Battling the Best Man: A Harmony Falls Novel, Book 2 (Crimson Romance) (15 page)

That
was not going to happen. Despite her mother’s hand still warming hers. Despite her father’s progress. Despite how far the home had come. Despite Will.

She should cancel on Will tonight. She couldn’t cancel her parents. She couldn’t cancel her job. But putting some distance between her and all of the warm, fuzzy, convoluted emotions she felt when she was with him was probably a good idea.

But the thought of actually following through and canceling on Will dulled her happiness, which seemed like such a shame. It had been a long, dark couple of months. Who could blame her for wanting to revel a little in her current happiness, even if that happiness was precariously built on a loosely packed hill of denial?

Nope. Kory refused to cancel.
Not yet
, she thought. One of these days, she would push Will away—but not today. Today had been too perfect.

As busy as Kory was at work and with the way she’d been carrying on with Will, Alice’s return to Harmony Falls seemed rather sudden, but it was Will’s invitation to go together to Mrs. Mitchell’s welcome home party for the newlyweds that came out of nowhere.

With her fingers spread around the stem of her wine glass, Kory moved her hand in small circles against his patio table, swirling the glass, watching as it smeared condensation on the tabletop with every pass. “Are you asking me to go in general, or are you asking me to be your date?”

“If I say yes to the latter, will you say yes?”

She didn’t have to look at him to know he was staring at her from across the table. If she looked up, she’d see the same handsome face she’d been looking at all evening. He’d be wearing a crooked smile that emphasized the cleft in his chin, and he’d be trying to use those wide, brown eyes to hypnotize her into doing whatever he wanted. Although she had given him some leeway in that department lately, this time, it wasn’t going to happen.

Molly’s collar jingled, but still Kory didn’t look up. She refused to see Will’s face when she took the first step toward pushing him away.

“No,” she said, fighting a cringe. “Won’t that just make things worse between you and your mother? Besides, we aren’t dating. You know that. Dating implies we have a future.” Her mouth felt tacky. She’d never had trouble speaking her mind before, but suddenly, for a split second, she wondered if she should continue. She wondered if there was a way to stop and take it back. A heartbeat later, she finished hard. “We don’t have a future.”

The backyard birds must have missed the stark announcement, because they continued their same perky songs, growing even louder. Somewhere in the distance a lawnmower purred. But Will didn’t make a sound.

Curious, Kory looked up from her glass.

He lifted his beer bottle to his mouth and drank, his eyes never leaving her face.

“Did you see they canceled the McNeil fight?” he asked as if she hadn’t said anything at all.

She almost took the bait and questioned him about the fight. Being stuck in Harmony Falls, working her butt off in an antiquated nursing home and living in a house without cable television, meant she hadn’t heard anything yet. As much as she wanted to sit here, sipping her wine, talking about mixed martial arts and enjoying the view, she couldn’t pretend she didn’t just shoot Will down. After the way they’d been carrying on and his declaration that he accepted a stupid challenge she hadn’t actually levied, she knew better than to think something like refusing to be his date could pass without him attempting to convince her again at some point.

This was Will Mitchell after all, and he didn’t like to lose.

“Honestly, Will. I don’t want Alice to know.”

“About McNeil? I didn’t know she was a fan.”

Kory rolled her eyes. Sometimes he reminded her so much of the cocky kid from high school, chin lifted, shoulders back, like there wasn’t a blow in the world that could hurt his pretty face. “You know what I’m talking about.”

He exhaled long and loud. “Unfortunately, I do.” When he reached underneath the table, his head disappeared for a second, and then he reappeared, tossing a raggedy stuffed animal into the yard.

Molly waddled after it.

“You’re embarrassed of me,” he said, nodding, a sly smile tipping his lips.

“Exactly.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “But even more so, I don’t want certain people making more out of this than there is. I’m not in the mood for speculative attention.”

“Ooh. Big word, Dr. Flemming. Speculative.” He raised his bottle again, eyeing her up, licking his lips. “Are you in the mood to follow me inside?”

