Five

When his cock finally stopped pulsing, Tyler collapsed over Kate with a rough sigh before quickly shifting to the side so he didn’t crush her.

He’d couldn’t remember coming that hard or feeling this . . . sense of satiation in years. Definitely not since Mia and possibly not even with Mia. He’d always been so careful with her, knowing he couldn’t lose control and risk frightening her.

He didn’t think Kate frightened easily.

She lay facing away from him, her hair a dark swath across her back. He wanted to wrap his hand around it and keep her anchored to him but figured that might be a little too much for her.

Instead, he laid his head on one bent arm and wrapped the other around her waist. She started slightly when his skin made contact with hers but wriggled back against him in the next second.

She fit perfectly. Her head under his chin, her ass snuggled against his thighs and his cock pressed against the small of her back. Rolling away for a second, he took care of the condom before rolling back to draw her close again.

She let him wrap himself around her for several minutes while her breathing settled, but he realized she was growing stiffer in his arms with each passing second.

When she finally shifted away from him, he thought she was going to get up. Now that the heat of the moment had passed, was she having second thoughts?

Instead, she rolled over until she lay facing him.

Her gaze held his steadily, but she definitely had something on her mind and it wasn’t another round of sex.

“Are you okay?”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wanted to take them back.

Damn it, he didn’t want to treat her like a child but she definitely had something going on.

She didn’t seem to take offense as she nodded slowly. “I’m fine. It’s just . . . been a while since . . .”

He heard what she didn’t say. It’d been a while she’d been with anyone but her fiancé. And he got that. Of course she was going to have nerves.

And now came that awkward moment as they were both naked and had no idea what to say or do or—

“Thank you.”

Okay, maybe Kate was going to be better at this than he was. “For what?”

“For helping me realize I made the right decision.”

It wasn’t what he’d been expecting and his expression must have shown his surprise because she grimaced and her eyes closed.

“Sorry, that didn’t come out the way I intended.”

Putting one hand on her cheek and rubbing his thumb against her flushed skin, he waited until her eyes opened. “You can say anything you want to me, Kate. You’re not going to upset me or make me angry.”

Her raised eyebrows told him she didn’t really believe him. But she didn’t contradict him, either.

Instead, she shivered a little, and he was about to reach for her to draw her closer when she sat up. “I think I’d like to get dressed.”

Disappointment bit at him, but he nodded and immediately rose to find her clothing, forcing himself not to question her.

He couldn’t help but realize she was uncomfortable. And thinking way too hard. Her gaze darted all around the room, everywhere except at him.

Damn it, he’d fucked up. What the hell had he said? What had he done to make her uncomfortable?

Picking up his pants, he shoved his legs into them then picked up her dress and handed it to her. He tried not to stare at her as she dressed though his eyes kept going back to her.

She slid the dress on, hesitating only a second before she presented him with her back. “Could you . . . ?”

He’d much rather be stroking that bare skin than covering it but he pulled up the zipper before sliding his shirt over his shoulders.

“Kate, are you sure you’re okay?”

She turned to face him then, nodding. “Yes. Everything’s fine. It’s just . . . I’m tired. It’s been a long day. I’ve been up since five and I think I’m starting to wind down. Tonight was . . . amazing. Thank you.”

Then she smiled, trying to reassure him but only managing to worry him even more.

Feeling awkward with his shoes in his hands, he nodded then led her to the door. Silence fell heavily around them as he led her down the hall to one of the two guest rooms on this floor. He’d hoped she wouldn’t be using it but . . .

Pulling out his wallet, he withdrew a keycard, opened the door, then held it open for her. “I had your bag delivered earlier. If you need anything”—give me a call—“just let the desk know. They’ll get you whatever you need.”

She nodded, looking around the room before meeting his gaze. Damn, she did look exhausted. How had he missed that before?

Because he’d been too damn hot for her, that’s why.

Feeling like a total heel, he leaned forward to stroke a kiss along her soft cheek. His hand clenched into a fist at his side, wanting to grip her hair and pull her close. Tumble her back into bed and wrap himself around her for the night.

Not going to happen.

When he drew back, he was really afraid he saw tears in her eyes, but the smile she gave him this time seemed more genuine.

“I’m sorry, Tyler. I’m just so ti—”

“Hey, no need for apologies. Get some sleep. When you wake up, dial star-forty-five. It’ll connect you to my apartment. We can get some breakfast, if you’d like.”

“That would be nice.” She stopped, and he thought she might say something else but then she just shook her head and he figured retreat was his best option right now.

“Good night, Kate.”

“Good night, Tyler.”

Her words were barely audible as she stepped back into the room and closed the door.

He stood there for several seconds, staring at the door like some lovesick fool, before he forced himself to head to his apartment.

