An hour and a half later, Brody sat across from Cara at a round table in a taqueria known for authentic tacos, fresh tortilla chips, and a wide variety of salsas. The lunch rush was over. No other tables were taken, but they sat in a dark corner booth where he faced the wall. He’d removed his sunglasses but wore his baseball cap. He didn’t want to risk being recognized and ruin their meal.
Eating out was the perfect respite after meeting with the wedding planner. He hadn’t minded talking about a marriage ceremony and the reception that would follow, even if a wedding day would never happen. Playing Cara’s fiancé was more fun than he thought it would be. He could get into this role. Too bad she hadn’t seemed to enjoy the experience as much as he had. She hadn’t smiled once since leaving the Bay View House, but at least she didn’t seem as tense.
He noticed Cara’s plate was still full. “You haven’t eaten much.”
Using a fork, she picked at the fillings inside her fish taco. “I’m not really hungry.”
That wasn’t like her at all. She loved going out to eat. Mexican and Italian were her favorites. At least they had been when she lived in Los Angeles. Three years wouldn’t have changed her taste buds.
It had to be the wedding talk and planning. Not eating was only one sign. The lines around her mouth had faded, but her complexion was paler than normal and her gaze bounced all over the place. He hated seeing her this way, but there wasn’t the luxury of slowing down to let her adjust at a more comfortable pace.
“I’m sorry for pushing you about the wedding plans, but we’re pressed for time.”
“You don’t have to apologize.” She glanced up from her plate. “I agreed to pretend. We’re in this together.”
She had, and they were. “Good call with the picnic theme.”
The corners of her mouth edged up. Not much of a smile, but he’d take it.
“I was trying to think of something easy that could be planned without too much effort on Sariah’s part.” Cara set her fork on the plate. “Though isn’t a ‘couple of weeks’ too soon for a wedding date?”
“If this were a real wedding, yes. But with the interview airing on Thursday and Caitlin’s film opening on Friday, we need everything in place before that so we can leak info as needed. After box office numbers are released, we can decide what to do next.”
“If we cancel the wedding right after the film’s premiere, won’t people think this is a publicity stunt?”
He added more hot sauce to his taco. “People will think that no matter the timing. We’ll come off looking better if they call it a publicity stunt.”
Cara shredded one edge of her napkin into lopsided fringe. “Sariah is nice. She seemed excited about the picnic theme. I hate that we’re using her this way.”
He raised his water glass. “Sariah Foley is a professional wedding planner. We won’t be the first couple to cancel. She’ll understand. They’ll get their money and then some.”
By the time the fake engagement ended, he’d be out a hundred grand, maybe more, but the money would be well spent. Friendship didn’t come with a price tag, even if the end of this ruse would result in him setting new boundaries with one of those friends.
“No one is going to suffer a hardship or get hurt,” he added. “Promise.”
Something flashed in Cara’s eyes but then disappeared. She still didn’t appear convinced.
Reaching across the table, he covered her hand with his. “You’re cold.”
“Just tired.” Her voice was soft. “My nerves are shot.”
He appreciated her honesty. Caitlin usually said fine, which was a clue something was wrong. He rubbed the top of Cara’s hand. “Let’s swing by the store on the way home. Grab a six-pack of beer and snacks. We can binge watch Netflix or put together one of those impossible jigsaw puzzles you love.”
“We’re supposed to look at invitations tonight.”
Always the good girl. He forced himself not to laugh. “Let Loki pick one for us so we can do what we want.”
She opened her mouth but then closed it. “Why not? He has as much invested in this wedding as we do.”
That was more like it. Brody grinned. Maybe she was getting into the spirit of fake wedding planning. “That’s my Cara.”
She pulled her hand from beneath his and ate a tortilla chip.
Bummer. He enjoyed holding her hand. Something he rarely did with any woman because of Caitlin. He had to be conscious of his every action because someone was always watching him, and no matter where he was, he had to keep up the pretense of being in love with Caitlin. He’d been counting down the months until they could stop lying. Knowing that would happen sooner than January filled him with relief.
