Kissing Mr. Right (16 page)

“Me, too,” she admitted.

Their gazes held for several moments before he spoke. “I should go. You have a big day tomorrow and long flight ahead of you.”

He was right, but she didn’t care about
right
at the moment. She wanted one more night in his arms before she stepped into the future that would take her away. “Stay.” The word came out a whisper.

He eyed her suspiciously. “Are you sure? I don’t want to distract you on the eve of your big interview.”

“Too late,” she smiled then leaned up to kiss him. “Stay,
please
.” His mouth molded perfectly against hers. A hint of stubble scratched her cheek. Again her head was filled with the smell of the outdoors mixed with his soap. It made her knees weak.

“You don’t have to ask twice,” he murmured against her lips, pressing her hard against his body. They stayed that way for several minutes, feasting on each other until she couldn’t see straight, couldn’t think of anything beyond this absolute bliss.

She led him to her bedroom, trying not to be embarrassed by the utilitarian décor. She’d never thought much about how boring it was, with her streamlined wood furniture, white bedspread, and lack of homey touches. Especially compared to the warmth and charm of Ty’s house. He didn’t seem to notice.

They made love on her white sheets, each taking time to discover what the other one liked, creating a rhythm all their own. When they were both too tired to move, Ty scooped her into his arms. Instead of falling asleep, they spent the next several hours talking.

Not about the future, that was too uncertain.

They laughed over childhood escapades, delved deeper into the mixed-up feelings each had about their families, and quizzed the other on the insignificant details of life—favorite color, first pet, preferred pizza toppings. Kendall tucked away every kernel of information, knowing that these were the memories she would take with her when she began her next journey. She wouldn’t admit how depressed it made her to think of embarking on that journey without Ty in her life.

He left in the middle of the night, insistent that she get a few hours of sleep before flying to New York. She thought she’d be too nervous to sleep, but she crashed as soon as her head hit the pillow and was shocked when her alarm went off at five a.m.

It was good that he was gone, she reasoned, as she applied makeup in her bathroom mirror. The morning light helped bring her focus back onto her real goals. She was ready to secure the place she’d earned in the big city. This was her chance.

Nothing was going to throw her off track.

Kendall met Sam and Chloe for happy hour the following night, after she returned from New York. She’d had a text waiting from Ty when she landed at DIA, but she ignored it, summoning her two friends to a popular downtown bar instead. Since the
It’s Raining Men
broadcast, she’d been recognized even more often, so she tried not to make eye contact as she scanned the crowded room, afraid she’d be given another dose of unsolicited advice.

Two arms waved in her direction and she made a beeline for the back.

“This place is a meat market,” she muttered as she slipped into the booth. “You should see the way some of the men in here were looking at me.”

“You start dating on television and it’s open season for losers,” Sam said, lifting her glass of mineral water in a mock toast.

Kendall rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it. Three different guys hit on me at the airport yesterday. Didn’t they watch the last show? I picked Owen.”

“They don’t buy you and the geek,” Sam said.

“Are men with as much money as Owen Dalton still considered geeks?” Chloe asked, licking salt off the rim of her margarita glass.

“Oh, yeah.” Sam nodded. “They’re just geeks who can land hot chicks.”

“You have a way with words.” Kendall tapped the rim of the white wine glass in front of her. “Is this for me?”

“Yes,” the other two women chorused. Chloe leaned forward across the table. “Enough with the small talk. We’re dying here. What happened in New York?”

Kendall sipped at the wine, trying hard to make her smile seem real. “I got it. They offered me the position before I left.” She was thrilled with the offer, which didn’t explain the queasiness in her stomach that had started the minute the plane touched down in Denver. “Believe it or not,
It’s Raining Men
helped. Gave them more insight into my glowing personality and ability to think on my feet.”

Chloe scrambled out of the booth and crushed Kendall in a big hug. “I knew they’d love you.”

“I can’t believe it’s finally happening. You should have seen the studio. In the middle of Manhattan. Everything state of the art. One of the execs gave me a tour.” She bit her lip, a genuine smile finally tugging the corner of her mouth. “We passed Savannah Guthrie’s office.”

“Yeah, baby,” Sam said. “Our girl is going to be rubbing elbows with the big-time players.”

“The thing is,” Kendall said, “the position is open earlier than they expected. They want someone to start June first.”

Chloe’s gray eyes widened. “That’s less than a month from now.”

Kendall nodded. “I’d have just enough time to wrap up the Silver Creek story before moving. The network will help me find housing in the city.”

Chloe rested her dark curls against Kendall’s shoulder. “You’re really leaving. It won’t be the same without you.”

“What am I, chopped liver?” Sam asked. She held up her hand when Chloe started to protest. “I’m kidding. You’re right, it won’t be the same. I think this calls for some major celebrating, spa style. Let’s head up to the mountains for a girls’ retreat.”

“That sounds perfect.”

“I can’t.” Kendall took a big drink of wine. “I’ve got the station’s gala tomorrow night.”

“Skip it,” the other women said in unison.

She shook her head. “There are other things I need to take care of sooner rather than later.”

“Is McDirt, PhD, one of them?” Sam leaned forward. “Have you been holding out on us?”

