it was all because of those cookies.”
She tried to picture him as a child. But all she saw was the polished man sitting across from her. “Were they chocolate chip?”
“I don’t remember, but they probably were.” He toasted her with his next bite. The scone he was eating had chocolate chips in it. “So who was yours?”
She picked at her muffin, breaking off crusty little pieces. “My what?”
“First crush.”
“Oh, right.” She had an unwelcome crush on him. That was for darn sure. She could barely focus on her answer. But she searched her memories and said, “In middle school. An older boy named Kasey. But he never liked me back.”
Brandon stared across the table at her. “He would probably like you now.”
Her pulse dipped and dived. “I got over him a long time ago.”
His stare got deeper, more intense. “I kept thinking about you all week. I couldn’t get you off my mind.”
She tried to keep things light, to fight the sexual feelings he incited. “About me being a new Nashville resident?”
“About everything, I guess. I’d really like to take you out, Mary.”
Oh wow. He’d just asked her on a real live date. Things were moving faster than she expected. But she couldn’t turn him down, not if she wanted to get to know him better.
“Where would we go?” she managed to ask.
He smiled. “Someplace nice.”
For the nice girl she was supposed to be? The thought made her breath rush out. “I’m not used to fancy places.”
“It doesn’t have to be fancy. We can do cozy.” He paused and added, “With a good-night kiss.”
She panicked. “What if I decide that we shouldn’t kiss on the first date?”
“Then I’ll be forced to wait until the next time I see you.” He finished his scone, swallowing the last glazed bite. “But I hope that doesn’t happen. What man in his right mind wouldn’t want to kiss you?”
He wasn’t just any man, she thought. He was the attorney who’d filed a restraining order against her mother. “You’re making my head spin.”
He frowned. “Why do I make you so uncomfortable? What am I doing wrong?”
“Nothing.” He’d already done it years ago. “I just haven’t been on a date in a while.”
“That’s okay. I’ll bring you up to speed. Do you like Chinese food? I can get us a private booth at the Crystal Buddha.”
“That sounds good.” She toyed with her napkin. “I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard rave reviews about it.”
“How about Thursday night?”
“That’s fine. I’ll give you my number and you can text me when you make the reservation. Maybe you should give me your number now, too.”
After they completed the exchange, he glanced past her and said, “I guess we’re boring my dog.”
She followed his line of sight. Cline was sprawled out on the grass, fast asleep. “Maybe he needs his own date.”
“I think he’s content just the way he is.”
She nodded. The husky didn’t seem to have a care in the world. In the next quiet instant, she asked, “Would you be okay with me buying your dad’s biography? I’m getting curious to read it.”
He angled his head. “Really? Why?”
“To learn more about your family and how you fit in with them.” And because she could discuss the book with him and get his reactions. “It might make for an interesting conversation when we go out.”
“Sure, we can talk about it over dinner. It would probably be better if you knew my background, anyway, with how public it is. But you’d better read fast because it’s four hundred pages.”
“I’ll do my best.” She couldn’t tell him that she’d already read it several times.
“Too bad there isn’t a book about your family and how you fit in with them. I’m going to have to learn about you the normal way.”
Mary merely nodded. Normal didn’t exist in this farce of a situation. But she had to protect herself. Her and Alice and Mama. “I’m just a regular person from a regular family.”
“We’re going to make a strange pair. You and me.”
“The strangest,” she agreed, praying that she could handle their date—and the kiss that loomed between them.
* * *
After work, when Brandon came home from the office to his downtown loft, Tommy made an impromptu visit. Brandon also owned an estate near their dad’s house, but this was his main residence.
Tommy entered the loft like the country superstar he was, decked out in fancy Western wear, with his light brown hair loosely tousled. He had hazel eyes and features similar to their father. Brandon resembled their mom, except that his hair was black and hers was blond. Their parents had gotten divorced ages ago, but Mom had forgiven Dad for his indiscretions, and they’d become friends again.
“What’s going on?” Brandon asked.
“I had a meeting in the area and thought I’d stop by.”
“Was it with the producers of the show?” His brother had signed a megadeal to appear on Music Mentors, a popular reality show on a major network.
“Yep. We’ll be filming soon.” Tommy moved farther into the loft. “As long as I’m here, I was wondering if you’d want to have dinner with Sophie and me?” He patted his stomach. “Chef has been trying to fatten me up. You know, so my pregnant wife doesn’t feel bad.”
As far as Brandon could tell, the father-to-be hadn’t gained an ounce. But the last time he’d seen Sophie, she was beautifully round. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m going out this evening.” Brandon strode to the bar to pour his brother a glass of sparkling berry-flavored water. Tommy never drank alcohol. Growing up with an alcoholic father had turned him off to it. Brandon drank in moderation, a cocktail here and there, a glass of wine with a meal. He didn’t have an addictive personality. But their old man sure did.
He handed Tommy the water.
“Thanks.” His brother took a swig. “Where are you going tonight?”
“I have a date.” Brandon thought about Mary’s natural red hair. Or he assumed it was natural. To him, it didn’t look dyed. So far, he’d seen it only in a braid. He hoped that she wore it loose tonight. If she let him kiss her, he was going to do his damnedest to run his fingers through it. “She isn’t my usual type, though.”
Tommy
