Cady shook her head, deflating a little. “If I’ve been a buzzkill, I’m sorry.” It wasn’t Bianca’s fault that she was having actual feelings for a guy. A guy who had left her in the shower—no note, no phone call, no freaking email—after she’d actually shared with him. Had she freaked out? Had she taken way too long in the bathroom? Hell, yes, but she’d needed to calm down—to regroup. Nothing had hurt as much as emerging to find her bed and her apartment empty.
“Maybe it’s just me.” Bianca was talking, pulling her back to the present. “I’m being so oversensitive—”
“You’ve got a lot going on.” Cady took Bianca’s hand in hers. Bianca didn’t need to be worrying over her right now. “Weddings are stressful,” she added. “Speaking of stress...” This wasn’t the place for this conversation, but she saw an opening and she took it. “I know things are super tight right now, and I’d like to help, if I can. It’s just me. And as you’ve pointed out, I don’t have much of a life, so it’s not like I’ve got a ton of expenses.”
“I never said you don’t have a life. I said you work too hard. And you could use a vacation.” Bianca frowned.
“Fine, okay, whatever,” Cady teased, trying to lighten the mood. “But if you need my help, you’ll let me know? Right?”
“Cady, I mean it. No secrets, I promise.” Bianca shook her head. “We’re different, you know that. I have to tell you everything... Too much sometimes. You know all about my money troubles, the shop’s spotty business and all the family drama.” She smiled. “I don’t know how you keep it all bottled up. I love you. I want you to be happy. And recently, you’re so distracted—which isn’t like you. I’m worried about you. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I’m here for you, too.”
Cady blinked, her eyes stinging unexpectedly. “Oh, God, Bibi, I don’t even know where to start.”
Bianca took her hand. “At the beginning? It’s not work?”
Cady shook her head, her mind filled with images of Patton. Patton smiling at her. Patton’s fingers sliding through her hair. Patton’s lips nipping at her earlobe. She shivered. “No. Not work.” Her hands gripped the edge of the countertop.
“So... It’s a guy?” Bianca’s voice was soft.
Cady sucked in a deep breath before facing all the questions in Bianca’s hazel eyes. It was the sight of Patton, over Bianca’s shoulder, that silenced her.
Patton filled the doorway, his pale eyes fixed on her. She was off-kilter enough with him standing there, looking at her as if she was dessert...and he was starving. The kitchen seemed to shrink, ratcheting up her nerves. She tore her gaze from his, absentmindedly placing an extra layer of plastic wrap on the veggie tray.
“Hey, ow,” a muffled voice came from behind Patton. “Why did we stop walking?”
“You can come in, Patton.” Bianca laughed.
He stepped inside. “Didn’t want to interrupt,” his low voice sent a chill down her spine.
She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t afford to get lost in those eyes...or the hold he had on her.
“At least give a girl warning, cuz. Your back is hard. Must be all the muscles,” Lucy teased, heading to the refrigerator.
Cady knew his back was all muscle, not that she’d ever vo
lunteer that information to anyone. Or linger on the images of him...all muscles and strong, yet gentle, hands...
Lucy opened the door and pulled out a pitcher of lemonade. “Beverage duty,” she explained. “For dessert. I think the boys are finally getting tired of darts and horseshoes and ready for more food. Bottomless pits, the lot of them.”
“Right. Where are the dessert plates?” Bianca asked.
“I’ll show you,” Lucy offered. “Can you take this out?” Lucy held out the lemonade to Cady.
And then they were alone. She placed the covered dishes in the refrigerator, picked up the pitcher and headed to the back door. But he set the cooler he’d been holding on the ground and blocked her path.
“Excuse me,” she kept her voice light and airy.
But he just stood there, forcing her to look up at him. He was staring down at her, his eyes piercing...searching. She couldn’t look away. One look was all it took. The air seemed to thicken around them, pressing her toward him. The scent of him both soothed and excited her. Dammit. She didn’t know whether to dump the lemonade on him or put it on the counter so she could throw herself at him.
She held the pitcher up, cocking an eyebrow at him.
He stepped back, holding the kitchen door open for her. Of course, it also required her to brush by him, sending each and every nerve ending into overdrive. His gaze stayed on her, sweeping over her face to linger on her mouth. She needed air, now. She pushed past him, sucking in deep lungfuls of cold air as she crossed the patio. “Lemonade?” she asked.
“Thank you, Cady.” Mrs. Ryan smiled. “I’m so glad Spence convinced you to stay for dinner.”
Spence...who was also looking at her. He had been sweet and charming and funny all night. Too bad she was into tall, dark and brooding types. She turned, glancing at the kitchen’s screen door. No Patton. Which was good. Wasn’t it?
“Hey, Cady,” Jared called out. “You any good at darts?”