“I think your brother gets the picture,” Walt interrupted.
Georgie sucked in her bottom lip. “Oh, right. Well, how was I supposed to know I was ruining your ‘great plan’ of sitting back and doing absolutely nothing? You told me you didn’t have feelings for her, which I suspected wasn’t the truth, by the way.” With raised arms, she hunched herself over, dropping her voice to a gravely whisper as if she were telling a scary ghost story.
“The filter never lies.”
Walt rolled his eyes, then dropped down next to Brad. “What are you going to do now?”
Brad sighed. “I’ve done enough.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” his sister asked, frowning at him. “What exactly did you do?”
Brad covered his face again, feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. Maybe he shouldn’t say any more and just leave. But he had come this far with the truth. He might as well go for the gusto.
“I kissed Kendall,” he admitted.
“Holy smokes, Brad!” Georgie exclaimed. “How did that go over?”
“Not well,” he said, lifting his head to look at her. “It was a big mistake.”
“What did you say to her?” Georgie asked.
Brad shrugged. “I don’t know; I told her I had feelings for her. That I’ve had feelings for her for a long time but held back for the sake of our friendship.”
Georgie wrinkled her nose. “You dumped on her.”
“No, I didn’t dump on her,” Brad retorted. “But I may have lightly…
piled
on her. Oh Lord,” he moaned. “I totally dumped on her! No wonder she ran me off. If a woman had done that to me, I would have, too.”
Walt clapped him on the shoulder. “No, no, relax. I’m sure you didn’t freak her out. Too much, anyway,” he muttered. “But that’s a lot to take in out of the blue. Maybe she doesn’t want to ruin your friendship. I have to admit that’s what held me back from acting on my feelings for Georgie.”
“What are you talking about?” Georgie interrupted, giving her husband a strange look. “There was no friendship to ruin. We weren’t friends at all—we were enemies. Well, maybe not enemies, more like a combination of friends and enemies: we were
frenemies
.”
Walt sighed heavily. “I was talking about your brother, sweetie. I didn’t want to pursue a relationship with you because I didn’t want to ruin my friendship with
Brad
.”
Georgie’s face fell. “Well, then, that could be Kendall’s problem too. Although maybe she—” She stopped and her eyes went wide. “Oh.”
Brad’s gaze snapped up and locked on hers. “What ‘oh’?”
“Uh, nothing. I could be wrong.”
“Just spill it, Georgie. What do you know?”
Georgie sent a worried look to Walt, then sat down. “I think Kendall is afraid of you.”
“Afraid? But we’ve been friends for years. I would never hurt her. She has to know that.”
Georgie shook her head. “She’s not afraid of
you
, per se. I think it might be… It might have something to do with your job.”
Brad scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. Why would she be afraid of a police officer? Unless she’s dealing with something illegal I don’t know about.”
“No, Brad. When Kendall originally asked me to set up her up with someone, she mentioned she didn’t want it to be a firefighter or anything similar to that. Let’s face it, you’re not exactly working in New York City, but that doesn’t mean your job is any less dangerous. I don’t think she wants to go through what she did with Jake all over again.”
Brad had no idea how long he stared at his sister, processing what she had said, but it felt as if time went on for hours. He finally sat back and rubbed at his temples, trying to ease the headache that seemed to be his trusty sidekick these past few weeks, ever since he started spending so much time with Kendall.
He felt numb. And a little stunned. It never occurred to him before that Kendall wouldn’t want to get involved with him because of his job. It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand how she felt. Just…
What the hell was he supposed to do about that? Yeah, he had his handyman business, but that was more of a hobby than anything else. A police officer was who he was deep down inside. He had a need to be out there, upholding the law and making a difference. And from the moment he’d been handed his badge, he couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
“I’m so sorry,” Georgie said, giving his hand a little squeeze.
Brad had heard enough. “Yeah. Me, too. I have to finally accept that Kendall and I aren’t meant to be more than friends.”
Georgie sighed. “Brad, even if Kendall can’t move past her fear and take a chance on love again, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t move on. Don’t be afraid to risk your heart. You told me not too long ago that love was worth the risk. That if I wanted a marriage like Mom and Dad’s that I shouldn’t be afraid to open up my heart and risk it all.” She glanced to her right and sent a loving look at Walt. “And I’m so glad I followed that advice.”
Walt placed his hand over hers. “Me, too.”
“I don’t know if I deserve it,” Brad said.
His sister blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“Jake knew how I felt about Kendall.” Brad took a deep breath through his nose and slowly exhaled. “Jake knew because I told him. The day before he died.”
Walt groaned. “That couldn’t have gone over well.”
Brad shook his head, feeling hollow and bleak. The last time he’d seen Jake alive was not something he liked to dwell on for long. “It didn’t. But he suspected, and I figured he deserved to know the truth about why I’d been avoiding them.”
