Smitten (45 page)
Hope flowed through Reese. It was a wonderful, heartwarming story. She leaned back and smiled over her shoulder. “What a great article—”
Griffen was still there, a mere breath away, his head propped on his arm. She inhaled, and the faint scent of his musky soap teased her senses. Their eyes locked, and she felt her smile slipping away. The moment drew out, lingering in the air, a moment that would either land nimbly on Something Meaningful or sprawl awkwardly on the floor between them.
“Reese . . .” His eyes were pools of liquid, pulling her into their warm depths. “You’re buzzing.”
It took three full seconds for his meaning to kick in. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She popped from the chair and pulled out her phone, her heart scampering away to hide beneath her ribs.
“Yeah,” she said, answering it, her voice breathless.
“Did you hear?”
“Sawyer. Yeah. Yeah, I just read the article. Great, huh?”
Noises sounded behind her, but she didn’t dare turn around. Didn’t want Griffen to see the flush that heated her cheeks.
“I’ll say.”
“Nat said the phones are lighting up at Carson’s office.”
“He told me. I’d say things are going better than anyone expected.”
“I’d say so.”
At least some things were. She could hear Griffen working in the store, and turned to face her empty office.
“Well, all eyes are on Smitten now,” Sawyer said.
“I think you’re right.”
“Hey, I also wanted to thank you again for the ski lesson.
I’ve been practicing on my own, and I think I can pull it off without embarrassing myself too badly.”
“That’s great, Sawyer.”
“Thank Griffen for me too. You guys make a great couple.”
Her heart gave a little squeeze. “Will do.”
“Listen, I gotta run, but I know you were worried, so thought I’d call.”
“Thanks. See you around.”
Reese sank onto the window ledge, her legs shaky from the adrenaline rush. Was Griffen weirded out by the moment they’d just shared? Had he guessed her feelings? Had she seen something in his eyes, or had she only imagined what she longed to see?
She should just go tell him. Walk into the room, turn him around, and tell him she was in love with him, not Sawyer. Maybe she’d pull it off this time.
But even as the thought formed, even as the ticking clock grew louder and seemed to pick up speed, her fingers gripped tight on the windowsill and refused to let go.
L
ook down.” Natalie came at Reese with a fat mascara wand.
Reese obeyed, then felt the tug of the wand on her upper lashes. After Julia’s ministrations at her beautiful new spa, her skin did indeed glow. From there, they’d moved to Reese’s house, where Natalie began her work on Reese. She was nearly finished with the makeup but hadn’t let her subject so much as peek in the mirror.
Natalie fanned her lashes dry. “Okay, look up.”
Reese looked at the ceiling. “You’re not caking it on, are you? I want to be recognizable, you know.”
“Relax. I’m just bringing out your natural beauty.”
Reese snorted, then shifted in the chair.
“Sit still.”
“You almost done?”
Natalie pulled her hand away, capped the mascara, then came at her with a tube of rose-colored lipstick. “Do this.” She parted her lips.
Reese did the same, sighing. She was nervous and tired. Her shop’s grand opening three days earlier had been a huge success, thanks in part to the Associated Press article.
Wedding guests had begun trickling into town, checking in at the newly completed Timber Lake Lodge on Carson’s old property and at the Maple Valley Inn where the mill had been and into Carson’s refurbished cabins out by the lake.
The ski event had gone off without a hitch, and this morning’s edition of several New England newspapers featured a photo of Sawyer and Kate on the slopes.
No skiing for Reese, though. Outdoor Adventures had been hopping right through the concert on the square the night before. She’d hoped to catch some of Sawyer’s show but had ended up working late. She’d had to settle for hearing his band through the shop windows and peeking out the door during brief lulls. They’d set up an enormous tent, complete with commercial-size heaters. The tourists seemed to have had a blast.
This morning had been a blur too, as many of the wedding guests rented ski equipment, snowmobiles, and skates. The shop was closed now, but she hoped Shelby hadn’t regretted filling in for her this afternoon.
Natalie’s shop had been bustling as well, and there were similar reports from other business owners, all of whom were working hard to please the tourists.
The media had arrived in full force that afternoon, and Carson, Sawyer, and Mia had been busy granting interviews. Cameramen stood on street corners, media vans clogged Main Street, and there’d been nothing but rave reviews so far from the guests. Smitten seemed to be on its way to a successful future.
Thank you, Jesus. You’ve been so good to us
.
Natalie dragged the lipstick across her lower lip, tugging. “Wait till you see Mia in her flower girl dress. Oh my goodness. So adorable.”
“I’ll bet she looks like a little princess.”
“She does. And Carson . . . well, let’s just say he’s not looking so bad in his tux.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
Natalie leaned back, assessing her work, and gave a final nod.
“Now the dress.” Natalie capped the lipstick, then took the garment from Reese’s bedroom door.
They’d spent four painful hours at the boutique the previous Saturday. Reese had tried on every dress in the store, frowning at the lace and ruffles that made her feel like a little girl playing dress-up.
Natalie handed her the dress and went to put away the makeup while Reese slipped into it.
“Careful of your hair,” Natalie called over her shoulder.
