“You bet.” He swiveled to half face them as the horse plodded along the paved road. “My name is Lee.” He stared at them for a moment, and Michael had a strange urge to look away, much like the feeling he used to get in school when his teacher caught him unprepared for class.
“You’re a great couple,” Lee said, turning back around. “I’ve been doing this forever, and I can read people like books.”
It took every ounce of Michael’s willpower not to roll his eyes at such a silly, cliché statement. The man didn’t know the first thing about them. Hell, they weren’t even a couple. He flicked a leaf off of the seat next to him and draped his arm over the side of the carriage, trying to look like he was enjoying himself. Mia clearly was, smiling and holding the dog in her lap so that it could see out.
“Yep,” the driver continued as they were passed by some joggers, “I’ve seen it all. Some people tolerate each other. Some don’t really even like each other, but you guys are in love.”
He shot a glance at Mia over his shoulder. “Am I right?”
She grinned. “Yes, you are.” Then she took Michael’s hand in hers and whispered, “Practice makes perfect.”
Seeing her this animated made Michael want to practice, all right. He wanted to kiss her again, but that had already been perfect. A jolt of heat shot to his groin and he shifted in his seat. What a surprise that had been. Her lack of physical inhibition made her the most responsive kisser he’d ever encountered. She melded to his body with no hesitation and returned his kiss stroke for stroke, which he hadn’t expected from a first kiss—especially one done expressly for show. He adjusted his position again and looked out at the lake, rather than at her full lips.
Still holding his hand, she gave his fingers a squeeze. Maybe this carriage business wouldn’t be so bad after all. It was certainly spontaneous. He smiled as he imagined Dr. Whittelsey’s face at their next session.
…
Just one more week, Mia told herself, then it will be over. For a while, she had hoped she and Michael could be friends. She’d moved so much from city to city, she didn’t have many close friends, which was why his business proposition approach to this had hurt so much. With so much opportunity in New York for her, she’d finally found a place she could stay. Plus, there was no way she could leave the Queen B’s at Heart’s Home. Having a friend again would have been so nice. Sue was her only real friend, and after all the trouble with Jason, they didn’t really talk anymore. She hoped to reconnect with her at the wedding if she didn’t do something stupid to screw it up. Like always.
Michael and the driver discussed some black rocks jutting out of the ground, and Clancy walked across her lap to Michael’s to see something out the other side of the carriage. She expected him to push the dog away, but he held him up and steadied him instead, to give him a better view.
After living at his place for a week, she knew that friendship was out of the question. Being friends with a man like this would be impossible. He was entirely too much. Too much of everything. And she knew her limitations. He would be so easy to fall for. Heck, she’d probably already started.
No. Never again, she told herself. Such a sucker for a pretty face. Add the power and confidence, and he was a custom built heartbreak. Plus, he’d never meet her non-negotiable requirement, so she’d have to just put her hormones in lock-down mode. Her goals were only to help him loosen up and to make it through this wedding with her sanity and heart intact. She had her work cut out for her on both fronts.
The carriage came to a stop and Lee turned in the seat to tell them about Bow Bridge. “It’s romantic, isn’t it?” Lee remarked. “You two should get out and walk around. This is a beautiful part of the park. I’ll just wait here.”
She knew Michael didn’t want any part of something romantic, but this was the very kind of thing he needed to do. Something frivolous and non-work related.
Clancy didn’t need to be asked twice. He bounded back and forth from Mia to Michael until the driver opened the door on Mia’s side. She helped Clancy out, but Michael made no move. “You coming?” she asked.
“Go ahead. I’ll wait here.”
Wait here, my ass. She was having none of that. “Out. Now,” she ordered. He glanced around, and she knew he was uncomfortable. Too bad. Discomfort was good for a guy like him. “Ah. It’s the public figure thing. Lighten up, Michael. Nobody’s looking at you. Everyone is having fun. Everyone but you.” She pointed to some kids playing ball. “See?” And then to a group of people gathered around a jazz ensemble on the bank of the water near some cattails. “Even dancing.” Then she gestured to a couple on the bridge wrapped up in each other’s arms. “Fun of all kinds.” She cupped her hands to her mouth and stage whispered. “And guess what? None of them are watching you or give a care what you’re doing.”
Other than a muscle twitch in his jaw, he remained stone still.
Poor guy. Was he that messed up? “But I’m watching you. And I care what you’re doing. Please come with me.”