off.
Olivia always smelled simpler. Like baby lotion and lemons. Tonight she’d worn a plain gray sweater and her hair had been done up in a messy bun, but she somehow managed to look sexy as hell. Erika, on the other hand, was Cosmo caliber in every way: shiny black hair in a smooth twist, smoky eyes, glossy lips. And the deep plunge of her clingy gown indicated the light was green for a night of hot sex. Lots of it.
The new expansion to the restaurant looked spectacular, even though it was still roped off. The deck was lit by twinkly white lights strung in bushes and potted plants and crisscrossed between wooden posts. Outdoor heaters chased away the slight chill and a fire burned in the new outdoor fireplace. Couples gathered round, watching a big crimson sun set quietly over the water. In the distance, jumping fish gave an occasional splash, and the scent of lilacs from the town square wafted in on a light breeze.
Just a few days ago, Brad would have considered himself damn lucky to sit across the table from such a gorgeous woman on a perfect evening like this. They’d been flirting for weeks, and tonight was the night to make things happen.
But things weren’t perfect. All he could think of was that damn baby class. Olivia had listened so carefully, even took notes. She’d been visibly upset and a bit overwhelmed.
Every instinct had compelled him to pull her into his arms and comfort her. But instead he’d fed her some malarkey about not being so independent, asking for help, doing what was best for Annabelle.
That was his intention, right? To dissuade her. Get her to think of alternatives. Capitalize on her vulnerabilities. He certainly hadn’t gone to class for her. Had he?
No. Of course he hadn’t.
Yet the thought of her going through everything alone, after all that had happened, made his stomach lurch. Every parent had a learning curve. Hers was just steep and fast and frightening, like the giant slide at the water park.
And he’d given her a shove down when she was already anxious.
He hadn’t even had to be mean. He could have pointed out that she’d had a poor role model as a mother. Or that Trish and Kevin hadn’t really thought this whole cockamamie plan out. But she’d done the self-flagellating all by herself.
And he’d stood by and watched it happen. Like the total donkey’s behind that he was.
He could see how hard she was trying, with no one nearby to encourage her. She was truly on her own. He could have rectified that, but he’d chosen to stay silent.
For the first time, Brad acknowledged with a sickening sense of fear that getting close to Olivia would only ignite those unstable feelings that bubbled below the surface in every conversation, every argument, waiting for some small catalyst to combust into an unstoppable, volatile explosion.
“I know how busy you’ve been with renovations, but I’m so glad we took time to meet tonight,” Erika said. “And I’ve got great news. Marc Daniels is coming to judge Bachelors Who Cook , and he wants to film an episode of his cooking show right here in Mirror Lake. At your restaurant. Isn’t that exciting?”
Brad jerked his head up. “Marc Daniels, the celebrity chef?” Who hosted a cooking show on Food Network, and owned several five-star restaurants in New York City. He would be a huge boon for their event, which in turn would be great for the hospital and great for his restaurant. The B and Bs, the lakefront, and the downtown would be packed.
Erika pressed her white teeth into her lower lip and smiled. “Yep. Mirror Lake is going to be on national television, and the crowds he attracts will be huge.”
She reached across the table and grasped Brad’s hands. As she leaned over, he caught an excellent view of her ample cleavage. The tiny candle in the center of the table flickered off her high-cheekboned face, drawing attention to a provocative little mole at the side of her mouth.
Traditionally, this was the time he’d
Olivia always smelled simpler. Like baby lotion and lemons. Tonight she’d worn a plain gray sweater and her hair had been done up in a messy bun, but she somehow managed to look sexy as hell. Erika, on the other hand, was Cosmo caliber in every way: shiny black hair in a smooth twist, smoky eyes, glossy lips. And the deep plunge of her clingy gown indicated the light was green for a night of hot sex. Lots of it.
The new expansion to the restaurant looked spectacular, even though it was still roped off. The deck was lit by twinkly white lights strung in bushes and potted plants and crisscrossed between wooden posts. Outdoor heaters chased away the slight chill and a fire burned in the new outdoor fireplace. Couples gathered round, watching a big crimson sun set quietly over the water. In the distance, jumping fish gave an occasional splash, and the scent of lilacs from the town square wafted in on a light breeze.
Just a few days ago, Brad would have considered himself damn lucky to sit across the table from such a gorgeous woman on a perfect evening like this. They’d been flirting for weeks, and tonight was the night to make things happen.
But things weren’t perfect. All he could think of was that damn baby class. Olivia had listened so carefully, even took notes. She’d been visibly upset and a bit overwhelmed.
Every instinct had compelled him to pull her into his arms and comfort her. But instead he’d fed her some malarkey about not being so independent, asking for help, doing what was best for Annabelle.
That was his intention, right? To dissuade her. Get her to think of alternatives. Capitalize on her vulnerabilities. He certainly hadn’t gone to class for her. Had he?
No. Of course he hadn’t.
Yet the thought of her going through everything alone, after all that had happened, made his stomach lurch. Every parent had a learning curve. Hers was just steep and fast and frightening, like the giant slide at the water park.
And he’d given her a shove down when she was already anxious.
He hadn’t even had to be mean. He could have pointed out that she’d had a poor role model as a mother. Or that Trish and Kevin hadn’t really thought this whole cockamamie plan out. But she’d done the self-flagellating all by herself.
And he’d stood by and watched it happen. Like the total donkey’s behind that he was.
He could see how hard she was trying, with no one nearby to encourage her. She was truly on her own. He could have rectified that, but he’d chosen to stay silent.
For the first time, Brad acknowledged with a sickening sense of fear that getting close to Olivia would only ignite those unstable feelings that bubbled below the surface in every conversation, every argument, waiting for some small catalyst to combust into an unstoppable, volatile explosion.
“I know how busy you’ve been with renovations, but I’m so glad we took time to meet tonight,” Erika said. “And I’ve got great news. Marc Daniels is coming to judge Bachelors Who Cook , and he wants to film an episode of his cooking show right here in Mirror Lake. At your restaurant. Isn’t that exciting?”
Brad jerked his head up. “Marc Daniels, the celebrity chef?” Who hosted a cooking show on Food Network, and owned several five-star restaurants in New York City. He would be a huge boon for their event, which in turn would be great for the hospital and great for his restaurant. The B and Bs, the lakefront, and the downtown would be packed.
Erika pressed her white teeth into her lower lip and smiled. “Yep. Mirror Lake is going to be on national television, and the crowds he attracts will be huge.”
She reached across the table and grasped Brad’s hands. As she leaned over, he caught an excellent view of her ample cleavage. The tiny candle in the center of the table flickered off her high-cheekboned face, drawing attention to a provocative little mole at the side of her mouth.
Traditionally, this was the time he’d
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