It Had to Be Fate (An It Had to Be Novel Book 3) (8 page)

Meg nodded. “Yeah. That’d be the only reason I could think of that would stop Zane from hitting on someone as pretty as you.”

“Thank you.” Mandy sighed and then locked gazes with Casey. “I wanted to hate you, because Zane has a thing for you. Instead I’ll wish you luck. And I think I’ll take the new job my grandfather mentioned to me last week.” Mandy sat up straighter and drained her glass. “I hope you’ll apologize to Zane and give him a chance to prove to you what a great guy he is, Casey.” Mandy’s eyes darted toward her cell phone on the table as it hummed with a text. After reading it she smiled and slapped down her empty glass. “My BFF is going to call and console me, so I’m out. See you guys tomorrow.”

Casey and Meg both said goodbye, chuckling as the heads of all the men in the bar swiveled toward Mandy as she made her way to the door.

Meg said, “You were nice to try to let her down easy.”

“You were too. So unlike my normally bratty little sister.”

“Har, har. So now that you know there’s something more to the story, are you going to apologize to him, you big softie?”

Casey was saved from answering by the arrival of Pam and Tara carrying more drinks. “Hey, guys.” Casey slid over to make room as her sister smirked. Meg knew her too well. She didn’t want to, but her conscience would bother her if she didn’t apologize to him. At least about not asking to hear his side of the story. But that didn’t change her worry over his behavior around the boys.

Tara, Ryan’s girlfriend, slid her long body next to Meg. Pam, the town’s hairdresser and Meg’s best friend, sidled her curvy little body next to Casey.

Pam said, “So, I’m on the entertainment committee for our Labor Day picnic next week and it seems I’m in need of some entertainment. Got any ideas who I could ask, Casey? Like maybe your new guest, perhaps?”

“Since when do we ask our guests to perform?”

Pam’s eyes lit up. “Since we finally have the hottest guest ever, and he just happens to be one of my favorite singers. I figure I’m on the committee, so why not ask the singer I’d like to see perform?”

“
See
perform?” Casey leaned closer. “Or do you mean ogle?”

“Hmmm. Do I detect a little jealousy there?”

“Absolutely not.”

Pam smirked. “I was just teasing you to see how you really felt about Zane. But now I might just go through with it because I really would like to hear him sing. I’m with Dax now, Casey, I’m no threat to you and Zane.”

“There is no me and Zane, Pam.”

Meg added, “Aside from the fact that Casey and Zane are having a little spat at the moment.”

Casey sent Meg a dark look that her sister ignored and beamed a mischievous grin right back.

Tara nodded. “Ryan said he didn’t like the way Zane looked at you, Casey. Like the next notch on his bedpost before he moves on.”

“You can tell my
little brother
he can stop worrying. I can handle myself just fine, thank you very much.”

Pam said, “Gloria started a new pool at the diner today. She thinks it’s just a matter of time until you fall for Zane’s charming smile.”

“He does have great teeth,” Tara added.

Pam quirked a brow. “Only a dentist would say he had great teeth when there are soooo many other great parts on that man to admire.” Pam poked her elbow in Casey’s side. “Right, Casey?”

She’d noticed all those other parts to admire, all right. But she was trying her best not to think about them. What was it about charming, bad-boy, good-looking men that always appealed to her? But look where that had gotten her.

“You guys are so annoying. Why do I even like you?” She reached for the bingo cards and then grabbed the mug filled with markers. “Enough about Zane Steele. Let’s get a little blitzed and play some bingo.” Heaven knew she could use the escape.

Casey tossed another losing card onto the table. “I’ve had all the fun I can stand for one night. I’m all bingo’d out. See you ladies later.” She laid her share of the tab onto the table and then headed outside. The cool September air made her shiver, but in a good way, as she made her way back to the hotel. Fall was definitely in the air.

As she passed by her grandmother’s house, it reminded her that she still owed Zane that apology. It might be easier to do after a few glasses of wine, so she made her way down her grandmother’s darkened drive to see if there were any lights on in the guesthouse. If not, she’d just do it in the morning.

Quiet guitar music filled the still evening air, so it looked like she was going to have to bite the bullet and get it over with. As she got closer, the music stopped. Caleb and Zane sat on the front porch in Adirondack chairs, both with guitars on their laps.

When Caleb saw her he said, “Hi, Mom. Did you hear that? Zane’s old guitar is so much easier to play than mine.”

“That was you? It was really good, Caleb.” It was far from perfect, but a huge improvement after only a few lessons from Zane.

She climbed the porch steps and sat on the railing, facing them. Zane just lifted a chin in greeting. Seemed he
was
upset with her.

Her son beamed a big smile. “I can’t wait to show Dad!”

Yeah, that was what she was afraid of. Tomas might wonder where Caleb had gotten the guitar. “He’ll be very proud of you. Could you excuse us, please? I need to talk to Mr. Steele about something.”

