Her Accidental Husband (18 page)

This was exactly the reason he’d been hiding from everyone for the past week. They never let up. He sighed heavily. “Payton had just broke up with her
fiancé
,” he said with emphasis, “a guy she’s known for years and was about to spend the rest of her life with. She wasn’t looking for anything serious, just a good time. Same with me.”

“That’s not what it looked like to me, dear brother,” Benny said again.

“Look guys. This deal, with Eastman Motors, it’s huge. And it’s going to take every minute of my time for the next year, at least, to get all the projects green-lighted and crew hired, not to mention speaking with Dominic about designing us a new headquarters for Sorensen Construction. I don’t have time for anything else right now.”

Benny started to interject again so he tried again, his voice louder. “Even if I were to have any interest in having a love life, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be with Payton Vaughn. Other than physical attraction, we don’t have anything in common. She’s planning charity functions for people with nothing to do but spend money saving dolphins or whales or whatever. Believe me, we’re not compatible.”

It killed him to say that. But as soon as he did, he knew it was true.

He wanted to tell them that even if he did want her in his life, it was too late. She was already back with Brad. But then he’d have to admit he’d been practically stalking her. So he let it go, waiting for the next argument.

Fortunately, his mother decided to—finally—come to his rescue as she laid her hand on Benny to stay further comments. “Leave him be.” But she did look at him a little longer with sadness in those dark, loving eyes. “He’ll have to realize some things for himself.”

Ouch.

“If we’re done with the third degree, maybe we can eat? I have tons to do back at the office. Where are the kids?” he asked Daisy.

“They’re with their dad,” she said, disbelief on her own face. “He’s had them since Friday and will be dropping them off later tonight. They were ecstatic. And it’s giving me time to start the packing,” Now she was barely restraining her excitement, her lips tugging into a grin.

“Packing? What’s going on?”

She clasped her hands together, almost as if in a prayer. “My lovely new sister-in-law is what’s going on. For weeks she and Dominic have been negotiating where they’re going to live, and it looks like they decided that, despite being farther away from Kate’s work, they’re going to live at Dominic’s.”

“Okay,” he said slowly, not sure what that had to do with Daisy unless… “Are you moving into her place, then?”

She was beaming as she nodded. “Seeing as how the market is still getting back on its feet, Kate wants to hold off selling for now and she thought maybe the kids and I would want to move in. Get our own space. I’m paying her rent, of course.”

He nodded. His sister had stubbornly refused all handouts since going through the divorce, much to everyone’s dismay, so it wasn’t a surprise that she’d insist on paying rent. Probably top dollar too.

“It’s such a beautiful house,” she gushed, her eyes shining. “And what with living right next door, Aunt Glenda has already assured me she’d love nothing more than to help me watch the kids after school. I can’t imagine it being more perfect. The girls will have to share a room, of course, but they’re fine with it. I think Paul might even be a little jealous,” she added, referencing her youngest and only son.

“But don’t forget I want to help too. Even if they won’t be under the same roof,” their mother interjected, looking a little weepy. “I’m expecting lots of sleepovers.”

Daisy softened her smile and placed her hand on her mother’s. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“This is great news, Daise,” Cruz said. “I’m excited for you and the kids.”

“Good. Because I’m going to need your help moving. With Dominic and Kate gone until next late Saturday night, I need some brawn for the heavy lifting.”

“Isn’t that what we have Benny for?” he asked and took another drink.

Benny smiled wryly. “Don’t worry, big brother. I know you’ve gone a little soft in your old age, might suffer a bit from early arthritis. I’m prepared to pick up your slack. I can probably hook you up with some geriatric medical supplies too. Just say the word.”

“When do you need me?” he asked Daisy, ignoring his youngest sister.

“I can’t get off early until Saturday, around three, and I would really like to get it done then. It shouldn’t take too long. Kate left the keys with me and has insisted I use most of the furniture she already has. Probably just a couple hours. Unless you want to help us get a couple of Kate’s things moved over to Dominic’s. He had a few things he wanted in place before they get back, something to have as a nice homecoming for Kate.”

It was going to put a serious kink in Cruz’s plans to have a decision made on which subcontractor he was going with by the end of the week, but it couldn’t be helped. It was family.

