Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

Fayrene had brought the Pomeranian she was taking care of with her and, from what he could tell, the little pooch was a hit. One of the wives had stopped him in the hotel that morning to say that her daughter had had a wonderful time the night before and couldn’t stop talking about the darling little dog who had been so warm and friendly with them all. Apparently Caramel was an equal opportunity cuddler. Something Sam could have respected when he was younger, but not so much now. He preferred to keep his personal life simple and that meant one woman at a time.

Not that he’d been involved in a while or was now, he thought as he stepped aside for a couple of teenage boys on skateboards. They barely made it to the corner when a deputy stepped in to put a stop to their fun.

He liked Dellina a lot. She was great. Funny and sexy and someone he could count on. But he knew what would happen if things got serious—it would all go to hell. He’d reconciled with the truth a long time ago—he had the worst luck when it came to women. Always had, always would. As much as he wanted that to change, it hadn’t.

Which left him wondering about his future. He wanted a traditional family. A wife and a few kids. How was he supposed to make that happen when his personal life went from one disaster to another?

Up ahead the door to The Christmas Attic opened and a woman stepped out with large shopping bags in each hand. She had two kids trailing behind, although the little boy seemed more interested in the festival than keeping up with his mother.

“Stay with me,” the woman called as she started for the corner.

Sam figured her car was in the lot there and, once she put her bags away, she would be fine. It was the getting there that was going to be difficult.

Her son, a boy of maybe four or five, spotted the ice cream vendor and grinned. He moved toward the curb instead of following his mother. The woman turned and looked for him, then frantically called out a name.

“I’ll be right back,” Sam said as he jogged toward the boy and scooped him up. As he did so, he waved at the woman. “I’ve got him.”

He maintained eye contact as he approached so she wouldn’t think he was trying to kidnap the boy, then put him down as soon as they were close.

“Let me help you with your bags,” he said. “Then you can keep hold of what’s really important.”

She gave him a grateful smile. “I should have made two trips,” she admitted. “It’s just the Christmas store is having a sale and there’s a nativity set I’ve wanted forever. Noelle called to tell me she was holding it for me.” She picked up her son and took her daughter’s hand. “Thank you for helping.”

“No problem.” He took her bags and they walked to her small SUV. He put the bags in the back. “Enjoy your weekend.”

She smiled at him and he returned to his guests. One of the wives linked her arm with him.

“This is why I like your company so much,” she said. “You all have heart.”

“It’s a small town,” Sam said, not sure what to do with the compliment, but liking it all the same. “Helping out is part of the culture.”

“It’s so nice to see,” she told him. “Living here must be very special.”

Sam nodded. The woman released his arm and returned to her husband’s side. Sam continued to walk with them, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

When the guys had first visited Fool’s Gold, they’d all been impressed by the location. Although Taryn loved everything about Los Angeles, the guys were ready for a change and Fool’s Gold had offered that. But once they’d bought the new building, Sam had wrestled with second thoughts. Did he really want to live in a place where everyone would know his business? He’d grown up with that and didn’t feel the need to re-create it as an adult.

Because of that, he’d held back a little. Jack and Kenny had made friends everywhere, but Sam had kept to himself. He’d resisted requests to speak to local business organizations and hadn’t done any community service work. He saw now that he was never going to feel as if he really belonged if he didn’t simply take the plunge. It was like what had happened with Dellina. He’d been so busy thinking the worst, he’d missed out on someone great. She’d not only saved the client party, she’d turned out to be someone he could trust. And in his world, that was to be treasured.

* * *

SAM WALKED OUT of the elevator and saw Kenny and Jack handing Taryn money. Judging from the wad of cash she held, he would guess three or four hundred dollars each. They were making a bet—something he usually participated in. Only not this time. Because he knew what they were betting on. Maybe not the exact verbiage, but he could guess the subject matter.

“What?” he asked as he approached.

His friends turned to him. Kenny and Jack both looked guilty while Taryn appeared smug.

“Showing a video versus just talking,” Taryn told him. “I’m convinced she’s not going to do anything to embarrass you. Jack says there’s going to be sex on a video while Kenny’s going for an over the clothes demonstration.”

Kenny held up both hands. “I’ve been to her talks before. We all know what happens.”

“You in?” Jack asked.

Sam tried to ignore the steady thumping of a headache coming on and shook his head. “There’s no win for me. Taryn, I appreciate your support, but we both know that we’re talking about my mother. There’s no way she’s not going to do something.”