Beauty's Kiss (8 page)

Last night he’d been surprised by her refusal to attend the Ball with him.

And then intrigued. And now amused.

He wasn’t accustomed to being rejected. In his world, women chased him and he spent tremendous energy dodging his computer and phone, overwhelmed by the number of women texting and calling, instant messaging and sending flirty snap chats. He appreciated a beautiful woman. He admired a smart, beautiful woman. But he wasn’t comfortable being chased.

He didn’t like feeling hunted.

Back in school he’d been popular. The Sheenan brothers were good looking boys. None of them had ever lacked for girls, or dates. But once he’d made his fortune, women weren’t just interested in him, they were interested in his lifestyle.

Maybe that’s why he’d chosen to sit next to Taylor in tonight’s meeting. She didn’t eye him as if he were a tasty steak, or a Thanksgiving feast.

She looked at him with indifference. Maybe even disdain. And that made him curious. Made him want to understand why Taylor Harris disapproved of him. It also made him want to prove her wrong.

Maybe he viewed her rejection as a challenge.

A man liked a challenge. A man liked the chase. Provided he was doing the chasing.

So Troy stopped listening to the committee, he gave up trying to keep track of all the details.... no longer caring to remember what kind of flowers or lighting or chocolate desserts there would be.

Instead he studied Taylor who sat with her legs crossed just above the knee, taking copious notes in her notebook, her pink lips pursed, her brow furrowed in concentration.

She looked so studious and focused with her glasses, cardigan sweater, and long gleaming ponytail. He’d always had such a thing for smart girls. Book girls. His sophomore year of high school he’d spent all his free time in this library, making out with Lani Murphy in any dark corner they could find.

They’d study, kiss, study, kiss.

It had been the best academic year of his life.

Sure, his grades hadn’t been so hot but he’d felt like a man, and she’d felt well... amazing.

He tried not to smile as he pictured Taylor back in high school. He was quite sure she’d looked the same. Same ponytail, same glasses, same smart, studious expression.

He wondered if she’d ever spent a high school afternoon making out in the library. Somehow from her starchy expression, he suspected not. She struck him as the kind of girl who believed libraries were about books. Silly girl. He’d love to teach her what dark shadowy corners in libraries were really for.

As if aware of his scrutiny, Taylor turned her head and stared back at him, giving him a significant, no nonsense look that he thought was as sexy as hell.

Until now he’d thought her eyes were brown, a simple chocolate brown, but now he saw they were a hazel green with bits of light blue. Or was it silver?

With her brows arching, dark elegant wings behind the masculine frames, and her hazel eyes snapping fire, he thought she’d never looked quite so bright and beautiful.

If only she understood that she looked very appealing annoyed.

Quite kissable with her pink lips pursed.

“
What?
” she mouthed at him.

“What,
what
?” he whispered back.

Her nostrils flared as she exhaled hard. “You’re staring.”

Heads were turning. Everyone seemed to be looking at them now but McKenna, who was looking away.

Troy leaned closer to Taylor. He spoke under his breath. “I like your glasses.”

For a moment Taylor just looked at him, her expression incredulous, and then she leaned very close to him, so close he could smell a hint of citrus and orange blossom. Shampoo or fragrance, he didn’t know which.

“They’re not a fashion statement,” she said quietly, tersely. “I need them to see. Now ssshh. We’re interrupting the meeting.”

Why did she say that?

The moment the words left her mouth, Taylor wanted to die of mortification.
Ssssh. We’re interrupting the meeting
. She sounded like such a fuddy duddy. Like the crabbiest old woman alive.

Like Margaret Houghton, Marietta’s head librarian.

But Taylor wasn’t Margaret, nor was she crabby. Taylor was an optimist. And a closet romantic. But even optimists and closet romantics had to know when they were out-classed.

Troy wasn’t in her class, or her league, or anything at all that she could be part of.

She and Troy might as well exist on different planets and spheres.

She wasn’t a big city girl. She didn’t like social functions. She loved disappearing into bed with a wonderful story.

And yes, one day she hoped to find true love... that wasn’t in a romance novel... and she was sure, one day, she’d find Mr. Right, and when she did, he would make sense to her, and suit her, and reflect her morals and values.

He’d be a simple man, too. A homebody. A man who loved books and... and....

Taylor frowned.

What else would he love?

Sports? Hiking? Skiing? Mountain climbing?

Her frown deepened.

She didn’t do any of those things. But she did like movies, and she enjoyed some good quality television programs.

She loved B&Bs and scenic drives. She loved visiting historical spots, too, and hoped one day to visit all the national parks in the States.

Surely there was a man out there who’d like her, and want to do those things with her, too.

Surely.

And when she did find him, she’d know he was right. He’d look right. He’d feel right. He’d be right.

Troy had been waiting for the committee meeting to come to an end so he could speak to McKenna. He wanted to come see TJ one night this week while he was home but the moment the meeting did end, McKenna was on her feet and bolting out the door.

