Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

“Lark and Reggie are coming to town,” Kenny told her.

Taryn sat next to Sam and took his hand in hers. “Talk to me,” she told him. “What’s going on? Obviously you just found out. Breathe and we’ll get through this.”

Sam did as she instructed. He stared into her violet-blue eyes and felt more in control. “She has a new book out.”

Taryn nodded. “I know. She sent me a copy. It’s interesting.”

He winced. That was one way to describe what she did. “She set up a signing here in town and she’s staying for the Score weekend. Dellina arranged for her to do the lecture.”

Taryn’s mouth twitched. Sam wasn’t sure if she was holding in a smile or trying not to recoil.

“That will be fun,” was all she said.

Kenny chuckled. “Think she and Reggie will have sex onstage?”

“No,” Jack said firmly. “She wouldn’t do that to us.”

Sam hoped he was right but thought maybe his friend was being optimistic.

“She might show a video,” Kenny said. “She gave me the whole set one Christmas. I tried to watch them, but it was too scary. I mean, I like sex as much as the next guy, but watching people I know do it was just too...”

“Tell me about it.” Jack looked at Sam. “You okay?”

“No.” Sam dropped his head to his hands. This could not be happening.

Taryn patted his back. “Look at it this way. She was coming to town for a signing. There was no way she was going to leave without seeing you. At least you can be prepared.”

He nodded. “I was going to come up with a plan.”

“There you go. Forewarned and all that. You’ll get through it. I know your folks are difficult for you. But they’re sweet people. I still remember when your mom explained to me how to do deep-throated fella—”

He rose and faced them all.

“Stop. Just stop. Don’t talk about my parents, don’t reminisce and, for God’s sake, don’t encourage them. Do I make myself clear?”

Before any of them could answer, he stalked away.

* * *

FAYRENE PUT THE first dish in the oven and checked the timer. Ryan was setting out the appetizers and their guests were due any second. Everything was going according to plan.

After racking her brain for a solution to the “Ryan” problem, she’d finally come up with the perfect answer. She was going to show Ryan how amazing married life could be. So she’d invited Pia and Raoul over for dinner. They’d been married a few years now, had four kids, including three-year-old twins and a six-month-old little boy. More important, they were wildly in love with each other. Her plan was for Ryan to see that and realize what he was missing.

Ryan didn’t know the other couple very well, but Fayrene had worked for both of them. They were lovely people. Maybe ten years older, but so together in their relationship.

Tiny nails made a clicking sound on the kitchen floor. Fayrene smiled as Caramel rounded the corner and hurried toward her.

“Hey, fluffball,” Fayrene murmured, reaching for the small dog. Caramel, ever the polite little girl, gave a tiny push off the floor as she was picked up. “You know, I think I can handle the four pounds plus fur.”

Caramel stared adoringly into her face, then leaned in and kissed her chin.

“Thank you,” Fayrene said, holding her close. She’d only had the Pomeranian a few days, but somehow Caramel had melded with her life effortlessly. “I’m going to miss you when Mayor Marsha takes you back. You know that, don’t you?”

Fayrene always connected with the pets she took care of, but something about this one was different. A problem she would deal with later, she told herself as she set the dog on the floor and together they walked out into the living room.

“Impressive, huh?” Ryan said with a grin.

She nodded in agreement. He’d not only straightened up the room, he’d set up a drinks station on a bookshelf and put the appetizers on the coffee table. For a second she let her gaze settle on his handsome face. Sometimes, when she looked at him, she thought her heart would crack from being so full of love for him.

She crossed the room and put her hands on his shoulders, then rose on tiptoe and kissed him. He kissed her back. About three seconds later, she felt Caramel’s little feet on her leg as the Pomeranian stood on her back legs as if asking, “What about me?”

“You’re important, too,” Ryan said, sweeping the little dog up in his arms. Caramel immediately rolled onto her back and gazed lovingly into his eyes.

“She’s got you twisted around her little finger,” Fayrene told him with a grin.

“Yeah? I’m not the only one.”

The doorbell rang. Ryan walked to open it, Caramel tucked under one arm.