No way, she told herself. There was no more reacting to Tucker. But lecturing didn’t help much, not when he laced his fingers with hers and squeezed.
They walked through the grocery store. She made what she hoped was sparkling conversation, all the while trying not to notice how their shoulders brushed and the way he smiled at her.
Back on the street she was relieved to see Pia and Raoul walking toward them, the former football player pushing a double stroller.
“Hi,” she said eagerly, pulling her hand free of Tucker’s and hurrying to meet her friends. “You’re out.”
“Finally,” Pia said. “We thought it was time to introduce the girls to their hometown. Plus, they’re starting work on the Fall Festival today and I want to check on things. Then there’s the whole artist series, with a surprise guest. And it’s time to check the inventory for the Halloween decorations, if you can believe it.”
Nevada introduced Tucker. The two men shook hands. He surprised her by peeking in at the twins.
“They’re beautiful,” he said.
Pia nodded. “I can’t take the credit, so I’m comfortable saying I agree with you. Plus, they’re both really good. I’ve been reading tons of nightmare stories online about colic and sleepless nights. We’re lucky. What are you two up to?”
“I’m protecting Tucker from the single women in town.”
Tucker glanced at her. “Did you have to share that?”
Nevada grinned at him. “I’m sorry. Was it a secret?”
Raoul shook his head. “Don’t let your pride get in the way. Women in this town are determined.” He put his arm around Pia. “Look how you stalked me.”
“I did not. You were the one begging me to marry you. I took pity on you.”
“Keep saying that and maybe one day it will be true.”
Nevada knew they had unexpectedly fallen in love with each other while Pia was pregnant with her friend’s embryos.
“If it gets bad, you can hang out with us,” Pia said, leaning into Raoul.
“Thanks.”
They left the young family and continued their stroll through town.
At the corner by Morgan’s Bookstore, Nevada was about to say they could stop for fudge before going in when Tucker surprised her by pulling her toward him.
“What?” she asked.
Instead of answering, he bent down and kissed her.
The feel of his mouth was delicious and her already alert body sent up a cheer. Aware they were in the middle of town where everyone could see, she wanted to draw back. But she couldn’t. Something about his touch made it impossible to move, impossible to do anything but lose herself in the sensation of his lips against hers.
He wrapped his arms around her so they were touching from shoulder to thigh. The intimate embrace made her want to hug him back and the last of her resistance faded. Just when she was about to part her lips so they could deepen the kiss, he stepped away.
She blinked in the bright sunlight.
“What the hell was that?” she demanded.
He grinned and took her hand again. “Just doing what you said. Making them believe I’m into you.”
Oh, right. The plan to protect him.
“I, ah, fine.” She cleared her throat. “You did well.”
He winked. “I liked it, too.”
So much for the “work only” rules. So much for just being friends. The truth was Tucker Janack got to her. He always had, and she had a bad feeling he always would. The trick was going to be figuring out how to manage her reaction to him and stay sane at the same time.
AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS of dodging Tucker, doing her job and wanting nothing more than to escape the daunting sexual tension she felt every time she was around the man, Nevada was relieved when she got a call from Montana. She and Dakota were calling a triplet meeting. They agreed on a time and suggested meeting at their mom’s house.
Nevada arrived early. It had been a great excuse to leave the job site. She was hoping that after her sisters talked about whatever their issue was, she could ask for a little advice on how to clear her head when it came to Tucker. She didn’t have any ideas of her own.
Focusing on the past and hating him wasn’t really an option. It had been ten years ago, she’d been as much to blame as he was and she preferred to look forward rather than back. Plus, she really did love her job and wanted to keep working with him. Having him wear a gorilla mask every day would help, but she wasn’t sure how to ask for that.
She walked up to the front of the house, knocked once as she always did and pushed the door open.
“It’s me,” she called. “Am I the first one here?”
There wasn’t an answer. She heard a noise from the kitchen and moved down the hall, wondering what the discussion was about. Maybe Montana was pregnant. That would be fun. Simon was a great guy. Maybe they were announcing their engagement. That would mean both her sisters were happy in love.