style="font-size:15px;"> “You aren’t?”
“We’ll never be buddies or anything, but we can tolerate each other...at least for a minute or two.”
“And you’re okay with him spending time with Molly after being gone so much of the time?”
With anyone else, she wouldn’t get into this type of conversation, but something told her this was important to Lucas. “Letting Chad back into our lives is the last thing I want. But this isn’t about me. This is about Molly. And she wants him, so who am I to stand between them? But it doesn’t mean I trust him to stick around. Old dogs don’t learn new tricks, no matter how much they might want to at the moment.”
Lucas gazed past her, as though lost in his thoughts.
She got the distinct impression that his relationship with his ex wasn’t so amicable. But if that was the case, why was he alone in a dusty house of memories, pining for her? There were a lot of missing pieces to Lucas’s puzzle. And though she knew better—knew to keep her distance—she was intrigued by him. What was the real story behind New York City’s most eligible bachelor?
LIFE HAD KATE in the fast lane with no signs of things slowing down.
A week had already passed since Lucas agreed to let her manage the repair work on the house. During that time, they’d fallen into a routine of morning coffee together followed by a late dinner when she got home from the hospital. Sometimes they ate in and sometimes he’d take her out. It was never anything fancy, a little off-the-beaten-path pizzeria or a mom-and-pop diner. She actually enjoyed the warm, inviting atmosphere more than if they’d gone to a high-class establishment where the point was more about being seen than having a relaxing dinner.
But when it came to lunch, she was on her own. Today she didn’t have much of an appetite as she arrived at the hospital for an upcoming meeting with Molly’s surgeon. They were awaiting test results to make sure the procedure was still an option. Kate had prayed long and hard that there wouldn’t be any further complications.
“Kate, did you hear me?” Connie Carrington, Lucas’s kindhearted aunt, smiled at her from the other side of the table in the Hospitality Shop. “I said Lucas is lucky you happened into his life.”
“I didn’t exactly stumble into his life. You had a big hand in that.”
“I did, didn’t I?” The woman smiled broadly. Her bouncy personality didn’t quite jive with her prim and proper appearance. Her short silver hair was swept off to one side. Her smooth, porcelain complexion had just a hint of makeup and a pair of dark-rimmed glasses perched upon her petite nose.
“You sound quite pleased with yourself.”
“My nephew needed his eyes opened before that house collapsed around him. Thank you for making him see sense.”
“I don’t think it was me as much as the dripping rainwater.”
Connie reached across the table and patted her hand. “You, my dear, are good for him.”
She highly doubted that. There was an undeniable vibe between them—more like a magnetic force. But he didn’t seem any more eager to explore their options than she was to get in any deeper. Experience had taught her that once they crossed that line, there would be no going back.
“Regardless, I have a feeling the house is going to be a huge success. I just hope Lucas likes what I’ve done.”
“I’m sure he will. It’s about time that boy lets go of the past and starts living again.”
This was a prime opportunity to ask about Lucas’s history and the story behind that locked room at the end of the hall, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She and Lucas were forging a friendship of sorts. If she was going to learn about his past, she wanted it to come from him. She didn’t want to sneak around behind his back.
Connie sipped at her coffee and returned the cup to its saucer. “I meant to tell you that splashy headline in the paper was just the publicity we needed.”
“It was?”
Connie nodded. “Tickets are going fast. A little more of that free exposure and we should be able to sell out.”
Kate lowered her voice. “So you think I should go along with Lucas’s idea to play the happy couple in hopes of gaining more publicity?”
Connie reached out and gave her arm a squeeze. “I do. I really do.”
“I...I don’t know.”
“You’ve already started quite a buzz. People want to meet the mystery woman caught kissing the Bachelor of the Year. Many women have tried to capture my nephew’s attention, but few have ever turned his head. And after the divorce, he’s closed himself off. But you—you’re making a big difference—”
“What difference would that be?” questioned a familiar male voice.
Kate turned. Her face warmed, wondering how much he’d overheard.
When neither of them replied, his searching gaze moved between the two of them. “Is it some big secret you’re sharing?”
Kate’s heart pounded in her chest. She was a miserable liar. Her best defense was silence.
Unable to look Lucas in the eye, she lowered her gaze. She noticed his sharp navy suit was tailored to show off his broad shoulders and tapered for his trim waist. Talk about fine packages. Even fully clothed he was definitely Mr. Oh-So-Sexy.
Realizing that she was publicly ogling him, she reined in her thoughts. What was she doing lusting over him? He was here to be a supportive friend. If it weren’t for him and his aunt, she didn’t know where she’d be or how she’d take care of her daughter.
Lucas and Connie made her feel as though she were no longer alone in this world.
“Heavens, no. We don’t have any secrets.” Connie’s voice wobbled just a bit. “I was telling Kate that even though she isn’t doing the guest list and ticket sales that she’s making the biggest contribution by pulling together the venue.”
“I agree. She’s doing a fantastic job.” Lucas gave her an approving nod. “The downstairs is all cleaned up and the painting has begun.” He smiled, causing the ever-present sadness in his blue eyes to disappear. She wished he looked like that all the time.
“Now, if only the upstairs would go just as fast.” Kate finished off the last of her coffee.
“I’m sure it’ll all come together.”
Lucas’s belief in her abilities meant a great deal to her. And the fact he’d shown up today to show his support totally caught her off guard.
She flashed him her best smile. “I’m so glad you decided to take me up on my offer to meet Molly. It’ll be a nice surprise for her. Wait until she finds out she has a special visitor. And I see the milkshake I ordered for her is waiting at the checkout.”
“But