They’d finally settled on a satin icy pink number that hit just above the knee. The structured A-line dress, elegant in simplicity, was devoid of ruffles and lace, thank goodness. Its only adornment was a white ribbon sash that encircled the empire waistline. Reese slid her arms through the straps and clutched the bodice to her chest.
“Zip me up?”
Natalie bustled into the room, and moments later the dress clung to Reese’s middle, flaring gently over the curve of her hips.
“Beautiful! I forgot what a great figure you have—buried the way it always is under yards of sweatshirt material. Put these on.” Natalie handed her the flesh-colored heels that she’d insisted would make Reese’s legs appear longer.
She slipped them on. “Can I look now?” Reese wanted to get this over with.
“Not yet.” Natalie handed her the matching wrap. “Here.”
Part of her wanted to get the whole evening over with. Griffen wasn’t leaving until next week, but tonight felt very much like her last chance. It was a lot of pressure to put on a layer of makeup and some satiny material. What if it wasn’t enough? What if, no matter what she wore, no matter how she looked, Griffen only saw her as one of the guys? His best buddy?
“Stop frowning. You look gorgeous.” Natalie grabbed Reese’s hand and tugged.
Reese followed her to the freestanding mirror that waited in the corner of the room.
Griffen grabbed the bouquet of flowers from the passenger seat and exited his SUV. Reese lived in a red Craftsman-style house just outside of town, in her childhood home. He couldn’t have counted the hours they’d spent shooting hoops on the court by her detached garage, or the hours shoveling snow in her neighborhood to raise some pocket cash.
The cement walkway to her porch was cleared of snow, revealing cracks and crevices caused by burgeoning roots from nearby maple trees. He neared the porch and took the steps slowly, tugging at the tight collar of his dress shirt. He couldn’t recall being so nervous, having such mixed feelings about a date.
On one hand, he was getting to spend time with his favorite girl. On the other, she was trying to win another man’s heart. Or had she given up, being that it was the evening of the wedding, and so far her plan seemed to have gained her nothing—hand-holding at the coffee shop notwithstanding.
He wondered how she felt tonight at the prospect of watching the man she loved pledge his love to another.
How do you think she feels, Parker?
Hadn’t he left town t hree years ago, just so he didn’t have to endure the same? Hadn’t the thought of Sawyer and Reese’s wedding been enough to drive him from his hometown? It was reason for the tulips in his hand. He’d wanted to get her something for Valentine’s, and hoped the bouquet might make her feel special on an otherwise painful day.
He drew a deep breath and knocked on the old door, gearing himself up for a difficult evening. She’d probably be a mess by the end of the night, but he’d be there for her. Of course he would.
It was time for him to face facts, though. Time for him to give up the fantasy that Reese would ever return his feelings. He’d go back to Pennsylvania, back to his sparse little apartment, back to his job. Smitten was on its way to a successful future. They didn’t need him anymore.
And neither did Reese.
He heard movement inside. He’d better think of something to say or he’d get tongue-tied at the sight of her and say something stupid.
Reese. You look like an angel
. Stupid
and
corny.
Hey, you clean up well
. He gave a sharp shake of his head. Why not just give her a high five?
Happy Valentine’s Day, pretty lady
. Hmm. He tilted his head, thinking. Not bad. Casual, but complimentary. He wiped his damp palms down his pant legs.
The door opened, and Natalie beamed at him.
“Griffen, look at you, all dolled up!”
She wore a blue dress, and her dark hair was caught up on her head.
“You look great, Natalie.”
“Thanks.” She pulled him inside and turned toward the stairway.
Griffen followed her eyes toward the vision in pink that was descending. His jaw went slack.
Reese. Not athletic, little buddy Reese, but stunning, womanly Reese.
Silky curls trickled over her bare shoulders like a golden waterfall. The shimmery dress clung to her slim torso, then skimmed past her hips, stopping at the top of her knees.
His eyes strayed back to her face. She looked softer, more delicate. Her eyes took center stage. He’d never seen them so bright and sparkly.
His heart marched up into his throat and rendered him speechless.
She reached the bottom of the steps and stood, her small hand gripping the boxed newel post.
Say something, Parker
.
“Reese . . .”
Brilliant, you know her name
.
What was that line again? He swallowed, a joke since his throat was as dry as a plate of sawdust, then remembered the flowers in his hand.
Valentine’s Day
.
Smiling, he held them out. “Happy Valentine’s Day, pretty lady.”
Her eyes smiled first, then spread to her lips. “You rehearsed that.”
“I did.”
“I’ll forgive you since you brought me tulips.” She took the flowers from him. “My favorite. Thanks.”
He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. “But I have to admit my line seems woefully short of reality. You look . . . wow, Reese.”
She looked down at the tulips, a pretty blush blooming on her cheeks. “Thank you. You’re looking pretty dapper yourself.”
Natalie appeared, buttoning her coat. “I’m going to run now. Oooh, pretty flowers.” She gave Reese a wink. “See you two at the chapel.”
After Natalie left, Reese found a vase in a kitchen cupboard.
Griffen took the opportunity to look her over one more time. He could probably span her tiny waist with his hands if she ever let him that close. Reese was so strong and capable, he forgot how small she was sometimes.
She set the flowers on the table, then turned, tugging her lower lip with her teeth. He reminded himself that she had a difficult night ahead.
