A Million Kisses or More Page 6

“He’s only a few years older than me,” she protested automatically, trying to rack her brain for any glimpse she might have had of him in the past and coming up blank. It was a small town and he was a cop; how in the world had she missed him the last time she was here? “I’ve met the rest of your family, at least briefly. Why not him?”

  The suspicion in his eyes that were close to Harrison’s but weren’t grew as he asked, “Why are you asking about Harry?”

  “No reason,” she said, thinking it was strange how life worked out. Would she have met him had she visited in the previous three years? Would she have been able to handle the absurd attraction that was overwhelming her even now? “Just curious about my neighbor.”

  “I think Asher might have something to say about your strange fixation on my brother.”

  “That’s absurd,” Ana scoffed, momentarily wondering about Asher. Her heart had been bruised when he had ended things with her but mostly it was her pride that had been stung. Now when she thought about him, it was with annoyance because he wasn’t Harrison. She didn’t think her heart would survive a break up with Harrison. Assuming she and Harrison got together. “We’re not together and haven’t been for several years. Besides, it was never that serious.”

  Dan snorted, “You have no idea.”

  “Whatever,” Ana murmured, trying not to ask about Harrison but unable to keep her curiosity in check. “So, is Harrison seeing anyone?”

  “I thought you said you weren’t interested.”

  “I never said that,” she replied. Trying to play it off, she half-heartedly added, “But I’m not. Interested, that is.”

  “Right. So if I give you all of the dirt on Harry, you’ll go out with me sometime?” Dan asked wryly, acting bolder than a nineteen year old boy should act. She wondered if Harrison had been just as cocky at nineteen, before he had an ex-wife, a kid, and a mortgage. “Since you and Asher aren’t together and you’re not interested in my brother.”

  “No,” she answered quickly, not quite meeting his eyes.

  He snorted, “That’s what I thought.”

  Forcing her gaze upwards, she offered a slight smile to ease the sting of her next words. “It’s nothing personal but you’re nineteen.”

  “So?” he asked, more out of curiosity than anger.

  “I’m nearly twenty-three,” she said softly, glancing around the restaurant in the absurd need to see if Harrison was around to hear her confession. Of course he wasn’t. He was tucked up nice and warm in his bed so he could work that night. She wondered if he was on duty tonight and if it was worth speeding through town in the hopes of getting caught.

  Oh, dear Lord she was a fool! He might not even be the police officer who puller her over. Plus, if he was the police officer, he’d see her license and her thin layer of self-preservation would vanish.

  Dan cocked his head to the side, a slight frown on his face, “I could have sworn you were my age.”

  Jeeze, how old did he think she was and didn’t he realize that Asher wouldn’t have gone out with her had she been sixteen three years ago? “Why?”

  “I don’t know,” he answered honestly, going back to wiping the spotless bar. “I guess it’s because you didn’t drink with Asher and the others.”

  “You weren’t old enough to know that.”

  He smiled at her, “I paid attention. Whenever the group of you got together, you nursed your beer the entire night and I’m pretty sure you dumped most of it out afterwards.”

  It was a little disconcerting to meet someone who was so observant and she wondered if Harrison was the same way, if that was why he was a writer. Running her tongue over her lower lip, debating how much to tell him, she finally settled on, “I’m not much of a drinker.”

  “That’s cool,” he murmured. Nodding towards the application, he asked, “You done filling that out?”

  She gaped at him because she had barely had a chance to look at it, what with talking about Harrison that had completely sidetracked her. “I just have a few questions left.”

  “Would you consider going out with Asher again?” he asked casually but he was watching her too closely. It was confounding.

  “No,” she said without hesitation, her eyes on the application. Still thinking about how it had ended, she added, “I doubt he wants anything to do with me, either. He doesn’t work here, does he?”

  Dan laughed as he shook his head, “No. His business keeps him plenty busy traveling and what not so he doesn’t have time to work here. Besides, he makes more in one hour than he could working here for an entire year.”

  “Hmm,” she hummed, not particularly wanting to talk about Asher any more.