Once there, he headed straight for the fridge and a bottle of beer, though he knew he didn’t have enough alcohol to put him to sleep tonight.

He settled himself on the couch with the remote and prepared for a restless night.

**

Kate sat on the edge of the sleek gray couch in the living area.

The room had a definite modern vibe, with interesting patterns and color combinations. And at any other time she’d be checking out the design styles.

Tonight, she barely registered the visuals.

She’d freaked. Why the hell had she freaked?

She’d just had the best sex of her life. She could be sprawled all over Tyler in his bed and wake up at any moment to have more great sex.

What the hell was wrong with her?

Maybe it’d been too soon after the breakup. Maybe she hadn’t been ready.

Which was a total joke.

She’d been more than ready, had been lusting after the man since she’d met him New Year’s Eve.

Hell, she’d broken off her engagement because she couldn’t get him out of her head.

And now? Now that she’d had him, was that it?

She so wanted to talk to Annabelle, but Annabelle was probably in bed with Jared and wouldn’t be answering her phone anytime soon.

Those two were so in love, it made her ache to be in their proximity. And it had shown her what she’d be missing if she’d settled for Arnie.

Dropping her head in her palms, she groaned, wondering when the hell she’d gotten so far off track with her life.

She’d had such amazing plans. Finish college. Move to New York or Philadelphia or Chicago, maybe even LA. Snag an apprenticeship with one of the costume companies working for the stage. Work her way up to designer.

Have a career. Build a life away from small-town Pennsylvania.

Then her mom had died and she’d been frozen with grief.

Like tonight, she’d been afraid to move on.

She wanted to kick her own ass. She wanted Tyler to open the door and not take no for an answer.

But she knew he’d never force her into doing anything without getting her consent first.

And she’d told him no tonight.

At least, she’d made it clear that she’d needed space.

When maybe that’s not at all what she’d wanted.

“Argh!”

Her frustration ate away at her fear. And she really wanted to talk to Annabelle.

Picking up her phone, she typed in Hey. What’s up?

But she erased it before she hit send.

Damn it, she didn’t want to be Needy Best Friend.

With a sigh, she trudged into the gorgeous bedroom, figuring if she told herself long enough she was tired, she actually would be.

Lying on the bed, she closed her eyes—

And jolted awake from a dead sleep when her phone blared “Marry You.”

Fumbling around, she finally snared the obnoxious device and answered with a smoky, “Hello?”

“Oh, thank God! Kate. You gotta get here as soon as possible. It’s a disaster.”

The panicked voice on the other end made Kate fly up into a sitting position. “Talia? Is that you?”

“Of course it’s me. Who else would be calling you at six thirty on a Saturday morning before I’ve had my coffee and right before the biggest wedding of my career!”

Uh-oh. “Please tell me it’s not a problem with the dress.”

Talia Driscoll laughed maniacally and Kate cringed as she threw off the covers and ran for her overnight bag.

“I could tell you that but it wouldn’t be true. I need you here. Five minutes ago.”

“Oh shit.” Kate froze, hands tightening on her jeans as pictures of the wedding dress she’d custom made for one Margaret Mary Shanahan flipped through her mind.

Daughter of Pennsylvania senator Daniel Shanahan. Daughter of old steel money courtesy of Daniel Shanahan’s wife, Tracy Carnegie Shanahan. And yes, she meant those Carnegies.

Her throat felt as dry as the Sahara and her stomach had clenched into a painful ball. “How bad is it?”

Talia didn’t answer right away and Kate thought she might puke. “Not quite apocalypse but definitely Armageddon.”

“Shit.” Kate put the phone on speaker and put it on the bed as she threw on clothes. “I’m not at home. I’ll be there in an hour. Can you deal with it until then?”

Meaning could she deal with an already jittery bride who really was a sweet girl but tended to crumble into complete meltdown at the first sign of trouble?

Talia groaned. “Oh God. I need a drink. And I don’t mean coffee. Just get here as soon as you can. I will pay any and all speeding tickets or I will have Daddy Shanahan wipe them clean. Kate—”

“Don’t panic,” Kate jumped in, knowing exactly what Talia was about to say. This was way too big a deal for them to have something screw it up. “I’m on my way.”

She hung up before Talia could say another word and reached for the bedside phone.

“Good morning, Kate. Did you sleep well?”

She shivered in response to that voice even as she told herself she didn’t have the time for it. “I need to be in Reading as fast as possible.”

A slight pause. “Give me five minutes.”

When the phone clicked in her ear, she sat, blinking at it. Anyone else would have badgered her with questions.

Five minutes.

She sprang into action. No time to wash her hair but she could take a quick shower.

When he knocked at her door five minutes later, she was stuffing the last of her things into her overnight bag.