Cara wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I’m yours only as long as this ring is on my finger. After that, you’ll have to find someone else.”
She definitely wasn’t as stressed as she’d been. Knowing that pleased him. “There is no one else like you.”
Cara brightened. “I know, but that’s something you’ll have to live with. I’m sure you’ll survive.”
He laughed, but he was surprised his ring was the one on her finger. She was the kind of woman a man took home to meet his family. His parents loved Caitlin, but Cara was their favorite twin. Always had been. She remembered birthdays and anniversaries. When his mother had gallbladder surgery, Cara had gone to Sacramento and filled his parents’ freezer with healthy, homemade meals that just needed to be put in a slow cooker or the oven.
That got him thinking. “So, other than cat allergies, why aren’t you dating anyone?”
She shrugged. “San Francisco hasn’t been an easy place for me to meet guys. The majority of my former coworkers were women. Unfortunately, none had eligible bachelors for brothers or friends. Though I went out with someone’s cousin.”
“And?”
Amusement gleamed in her gaze. “He was nice. Attractive. But he was still in love with his ex-girlfriend. After an hour of listening to him go on about her, I told him to send her a text about getting together to catch up. He did, and they’re married now.”
“I didn’t know matchmaking was one of your talents.”
“Transition person might be a more apt description.”
“An hour makes you his transition person?”
She stared over her glass of lemonade. “Well, in that case, I knew the date would go nowhere so I was only trying to find the fastest way to end my misery.”
“You’ll need a transition person when our engagement is over.”
“I can handle a breakup after, what did you say, three weeks max?”
“And here I thought you cared about me,” he joked.
Cara glanced at her taco. “Like one woman matters when millions are head over heels in love with you.”
“Not with me.” Which was a big problem. “They fall for the character they see on the screen.”
“Is there a difference?”
Her question made him shift positions. Even though they hadn’t spent much time together since she’d moved to San Francisco, she knew him better than most. “Of course.”
She raised an arched brow. “Really?”
He couldn’t get away with anything around her. Caitlin took whatever he said at face value. Never Cara. “Most of the time.”
“You’re a great guy. You deserve to find true love.”
Her sincerity touched his heart. Most people wanted something from him. He wasn’t used to someone wanting something good for him. “That’ll be easier to find once people know Caitlin and I aren’t together. Finally being truthful is one of the bright sides to all of this.”
“What’s the other bright side?”
“There are two. No longer feeling indebted to your sister and spending time with you.” Cara’s face lit up, filling him with warmth. Being with her was so much easier than being with Caitlin. “I like when you smile.”
“Do you like this?” Cara stuck out her tongue at him.
“I liked it better when your tongue was blue after drinking a slushie.”
She laughed. “I haven’t had one of those in forever.”
“We’ll have to remedy that while I’m here.”
“Okay.” She stabbed at her taco before setting the fork on the plate. She twirled a strand of hair between her fingers.
He knew what that meant. “What’s on your mind?”
Cara’s mouth slanted. “You really want to know?”
“Of course.”
She took a breath, exhaled. “Being at the Bay View House makes me want to plan a real wedding.”
The longing in her voice not only surprised him, but it also tugged at his heart. He’d been so focused on Caitlin he hadn’t considered Cara’s feelings beyond pretending or that she might be ready for the next phase in her life. “You’re ready to settle down?”
Two lines formed above the bridge of her nose. “Settle down sounds like a person is settling for less. I just…”
“What?”
“I want to find a man who accepts me for who I am and wants to be a part of my life.”
Her words swirled in his head. Most people wanted that at some point in their lives, but she hadn’t dated in high school—too busy with her studying, clubs, and a part-time job—and he knew of only one boyfriend she had in college. What was his name? Quincy or maybe Lance. Something with a C in it.
The guy had been okay but too intellectual for Brody’s liking. Cara was smart enough on her own. She needed someone to help her loosen up, relax, and have fun. Thankfully, a job transfer had sent them to opposite coasts. Their long-distance relationship had ended after their first month apart. The guy’s decision, not Cara’s.