  “What about Harry?” he asked slyly. “And don’t say you’re not interested.”

  “Don’t be silly,” she answered ambiguously, knowing her cheeks were going to give her away. As long as she brazened it out, she might be able to get out of there with a little bit of her pride intact. But how would she ever work there if they offered her the job? Maybe she should just tear up the application and get the heck out of there, even if it was the best place to work for a few months. Jeeze, she was a grown woman; she could handle the awkwardness of working with Harrison’s too observant brother.

  “That’s not an answer,” the blasted man said.

  Glancing up, she gave Dan a blinding smile, “As I said earlier, I’m only in town until Christmas. So, how soon might I know whether or not I can get the job?”

  He stared at her a moment, obviously debating whether or not to pursue the topic, and then he sighed, “Knowing Maris, she’ll probably hire you on the spot.”

  Ana’s grin nearly broke her face because she had really liked Maris. Plus, it would make finding a temporary job a million times easier. “When will she be in?”

  “She’s due any minute,” he answered, looking over her application. Glancing at her over the top of the paper, he gave her a cocky smile, “So, if I were to call you some time….”

  “That’s just not going to happen,” she said with a shake of her head. It would definitely be too weird if she went out with Dan when she really wanted Harrison and she couldn’t do that to either of them. “If that’s going to be an issue, I’ll find a job somewhere else.”

  “What would be an issue?” Maris asked, coming out of the back room, reminding Ana just how gorgeous she was. Her long, blond hair was hanging loose and she was wearing jeans that looked like they were painted on and a tight t-shirt that showcased her impressive body. The woman looked like she could get any man she wanted and Ana briefly wondered if the tigress had her claws in Harrison. But then Maris smiled and Ana felt guilty for thinking anything negative about her at all. This was Maris, her friend, and Ana knew that the woman was all that was sweet, even if she had the face and body of a siren.

  “Ana,” Maris chirped, rushing over and throwing her arms around Ana in a warm hug. “It’s been ages.”

  “Maris,” Ana said, returning the hug.

  “Come on to the back room,” Maris said. “It’ll give us a chance to catch up. What are you doing here?”

  “I’m hoping to pick up a few hours a week while I’m here,” Ana said as the three of them headed to the small employee area, though Ana wasn’t sure why Dan followed. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

  “Of course not, sweetie, you know you’re always welcome here. Now, what would be an issue?” Maris asked, repeating the question from earlier as the three of them sat down at the table.

  “Working here but not dating him,” Ana answered, sending a wink towards Dan whose face had turned faintly pink. Now that she was thinking about it, she realized that he was only teasing about asking her out and not actually asking her out. “Actually the real issue is that I’m only in town for a few months.”

  “That’s not a problem,” Maris assured her. With a slight frown, she asked, “But how many hours are you looking for?”

  “Just a few, to fill in here and there,” Ana said. “I don’t want
to take anyone’s hours.”

  “Yeah, we’ll work something out.” Maris grinned as she grabbed a beer from the employee fridge and popped it open. Sliding it over the table, she grabbed another one for herself. Taking a sip, she said, “Asher is going to be so disappointed he missed you.”

  Ana’s stomach tightened in dismay at the thought of facing Asher and her words came out strangled as she said, “I’m here for two and a half months.”

  “He’s in Tokyo for the next four months wrapping up a huge merger,” Maris explained. An inexplicable sense of relief flooded Ana at the news and she couldn’t stop the smile from taking over her face. Maris arched a perfectly blond eyebrow, “I take it you’re okay with that?”

  “Very,” Ana admitted, even though Maris was Asher’s sister.

  “He’d be so happy to see you, though.”

  “I can’t imagine why since he was so happy to see me go,” Ana said with a significant look.

  “You were nineteen and a virgin,” Maris said bluntly, causing Ana’s face to go up in flames. Glancing at Dan, she saw that his face was beet red, too.

  “So?” she managed to choke out, taking a large swig of the beer and cringing at the taste.

  “He was twenty-six,” Maris reminded her. “He wanted you to have some… experience before he asked you to spend the rest of your life with him.”

