegetables. I saw the aluminum foil sections and figured you were grilling them.” I shrugged. “I thought I’d do the asparagus all together. I added some olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Then I sprinkled it with parmesan cheese. It’ll be healthy and delicious.”

She frowned. “Did you just call me fat?”

I rolled my eyes. “I saw you in that skirt yesterday, Kate. It took me all night to forget how you looked walking away.” I shook my head. “I think you’re pretty fucking perfect just the way you are.” Then I realized I’d said too much too soon and I didn’t want to scare her away, so I changed the subject. “Is there anything special you want done with the rest of these, or can I get creative?”

She tilted her head and I swear I saw her eyes threatening to spill over. This was too much. I set the knife down, dried my hands, and rushed over to her. “What?” She blinked back tears.

“Don’t.” I used my thumbs to wipe away her sadness. “Please don’t. I’ve watched too many chick flicks and I’ll just end up kissing you if you don’t get happy.”

Immediately, Kate sucked in a breath. “You’re right. That would be silly. Would you excuse me a moment?” Then she disappeared down the hall.

In her absence, I managed to finish slicing the broccoli and carrots, and I made potatoes two ways, baked and sliced with onions, garlic, butter, salt, and pepper. What can I say? I’m a simple man.

When she finally reappeared, I was back to manning the grill. I’d placed the vegetables above the heat and I’d flipped the chicken. I smiled at her and she actually grinned. “Worried I’m ruining your meals?”

Kate shook her head. “Actually, no.” She took a deep breath, like she was building up to something. “Any chance you’d be interested in joining me for a late lunch?”

I swear she half expected me to decline. “Absolutely. Food will be ready in another twenty minutes.”

“Great. I’ll set the table.” Kate sashayed into the house. She had these amazing hips. All she seemed to be wearing was a bathing suit and a sarong, which with the palm trees and pool gave her backyard a very tropical feel.

For some reason, I felt right at home. I watched her return a few minutes later with plates, silverware, and napkins. “This place is beautiful. It’s so relaxing here.”

“It is when I’m not ducking golf balls.” She laughed. “I swear, Doug seems to end up in my yard every Sunday. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he did it on purpose.”

“Oh, it was intentional, alright.” I sighed. “I seriously watched him change the direction and intensity of his swing the minute he saw you walk through the doors.”

“Is that so?” She sounded surprised. “I wonder why…”

“Could he have a crush on you? He did this with all the finesse of a twelve-year-old boy.” I chuckled.

“Doug? Nah.” She shook her head emphatically at first, then slowed. “Aw hell, maybe. I’m lousy with guys.”

“And compliments,” I added.

“Thanks.” She jabbed me in the shoulder as she walked past to set the other side of the table.

“Hey. You should be kinder to the cook.” My brow rose.

“Oh, and why is that?” She smirked in challenge.

“Well, I could ruin your food.” I licked my lips. I couldn’t stop staring at hers. Before I left, I vowed to have at least one kiss.

“You wouldn’t do that,” she murmured. She seemed mesmerized at the moment.

“Why’s that?” I stepped closer to her.

She stepped back. “Because for now, it’s your food too.” Then she giggled and rushed into the house.

Damn, but I wanted to chase after her. This woman was different. As fake as Paisley had been, Kate was equally as real. When she returned, she was carrying a three-ring binder and looking incredibly shy.

“So, whatcha got there, Kate?” I emphasized her name and waited for her to correct me, but she didn’t. Instead, she moved closer.

“There’s something I thought I’d like to show you. After we eat.” She moved and set it on the end of the table, as far from me as possible.

“You’re cruel. You’re also lucky.” I grabbed a platter she’d brought out.

“How’s that?” Kate looked at me curiously.

“Well, you’re lucky because lunch is served. And I’m a very patient man.” Then I loaded all the pouches and chicken onto the huge plate and set it in between our place settings.

“Fantastic. What would you like to drink?” She moved toward the door, ready to serve me.

“I saw a two liter of Pepsi in there. Could I have a glass with a little bit of ice please?” I marveled over how easy the conversation felt with her.

She nodded. “I suppose. I was kinda saving it for a rainy day.”

I couldn’t decide if she was serious. “I heard it almost never rains here.” I eyed her slyly.

Kate broke out in giggles. “Pretty much. I’ll be right back.”

When we sat down to eat, part of me wanted to rush through it so I could check out the binder tempting me from the end of the table. The other part wanted to savor every moment because all I had to look forward to the rest of the day was waiting for Harry and Drew to get over their hangovers. Then they would repeat the same cycle all over again. Of course, not entirely. Both of them had to work in the morning, so I had purchased plane tickets to get them home.

“You know,” Kate murmured while staring at me over the rim of her glass, “you’re nothing like I expected.”

My brows peaked. “Oh, really? And how’s that?”

She softened some as she spoke. “I thought you were going to be terrible. No lie.”

I chuckled. “I can see how you’d get that impression in the three minutes we spoke the first day.”

Her head tilted. “You can come off as pretty arrogant.”

I licked my lips. “Just part of my charm.” Then I pushed my chair back.

She froze. “What are you doing?”

I settled back into my seat. “Well, I thought I’d help clean up before we looked at the binder.” I jerked my head toward the end of the table.

Her brow furrowed. “You want to help?”

“I think I should. I ate here.” Then I stood and started clearing the table before she could object any further.

Kate followed me into the kitchen carrying more plates with her. Without speaking, she started packaging food and placing it in the fridge while I rinsed plates and silverware and loaded the dishwasher. Within minutes we were done.

“Would you look at that?” She sounded shocked.

“What’s up?” I frowned.

She shook her head. “We just worked together. That’s all.”

Sure, part of me wanted to act like it was no big deal, but it felt nice, being a team with someone. Paisley had always expected to be waited on hand and foot. I’d been a team of one for as long as I could remember. I sighed happily, feeling fresh and playful. “Are you trying to distract me from the binder?” I crept past her, making an obvious beeline for the table.

“Wait!” She giggled and raced past me. “I need to explain. I need to preface it.” Kate seemed ready to panic.

“Okay.” I held my hands up. “We do it your way.”

Her shoulders heaved and I recognized the relief in her face. She reached for the binder, picked it up, and held it lovingly in her arms. “You mentioned you liked the house,” she began quietly.

“I do. Very much.” Then I studied the cover of the binder. It was one of those where she could slide a piece of paper in between the binder and the clear plastic film to act as the cover. I recognized the address on the picture as being for this location, but the exterior looked nothing like what I had seen when I drove in to meet Doug at the clubhouse. I know this because real estate is my thing and I’d considered purchasing a place here the minute I made it through the gates. Why wouldn’t I want a house with a private pool on a golf course?

“Wait.” I strode to the front door, opened it and then rushed down the sidewalk so I could see the house from the street. Maybe my bearings were all off. I stood in the middle of the road, studying her place. As I stared, my eyes widened. I noticed she had followed as far as the entryway. She stood leaning against the door frame, watching my reaction. I wandered back to join her. “Wow. So, can I see the rest of it?”

She grinned and I liked the way her cheeks turned pink as she passed me the binder. “This is my fifth house,” she explained.

“Right, fifth.” I barely paid attention to her words. Instead, I focused on the images and notes I saw as I flipped through the pages. “You’ve made a lot of changes. I really would love to speak with your designer.”

“You’re speaking to her.” Kate smiled proudly.

“Okay, right. So, I need to talk to the person who gave you suggestions. Then you picked. I’m hoping I have a hotel to redesign soon.” I grinned.

Her brow arched. “Me. The person you need to speak to is me.”