“You’re not going to yell at Zane, are you?” Caleb frowned as he put the guitar into its case. “Zane said you might be mad that I’m spending time with him after that thing on TV. But after you guys left, Mandy told us it was all just a big misunderstanding. That’s why they dropped all the charges. I told Zane you would never be mad at him for something that’s not his fault, right?”

Casey wished she’d just gone home and pulled her covers over her head until morning. “Have you ever seen me yell at a guest, Caleb?”

“Well, no.” He shrugged. “But, you believe him, right?”

What should she say to that? She didn’t believe him all the way, but she was willing to concede there might be more to the story.

She glanced at Zane, who was watching her, waiting for her answer too. “It doesn’t really matter what I think. Zane is our guest, and we’ll treat him just like we treat them all. Now say thank you for loaning you the guitar and for the lessons, and then it’s off to bed with you, please.”

“’Kay.” Caleb slowly walked down the steps. “Thanks, Zane. See you tomorrow.”

Zane forced a smile. “Welcome. Goodnight.”

Casey didn’t miss that he didn’t respond to the seeing Caleb tomorrow remark. After Caleb was out of earshot, she said, “Mandy thinks I was too harsh on you earlier. And that I owe you an apology. So I’m here to say I’m sorry I got so upset with you.” That hadn’t been so bad. Strangely, she really didn’t want to be at odds with Zane. She hated to admit she actually . . . liked him. So far, anyway.

He played something soft and quiet on his guitar, avoiding her gaze. “But you still don’t want me around your kids. I tried to discourage Caleb, so he’d go home, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings by insisting he leave. Sorry.”

Mandy said he’d never hurt her kids. And he’d at least made an attempt to respect her feelings with Caleb’s visit. “If you and Mandy say there’s more to the story, I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. So let’s just start over and forget what brought you here.”

A slow-growing grin lit up his whole face. “Thank you, Casey. I appreciate that.” He laid the guitar down then slipped beside her on the railing. “One day, I promise I’ll tell you the whole story, but unfortunately, I can’t yet.”

Something odd was up, but she’d missed his usual happy demeanor so she said, “Probably some vampire bro-code thing, huh?”

“Yeah, something like that. And it’s a good thing tomorrow morning is Count Chocula day, or I might’ve had to find a pretty neck to feed on instead.” His gaze landed at the base of her neck and then moved to her mouth. “On second thought, I’ll bet you taste way sweeter than that cereal.”

“Don’t even think about it.” All the wine she’d had was making it hard to resist the sexy male desire in his eyes. “I don’t want to wake up undead. Goodnight, Zane.”

“I bet we’d both feel even more
alive
after a kiss.”

Her stomach clenched. No doubt his sexy lips would wake many things better left dormant inside of her. She needed to go before she succumbed to his preternatural charms.

As she started to leave he said, “I think you’re just afraid to admit how attracted to each other you know we are.”

She stopped her retreat and crossed her arms. “Women must just drop at your feet with no effort on your part. Because the last thing that’s going to make me kiss you right now is you laying down a challenge like that by saying I’m chicken.”

“I haven’t had to try this hard since high school.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets, looking perplexed. “So if calling you a chicken is the last thing, what would the first thing be to make you want to kiss me?”

If he were anyone other than Zane Steele, but she couldn’t say that. “Sincerity.”

“You don’t think I sincerely want to kiss you?”

“I have no doubt you want to kiss me, but I’d like to know the reasons why I should let you. I’d still be with Beau Bailey if that were all I wanted. Turns out, I’m not good at casual relationships. You’ll be gone in two months, and I’ll never see you again. So why bother risking my heart by getting involved?”

His lips slowly morphed into a very enticing smile. “Because it’d be fun?”

“Wrong answer. See you tomorrow, Zane.”

She started walking toward the sandy shore and he caught up with her. He had a bad habit of always appearing at her side. “What?” she said.

“You want sincerity? What if I told you that you are the first woman I’ve ever been so curious about it keeps me up at night? And that even when you are dressed in sweats, I think you’re beautiful. All I want is a normal relationship for a change, and I’d like to see if we could make one work. I don’t do casual either, Casey.”

Dammit. Why did there always have to be more to him than met the eye? Mandy had confirmed he wasn’t lying about not having one-night stands.

She stopped walking and faced him. “I think I need to hear the ‘beautiful even in sweats’ thing again before I make up my mind.”

“No. It’ll just go to your head.” He cupped her face in his hands. “So can I kiss you or not?”

She should say no. That would be the logical and smart thing to do. “Fine. One kiss. But only to prove to you once and for all, we’re not a good match.”

She hoped she was right. Because if she wasn’t, things were about to get a whole lot more complicated.