“Fine. I’ll meet you here around three. Ben,” he asked, trying to turn topics. “Did you hear anything yet about that fellowship?”

Which did the trick. With everyone onto a new topic and busy dishing up dinner, Cruz pretended to listen while letting his mind go somewhere else. On
someone
else. Again.

Oh, hell. He entertained the idea of slamming his head against the table to try and knock some sense in his damn brain but figured that would only alarm everyone around him.

Moving on. Seemed like something everyone was doing around here. Benny as she wrapped up her residency in pediatric medicine at the U and looked toward the future; Dominic who was starting a new life with the woman he loved. Hell. Even his newly divorced sister was moving on—literally and figuratively. And, of course…Payton.

For all he knew she and Brad were back to pricing out china patterns again for the big nuptials in between planning cocktail parties for her mother and her friends.

She’d moved on.

Maybe it was time Cruz did, too.

Chapter Eighteen

P
ayton added another yellow rose to the vase and stood back, tilting her head to try and get a different perspective. She wanted them to be perfect for her friend when she arrived home late tonight from her honeymoon.

“They’re gorgeous,” Benny said from behind her. “Kate will love them.”

Earlier, Cruz’s sister and Kate’s new sister-in-law, had arrived on her doorstep asking for a favor. With Kate and Dominic arriving in town sometime after midnight, she’d wanted to do something special for the couple. Bring a few of Kate’s things from her old house over, buy a few groceries and other things to help make the house feel warm and inviting. Set it up for a couple just returning from a honeymoon—and wanting to leave the house as little as possible.

With assurances that it would just be the two of them, since the last thing she needed was an inopportune run-in with Cruz, Payton had agreed. Even if she was nervous that Benny would ply her with question about what happened between them. Fortunately, Benny had remained mum on the subject, instead chatting away over some funny stories involving her young patients and then how lucky Kate and Dominic were to find each other.

“Mrs. Kate Sorensen,” Payton shook her head and grabbed another long-stemmed rose, trimming the bottom before pushing it in the vase. “It’s so crazy. I can’t believe my best friend is married.”

She was happy. Ecstatically happy for her friend who deserved all the happiness in the world. But, if she were totally honest, she had to admit also feeling a little sad for herself.

Her friend was starting this new stage in her life, while Payton was trying to catch up.

“Daisy and everyone should be here any minute now,” Benny said and pulled two bottles of Champagne from a bag on the kitchen counter.

Benny had conveniently waited until after they’d arrived, arms loaded with flowers and groceries and supplies, to drop the news that the rest of the family would also be stopping by to bring some of the heavier items. She’d quickly reassured Payton that she didn’t have to worry about running into Cruz since he was busy with work and Payton managed to tamp down the panic that first seized her at the thought of seeing him.

Benny opened the fridge and placed the Champagne inside next to the rest of the groceries they’d brought. “I’m going to move my car so they can back the truck up to the porch.”

Knowing that the rest of the Sorensens were descending on the house, Payton desperately wanted to make herself scarce. It would be too painful and embarrassing seeing them now. Remembering how thrilled and happy and excited she was when she’d last seen them.

She wondered what they thought about her now, about her actions. What had Cruz told them? But she didn’t worry too much on that end. He never spoke unless he had to. Especially about his personal life. Which might be why Benny had brought her here in the first place, to pump her for information, even if she hadn’t reached the subject. Yet.

No way was she prepared to face everyone.

She glanced at her watch. Almost five. She should be going if she was going to meet Brad for dinner by six. “I think I’m done here anyway. I’ll get out of everyone’s hair.”

“Oh, really?” Benny looked crestfallen and glanced down at her cell phone. “Would you do one last favor for me, then? I bought a whole load of votive candles and little holders for them and wanted to set them up around the room. You know, help with the ambiance? Can you get me started on that? I have no sense for that kind of stuff.”

Payton glanced at her watch again and bit her lip. “Five more minutes but then I really have to go.”

“Great,” Benny said, her face slipping into a wide smile, her blue eyes suspiciously bright.

Benny traipsed up the stairs to the upper landing that led, due to the slope on the mountain where the house sat, out to the driveway. Leaving Payton alone in this little piece of heaven nestled away from the world. Kate was very lucky.