Georgie glanced from Walt to Brad. “What does that have to do with you being happy now?”
“It has everything to do with it. Because the last words I spoke to him before he died were how I had feelings for his wife. And now he’s dead and I’m living. Do you know how that makes me feel?”
“You can’t think like that. Jake rushed into that building knowing full well what could happen. You have nothing to feel guilty about.”
Easier said than done
. He sighed and stood. “Look, I appreciate the pep talk and all, but my own advice won’t work in this situation. I just have to suck it up and accept that timing doesn’t seem to be Kendall’s or my friend. I’m going to go home to shower and shave and forget all about that kiss. Maybe you’re right. I should give Bambi another call.”
“Brandi,”
Georgie and Walt said together.
Brad winced. “Whatever.”
He walked himself over to the door, allowing his neutral expression to fall. Hell, it was no use pretending—Walt and Georgie had probably seen through his resigned act anyway. They knew he had no intention of calling anyone, let alone Brandi, but he’d needed an excuse to get away. All he wanted right now was to be alone and have some time to think before he had to report to work this afternoon.
“Brad, remember what I said,” Georgie called from behind him. “Don’t punish yourself because Jake died. We all want him to be here too, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be happy. You wouldn’t want Jake wasting his life either. You have to move on.”
He didn’t acknowledge her remark. Quite frankly, from the lack of sleep, he didn’t have the energy. Instead, he walked out, closing the door behind him with a soft
click
.
Love is worth the risk.
Maybe Georgie was right—not about moving on with someone new, but about risking your heart. Risking
his
heart. He was tired of denying himself what he wanted…and he wanted Kendall. Would Jake have understood? He hoped so. He would hate to see Jake in this position, would want his friend to live his life. Well, Brad wasn’t about to waste another precious second of his own.
Kendall needed to be reassured. She was the one who needed to move past her fears and open her heart up to what they could have together. And with the impenetrable wall she had erected between them last night, he didn’t know how in the world he could ever begin to convince her to do just that.
But if he could take this step in getting past his guilt over Jake, maybe he could convince her to take a step of her own.
Chapter Seven
Kendall looked around the crowded restaurant and her insides began to beat with a nauseous fluttering. There were so many familiar faces, faces she had forgotten about and hadn’t seen since Jake’s funeral. Memories flooded her.
People she knew smiled at her and she politely smiled back, but it was all so strange. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to meet Grammy here. Maeve had just gotten back from her trip to Vegas and suggested lunch at the tavern where Kendall used to work. All the familiar faces from the fire department made her want to turn right back around and walk out, but it was too late to change plans now. Her grandmother had noticed her and had already stood, waving her over to a table by the bar area.
“Hi, Grammy,” she said, trying for a calm exterior. She kissed her grandmother on her over-powdered bronze cheek and took a seat. “You look wonderful. Traveling must be good for you.”
Maeve waved off her comment with a flick of her wrist, but her blush gave away her delight at the compliment. “I had a spa appointment this morning, one I desperately needed after such a long flight.” She took a sip of ice water, narrowing her eyes on Kendall. “You, on the other hand, do not look so wonderful. Maybe you should book an appointment yourself.”
“No thanks, Grams. Georgie and Dee already dragged me there a few weeks ago.” She gave her a wry smile. “Apparently it didn’t take.”
“Nonsense. Spa treatments
always
take. That’s why they’re so expensive and women still pay for them.”
“Well, I’ll be sure to mention that the next time I’m there. Maybe they’ll give me a discount.”
Maeve pursed her lips but let the subject matter drop. “So how’s the bakery coming along, dear? Almost ready for the grand opening?”
At the mention of the bakery, her anxiety got the better of her. There was so much to do and still so much to learn, not to mention fear over the money she had invested into it. New businesses seemed to pop up every summer in their town, but only a few lasted more than one season. She hoped she wouldn’t become one of those statistics.
“I’m almost ready,” she answered. “The awnings will be put up next week. In the meantime, I found a great wholesale food market only twenty minutes away where I’m buying the bulk of my ingredients. Then there are some last-minute cupcake decorations I ordered that I’m still waiting on. Walt looked over my business plan last week and gave it a thumbs-up. Oh, and I joined the American Bakers Association too.”
Maeve’s eyes widened. “Good heavens, you have been busy. Have you had any kind of break? I think you’re working much too hard.”
“I have to work hard if I want this to succeed, Grams. But don’t worry; work has been good for me. It…it helps me keep my mind off of things I’d rather not dwell on.”
Her grandmother nodded, getting a far-off look in her eyes. “Yes, I sort of feel the same way about traveling. I like the diversion. It keeps me from thinking too much.”