And even though she didn’t have time to ogle him, she couldn’t help the sharp twist in her gut at the dark stubble on his face, which he obviously hadn’t had time to shave, and the wet and rumpled hair.

Of course, she couldn’t stop her gaze from dropping lower, taking in the tight gray University of Pennsylvania T-shirt that exposed strong arms and the worn jeans that molded to muscled thighs.

She was so totally an idiot.

And he was so absolutely not. “I’ve got the car waiting out front.”

She wanted to throw herself against that broad chest and cling for all she was worth. Instead, she straightened her spine and nodded. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

He waved her out of the door then took her bag. “I hope everything’s okay.”

“Actually, I’ve got a wedding emergency.”

Dark brows curving, he shot her a look as they waited for the elevator to arrive. “A wedding emergency. I thought—”

“Oh, God! Not mine!” She waved her hands like she was guiding in a plane. “No, I made a dress for a girl but something happened to it and the wedding planner called me in a panic. I don’t even know what’s wrong yet and . . . Damn, I just realized I won’t have my box. Shit.”

The elevator doors opened and she hurried inside, as if that would get her to Reading any faster.

“What box?”

“My sewing kit. I’ll need that to repair whatever happened to the dress.”

“Why don’t you call Annabelle and have her bring it to you?”

“I would, but I don’t want to disturb her.” The elevator took them directly to the parking garage and they headed for Tyler’s car. “I guess I’m going to have to. She’s gonna hate me.”

“Do you want me to call Jed?”

She gave him a smile as they got into the car and got on their way. God, she really was an idiot or he really was too good to be true. “No, that’s okay. I’ll call Annabelle.”

As she pulled her phone out, her gaze brushed by his big hand on the gearshift. Long fingers that had brought her so much pleasure. She wanted those hands on her again.

And now was definitely not the time to be thinking about that because she had an emergency.

Annabelle didn’t pick up until the third ring. “Kate! Are you okay?” Then her voice dropped into an almost-whisper. “Did you really leave with Tyler last night and go back to Haven with him? Where are you? Did you have fun?”

“And good morning to you, too.” Kate felt a blush flare and hoped Tyler couldn’t hear Annabelle’s overly exuberant voice. “Hey, I need a favor and I’m so sorry to have to ask—”

“What’s wrong? Is everything okay? Do you need me to come get you?”

Kate couldn’t help but smile. “Nothing’s wrong. Yes, I did. I’m on my way to Reading, and no, I don’t need you to come get me. But I do need you to bring my full kit to Reading for me.”

“Whose— Oh no.” Dread filled Annabelle’s tone. “The Shanahan wedding’s today, isn’t it? And there’s a problem with the dress? Ooh, that can’t be good.”

“No, probably not. I didn’t get a lot of detail from Talia because she was already freaked out, so that’s not a good sign. It must be bad.”

“I’ll get your kit and meet you— Where should I meet you?”

“At St. Catherine’s in Mount Penn. I’m so sorry to interrupt your, uh, morning.”

Annabelle laughed and Kate heard the rumble of a male voice in the background.

“No worries,” Annabelle assured her. “We can’t stay in bed the entire day.”

A pause and Kate definitely heard Jared say, “And why not?”

Annabelle laughed again. “I’ll be there with your kit. See you soon.”

Annabelle hung up, and she set her phone back in her purse, sighing.

“I like Annabelle,” Tyler said after a few seconds of silence had passed. “She seems like a great friend.”

“The very best. We met in college and have been best friends ever since. When my mom died, I don’t think I would’ve managed without her.”

“I’m sorry about your mom. Was she ill?”

She really didn’t want to talk about her mom but she didn’t want to be rude either. And in her current state, she might just snap off his head. “She had an undiagnosed heart defect. Went out for a run one day and never came home. She had a heart attack, fell over, and hit her head on a rock. She was dead before anyone found her.”

He paused. “I’m so sorry. How old were you?”

“Twenty.”

Please God don’t let him ask any more questions. She hated talking about her mom because it always made her cry. And that made her angry. It’d been more than seven years since her death. Most people figured she should be over it by now. Or at least have moved on.

Which she had. Really.

As if he’d picked up on her silent pleading, he changed the subject.

“So this dress, is it your first custom gown?”

Breathing a hopefully silent sigh of relief, she shook her head. “No, but it is the first I’ve designed for one of Talia’s clients.”

“And Talia is . . . ?”

“Talia Driscoll, event planner. This is her first major wedding and she’s been running on Red Bull and dark chocolate for the past week. I was kind of afraid she wouldn’t be able to hold it together until the actual wedding day, but so far she’s managed. Talia’s brilliant. She was able to pull this wedding together in record time.”

“Why the rush?”