Under different circumstances, she’d say yes, but Kory knew he wasn’t really interested in sex as much as he was interested in diverting her. For a split second, she reveled in how well she knew him, how much easier their interactions were when she could predict his moves. Now that she saw beyond the bravado, she liked him. Admired him even. How could she fault him for traits like being determined and calculating? She was those things, too. They made for an interesting coupling—coupling being the operative word.

“We’re not done with this conversation,” she said, resolving to be every bit as determined as he was.

He chuckled. “You used to be so much easier to push around.”

“That’s not very nice,” she said, narrowing her eyes, but knowing it was true.

“How about this then? I like it when you fight back. It’s sexy.” He grinned, and his white teeth sort of glowed in the evening sun.

“I’m pretty sure I should be offended by that statement,” she said, but she was smiling, too.

“But you aren’t.”

No.
A very short list of things offended her these days, and being called sexy by a man she couldn’t quit certainly wasn’t on that list. The fact that she couldn’t quit him was more bothersome.

Kory looked at Molly, lounging in the middle of the yard, chewing on the stuffed toy. She started counting how many nights she’d been doing this, hanging out with Will and his dog. The camaraderie and comfort had become habit.

Habits were hard to break.

She sighed. “I don’t want her to get her hopes up about this,” Kory whispered.

So much dead silence stretched between them, she wondered if she’d said anything at all.

“Who?”

“Alice.” It was a reasonable answer. Certainly more reasonable than admitting she was starting to worry about herself.

All these years of thinking she couldn’t do a relationship, and here she was doing just about everything included in one, except calling it a relationship. Maybe she wasn’t as much of a loner as she thought. Still, it was pointless even thinking about it, because there was no future here. If Will lived in Chicago…maybe. But he didn’t. The heaviness in her chest made her slouch.

Will’s chair creaked as he leaned forward and his hand smoothed over her bare thigh. When his fingers slipped beneath the hem of her shorts, she decided diversion was better than continuing with this conversation.

“If it makes you feel better, I’ll ignore you at the party,” he said. “But one way or another, you should be there for Alice.”

The slight sweeps of his fingers against her inner thigh had her weak with tingles. She set her wine glass down rather than spill it, eager to get her hands on him instead. “Thank you.”

“But you’re going to have to give me your undivided attention now.”

Doable. Very doable. She ran a hand up his arm and slipped her fingers beneath his sleeve. “Sounds like a fair trade.”

It was as long as he held up his end of the deal.

• • •

Will watched Kory chat with Alice and the other bridesmaids from across the pool. He stayed true to his word, ignoring her so far, but it wasn’t easy. A brown dress, shaped like an extra-long tank top hugged her subtle curves. Each side of the dress sported a generous slit from ankle to knee. And all he really wanted to do was sidle up to her, slip an arm around her waist and enjoy the evening by her side.

But he would be good. He promised.

Snatching a toothpick full of olives from the poolside bar, he munched as he mingled. Every few minutes he stole another glance at Kory. He tried not to let her grim outlook on their future bother him. After all, he didn’t expect her to give serious credence to staying in Harmony Falls until she had a reasonably compelling job offer. But hearing her proclaim they had no future wounded him more than he cared to admit. He asked himself why a hundred times. After all, he never thought himself capable of a future that included the same woman, year after year, before. He also never realized he could enjoy someone the way he enjoyed Kory. Surely, she had to see how good they were together. It pained him even more to know being good together wasn’t enough to make her stay.

He made his way to the same side of the pool as Kory, keeping a respectful distance as she chatted with Mark.

“Will Mitchell, you can sing?” He turned to see his sister-in-law open-mouthed, hands on hips. Several pairs of laughing eyes, including Kory’s, were on him.

“I mean, I knew you liked opera, but you can sing it?” Alice continued, incredulously. “You have to sing for me, and then you have to audition for a show.”

One set of laughing eyes belonged to Mark, who no doubt fed the group the embarrassing information.

“He’s exaggerating, Alice. I don’t sing.”

Mark waved him off. “I’ve heard you.”

“In the shower, when I was ten.”

“He was singing Puccini.”

Mark wasn’t backing down, so Will stepped closer to the group, hoping to end the silliness. “And poorly I might add.”

“Sing for us, Will?” Alice grabbed hold of his arm and dragged him into the circle of women.