But what she wanted now sounded more serious than dating or having another boyfriend.
Since her breakup, Cara hadn’t gone out with that many guys. Brody had asked her, and Caitlin often mentioned her sister’s bad dates. He hadn’t thought Cara wanted…needed…more.
The realization unsettled him.
Why?
He wasn’t sure.
Guilt over being selfish?
That was as good a guess as any.
Brody went to brush his hand through his hair but hit the brim of his cap. He picked up his water instead. “Have someone in mind?”
Another shrug.
That meant she wasn’t going to tell him if she did. That stung. She used to tell him everything, but they weren’t as close as before. Caitlin had gotten in the way. That had been his fault. He didn’t have many regrets, but dating Caitlin was one. Continuing to act as if they were a couple after they’d broken up was another. Soon, though, that would be behind him.
But he knew one thing he could do to help Cara find what she wanted. That was what friends did. Help each other. “I know some great guys. If you want me to introduce you to them, I can.”
She stiffened. “No, thanks.”
Unexpected relief flowed through him. Not surprising once he thought through what he’d offered. He didn’t want the insider scoop on what she did with her boyfriend. Listening to Caitlin tell him every detail about her love life as if he were her ex-boyfriend, BFF, brother, and therapist all rolled into one was bad enough. “Ready to go?”
Cara stood. “Thanks for lunch.”
“Thanks for pretending to want to marry me.”
“Few women can say they were engaged to one of the sexiest men in the world,” she teased.
He lowered his head. “I’m never going to live down that magazine profile.”
“Nope.”
He placed his arm around her as they left the restaurant. As before, being close to her and touching her was easy. No acting skills required.
To his left, two men strode toward them. One man nudged the other.
The hair on Brody’s neck prickled. He’d been playing this game too long not to recognize paparazzi, but Cara had relaxed. He wanted to keep her smiling, so he led her in the opposite direction. “Let’s go this way.”
“The car is to the left.”
Only the truth would appease her analytical brain. “We’re being followed.”
He glanced over his shoulder. One man held up a cell phone as if taking a photo. The other now had a camera bag in front of him.
Not good.
A small shop was two doors away from the taqueria. It must share the alley behind the buildings. They could slip through the store and out the back door. That sounded better than trying to outrun the photographers.
“In here.” Brody pulled her into the store, hurriedly closing the door behind them. Colorful women’s clothing hung on floor racks and hooks attached to a cork-covered wall.
“Hey.” A young woman with pink-and-green hair greeted them. Her clothing appeared more thrift-store retro than trendy-boutique wear. Her black boots needed polishing. Tattoos covered her arms. “I’m Opal. May I help you?”
He whipped out a twenty-dollar bill. “Is there a back exit we can use?”
“Yes, but we got a delivery this morning,” Opal said. “Boxes are blocking the way.”
He took out two more twenties. “Is there a place we could hang out for a few minutes? We’re trying to ditch two guys.”
Cara peered over her shoulder at the door.
After glancing at Cara, Opal focused on Brody. “You can wait in a dressing room. If someone comes looking for you, I’ll say you went out the back. They won’t know about the boxes.”
Flashing his hey-beautiful-lady smile, he handed Opal the money. “Get rid of them, and there’s more where that came from.”
“Cool.” After folding and tucking the twenty-dollar bills into her bra, she led them to a dressing room. “Wait in here. And be quiet.”
She jerked a heavy velvet curtain shut. The room felt tiny, almost claustrophobic. One wall contained a tall, gilded mirror. The other two walls were painted a metallic blue color.
“Be quiet?” Cara whispered. With her wide eyes, she resembled a spooked animal that was being chased by a pack of dogs. “Like we’re going to throw ourselves a party in here.”
“She means no dressing-room sex.”
Cara drew away. Her eyebrows pinched together at the same time the corners of her mouth curved downward in what he’d come to call her bewildered expression after they’d taken health class together. “That’s a, um, thing?”