Payton grabbed the bag that Benny left and looked around the room. The vista outside the window in the main room was gorgeous. The sun was setting across the treeline before the windows, giving the room a warm, homey feeling. Finding a seat on the couch, she opened the first bag of candles and began the task of dropping them into the holders. She was on the third bag when a ruckus from the top of the stairs alerted her that Benny was back.

“I think you bought enough candles to set the whole mountainside ablaze,” she said looking in the bag at the endless amount of candles still packaged as Benny reached the bottom step. She looked up. “I didn’t know how many—”

Only, it wasn’t Benny.

Her heart felt like it was ricocheting in her chest and the only sound she could hear now was the rushing of blood as it pumped erratically sending a whooshing through her ears. Thank Heavens she was seated because she was certain she’d have slumped to the floor otherwise.

No, the hulking giant before her could never be mistaken for the smaller woman.

Crap. Why did he have to look so good?

His hair was shorter, even and clipped above the ears, but still long enough where she could tousle it with her fingertips. His eyes, now wide in disbelief as he caught sight of her, were that same deep chocolate brown that had looked at her like he wanted to shove her out of the car one second, and then like he wanted to kiss her senseless a second later. His jaw was dark with growth, showing it hadn’t seen a razor in at least two days, maybe longer. She wondered if it would be soft to touch, or rough, stinging her chin like it had that morning when he’d woken her up with—

Dear Lord.
What am I doing?

The seconds continued to pass and the giant just stayed there unmoving. It made sense now, why Benny wanted her here. Had distracted her enough until Cruz could get here.

Had he wanted to see her? Did he know—of course he didn’t know, judging by the slack in his jaw.

Why didn’t he just say something?

“Cruz. Hello.” Lame.

Lame, lame, lame.

He blinked a couple times, almost like he hadn’t believed she was there until she spoke. “Payton.” Hearing him speak her name, so soft, nearly undid her. He blinked again. “What are you doing here?”

He didn’t sound happy. He didn’t sound angry either. She couldn’t tell anymore.

“Your sister, Benny. She asked me to help set some things up for Kate and Dominic. Do some staging,” she said and swept her hand toward the pile of votive candles next to her.

He nodded but didn’t take his eyes from hers. “So. How are things with you? You look…well,” he said, hesitating slightly before the last word.

“You too.” Only she said it in a near whisper as it seemed like she was struggling just to breathe under his intense gaze. She rose, needing to do something other than sit there like a rock. She walked back to the kitchen island and began fussing with the flower arrangement again. “I doubt either Kate or Dominic are going to even notice any of this when they arrive tonight, but Kate will appreciate it in the morning when she’s wanting half and half for her coffee that’s not a week past its expiration.”

Why was she blathering like an idiot? Cruz didn’t care if Kate had half and half in her coffee.

She turned to him, forcing a bright smile.

And realized he had closed the space between them somewhere in the last few seconds and was standing so close she could see the pulse at the side of his neck. Smell his wonderful sensuous scent.

“Payton, I—”

Only whatever he was about to say was cut off by the sound of voices from upstairs. A high-pitched female one that was insisting she bring down the box herself and didn’t need to wait another minute for anyone to help her.

Cruz blanched ever so slightly and glanced over to the figure coming down the stairs. Payton’s eyes followed. She recognized the bubbly brunette balancing a wide box in her arms, having met her months before at Kate’s birthday party. With Cruz.

She pinched the flesh between her thumb and index finger, trying to keep the tears from surfacing.

Oh. Goody.

Cruz had brought a date.

C
ruz was still stunned from the unexpected sight of seeing Payton, here, looking so gorgeous and cheerful—something that had been in short supply for him—when he heard Becca making her way down the stairs.

He cursed himself for even taking her call yesterday. Or agreeing to go out with her for, as she put it, old time’s sake. But he’d been feeling lonely and angry and thought any company was better than stewing about the woman he could never have.

He glanced up at the cute brunette trying not to fall down the stairs in the teetering heels she was wearing and couldn’t help but find her short on the appeal that Payton had. He looked back at Payton, trying to gauge her reaction. Did she even care anymore? Was she already back with Brad?