He shook his head. He couldn’t think of a more unpleasant situation to be in. Having grown up on his parent’s love of opera, he had a deep appreciation for the music. And yes, he sang from time to time. But he didn’t pretend to be any good. Certainly, he wasn’t good enough to sing for other people.

“No, Alice. Not a chance.”

“He’s scared.” The voice surprised him. He looked at Kory, who was smiling. “He’s afraid he won’t be any good.”

There was an unspoken challenge in her eyes.

She wanted him to sing? She wanted him to fail? Which was it? He found himself chuckling, unsure of her motive or why the goading had him considering his options. He could refuse, walk away and give her the satisfaction of believing she was right, and he was scared. Or he could sing and, even if he sucked, prove her wrong.

She was still smiling, eyes locked with his. It was the closest they’d been all night, and the connection was heady, stirring desire in his gut and causing a buzz in his mouth. He started singing without thought. Just a few lines really, nothing too loud or compelling. He sang to her, only to her, loving the way her smile faltered and her eyes widened as she welcomed him in. Time and place slipped away. If he’d been thinking straight, he could’ve anticipated the magnitude of the silence surrounding them when he finished. As it was, he didn’t get it until Justin intervened.

“Show off.”

Will snapped out of the trance to look at his older brother who must’ve come closer during the mini-performance.

“Nah, just proving a point,” Will said, careful not to look at Kory, certain every other woman in that circle was wondering what was going on between them.

“I’m putting ‘Pirates of Penzance’ on the schedule,” Alice said, and then she grabbed Kory’s hand. “I have to go to the ladies’ room. Come with me.”

He watched them walk away.

“What is it with women always going in pairs?” Justin asked. “Do they really need to pee in unison?”

Will had a feeling Alice and Kory’s rapid retreat had nothing to do with their bladders.

• • •

“What’s going on with you and Will?” Alice asked the minute the bathroom door shut behind them.

Kory had to give Alice credit. At least she got right to the point. The minute Will’s mouth had closed Kory knew she’d be doing damage control. Actually, she knew it the minute his mouth opened and he started singing.
To her.
She melted despite knowing everyone else was watching the strangely intimate moment. Being dragged through a large house to the bathroom gave Kory just enough time to prepare a response, but on the heels of Alice’s directness it seemed insulting to give her anything less in return.

“We’ve been hanging out.”

“I knew it,” Alice hissed. “You like each other. Don’t deny it.”

“It’s just for fun.”

“Whatever was going on out there wasn’t just for fun. That was the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen, and you two have a serious connection.” Alice gasped. “Are you sleeping together?”

Kory heard the question, but she was hung up on the words “romantic” and “serious connection.” Will singing to her had felt that way, too. Over the last several weeks she’d gone from enjoying his company to adoring him beyond reason. And there were witnesses. She looked away, hoping for some semblance of peace to decide what to say next.

Alice pounced on the silence. “You
are
sleeping together. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. My best friend is sleeping with my brother-in-law, and she didn’t tell me.” She threw up her hands.

Kory squirmed. “It’s not a big deal, Alice. I’m still going back to Chicago…soon. Real soon.” The words were lame. They lacked power and punch.

Alice’s nose wrinkled as she studied Kory. “I know that.”

It was hot in the bathroom. Too hot. Kory felt her face flush, and she blew a little puff of air over her upper lip. “Good. I just want to make sure it’s clear.”

Alice gripped Kory’s hand and squeezed. “Aw, honey, now I’m worried the only one who isn’t clear on it is you.”

Kory didn’t like feeling annoyed with Alice, but she was, and rather than stay here, dealing with those feelings on top of facing Will again, she decided to leave, knowing her early departure would cause even more questions. Fortunately, Mrs. Mitchell was lingering in the kitchen, so Kory was able to say a proper thank you and goodbye to her hostess before she bolted. But that didn’t assuage her guilt over leaving without saying goodbye to Will. She couldn’t help but wonder what he would think when he figured out she wasn’t returning. She hoped he wasn’t too disappointed, hoped he didn’t take it too personally. This was about her not him. Alice was right. Kory needed clarity, and she wasn’t going to find it hypnotized by Will.