“The bride’s fiancé is about to ship out with the Peace Corps for a two-year stint in Africa and the bride didn’t want to wait to get married until he came home. When the Shanahans couldn’t find anyone else to take over the wedding on such short notice, Talia’s mother offered up her daughter’s services. It’s a great opportunity. It’ll make her career if the day comes off without a hitch.”

“But that can’t happen unless you fix the dress. Will you be able to?”

She couldn’t afford to believe otherwise. “Unless the thing got dumped in a sludge pile and shredded, I can fix it.”

“You sound pretty sure of yourself.”

She was, actually. “The dress is pure Cinderella. Lots of tulle, big puffy skirt. The bodice is fitted, but even if I have to resew a few seams, it shouldn’t be a problem. I guess I should’ve asked Talia what happened but I’m almost afraid I’ll psych myself into a panic before I get there.”

His mouth quirked into one of those smiles she couldn’t seem to get enough of. “Sounds like you’ve got this all worked out.”

“Yeah, except now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t have had Annabelle pick up some extra fabric and the bolt of tulle . . .”

Even as she spoke, she reached for her cell to text Annabelle.

“Better safe than sorry.”

Tyler’s voice hit that spot deep inside that made her shiver. Her thumbs fumbled the message and she had to retype it before she hit send.

Then she noticed the tremble in her hands and her racing heart.

Damn. She couldn’t afford to panic.

“So, Tyler. Tell me all about the hotel business.”

Tyler turned to look at Kate, noticed the shaking hands and the tremor in her voice.

And realized he didn’t know enough about her to know what to say to calm her down because she was about to lose it. He figured that wouldn’t be a couple of sniffles and a tear or two.

He knew just where to touch her to make her shiver and he knew that if he sucked on her breasts a certain way, she moaned.

But heading off a meltdown?

Shit. Jared handled women much better than he did. He knew what to say to calm them down, to get their minds turned in another direction.

Tyler had known that when Mia dissolved in tears, he could pull her into his arms and let her cry it out against his chest.

He hadn’t pegged Kate as a crier and, as he watched her struggle to maintain her composure, he realized she didn’t want to cry. Was fighting against it hard.

Her bottom lip trembled but she bit down on it as she took a deep breath. She stared straight out the window, her hands held tight in her lap.

Strong. Battling.

He liked that.

So he talked about zoning laws and union workers and waste management contracts, figuring if nothing else he would bore her into a state of numbness.

Except she surprised him. She asked questions. Questions that told him she was actually listening to him instead of just nodding her head when he paused for a breath.

So they discussed aspects of the company he never discussed with anyone other than Jed.

Mia had never wanted to know details about hotel management. She’d been content to let him handle all financial aspects of their relationship. Anything having to do with money or business had been off Mia’s radar.

She’d been more concerned with their impending marriage, which had still been six months in the future at the time of her death. They’d seen no need to worry about when they held the actual marriage, but Mia had wanted the whole royal wedding deal—big church, ten bridesmaids, ten groomsmen, ring bearer, flower girls, huge dress, ice sculptures, ten-piece orchestra and an entire warehouse of flowers decorating the hotel ballroom.

He’d gone along with everything because he’d loved Mia.

“Tyler? I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bombard you with all these questions. It’s okay if you don’t—”

“No, Kate.” He shook his head and reached for her hands, twisted into a knot on her lap. He wrapped his fingers around hers and squeezed. “Sorry. I just kind of zoned out there for a minute.”

“What were you thinking about?”

He paused. “My fiancée.”

“Do you want to talk about her?”

No. Not at all. “Would you like to talk about your ex-fiancé?”

He wanted to take back the words as soon as they left his mouth. Damn it, he hadn’t meant to sound so damn defensive, especially in the state she was in.

Mia would have broken down in a hysterical mess if he’d said the same to her

Kate laughed, a short burst of sound that hit him low in the gut. “Touché. Okay, so no talking about former partners. How about you tell me the story behind the Salon? That should take my mind off of other things.”

For a second, he couldn’t believe she’d let it go so easily. Mia—

Kate wasn’t Mia. And he had to remember that.

“I wasn’t really involved in the inception of the Salon, but I know Jared’s inspiration comes from his interest in Victorian erotica.”

“Not something you typically hear guys get worked up about.”

Tyler slid a grin in her direction. “Have you met my brother? He’s not exactly the poster child for typical.”

“No, Jared definitely is not typical. But then neither is Annabelle.”

“They suit each other.”

He glanced over and caught Kate’s smile. Damn, he really liked making her smile.

“Yes, they do. Seeing them together helped me realize what I’d be giving up if I married Arnie.” Her smile disappeared. “I decided I didn’t want to live half a life.”

Something in her voice made him want to dig a little deeper. “What do you mean?”

She paused so long he wasn’t sure she was going to answer.

Finally, she said, “My mom . . . She was never really happy. When you’re a kid, you know how you pick up on things that you know aren’t right but you can’t really figure out what’s going on?”