Troy tried to follow but Tricia stopped him and asked a question about the suite being donated to the Great Wedding Giveaway for the bridal couple, and by the time he’d answered her question and made it into the hallway, McKenna and TJ were long gone.

He was still standing there, when Paige and Taylor exited the board room, and Taylor locked the Crawford Room door behind her.

“Everything okay?” Taylor asked him, as Louise emerged from the back, turning off lights as she went.

“Yes,” he said, but he was frustrated. He loved McKenna. Loved TJ. He didn’t want to lose them and he was beginning to worry that maybe he already had.

“Were you hoping to catch McKenna?” Taylor asked.

He nodded.

Taylor hesitated.

Paige glanced from Troy to Taylor, and then said goodnight. Paige and Louise left the library together. Troy and Taylor remained in the hall.

“I’ll walk you out,” Troy said. “Make sure you get to your car safely.”

“I’ll be fine. Marietta’s safe.”

“I’ll wait,” he answered.

And he did, while she double checked that the computers were off and the lights were off in the restrooms. They walked out the front door and Taylor locked the door and set the alarm.

“It’s cold,” Taylor said, shivering.

“It’s been a long winter for most of the country,” he agreed.

“I take it you all haven’t been suffering too much in California?” she asked, shooting him a wry look.

“No. It’s been a really mild winter on the West. We could use some good storms in California. Need the rain. We’ve been in a drought for quite some time.”

“Why do you like California?”

“I like startups. Technology. There’s a lot of economic opportunity for me there.”

They were heading down the stairs for the parking lot and Taylor shot him another quick assessing glance. “You don’t miss Montana?”

There was no easy way to answer a question like that, and Troy hesitated, trying to decide how he should answer. “Marietta will always be home, but it’s a complicated relationship.” He smiled, and shook his head. “That sounds ridiculous, I know. Sorry.”

But Taylor seemed fascinated by his response and she stopped walking to face him. “I have a very complicated relationship with Hopeville, too, so it doesn’t sound ridiculous. I actually find it rather reassuring.”

“So you don’t go home often?”

“No.”

“You don’t get along with your folks?”

“I get along fine with them, or at least, I used to until I took my brother under my wing. They didn’t appreciate my interference.” She shrugged. “But they were neglectful. They didn’t treat him the way he deserved.”

“That must have been hard for you. You seem very protective of him.”

“I am. And it was hard. But it’s not Doug’s fault. None of it was his fault.”

“So you’re not just his big sister, but his surrogate mom now.”

“You could say that.”

Looking down at her small, heart-shaped face with the resolute press of her pink lips, he felt a pang. She really was the most intriguing thing. “Would you want to grab a quick bite with me at Main Street Diner? I think they’re open for another hour.”

She glanced at him, and then away. “It’s late.”

“But you haven’t eaten. Louise said you had no chance to grab anything before all of tonight’s meetings.”

“I can eat when I go home.”

“Louise also said you’d just have soup. She thinks you need some proper meals.”

Taylor frowned. “Louise shouldn’t be sharing my personal life with you.”

“I’ve known her since I was just a little kid and she has a good heart. I like her, and respect her, and appreciate that she’s looking out for you.”

Taylor’s expression suddenly eased. “I agree. And she’s right. I could use some real food. Besides, it’s Tuesday which means the Diner has the most wonderful homemade beef barley soup tonight—”

“Soup?” he laughed.

Smiling, she shrugged. “I like soup. But don’t worry, I’ll order some biscuits and a salad, too.”

Chapter Five

They cut through Crawford Park, towards the courthouse before crossing Front Street for the Main Street Diner.

Marietta had been so pretty with all the Christmas lights and decorations up. Now it just looked empty and a little dirty with white and gray snow heaped in the gutter and on all the street corners.

Taylor was glad to reach the Diner to get out of the biting wind. Fortunately, at almost nine, the restaurant was virtually empty. The waitress told them they could sit anywhere and Troy left the choice to Taylor.

Taylor selected one of the big leather booths along the brick wall and once seated, she peeled off her coat and scarf and hat, piling them next to her. Suddenly she thought of McKenna, and how McKenna had avoided looking at Troy, and how Troy had gone after McKenna but she’d left without speaking to him.

“I didn’t realize until yesterday that your brother Trey was the father of McKenna’s son,” Taylor said.

Troy gave her a wary glance. “Are you and McKenna close?”

“No, I wouldn’t say close, but she did ask me to go dress shopping at Married in Marietta with her tomorrow night.”

“I didn’t think she was getting married that soon.”

“Not for a wedding gown. But a formal dress for the Ball.”

“Ah.” That seemed to reassure him a bit, and he leaned back against the booth, and studied the menu for a minute before setting it aside. “McKenna is amazing, and a great mom to TJ.”