Kendall saw several people turn and stare. “Keep your voice down,” she whispered. “I haven’t been holding out. Things with Ty are complicated. It didn’t seem smart to discuss them until I had it straightened out in my mind.”

“And now you do?” Chloe asked.

“Not exactly.” Kendall picked at the corner of a napkin. “But I like him. A lot.”

“Are you sure
like
is the L-word you’re looking for?” Sam asked.

“Well,
leaving
is an L-word,” Kendall said, tearing more fiercely at the napkin. “That’s what I’ll be doing in a few weeks. Does it really matter how I feel?”

“Of course it does,” Chloe said. “You can Skype, text, visit, e-mail. Long distance relationships can be good.”

“No. This is my big break. I promised myself I wouldn’t be distracted by anything or anyone, especially not a man. I’m going to meet someone in New York once I’m settled.”

Chloe’s brow wrinkled. “I don’t think that’s how love works. You can’t decide when or where or with whom it’s going to happen. It sort of finds you.”

“Not if I don’t want to be found,” Kendall muttered.

Sam reached across the table and pulled the shredded napkin out of her hands. “It may be too late for that. You should think twice before throwing away a real shot at happiness.”

Chloe placed her hand on top of Sam’s. “Following your heart doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream.”

Kendall shook her head. “But what if it does?”

“Whatever you choose, we’ll support you.” Sam told her. “But it’s your decision to make.”

She detoured to Ty’s house on her way home. It was like the Jeep’s GPS was programmed with his address. Her feelings for him raced through her mind as she idled at the curb.

As much as she wanted it, the two of them together weren’t meant to be. Better to devote herself to the future. She walked to his front door and pressed the bell twice for good measure.

When he opened the door, need and desire rushed through her. Desire she could handle, need not so much. She wanted to launch herself into his arms. But if she did that, there was no way she’d ever leave.

“I’m moving to New York City and I can’t see you anymore,” she blurted, before her brain could process how good he looked in his faded jeans and worn Broncos T-shirt.

He cocked his head to one side and studied her. “Congratulations on the job. I was worried when you didn’t text me back. Have you been drinking?”

“Of course not. One glass of wine. That has nothing to do with this.”

“Who’s there?” a voice called. Ty stepped back to reveal a young boy standing in the hallway.

“This is Kendall,” Ty told the boy. “A friend of mine.”

The kid’s brown eyes widened as big as saucers. He pointed a finger at Kendall. “You’re that lady who goes out with all the guys on TV. Mom says you wear too much makeup and have a stick up your butt.”

An audible gasp could be heard from the back of the house.

“Cooper Castelli, you get back to the kitchen this instant.” Jenny peered around a doorway, her eyes narrowed. “We are leaving. Now.”

“But, Mom,” Cooper whined, “Ty said we could watch
Top Gear
. It’s not fair.”

“Now, Cooper,” Jenny repeated.

Ty stepped toward him and ruffled his shaggy hair. “Do what your mom says, Coop. I’ll DVR tonight’s
Top Gear
.”

“Can you record the series?”

“Sure.”

“Cool.” He turned to Kendall. “I hope you get that stick out of your butt. It must hurt real bad.”

She nodded dumbly and watched him walk past his mother. Jenny sighed and moved into the hall. She looked like she wanted to drop through the floorboards.

“Sorry about that. Ty is a friend and he’s been hurt before by people he—”

“I’ll call you tomorrow, Jen,” Ty interrupted.

“Fine. We’ll let ourselves out the back.”

When she disappeared again, Ty turned to Kendall. “Would you like to come in?”

She hadn’t realized she was still standing on the porch. “I don’t think that’s a great idea. Jenny’s right and I’ve said—”

He grabbed her by both arms and pulled her across the threshold, slamming the door shut with his heel. “Sit down.”

She perched on the edge of the couch. “I’m sorry I interrupted you while you had guests.”

Ty stood in front of the fireplace, arms crossed across his chest. “You should be sorry. Not for stopping by—you’re welcome here anytime. But your little bombshell is a hell of a greeting.”

She crossed and uncrossed her legs, picked at the fabric of the couch. All to avoid his gaze. She felt uncomfortable and guilty at being called on the carpet. “I got my dream job. The rest shouldn’t come as a surprise.”

“I meant it when I said congratulations.” He closed his eyes for a moment. It killed her to see the pain on his face, to know that she’d caused it. It was an obvious struggle for him to remain calm. “I should probably uncork a bottle of champagne, but I’m not in a festive mood.”

“Me neither.” She stood, her emotions too jumbled to remain sitting. “This is my fault.”

His hand slammed against the brick fireplace. “Are you seriously using the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ line?”

She thought about that for a moment. “No. I’m not. Because it
is
you. I told you from the beginning what I could give. You screwed it all up by being so strong and sweet and sexy and . . . you. You made me want more.” She poked him in the chest with one finger, holding onto her anger like a lifeline. Anger was better than the heartache ripping through her chest. “I’m leaving, Ty.”

“So what? This is the twenty-first century. You’ve heard of phones, texting, e-mail, airplanes. We can make it work.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. She wanted to wrap her arms around him instead, sink into his warmth so that the sadness that threatened to split her in two would melt away.

“I can’t. I forget my priorities when I’m with you, and I forget the plan that’s guided me through every challenge I’ve ever faced. I don’t know how to live my life without it.”