He nodded, his jaw tightening as images of his own mother’s troubled past crowded to the forefront. “Yeah, I do.”

“I didn’t realize until I was about thirteen or so that my mom wanted to be a photojournalist. I thought she’d always wanted to teach college. Then one night, I heard her and my dad arguing. That wasn’t unusual. My dad was born in Reading, but my grandparents are from Korea. He’s never been a real affectionate person. It just wasn’t how he was raised. But my mom was Italian.” She stopped to shake her head, her smile bemused. “They met at college and, according to my mom, it was love at first sight. My dad defied his parents to marry my mom, and Mom gave up her dream of traveling the world for him.

“My dad’s parents have been gone for years and we didn’t see them much growing up. My mom’s parents got over the fact that their daughter married a guy who acted like he had a stick up his butt and I think they were relieved that she wasn’t going to fly off to some foreign country and never return.”

“Sounds stressful.”

She nodded, gaze fixed on a point in the distance. “Yeah, I guess it was. But when you’re in it, and you’re a kid, you don’t really understand it. I mean, you know it’s going on but you can’t really do anything about it. I only figured out what was really going on when I was in college. I knew my mom was unhappy and I thought it had to be my dad’s fault.”

Pausing, she sighed before looking up at him with a rueful smile. “But nothing’s ever that simple, is it?”

Considering his parents’ problems, he knew that for a fact. “No, it’s not.”

She must have heard something in his voice because she paused again, staring up at him. But she didn’t press him on it. “After she died, I blamed my dad for a lot of stuff that probably wasn’t his fault.”

“But you still returned home after college.”

He didn’t phrase it as a question but she had to know he’d meant it as one.

She shrugged. “I love my dad.”

As if it was that easy. And maybe it was.

Jed had had a tough time forgiving their father for his indiscretions. Tyler had realized at a much younger age that their parents’ marriage had gaping wounds that might never be healed.

He’d never wanted to go through that with his own wife.

Which had made Mia perfect for him.

The perfect doll who never talked back.

And that was totally unfair.

“So do you still want to be a costume designer?”

“Yes.” She spoke without any hesitation. “But I have to be realistic. The time for that might have come and gone. It would’ve been easier to get an apprenticeship right out of college, when I had the contacts with my professors.”

“But it’s not like you’re over the hill. You’ve been working in the field—”

Her short, sharp laugh cut him off. “I don’t think hemming pants and suit jackets qualifies as working in the field.”

“And the lingerie and wedding design don’t either? I think you’re selling yourself a little short.”

He snuck a quick glance at her—traffic was getting heavier the closer they got to Reading—and did a double take at her smile. Holy shit. That one could cut him off at the knees.

“I appreciate the vote of confidence. But all you’ve seen are little bits of lace and satin so far.”

“And two beautiful fairy costumes. And the dress you wore last night was stunning.”

Another pause. “Thank you. I don’t . . . Thank you, Tyler.”

She laid her hand over his on the steering wheel and he wanted to twine their fingers together and bring it to his mouth, but that seemed like a gesture a lover would make.

He wasn’t sure they were at that stage yet. But he was fast realizing he wanted to be.

And that kind of scared the shit out of him.

**

The knot in the pit of Kate’s stomach tightened as they stopped in front of the church less than an hour later. For all that Tyler seemed like such a steady-as-he-goes guy, he had a lead foot.

Which she so appreciated at the moment.

She had the door open before the car came to a complete stop behind another car she recognized. Jared and Annabelle were already here.

Kate had a quick moment to panic over where to go. She didn’t figure anyone was in the church yet. The bride-to-be was probably in one of the ancillary rooms in one of the wings off the church but—

“Kate! Thank God! Over here.”

Talia stood in an open doorway to the left of the church entrance, waving at her frantically.

Kate had almost expected to see the normally unflappable event planner with her hair standing on end and her shirttails hanging out, but she should’ve known better.

Talia’s dove gray suit hung perfectly, every line immaculate. Every strand of wheat blonde hair remained in place in an elegant twist on the back of her head.

It was only when she looked in Talia’s wide turquoise eyes that Kate saw panic.

Shit, this was bad.

Forcing down her own fear that wanted to eat her alive, Kate ran for the door.

“Where’s Annabelle?”

“With Maggie trying to keep her calm.”

“How bad is it?”

Talia’s lips flattened until they almost disappeared and Kate’s stomach flipped.

“That bad.”

“Bad enough.” Talia took a deep breath and Kate found herself following suit as they hurried down a long hall. Kate tried not to let images of a torn bodice cloud her mind.

She had to keep her head, no matter what.

But by the time she walked into the room where the bride sat in a mound of tulle and satin, she could barely breathe.