Maeve’s words began to sink in. She studied her grandmother for a moment and realized for the first time that they had more in common than she had originally thought. “Grams, what are
you
trying so hard to forget?”
Maeve sighed as she continued to gaze out into the restaurant. Her grandmother seemed so sad and so lost right then—if it weren’t for the age difference between them, it would have been like looking into a mirror.
“I confess, I still think about your parents,” Maeve said, in a tone that was soft and almost foreign. “You were so young to have lost them. And for me, well, you never think you’re going to outlive your own child. Even after all these years, it’s still hard for me to accept.”
Kendall tried to swallow past the lump that lingered in her throat. “Yeah, life is full of the unexpected.”
Her grandmother swiped a tear from her eye and cleared her throat. “Oh, look at me getting you all upset. You’ve had enough heartache of your own. And now I go away and come back to find you pale as a ghost. You still must not be eating properly. I told Dee I would get on her if she didn’t keep an eye on you while I was gone.”
“Well, maybe I haven’t done such a great job of eating regular meals. But don’t blame Dee, really. She and Georgie have been so good to me.”
“Brad, too?” she prompted.
Kendall went very still.
Brad? Why would she ask about him of all people?
She didn’t want any reminders of Brad today—or any other day, for that matter. The man was a constant disruption to her thoughts, and that kiss now plagued her mind as well. All weekend she’d thought about calling him, which then only produced all the reasons why that was such a bad idea. She was a confused mess.
She grabbed her water and slowly took a sip, stalling for time. “Um, what about Brad?”
Maeve narrowed her eyes. “How has
he
been treating you?”
“I guess like he always treats me.” Minus a few long embraces and one knockout punch of a kiss. But she didn’t feel the need to mention that extra info to anyone, let alone her grandmother.
Maeve wrinkled her nose. “That’s too bad.”
“What do you mean? Brad’s been a wonderful friend to me. Why would I want him treating me any differently than that?”
Maeve
harrumphed
. “Sex really
is
wasted on the young.”
“Grammy!” Kendall exclaimed. “How could you say that? I am
not
having sex with Brad, or anyone else for that matter.”
“Which only proves my previous statement, dear.”
“Cute,” she muttered. “Real cute. Look, if you’re so concerned about my sex life, why bring up Brad? You should be asking me about my date with Rick last week.”
Maeve’s hazel eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in and tapped the tip of Kendall’s nose. “Ah, but that’s no fun, dear. You don’t get those cute little rosy ringlets on your cheek when you mention Rick’s name, only when you mention Brad’s.”
“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation,” she huffed out, shooing her grandmother’s hand away. “If I do get all pink and rosy talking about Brad, it’s because he and I are so completely wrong for each other that I’m embarrassed you would even mention it. Now let’s order.” She picked up her menu with more force than necessary and flipped it open, pretending to give it her full attention, even though she already knew the food choices by heart.
Maeve slowly picked up her own menu. “Perhaps you
should
have something to eat, dear. Low blood sugar is making you grouchy.”
“I’m not grouchy,” she snapped.
“Obviously.”
Kendall pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. Okay, maybe she was touchy. Just a tad.
“I’m sorry, Grams. Look, let’s call a truce and try to have a nice lunch. All I ask is that you give it a break and not mention Brad to me anymore, okay?”
“Fine, no more mention of Brad,” she agreed. “Just see what you can do about that snippiness, because he’s on his way over here right now.”
“What?”
Her head popped up. She lowered the menu and, sure enough, there was Brad making his way to their table.
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh…
He looked…really good. Almost
too
good, all crisp, pressed, and professional in his police uniform. Even though he dressed the part of a man who carried a gun and could uphold the law, he managed to walk with a nonchalant grace she had to admire. He crossed the room with his head high and chest out—certainly not like a man whose heart had been affected by rejection. He didn’t look the least bit uncomfortable at approaching her after what happened between them after their kiss. Unlike her.
Good grief, he was getting closer! She raised the menu and ducked her head, as if that could make her invisible.
“Ladies,” he smoothly announced.
“Gentleman,” Maeve answered.
Kendall crouched down a notch farther and continued to study the menu.
Maeve kicked her shin, which Kendall took as her cue that she should be polite and at least look up. “Oh, uh, hello, Brad.” Goodness, her heart was pounding so hard, Brad and the entire restaurant had to hear it. She could only hope he’d just say hello and mosey on his way again before she embarrassed herself and stroked out in front of everyone.
“Would you like to sit down?” her grandmother asked, gesturing to the empty seat on Kendall’s right.
Kendall shot her grandmother an evil glare, which was unfortunately missed, since Maeve kept her gaze on Brad.
Please say no
, she prayed
. Please say no.
But she couldn’t help holding her breath, waiting to hear if he would.