  Ana snorted, anger replacing the embarrassment. “He had a hell of a way to ensure I move on. Which I have, by the way. Moved on.”

  “Yeah,” Dan interjected. “She’s interested in my brother now.”

  “Tanner?” Maris asked, confused. “He’s married and even older than Ash….”

  “No, the other one,” Dan grunted, rolling his eyes.

  “Dan, go check the beer stock,” Maris said. At the sound of protest, she raised an eyebrow and he stormed off. Turning back to Ana, Maris leaned her arms on the table and lowered her voice, “Ana, Harrison isn’t… he doesn’t…. He’s focused on his daughter right now.”

  “I know,” Ana said softly. Running her tongue over her lower lip, not meeting Maris’s eyes, she added, “He, uh, thinks I’m eighteen.”

  “And you haven’t bothered to correct him?” Maris asked, a smile on her lips even though her eyes were still troubled.

  “Nooo,” Ana answered, drawing out the word, wondering if Maris would think she was evil for not correcting him when she realized he was mistaken. After all, the cat never answered her. “But I will. It’s not like I’m keeping it from him but I accidentally threw a book at his head from across the street and, well, I don’t want to admit that I’m actually an adult just yet. ”

  “You threw a book?” Maris asked, her lips parted in surprise. “At his head? Why?”

  “I was angry,” Ana said softly, a slight smile curving her lips. Lifting her head, she looked at Maris and admitted, “I like him, Maris. I haven’t told him my age because I really, really like him and it scares me a little.”

  “Asher isn’t going to be happy to hear that.”

  “Asher and I aren’t together,” Ana reminded her. “He doesn’t get a say in the matter.”

  Swearing under her breath, Maris said, “I told him he was an idiot to let you go.”

  “I’m glad he did,” Ana murmured. “Besides, it was nothing serious, just a few kisses and stuff.”

  Catching her lower lip between her teeth, Maris studied Ana for an uncomfortable moment before she asked, “So, what have you been up to these past three years?”

  “School,” Ana said, taking a miniscule sip of the beer, grateful that Maris had changed the subject. Curious to know about Maris and why she was back, she continued, “But what about you? Why are you here?”

  Maris smiled a soft smile as she explained, “Well, I sold this place, packed up my bags and travelled all over. It was amazing, Ana. I saw so much, experienced so much, you have no idea. I love travelling.”

  Ana grinned because she understood even though it had been forever since she had flown anywhere. “Then why are you back?”

  Maris’s smile grew and her eyes sparkled brilliantly as she said, “I came home for Christmas last year and I decided to check in on the old place. Everything was the same so I asked to see the new owner, since his representative kept telling me that he was going to change everything.”

  Ana had an idea where this was going and her smile grew along with Maris’s as the other woman continued, “He walked out and I’m pretty sure my life flashed before my eyes. I ended up marrying him two weeks later.”

  “You gave up your dream of travelling?” Ana asked.

  Maris shook her head no, her grin nearly blinding. “Not at all. Now I have someone to travel with, only now we travel a few weeks a year.”

  “But the restaurant….”

  “Is well run,” Maris beamed. “Tanner has become a co-owner with us and makes sure everything is taken care of when Bryan and I are gone.”

  Tilting her head to the side, she frowned. “Dan’s oldest brother?” At Maris’s nod, Ana let out a little sound, “No wonder why he’s working here.”

  “Tanner and Dan are my cousins, Ana,” Maris said carefully. “Harrison is my cousin.”

  Ana’s lips parted in disbelief and then horror as the words sank in. Dan had even said something when she came in but she hadn’t really paid attention. “I’m so sorry. Is it going to be weird having me work here?”

  “Not for me,” Maris said with a sympathetic smile. Reaching over, she patted Ana on the shoulder, “And Asher isn’t around. If it were up to me, I would wish you and Harrison a happily ever after but, Ana, he’s not going to… pursue a relationship with you.”

  Feeling a little wicked and reckless, Ana raised her lashes and met Maris’s eyes, “I’ve already slept with him.”