Annabelle stood beside her, hand on Maggie’s shoulder, her expression almost apologetic.

Wow. Really not good.

The bride’s mother stood on the other side of the room, wringing her hands while talking to someone in clerical robes.

Hope he isn’t here to do last rites on the dress.

Maggie’s head had popped up as soon as she and Talia walked through the door and Kate saw such utter despair on the other girl’s face, she almost thought someone had died.

And that was enough to snap her out of her funk.

Straightening her back, Kate stopped in front of the bride, propped her hands on her hips, and stared down at the girl. “Alright. No more of that. It’s not the end of the world. Let’s see what’s wrong.”

Kate thought she heard Talia literally sigh in relief. But Maggie’s lower lip continued to wobble.

“The dog . . .”

Then she stood and Kate’s gaze immediately went to the form-fitting satin bodice covered in hand-sewn crystals.

Oh, God, please not the bodice.

She saw nothing on the bodice . . . until Maggie turned to the side.

Kate’s breath caught in her throat, and when she tried to breathe past it, she almost choked.

Something—a dog’s claw, she guessed—had ripped through the bodice and torn the fragile material, leaving a gash at least three inches long.

Her lungs tightened to the point where she thought she might actually suffocate.

She’d never understood the term blind panic until that moment.

She couldn’t fix this.

A smack on her back made her suck in air and got her heart started again.

“Kate.” Annabelle’s voice snapped her back into the moment. “I brought everything I thought you’d need. I also grabbed a few more things you probably don’t but I guess they can’t hurt.”

Kate turned toward Annabelle, her hair pulled back in a makeshift bun with curls escaping all over the place. Annabelle stared back with total confidence.

Okay, she could do this. Taking a deep breath, Kate nodded. “Thank you.”

Annabelle’s answering smile bolstered confidence further. “Do you need me to stay and help?”

Kate hugged her. “No offense, but I’d be afraid you’d sew your fingers into the dress. No, but thank you for bringing my stuff. I really appreciate it.”

“What are friends for?” Then Annabelle whispered into her ear. “But I have a price. I want to know all about your night. I’ll talk to you soon.”

Annabelle left on that note, and Kate turned to the trembling bride-to-be.

“Alright, Maggie, take off the dress. When I’m done, you won’t be able to remember where it was ripped.”

She could do this.

Just like last night with Tyler, she only had to take the first step and the rest would follow.

**

“So. How was your night?”

Tyler turned at the sound of his brother’s voice. Kate had disappeared into a room down the hall and he’d stopped just inside the door.

Jed wore a bland expression but the gleam in his eyes didn’t bode well for Tyler’s piece of mind.

“My night was fine. Where’s Nana?”

“Probably still sleeping. We got her a room at the B&B up the street from the shop. Belle introduced us to the owners at the party and they hit it off with Nana right away. I’ll make sure she gets home.”

“And you and Belle? Everything okay?”

“Yes. So what hap—”

“I don’t know when I’ll be back to the hotel today,” Tyler cut in, not wanting to go there with his brother. Not now. “I need to make a few calls, let Betsy and Mark know I won’t be back today.”

“So you’re—”

“When do you think you’ll be going back?”

He stared back at his brother with a look Jed should know and understand.

Then again, his brother typically never listened to him.

“So I guess that means you’re staying with Kate.”

When he didn’t respond, Jed grinned.

Tyler gritted his teeth and his damn brother started to laugh.

“No need to break your jaw. Lighten up, big brother. The hotel will survive without you for a few days and—”

“I’ll be back tonight. I don’t want to leave Kate here without a ride home.”

“Uh-huh.” Jed lost his smile and moved closer. “You know it’s okay to move on, right? It’s been almost two years.”

He didn’t pretend to misunderstand what Jed was talking about. “Are you saying I haven’t?”

Jed shook his head. “Nope. Not buying your denial. You’re so damn good at deflection. You should’ve been a lawyer, you know that, right?”

They’d had this talk before and Tyler had his response down pat. “Then who would manage all that money you like to think you make on your own?”

Jed raised one hand in surrender. “Alright. Fine. We won’t talk about it.”

Because there was nothing to talk about. Mia was gone. He wasn’t.

And one night with a woman—even one as exciting as Kate—did not make a relationship.

“We need to decide on a contractor and— Why are you laughing?”

After Jed calmed down enough to speak, his brother sighed and got out his cell. “I’ve got the list right here. Why don’t we go over a few of the possibilities now?”

Yeah, that should take his mind off last night. Right.

**

Thirty minutes later, Jed and Annabelle left, but only after Tyler assured Annabelle he’d stay until the bitter end and make sure Kate ate something. And that he’d get Kate home safely. And make sure she didn’t obsess over what she couldn’t fix. And that he didn’t let her get depressed or drink too much at the reception.

That last one caught him off guard.