“There you are, Cruz,” Becca said and dropped the box she was carrying not very gently to the floor, her interest more on the meeting going on over at the kitchen island. She almost ran to his side. “Hi there,” she said, possessively tucking her arm through his.

He didn’t pull away, watching Payton’s expression instead. Looking for anything. Some sign that she still felt something for him.

But her face stayed bright and she widened her own smile. “Hi. It’s Becca, right? I’m Payton, I think we met a few months ago at Kate’s party.”

“That’s right, you were there a little late. Is your fiancé around—”

Any further conversation was interrupted again, this time by his nephew and nieces who were running down the stairs now, their mother and the rest of the family hot on their heels. He’d make bets they’d been holding everyone outside for as long as they could to give him and Payton a moment.

This was a total set-up.

But little did they know that when he agreed to help tonight, he wasn’t coming alone. He should have known something was up by the panic in Daisy’s eyes when she caught sight of Becca. He’d just chalked it up to her disappointment he wasn’t with Payton. Which he had no idea why, since they barely even knew her.

And now, with the two women smiling almost too eagerly at each other, his sisters could reap the repercussions of their little scheme.

Daisy reached the bottom of the steps first. “Hi, Payton,” she said a little too brightly. “So glad to see you. It’s sweet that you wanted to come up and make sure this place felt homey for Kate.”

Payton leaned across the island and grabbed her purse, tucking it under her arm. “Thanks. And congratulations to you. I hear you’re the new tenant?”

Daisy eyed the purse. “The kids and I are pretty excited. Tonight’s going to be our first night there. You weren’t leaving, were you? I brought my special
tres leches
cake to share with everyone.”

It was ridiculous, the way he was actually holding his breath, hoping she’d stay. That he would be able to spend a little more time looking at her, remembering how she felt in his arms.

“I’d love to but I’m afraid I’m already running a little late for my dinner date.”

And like that, the breath he’d been holding was pushed out, as if someone slammed him in the stomach.

Of course. It’s Saturday night. She wouldn’t be sitting at home alone. Not someone as beautiful and full of life as Payton. Just, dear God, don’t let it be Brad.

Benny gave him a look, as if expecting him to say something, but there wasn’t anything really to say, so he watched as Benny and then Daisy squeezed Payton good-bye. His mother and father reached the bottom of the stairs as she was about to start up.

His father looked surprised as he saw her, but there was something in his mother’s eyes as she looked at her and then over at Cruz, that told him she knew very well Payton was here. Judas.

“Payton, we’re sorry you have to go,” his mother said and grabbed the woman in a hug. She released her and her smile turned to a frown. “Just watch yourself on the roads. It looks like a snowstorm is coming in soon. Cruz?” His mother looked at him in disapproval, her brows furrowed. “Can you please make sure Payton gets safely to her car? It’s getting dark out there.”

In about an hour, he wanted to say, but instead nodded and extricated himself from Becca’s clutches. Becca started to say she’d be happy to go along but Benny interrupted her, asking if she’d help finish the task of stuffing the votive holders that Payton had abandoned.

He was well aware of the dozen eyes that watched their ascent, probably wishing they could find a way to eavesdrop without being obvious. They reached the landing and walked across to the door. He opened it before she could, and warm air rushed in, the kind that usually precedes a big snowstorm.

Stepping outside, he looked around the lot for Payton’s car. He could see it now, nearly hidden under the trees. He waited at the top of the porch while Payton searched in her purse.

“I’ll be fine, Cruz, if you want to go back inside. I don’t need a chaperone.”

The breeze lifted her hair and it flew around her head, framing that sweet familiar face. She raised her eyes at his, green and lustrous, and it actually caused him physical pain to know she had almost been his.

“Found them,” she said and held her keys up. The wind was whipping at her jacket and she clutched it closed, trying to tuck a strand of hair flying wildly in front of her eyes behind an ear. “Bye, Cruz. Take care.”

Then she turned and was down the porch steps and nearly running toward her car. As if running from him, although he knew it was more from the blustery wind than from him. He was almost certain.

“Payton, wait,” he called out, not sure what had moved him to do so. He just didn’t want to see her running away from him again.

She paused as she reached her car door and looked back. Without hesitating, he bounded down the stairs after her.