Not Looking for Love: A Cowboy Romance (23 page)

The day couldn’t get here fast enough. Kara fussed with the tassel of her cap for the umpteenth time while sitting in her seat. The speeches seemed to drag on. She was so done with school, and if it weren’t for her brother and sister-in-law talking her into coming to the ceremony, she would have been happy skipping it to stay at home, alone.

It had been four months since she spoke with Richie. It killed her when she lied to him about finding someone else. In the four years that she knew him, she never once lied, but she couldn’t see any other way of letting him go.

“Isn’t he hot? I’d do him,” the girl sitting next to her said as she elbowed her.

She looked to the girl trying to recall if she had ever seen her around. “What?”

The girl moved in closer. “Dierks Randolph, the speaker. He works out at my gym.”

Kara looked to the stage, seeing the guest speaker, the local newscaster, for the first time, taking in his cropped blond hair, strong jaw, and stretched suit. She looked back to the girl, ready to agree with her, but the girl was annoying the girl on the other side of her so she didn’t bother to comment. Truth be told, no one looked as good as a certain Texan she adored. No one ever came close.

‘America the Beautiful’, the music the band had played earlier was stuck in Kara’s head as she looked down to her manicure and spotted half a dozen things wrong with it.
Gotta find a new nail salon…and crown thy good with brother—
“What!” Kara looked to the girl on her other side when she elbowed her.
What the fuck?

“We have to get in line.”

Kara looked around. “Oh.” She rose up and followed the girl.
Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.
She didn’t even realize they started calling the graduates to the stage.

While waiting in line she took notice of all the cheers when a name was called. As she got closer she started feeling awkward, she’d probably get the least cheers. Her brother was just as quiet and reserved as she was. She’d probably be able to hear Lauren cheer and maybe Keith and Maria Elana, a couple of friends she made through the years here at school who were also graduating.

“Katherine Storm.”

Kara walked up on stage listening to Lauren and a few others cheering. She paused with her hand outstretched to touch the blank piece of rolled up paper the dean was holding so the photographer could snap a picture before taking it from him and exiting down the steps on the other side of the stage.

“Kara! Kara, over here!”

Kara, glad to finally be outdoors even if it was a hot day, looked around. Across the lawn she saw her friend Keith calling her. He was already with Maria Elana. She navigated her way to them and motioned for her brother and Lauren to follow for some pictures.

Kara hugged and kissed her friends and they introduced each other to their families then the cameras came out.

After the picture taking Keith asked her. “Are you going to the Draft House tonight? Everyone’s going there to celebrate.”

“No. I can’t.”

“Come on, it’ll be fun. You can come with me.”

Kara smiled to herself. She knew Keith was into her, but she didn’t feel anything for him. He was cute and fun to be around, and he was always helpful. They shared notes and worked on projects together all the time and he would always try to get her to go out with him, but she always refused. He was almost four years younger than her, but that didn’t deter her. In fact, everyone she hung out with from school was younger than her, and sometimes it showed. She wasn’t into beer pong and getting wasted like they were.

She gave him and Maria Elana a kiss then turned around to her brother and froze when she spotted Richie talking to him. He turned his head, locking eyes with her and offered her a smile.

Her stomach did flips, and she bit her lower lip. His hair was shorter now and he looked as handsome as ever. It was hotter than hell outside and he looked all cool and collected in linen pants and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked…GQish.

“Excuse me,” Richie said to Eric. He closed the gap between him and Kara. “Congratulations, Kara.” He reached in and kissed her cheek.

She slowly smiled. “You came?”

He chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. Thank you, but you didn’t have to.”

“I Know. I also have a proposition for you. Your brother tells me you’re going out to dinner. Can you save a little time for me afterwards?”

“You’re welcome to join us.” Eric said.

Richie turned to see Eric right behind him. “I don’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense. No imposition at all,” Lauren said while she was trying to contain a squirming Emily who wanted out of her arms to play with her brother.

He looked back to Kara. “It’s your day. You don’t need me to—”

“I’d love it if you’d join us,” she cut him off.

Richie studied her face.

“Please,” she said.

Richie nodded. “Okay, thank you. I’d like that.”

Richie met them at a seafood restaurant and they dined on stuffed lobsters and sangria. Emily enjoyed a jar of carrots, while Max ate chicken nuggets, and for desert Emily had a jar of pears while everyone else had chocolate cake. She was content.

Dinner conversation was light and with lots of laughter, and there was a little altercation when Richie grabbed the check the waiter had put down on the table, and he was adamant.

“Can we talk?” Richie grabbed her arm and pulled her back a bit once they were in the parking lot.

“Sure. Do you want to come back to the house?”

Boy, did he want to. “Maybe later, but now I was thinking of getting a drink at some quiet bar or something.”

“Okay. There’s Checkers, a little pub with booths not far from here. Is that good?”

“Yeah. I’ll drive?”

“Okay, let me just say goodbye to my brother and Lauren.” She walked faster to catch up with them, Richie on her tail.

That was easily the most uncomfortable car ride Kara had ever experienced. Once upon a time she and Richie didn’t have to talk for hours and she was content in his presence. She looked over to him and he was the picture of calm. Was it awkward for him? It was hard to tell.