Kate hadn’t said anything about being invited to the wedding. And she definitely hadn’t said anything about attending the wedding.

He’d assumed she wasn’t going.

He’d also assumed she’d want to spend more time with him. Tonight. Maybe Sunday night as well.

Then again, maybe she’d thought last night had been once and done.

Just thinking about that made him tense.

When Kate walked through the door a minute later, he had himself back under control. Or so he thought.

When he saw how tired she looked, he wanted to grab her, put her in his car, and take her back to the hotel. He’d feed her, put her to bed and, when she woke, he’d show her why she should let him take care of her.

Luckily, he had enough sense to realize that was probably a bad idea.

Instead, he met her halfway and waited for her to make a move. She stopped only inches away but didn’t reach for him.

She smiled up at him. At least, he thought she was trying to smile. “Thank you for waiting. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.”

Not exactly the response he’d expected. His gaze narrowed as he watched her bite her bottom lip and take a deep breath before meeting his gaze. Almost as if she was nervous. Or worried.

“Is everything okay? Annabelle said you were able to repair the dress.”

Her mouth twisted in a grimace. “Not exactly repair. More like camouflage.”

“So the damage was extensive?”

“No, just bad enough. I’m hoping no one looks very closely at the side of the dress.”

“Kate . . . what’s wrong?”

Because he could tell something was eating at her.

Again, all he wanted to do was fix it for her.

And that could become a habit he figured she wouldn’t appreciate. Still, it was damn hard to simply stand there and watch her worry and not know what to do to make it better.

“Maggie begged me to stay for the wedding and the reception. In case she needed additional repairs. I’m going to stay, but you don’t have to. I’m sure Maggie’s father can arrange for someone to take me home.”

Did she not want him to stay? Was this her way of getting rid of him without having to tell him to go?

And there he was. Back in high school.

“Would you like me to stay, Kate?”

Now she looked him in the eyes and he saw fatigue.

“Why don’t you let me take you home so you can get some rest?”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “No way am I leaving while she’s still in that dress.”

His mouth quirked at the force behind her statement. “Okay.” But where did that leave him?

Her teeth worried her top lip for a second. “Would you mind staying with me?”

He answered without having to think. “Not at all.”

Was he mistaken or did she look relieved? “Okay. That’s great. Thank you.” Then she looked down at her clothes. “I realize neither of us is really dressed for this but I figure if we stay in the background, no one will pay much attention to us.”

The only person he’d have his eyes on would be Kate and he honestly didn’t much care what other people thought of him. There was the possibility that he’d know a few people at the wedding besides the bride’s family. The Shanahans moved in the same circles as his parents, and he’d met Maggie several times. She and Mia had gone to the same college and shared a circle of friends.

Who hadn’t liked him much.

But Kate wanted him with her so he was staying.

Maggie would probably be too busy to even notice he was there.

And Kate’s smile was all the reason he needed to justify his presence.

**

By the time Kate slipped into the very last church pew in the back right corner next to Tyler, she felt like she’d run a marathon.

Tyler watched as she took a deep breath and tried to relax, but he knew that wasn’t going to happen.

As long as Maggie wore that dress, Kate had to be prepared to jump at a moment’s notice. She wasn’t too worried about the wedding but the reception . . . Photos, eating. Dancing.

She shuddered. God, what if the stitches didn’t hold? She’d never sewn so fast in her life but she had to admit, even close up, it was difficult to tell where she’d made the repair.

But she knew it was there. And she couldn’t stop obsessing.

“So what happened to the dress?”

Tyler leaned down and spoke directly into her ear because the organist had amped up her efforts in preparation for the bridesmaids’ entrance, causing her to shiver.

His voice sank deep into her body, heating her from the inside out. Even with all the stress, she realized she wanted him. If he asked her to leave right now and follow him back to a bed, any bed, she’d have a hard time saying no.

And that was wrong. Of course it was wrong. He shouldn’t have that kind of control over her.

Not now.

Not ever.

She suppressed a shiver and fought the desire to glance up at him because she knew if she looked into those beautiful eyes, she’d ask him to leave.

“She had an unfortunate encounter with her dog. Who lets a dog anywhere near her wedding dress? Especially on her wedding day. It ranks right up there with getting too close to the unity candle and having your veil go up in flames.”

The organist was really getting into it now, the volume increasing as the tempo picked up as well. Since she couldn’t see the musician from where she was sitting, her brain supplied images of a woman in a pale pink suit with a pillbox hat rocking out as she banged out “Trumpet Voluntary.”

Kate had the totally inappropriate urge to laugh and had to literally bite her tongue so the sound wouldn’t escape.

“Kate, are you sure you’re okay?”