Brad smiled. “Sure. I just stopped in to pick up a sandwich to go, but I can definitely spare a minute for the company of two beautiful ladies.”
He pulled out his chair, moving it closer to Kendall to accommodate his long legs, and sat down. His thigh grazed hers and she jumped, practically laying her taut nerves out on display. She wiggled to her left, hoping to distance herself from any further contact with him, but there was no room to move over. He could have at least been considerate and pulled up a chair next to her grandmother where there was plenty of room. She scowled at him, and his eyes lit with amusement, as if he knew damn well that he was invading her space.
How had he managed to turn the tables on her like that?
She
had rejected
him
. She was the one who should be in control of her emotions. Why was he so unaffected? Maybe he had moved on already. Which was fine with her. She wanted him to move on, ask out another woman. So why had she suddenly lost her appetite?
Maeve sat forward, folding her hands on the table. “Kendall was filling me in on all the bakery business she’s been getting done before the big opening. Are you doing any more work for her?”
“I’m about finished, ma’am. But, of course, if Kendall needs me for anything else…” His blue-eyed gaze locked on Kendall’s, and he continued. “All she has to do is ask and I’m her man.”
Kendall tried to take a deep breath, but her chest grew tight. She suddenly felt very undeserving of Brad, who was still so good to her after everything that happened the other night—not to mention how she was acting toward him now. “Thank you,” she said softly.
He draped an arm over her shoulder and leaned in. “Hey, what are friends for, right?”
His playful tone made her crack a smile. And unlike her, he was obviously trying his best to keep their friendship from going into that awkward stage she had feared. But when she looked up and gazed into his eyes, she didn’t see friendship at all. There was something else, something almost lazily seductive lingering there instead.
She snapped her head straight and focused on her grandmother.
No, no, no
. She wasn’t about to go there. It was too easy for her to get lost in the way Brad was looking at her.
“I just saw in the paper this morning that they’re still selling tickets for that PBA beef and beer fund-raiser, Brad. Will you be going?” her grandmother asked, watching him with a speculating squint.
“Yes, ma’am. Got to support the team,” he said with an easy grin.
“Oh, and will you be bringing a date?”
“Grammy!” Kendall burst.
Maeve’s eyebrows shot up in fake shock. “What? I’m just making conversation.” She gave an elegant shrug. “Is it against the law to ask questions these days?”
“Well, maybe he doesn’t want to be asked
those
kinds of questions,” Kendall said between clenched teeth.
Brad chuckled. “It’s okay, Mrs. Lennox. I don’t mind. No, I don’t have a date.”
Maeve eagerly clasped her hands together. “Wonderful! Why don’t you take my granddaughter then? She’s just been telling me about how hard she’s been working lately. It would be nice for her to have a break and an evening out with an old friend.”
Kendall sat up straight, alarm bells ringing in her head. “Grammy, I’m sure he—”
“Well, actually, Kendall,” Brad cut in, “I was going to ask you if you wanted to go with me. Like old times.”
He was?
“You were?” She turned and stared at him. “Oh, but I don’t know about that, Brad. I… It’s probably not a good idea. I mean, what about Brandi?”
Brad grabbed his chin, pretending to look deep in thought. “You know, it’s interesting you should mention her, because something happened this weekend that had me rethinking my relationship with her.”
Her grandmother’s eyes lit with interest. “Really? And what have you…re-
thought
?”
“Grammy,” she protested.
Brad ignored her and continued to answer her grandmother. “Well, just that life is too short to waste with someone you really don’t share a special connection with.”
“Ah, so true,” Maeve said, nodding. “And wise, I might add.”
“Yeah, I thought so,” he said with an utterly straight face. “I have been told on more than one occasion that I’m wise beyond my years.”
Kendall’s lips twitched. “Don’t hold back on us now. Please enlighten us more, oh, wise one.”
“Hush, child,” her grandmother admonished. She looked at Brad and added, “Don’t mind her. She’s testy because she’s hungry. Go on.”
“To make a long story short,” he continued, “I decided I wouldn’t be bringing Brandi to the PBA event. It didn’t feel right. I want to bring someone I’m guaranteed to have a good time with. Someone special. And I couldn’t think of anyone I’d have a better time with or who’s more special than my friend Kendall.”
My friend Kendall.
She felt an odd twinge of disappointment at that. It was foolish to feel it. But there it was. Brad was giving her what she asked for—to remain friends. She should be relieved. Key word being
should
.
“Well, it’s all settled then,” her grandmother said brightly, looking very pleased with the whole situation. “Two friends out on the town for a great cause. I can’t think of a more perfect evening.”
“You know, I can’t think of anything more perfect either,” Brad said, standing when the hostess signaled that his order was ready. “Thanks, Mrs. Lennox.”
“My pleasure.”