Richie looked around. Checkers was dimly lit. Their booth had a pendent light above the table with a low watt bulb in it. The table had a checkers set on it, the board folded in half and the checkers stacked on top of it. Rock music played softly in the background and the bar stools at the red and black checkered bar were all in use. He noted most of the booths were taken and yet it still was a pretty quiet place, save for a loud cackle here and there. He leaned back and turned his attention to Kara. He had felt her eyes on him the whole time. He smiled. “Why you nervous?”

She took in a breath and as she let it out she leaned back against the tufted booth-back. “I don’t know. It’s good to see you, Richie. You cut your hair?” She felt lame stating the obvious and quickly added, “I love it.”

“Thank you.” He snickered. “I figured it was time to grow up.”

She looked from him to the young pretty waitress, who had introduced herself as Tiffany when they first sat down, walking up to the table with their drinks.

“Thank you,” she said when Tiffany set down her Paloma.

“Thank you,” Richie said when his beer was set in front of him.

The waitress set down a bowl of peanuts and a bowl of pretzels. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No, thank you,” Richie answered.

The waitress nodded and walked to another table.

Richie picked up his beer and held it out. “Congratulations.”

Kara picked up her drink and clinked his glass. “Thank you.” And before she took a drink she said. “No, really, thank you, Richie. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“It was my pleasure.”

She nodded once and took a sip of her drink. As she set it down Richie asked, “So, what are your plans now?”

“I’ve sent out my resume to a few interior design companies and have a couple of interviews lined up. One tomorrow.”

Richie nodded then leaned in. “I want to throw something at you.”

She instinctively moved her upper body in. “Okay.”

“Ever hear of Madison Designs?”

“Yes! They’re one of the biggest companies out there. I’d love to get in there.”

He smiled. “Well, they’re looking for a designer.”

She laughed and sat back. “Yeah, well, I’m sure they’d be looking for an experienced designer.”

“No. Victoria is looking for someone new, someone fresh.”

“Victoria? You know Victoria Madison?”

“Yes. And I might have mentioned you to her.”

She grinned. “You mentioned me to Victoria Madison?”

He laughed. “I did. And she’s interested in meeting you.”

“I’d have to move to New York.”

“Uh-uh, Austin.”

“Austin?”

“Yeah. She’s got an office in Manhattan, but she’s looking for someone for her Austin office.”

“Oh.”

“Would your boyfriend be okay with you moving?”

She took a sip of her drink. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

He had to suppress a smile. “Oh. No more? I was wondering why he wasn’t at your graduation today.”

Kara dropped her hands to her lap and nervously rubbed them, noting the sweat that accumulated. She hated to lie to him, but could she reveal that she never had one? “No.” She kept her answer short.

Now he smiled. “So, what do you think? Would you be interested in meeting with her?”

“I would be meeting with her?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you do her?” Oh, boy did she just blurt that out? She covered her mouth with her hand.

“Victoria is my mother’s age.” He grinned.

“Oh, so you did her daughter?” What the hell was wrong with her?

“Kara, what difference does it make?”

She knew him pretty well and could tell he was becoming annoyed. She must be right. She slowly nodded. “Right. Um, so, thank you for the offer but—”

“She doesn’t even have a daughter. She has two sons.”

“Oh.”

He smirked then took a swig of his beer and watched her looking down. He could just picture her nervously wringing her hands. “So, would you be interested?”

She picked her head up. “I would be.”

“Okay. I’ll call her in the morning and set something up for next week.” He darted his eyes around the room and lifted his hand with two fingers up when he spotted their waitress.

“Thank you.”

Richie leaned back again. “So, what’s new?”

“Nothing.”

“I cut out my work at the Warren. Been looking to just settle down now with the ranch.”

“How’s that going?”

“Good. Real good. Got two hundred head of cattle now.”

Kara giggled. “I thought you ranch owners don’t tell anyone how many you have.”

“Hah!” He nodded. “Correct. Nor how many acres we own… But you’re not anyone.” He reached for her hand and covered it with his and his thumb caressed her palm. She felt so soft.

The chill that had been in her body, despite the Florida heat, for the past four months was quickly replaced by warmth, a warmth that started at her hand and worked its way out to every part of her body.

He stared at her for a long time and she didn’t know where to set her eyes. She looked at her drink.

“I miss you,” he said.

Her eyes flew to his. “I miss you too.” Her heart beat fast.

*

“Richie?”

No answer.

“Richie, are you awake?”

“Mmmm.” With his arm around her he squeezed her to him. They were in her bed and Richie was spent and basking in the afterglow of being inside Kara. His eyes were closed and he was content and could easily fall asleep.

“There never was a boyfriend,” she said, not wanting to tell him, but guilt made her come clean.

“You never had a boyfriend?”

“No, I mean four months ago when I told you I did… I didn’t.”

“What?” He opened his eyes and looked to her. “What are you saying? You lied?”

She nodded. “I’m sorry.”

He removed his arm from around her and sat up. “Why, Kara?”

“I felt like we were getting close… too close. When your cousin outed me I realized I’m never going to shake my past. No matter where I go or what I do, I think someone will recognize me and I didn’t think it was fair to you to be associated with a porn actress.”

“Ex. And you decided who I should or shouldn’t associate with? Geez, Kara. I can’t believe you lied to me.”

“I’m so—”

“For four months I’ve been going out of my mind trying not to picture you with someone else. Someone you might be in love with.” He rose up out of bed and paced.