C
asey lifted her chin, waiting for Zane’s kiss, hoping it held zero chemistry. That way she’d be able to tell him they’d just be friends, and he’d no longer be a temptation. Not that she’d ever admit it to him, but she put a lot of weight in a first kiss too. She’d learned long ago that if the first one was no good, the relationship wasn’t going to go anywhere without basic attraction. But then, every man who’d flipped her switch right out of the gate had cheated on her.

Zane cleared his throat, slanted his head, and leaned toward her, but then stopped.

She whispered, “What are you waiting for?”

“If I only get one shot, I want to make sure I get this right.”

His knitted brow and serious expression warmed her heart. A perfectionist, just as Mandy had said. “I thought you might be worried about catching a disease. I hear you’re kind of a germ freak?”

He winced. “I think ‘freak’ is a little over the top.”

She slipped her hands behind his neck. “My STD is dormant right now, so you’re safe.”

When his eyes grew wide, she laughed. “I’m teasing, Zane. I don’t have cooties.” Before he could protest, she tugged his mouth against hers. His smiling lips were warm, soft, full, and perfect, dammit! Every hormone in her body went on full alert.

Wanting more, she parted her lips in invitation. A low, sexy hum rumbled from his chest as he pulled her closer. She snuggled against his hard body as her tongue danced lightly with his. Her fingers somehow ended up in his soft, thick hair.

His hands wandered lower, kneading and caressing her body, fueling the growing flame inside her that screamed for more.

There wasn’t just chemistry between them; the heat and desire churning in her blood threatened a full-out explosion. He was
just
her type.

And because of that, she should put a stop to the kissing. She couldn’t be with Zane Steele. It’d give Tomas more ammo to use against her.

But maybe she’d just enjoy the glimpse of what might have been for another moment or two.

When they finally had to stop for air, she leaned back and met his amused gaze. She should probably slip out of his arms, but they felt nice wrapped around her.

He said, “I hate to say I told you so . . .”

“Okay. I’ll admit that was good. But—”

He laid two fingers across her still-tingling lips. “Please don’t say no. How about we take things slow and see where we end up? I’m not asking to sleep with you, although now it’ll be hard not to after that fantastic kiss. I just want to have dinner with you tomorrow night.”

She’d like to have dinner with him too. To figure out who the real Zane Steele was . . . but she shouldn’t. “I don’t date much because of my boys.”

His brow knit. “What about Beau?”

“The little dating I’ve done since my divorce has been when the boys are with their father. I don’t want to add another man in their lives who’ll probably disappear like their dad did.”

“My mom did the same thing for a few years after my dad was gone. Hid her dating. But my brother and I knew. And we were fine with it because she seemed happy again. But we don’t have to call it a date. Just dinner. Think about it. Okay?”

Memories filled her mind of the first time her father went on a date after her mom had died. It felt weird to see her father with someone other than her mom. But then her father had met her stepmother, Sue Ann, and now Dad seemed happier too. Not that it was easy to tell with her stern father, but he’d been easier to live with at least. “I don’t know, Zane.”

“We could ‘run into’ each other at the diner tomorrow night. How about that?”

“Why would I be eating at the diner without my boys?”

“Then bring the boys with you. I don’t mind.” He wrapped her up a little tighter. “I just want to spend some time with you.”

“With my kids too? What kind of a date would that be?”

“A G-rated one.” He laid a quick kiss on her lips that left her wanting more. “I’m probably going to be up most of the night writing, so I’ll see you at six thirty tomorrow evening at Gloria’s. Goodnight.”

He released her and walked away before she had a chance to come up with a good argument.

After he’d turned up the hill to the guesthouse, she wandered over to the hotel’s dock and sat at the end. Wrapping her arms around her middle to stay warm, she studied the glass-like surface of the moonlit lake.

It’d probably be a mistake to get involved with Zane. Two months would be enough time to know if they had the kind of chemistry that lasted longer than a few dates. Although, with the way he traveled, what kind of a relationship would that be if they did hit it off?

The few minutes they’d spent together at spaghetti night before she’d gotten called away had actually been more comfortable than she would have imagined. Probably because the boys hung on their idol’s every word.

But she’d made it a policy to hide her dating from them, so she should stick to that. She’d send Zane a text tomorrow and tell him she didn’t want to pursue a relationship with him.

No, that’d be cowardly and rude. She’d talk to him face to face. Make sure he understood it was because of her situation, not him.

Too bad she hadn’t met him ten years ago, when she was single and free to date whomever she liked. It was a shame to let a man go who kissed as well as Zane Steele did.

Zane felt like he was in high school again, giddy over a first kiss. It was ridiculous how much he was looking forward to a “date.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d looked forward to
anything
lately.

As he stepped onto the guesthouse’s front porch, he spotted Mandy sitting in one of the chairs. She had her knees tucked against her chest with her arms wrapped around them.

