Gayle was probably just in a bad mood. Sometimes people struck others the wrong way. It was no big deal. She’d get over it. And as soon as he got his emotions back under control, he could return to his easy, comfortable life.
Everything was fine. His whole world hadn’t turned upside down just because Ariana had appeared where she wasn’t supposed to be.
He’d had a great time with her for one week, but that was a year ago, and his life wouldn’t allow him to even think about her anymore.
BRADLEY DIDN’T GET much sleep that night, so he knew he needed to do something to settle things with Ariana in his own mind. So the next morning he did a little research and walked over to the dress shop she owned at five minutes after ten—just after it opened for the day.
Katherine had taken the kids to the park, and Gayle was sleeping in, so this was the perfect opportunity to get this handled.
His heart was beating way too fast as he pushed in the front door, making the chime ring to announce his entrance.
Ariana had been in the back, but she came to the front room almost immediately. There was no one else around. Just her. And him. Staring at each other without speaking.
She was way too beautiful in a dark blue sweater dress that matched her eyes. Her lips were full. Her cheeks were pink. The contour of her breasts was tantalizingly visible beneath the fabric.
“Well?” she demanded after too long a stretch of silence. “Did you want something?”
“Oh. Yeah. Uh.” Shit, he was acting like a brainless teenage boy. “I thought it would be a good idea to stop by and, uh, clear the air.”
“Clear the air? Of what exactly?” She felt distanced. Almost cool. And Ariana wasn’t either of those things.
He didn’t like it. “I don’t know. Just that things felt awkward last night. I didn’t know you were living here.”
“And I didn’t know you were Katherine’s brother. It was obviously a surprise to both of us.” She gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “But it’s fine. Just one of those things. I don’t think we need to clear the air.”
“Don’t we? Because you seem...”
“I seem what?” Her shoulders stiffened like he’d been about to insult her.
“I don’t know. Not like yourself. Are you mad at me?”
“Of course not. Why would I be mad at you? Just because you slept with me without ever informing me that you have a girlfriend and kids?”
“No!” He took a step forward, reaching out to touch her arm but stopping himself before he did. “It’s not like that at all. I’d never have done that. I wasn’t dating Gayle last year. We’ve just been together for a couple of months. The kids... I didn’t think I needed to tell you about them. My wife died a couple of years ago, and I didn’t have any ties when I—”
“Okay.” She put a hand up to stop him, which was just as well because it felt like he was starting to babble. “Okay, I get it.” She took a slightly shaky breath. “I’m glad you weren’t... I mean, I’m glad you weren’t cheating on your girlfriend with me. I wouldn’t have been okay with that.”
“I know. I never would have done that.” He started to add that she should know better than to assume that, but the truth was she had no reason to know that. They’d only known each other for a week. It might feel like he knew her deeply, but she didn’t know that much about him. There was no reason to assume he wouldn’t have been the jackass she evidently believed him to be.
“Okay. That’s... that’s good.” She took another deep breath and then raised her eyes to meet his. “It’s fine then. It’s a surprise to see you, but it’s fine. I don’t have to be mad at you.”
“Good. Because I don’t want you to be mad at me.”
“I’m not.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
They stared at each other some more. Bradley really wanted to touch her. Pull her into a hug. She looked unexpectedly fragile, and he didn’t exactly know why except it felt like it might be his fault.
He wasn’t allowed to comfort her, however. They weren’t together. He was with someone else.
And she clearly didn’t want him to touch her since she took a step back from him. “Katherine is a friend of mine.”
“That’s what she said this morning. That’s... good.” It felt inadequate, but he couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“So I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other around town while you’re here. But, if it’s all right with you, I’d rather we not tell people that we know each other. Or knew each other. Or whatever. Can we just act like we’re strangers?”
“Yes. I think that’s a good idea.” The idea loosened some of the tension in his chest. Everything would be far easier if he and Ariana could act like strangers for the next few weeks. That way, nothing would go too deep or get too confusing or make him feel in ways that might be dangerous.
“Okay then.” She gave a firm nod and pushed some of her loose hair behind her ear. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Mr. Barnes. Thanks for stopping by the shop. Maybe I’ll see you around.” She flashed him a bright smile. It was close, but not her real one.
It didn’t reach her eyes.
It made him feel weird. Kind of sad and heavy. He ignored the feeling and smiled back at her instead. “Absolutely. It was nice to meet you too, Ms....” He paused, summoning back up the last name Katherine had mentioned this morning. “Ms. Kensington.”
She nodded again. They stared at each other for another too-long moment.
Then he turned and strode out of the store.
That was it.
It was all fine.
Everything was as it should be.
He and Ariana weren’t anything to each other, and they never would be, and that was exactly the way he preferred it.
BRADLEY DIDN’T END up having a very good day. He’d thought he’d be able to relax and take it easy since this was the only real vacation he’d had since his ski trip last year. He’d wanted to spend time with his sister and his kids without anything serious to trouble him.
But he felt restless all day. Unsettled. And Gayle kept getting on his nerves, which made him feel selfish and guilty. She wasn’t doing anything different. She was just being herself. But little things kept annoying him about her, and he had trouble disciplining his thinking.
It wasn’t right. He couldn’t keep thinking about Ariana. He wasn’t with her. He was with Gayle. And he wasn’t the kind of man to ignore important things like commitment and trust.
So all in all, he didn’t have as good a day as he’d been expecting, and by the time evening came, he was frustrated and exhausted.
Jana and Ford were sleeping on bunk beds in one of Katherine’s spare rooms, so Bradley had to climb up to the top bunk to say good night to Ford. He was an easygoing, happy-natured soul, and he gave Bradley a hug as he chatted about how much fun he’d had, playing ball with him at the park that afternoon and how they should do it again tomorrow, but next time he’d hit more balls with the bat.
Bradley was leaning over the bunk (rather uncomfortably), but he chuckled and agreed that each time Ford played he’d do better.