Since she was afraid if she opened her mouth, her laughter would escape, she nodded but couldn’t look at Tyler. She knew he continued to watch her and then she couldn’t stop thinking about what they’d done last night.

The organ music overlaid those erotic images and the laughter tried to surge.

Oh my God, she was about to lose it.

She caught a flash of white and knew she couldn’t watch. If anything happened to the dress, she figured the gasp from the audience would alert her.

Still, she couldn’t overcome the urge to laugh. Her chest rose and fell at an ever-increasing rate.

Crap. She was totally going to lose it.

Tyler wrapped his hand around hers and laced their fingers together. The warmth of his skin threw her back into the memories of last night. How he’d used those hands on her body. How she’d lost her inhibitions. How he’d made her feel.

“Kate, look here.”

She took a few shallow breaths before she obeyed.

And when she did, she fell into that dark gaze. He anchored her. Calmed her.

“Breathe in and hold it a few seconds. Everything’s okay.”

It certainly seemed that way now, didn’t it?

And that’s what she was afraid of. That she’d let him take her over.

But, God, he was so beautiful. In a totally masculine way.

Those blue eyes. That perfect mouth. That strong nose. She wanted to lift her hand and run it along his jaw, dark with scruff.

He hadn’t had time to shave this morning and, as much as she liked seeing him decked out in a tux or a suit or tailored slacks and a shirt, there was something about a guy in well-worn jeans and a tight T-shirt that made her heart speed up.

Or maybe it was just this guy. Arnie had lived in jeans and T-shirts, and she’d never looked at him the way she looked at Tyler.

He leaned in and spoke into her ear. “Good. You’re okay.”

She shivered. “Yes. I’m fine.” Now. “Thank you.”

The music stopped and Tyler pulled away, gave her a nod, then turned his attention to the front of the church. Hers lingered for a few seconds more before she forced it front.

Another deep breath and she finally managed to relax. At least enough that she didn’t feel like she was going to puke.

**

Since they weren’t exactly dressed for a wedding that had to have cost upwards of fifty thousand dollars, Kate and Tyler slipped away from the crowd as they lined up to greet the bride and groom.

As they headed back to the room where she’d fixed Maggie’s dress, Tyler watched her for another breakdown.

He knew the signs. He’d had enough practice growing up with his mother. Not that he thought Kate was bipolar, like his mom. Then again, he didn’t know her well enough to know if she was prone to breakdowns at the slightest provocation. Like Mia.

And how the hell many times was he going to compare this woman to his dead fiancée before he got it through his head that Kate was not Mia.

She wouldn’t have the same faults. Wouldn’t have the same likes and dislikes.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Kate let out a huge sigh of relief and slumped into a padded chair, eyes closing as her head leaned back.

“I need a drink.”

Tyler smiled at the dramatic tone but saw stress lingering in the lines of her beautiful face.

“Isn’t it a little early to start drinking?”

She cracked open one eye and glared at him for a second, which just made his smile widen. “Considering I feel like I’ve been running a marathon for the past ten hours, no, I don’t think it’s too early to start drinking.”

“Would you like me to run you home so you can change before we head to the reception?”

“No time. They’re taking pictures in a few minutes then heading straight for the reception. I’m not leaving that dress. We’ll sit in a dark corner and hope no one notices us.”

Of course people would notice them. And he figured Kate would hate being at a fancy affair like this wedding not looking her best. “I’ll call Jed. He and Annabelle can get a dress for you and pick up a pair of pants and a shirt for me.”

She didn’t bother to open her eyes this time. “Are you always this bossy?”

Usually, yes. He chose not to answer. “Where’s the reception? I’ll have them meet us there.”

She didn’t answer right away. “Hidden Pond Farm. It’s only a few miles from here. But I really don’t need—”

He’d already pulled out his phone and dialed Jed. “Hey, I need you and Annabelle to do us another favor.”

As he gave Jed a detailed list, he saw Kate open her eyes. She watched him, her expression unreadable.

“I take it you’re staying for the reception?” Jed asked in a tone that caused Tyler to frown.

“And there’s a problem with that?”

“No. No problem. So I guess you won’t be back to Haven tonight to greet Greg?”

Shit. How the hell had he forgotten that? His mind went blank for a full five seconds, time enough for Jed to laugh.

“I guess that’s my answer. No problem. I’ll handle it.”

Greg Hicks was a regular, a Hollywood producer who rented a suite year round for when he returned to Pennsylvania to visit his parents. Greg had been one of their first recurring clients and had become a friend. They shared several common interests and had become close.

Tyler couldn’t believe he’d forgotten Greg’s arrival.

At any other time, Tyler would’ve dropped whatever he was doing and headed back to the hotel. The hotel always came first, sometimes even before Mia, though she’d understood.

Now . . .

“Thanks, Jed. That’s great. Tell Greg I’ll see him tomorrow.”