“Hey, what’s up, Mandy?”

“Couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d come back and see if you’d changed your mind about working tonight.”

He sat on a chair next to hers. “As a matter of fact, I am going to try to get some more done tonight.”

Mandy nodded. “I figured. You want some help, or would you rather I go?”

He must’ve really hurt her feelings earlier. “I’d love some help. I’m sorry if I was short with you before. And if I ever did anything to give you the wrong impression about you and me . . .”

“No, it wasn’t you.” She blew out a long breath. “It was all me.”

He didn’t know what to say to that.

She saved him from answering when she said, “I also wanted to tell you that I’ve decided to take another job. My grandfather said it’d be a great opportunity that might earn me a position at a record company.”

“It’s what you’ve always wanted. But I’ll miss you. You’ve been a real asset to me.”

“Thanks. I’ll really miss you too.” She turned and smiled at him. “You know, it’s funny. Your brother hits on me all the time. You two look exactly alike, but I’m not attracted to him in the least. It’s like he’s missing a heart or something. He’s not kind like you, even though you two were brought up exactly the same and practically have the same DNA.”

Pissed off that Nick had hit on Mandy, Zane said, “Nick is an unhappy person. He always hated that I got better grades and that I had more friends. But he never worked for anything or any relationship in his life. He thinks the world owes him.”

“He sent me an e-mail earlier. I don’t know how he got ahold of a computer because I thought he was on communication lockdown for the first month.”

“He’s probably banging a groupie counselor there who thinks it’s me. What did he say?”

“That he liked me enough to warn me. He said your ship is about to sink, and he was going to be the one to blast a torpedo in its side.”

Crap!

He’d better have Kip call the rehab center in the morning and be sure Nick was watched more closely. His brother might be mad enough this time to carry out his threat. “Nick’s a drama queen. But I hope that’s not why you’re leaving.”

“No. I’m leaving because it’s time to move on. Let’s get to work.” She stood and walked toward the door. “I hope things work out with you and Casey.”

“Thanks, Mandy.”

Zane followed her inside, still shaken a bit that Nick had gotten hold of a computer so easily.

Would his brother really go to the press and accuse him of murdering their dad?

Zane cracked an eye open and found his phone. Two p.m. Time to get up.

He rolled out of bed and hit the shower in the guesthouse. He’d sent Mandy home at one in the morning but he hadn’t gone to sleep until six that morning because he was on such a roll. And he loved what had finally come to him. He was eager to get back to it. Maybe he’d found his muse in Casey.

After his shower, he realized he didn’t have any clean clothes. He didn’t want to put his dirty ones back on, so he wrapped a towel around his middle. He’d have Mandy bring him some.

He picked up his phone and sent her a text. She replied and said she’d be right over. Starvation made him head for the kitchen to see what Dax had put there for him. When he opened the fully stocked fridge, he grinned. But then something on the countertop nearby caught his eye. A whole box of his favorite cereal when he’d been a kid stood there unopened. Casey must’ve told Dax to buy it for him.

He found a bowl and spoon, then poured the cereal out. After drowning all the little chocolate marshmallows and crunchies with milk, he took a huge bite and closed his eyes. A sugar explosion assaulted his taste buds, but in a good way. He’d never be able to eat all of it—it was way too sweet for him now—but he’d have a few more bites before he grabbed one of the wrapped turkey sandwiches he’d seen in the fridge.

A quiet knock sounded on the front door. Must be Mandy. He laid down his bowl and crossed the living room, maneuvering around all his equipment before he swung the door open.

“Hi, Casey. I was expecting Mandy. Come in.”

“If this is the way you usually dress to greet Mandy, then I can see why she had the wrong impression about you two.”

Her eyes did a slow up-and-down perusal of his body that made him want to drag her back to the bedroom. But he’d promised to take things slowly with her. “Mandy is bringing me some fresh clothes. I crashed here last night.”

“Most guys would’ve just worn the old ones again until they could change, Mr. Clean.” She moved past him and stepped inside. “But after seeing you in a towel, I’m going to regret what I need to tell you even more.”

Had she changed her mind about them? He couldn’t lose her. At least not before he had a solid chance to show her who he really was. Then maybe she’d see that underneath his fame he was just a regular guy, who didn’t get into the rich-and-famous scene like she assumed. That she was immune to celebrities just added to her appeal. He’d never met anyone like her. So he needed to do something. Quick.

Without thinking it through, he tugged her against him and kissed her.

She let out a soft sigh and wrapped her arms around him. Encouraged, he pulled her against his chest and deepened their kiss. Their bodies fit so perfectly together it was as if they had been made for each other.

Female throat-clearing coming from the doorway behind them made him reluctantly end the kiss. When he leaned back, Casey looked so sad it sent an arrow to his heart. Was she still thinking of backing out?