  Maris’s jaw dropped open as her eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Shut up.”

  Ana threw her head back and laughed, feeling the pleasant ache in her gut. “It’s not what you’re thinking. I didn’t have sex with him.”

  “Jesus, Ana,” Maris groaned, pressing a hand against her chest, leaning hard against the back of her seat. “You almost gave me a heart attack.

  Licking her lip, Ana added in a whisper, “But I’m going to.”

  “Ana,” Maris warned, shaking her head as a smile played about her lips. All in all, Ana was looking forward to getting to know Harrison better without the possibility of running into Asher. Even though she was long over him, she knew it was better this way. It would just be too awkward having Asher around.

  Chapter 4

  Dressed in her winter parka minus the hat, Ana took a deep breath. Looking in the mirror one last time, she smoothed her hair. The French twist made her look like a prim librarian, though that wasn’t what she had been going for when she had styled her hair. Taking another deep breath, trying to calm her queasy stomach, she slid the bag with Harrison’s washed clothes onto her arm, grabbed up the pot of soup with both hands, and headed towards the door.

  She figured soup was a good idea. If they already had supper prepared, they’d be able to put the soup in the fridge and enjoy it later. And if they didn’t have supper… well, she’d be able to sit down with them and not have to eat alone. Just in case it was the former, she had scooped out a small bowl that she’d be able to reheat when she got home.

  It was a little awkward opening the door but somehow she managed before she pulled it shut with her foot. Once again, the cold wind slapped her across the face and she almost turned around and went back inside. If Harrison and his daughter weren’t across the street, she definitely would have. Humming softly, she walked across the street, vaguely aware of the bounce in her step and the smile on her face. Anticipation was making her giddy as she knocked on the door, excited by the prospect of seeing Harrison once again. Of course, her memories of him were probably faulty since no one could possibly have eyes as chocolaty brown as his or a smile that melted bones. But then he opened the door, a slight smile on his lips
, dimples creasing his cheeks, and she forgot how to breathe. If anything, her memories fell far short of the reality and she wondered if that was the way it was always going to be.

  “Ana,” he said, his low voice rumbling through her belly. “How did I know it would be you?”

  “Hi,” she squeaked, unable to tear her gaze away from his face. Holding up the pot of soup and the bag of clothes, she managed to speak in a normal voice as she said, “I brought your clothes back and I brought dinner.”

  Regret filled his eyes as he said, “We’ve already eaten. Well, I’ve eaten. Jolie is still working on her pizza.”

  She was afraid of that but hearing him confirm it made her face fall. Forcing her smile to remain in place, she said, “Well, you can put this in the fridge and eat it later. I’ll just go home and eat alone.”

  He laughed, almost against his will. Pulling the door open, he grabbed the heavy pot and leaned against the doorjamb. “Come on in, Ana. There’s plenty of pizza left if you’d like to eat with Jolie.”

  Her eyes lit up as she walked into his house, smelling the aromatic pizza and letting out a little sigh of pleasure. It wasn’t so much that she was eager to eat pizza, just that she was happy to eat pizza with Jolie and Harrison. “What about you?”

  “As I said, I finished just before you got here,” he explained, walking next to her as they made their way to the dining room. “Jolie, on the other hand, takes forever. She eats so slow that I’m afraid she’ll make an awful zombie.”

  Ana giggled, the sound making her cringe. Setting the bag of clean clothes down on the couch as they passed it, she said, “Well, I can’t say I’m disappointed. I hate eating alone.”

  “I’m sure Jolie wouldn’t mind if you eat with us in the future,” he said, color climbing into his cheeks as he stared straight ahead, unable to look at her. “She hasn’t stopped talking about you from the moment she got home from school. Apparently, she’s told all of her friends that she’s going to be a real zombie for Halloween.”

  Stopping in the kitchen so Harrison could set the soup down, he looked at her and gave her a boyish grin that had her grinning in return, though she had no idea why they were smiling at one another like a couple of fools. Lifting the lid, he took a deep breath and Ana swore his eyes rolled up in pleasure, “Lord, that smells good.”