He tried not to smile. “Most definitely a thing.”
For a twenty-eight-year-old intelligent woman, Cara O’Neal seemed as naïve as she’d been in high school. It was time to have a little fun.
He ran the side of his finger along her jawline. Her skin was soft and smooth. “We’re engaged and planning a wedding. So if you’re game…”
“Shh.” She clamped her hand over his mouth.
He could lick her palm so easily, but that would freak her out. She might shriek and give them away.
Almost worth it.
She lowered her hand.
He’d waited too long. Probably for the best.
Cara stared at the curtain. “Opal is going to sell us out, or you’ll owe her a lot more money.”
“She won’t sell us out.” He’d used his most charming smile on the salesclerk. “I always carry cash. It’s the easiest way to get out of certain situations.”
Cara covered her ears. “I don’t want to know.”
She really was adorable, a mix of nerves, frustration, and anger. Her lower lip stuck out. No lipstick or hint of gloss—she must have chewed it off at the Bay View House or at lunch—and he wondered what she’d taste like if he kissed her.
Sweet? Or spicy? Her swift temper suggested heat simmered beneath the surface.
Funny how he’d known her for his whole life but never noticed these things until now. Most likely because she was always in her sister’s shadow. Caitlin burned brighter than them both.
The bell on the door jingled.
Cara’s worried gaze met Brody’s. She faced him, only inches away, close enough to hear her breath, but not to feel it. His temperature rose.
Two bodies in a small space would explain the heat. Physical chemistry would, too.
Voices sounded. A woman and a man. Maybe two men.
Brody listened, but he couldn’t hear what they were saying. He made out one word: police.
The bell on the door jingled, but Opal didn’t open the curtain.
“The door closed,” Cara whispered. “Maybe they left.”
“Or someone else came in.” He’d been through this too many times to take a peek. “Opal said to wait. We’ll wait.”
His cell phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen to see a text from Caitlin.
Caitlin: Where are you? The photographers need pics of you and Cara.
Brody: You know about them?
Caitlin: I tipped them off when you told me where you were having lunch.
Brody: Why?
Caitlin: To make this appear legit.
Brody: We’re planning a wedding. Call off the hounds.
Caitlin: Fine.
Brody: Anything else?
Caitlin: The interview went live.
He wanted to cuss, but Cara had never liked him using certain four-letter words around her.
Brody: You said we had until Thursday.
Caitlin: Out of my control. TTYL.
He blew out a frustrated breath. Caitlin had zero control over the interview airing, but later would have worked out better for everyone. He tucked his phone in his pocket. Caitlin being in touch with the photographers—and the others who’d parked themselves outside the condominium building earlier this morning—pissed him off.
Brody was concerned about Cara. Her worry knotted his gut. He’d spent the past two and a half years living a lie, so he figured there was karma involved for him. But her…
She didn’t deserve this. She’d done nothing but support him and Caitlin over the years. Gave them what extra money she had from her part-time job in college. More after she worked full-time before they made it big. Listened to them complain at all hours of the night. Dropped everything whenever they needed her.
He hated that her smile had disappeared once again. Time to lighten the mood. “Just think how many women would love to be in your place right now.”
“Nothing personal, but I’d change places with one in a heartbeat. Hiding like this—” She glanced around the cramped dressing room. “It’s so not me.”
Her quiet voice shook. Not quite on the verge of panic but close.
She needed a distraction. Turning his cap so the brim faced the back, he asked, “Would this be more to your liking?”
Leaning forward, he kissed her on the lips. Just a light touch.
She stiffened but soon relaxed.
He was only going to make the kiss a peck, but she tasted so sweet. There was something more, too, something unexpected. More than a dash of spice.
Brody wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. He wasn’t ready to stop.
Her chest went against his. Softness and warmth—the definition of Cara. When she wiggled, heat exploded low in his gut.
Oh, man. If he’d known his sweet Cara’s kisses were so hot, he would have done this years ago.
As he pressed harder against her lips, he hoped Opal took her time coming back.