“Why— Oh, that’s why you didn’t want me to set you up with a date for the party. You’re going with him.” Ali’s face did a weird thing, like she was excited and nervous all at the same time.
“Yes. And Kaden doesn’t know yet. Ali, be honest, is this going to blow up in my face? Not that I care what my brother thinks about my love life, but he still has to work with Kaden, so putting him in that situation is what I’m more worried about.”
“Kass, are you going to tell me who your hockey boy is?” Ali asked.
Kassie wanted to. She wanted to yell his name from the rooftop. “Ali, does it matter? I wish I was with him every second of every day, and we haven’t even kissed yet.” Woops, that was way more information then I planned on sharing.
“Kass, if you feel that strongly about him, then let whatever happens happen. I can’t control your brother any more than you can. He’s going to be mad and probably act like a big jerk because he loves you so much. But he only wants what’s best for you. Keep that in mind. Also remember, he’ll get over it.” Ali bounced Kaleb while he fussed.
“I’m not going to tell you who he is, because I refuse to ask you to keep that from your husband. You’re keeping a big enough secret as it is. You can see tomorrow night with everyone else. But you’ve got my back, right Ali?”
“Absolutely, sis! Your brother looks big and bad on the outside, but on the inside, he’s just a big teddy bear. He loves you more than anything and will do whatever it takes to protect you. Just remember that when he’s yelling like a moron.” Ali laughed.
Kassie knew Ali was right. This was going to get ugly before it worked itself out.
“Kassie, you’re a big girl. You can make your own decisions, and you know what’s best for you. Kaden can’t deny you happiness.”
“And always remember, dear,” her mom added. “Ali and I are behind you one hundred percent.”
“But the code?”
“The stupid boys’ code?” Ali asked.
Kassie nodded.
“They’ll get over it. I know it’s cliché, but follow your heart. It’ll never steer you wrong.”
Kassie hoped Ali was right. But no one knew better than her sister-in-law. Ali and Kaden had had their own fairy tale romance before baby Kaleb came along. That was when they realized that they were truly meant to be together.
Luc led Kassie up the hall to Kaden’s loft. No matter how he tried to motivate her, she was still falling behind, not really wanting to do this now. Her stomach was a mess, the nerves making her physically sick.
She pulled on Luc’s arm, making him stop in his tracks. “What if we skipped it? We could do anything else you want to do. I’ll even pay.”
“Nonsense.” He closed in on her, placing his arm behind her. She was pinned between him and the wall.
Luc’s breath was warm on her face, which caused a whole different kind of nervous to pop up. She tilted her head and asked again, “You sure?”
“Positive.” He ran his forefinger down her jawline, sending chills up her spine. He tilted her chin up ever so slightly with his thumb and forefinger. His lips were mere inches from hers. But he stopped right there. “We haven’t done anything wrong. We have nothing to defend.”
Her heart was pounding and she was breathing as if she’d just run a marathon. Kaden knew she was bringing a date, but he didn’t know it was Luc. That’s what had her stomach in knots. How was her brother going to react when he saw them together?
Luc’s eyes ran over her. “I forgot to tell you how nice you look tonight.”
She smoothed her hand down her navy blue shift dress that was short and loose. It had three-quarter sleeves, which she thought would be good for a cool October night, but at this moment, although the shoulders were cut out, she was still flushed and hot. “Thanks. These heels are already killing me.”
“Sweets, you look amazing and always make me feel underdressed.” Luc shook his head with a grin.
“We can always turn around and go back to my place.” She hoped he would find that option enticing enough to accept, even though they hadn’t really gone there yet.
Shaking his head, still holding her against the wall, he laughed. “It’ll be okay. One way or another, I will make it okay. I promise.” Releasing her from the wall, he held out his elbow for her to take. “Shall we?”
As much as Luc looked like a player, he was very much a gentleman. That made her swoon for him even harder.
Voices from Kaden’s loft echoed in the hallway. The party must’ve been in full swing already. That would be helpful, because a large crowd was easier to get lost in.
Approaching the door, Kassie took a big breath before opening it. Everyone was mostly in the living room, and that was at the end of the long hallway. Luc offered his hand, and she held on tight as they walked down the hall. It felt like forever before they reached the living room.
The first faces she saw were Sam and his wife. They were the perfect couple. Both blonde and beautiful, like surfer blonde. And both very good people.
“Luc.” Sam jetted his hand out to shake Luc’s. His baby blues then flashed their attention over to her. He had eyes that looked like the ocean. “Kassie, nice to see you again. You remember my wife, Trina?”
“Hi.” Trina looked up at Sam, probably looking for some sort of assurance before she went on. She smiled at Kassie. “Very nice to see you again.”
Trina then turned her attention to Luc. She threw her arms around him as much as they’d go, seeing as she had a very pregnant belly. “Hey there, Rock-Star.”
“Hey Tri, you been feeling okay?” Luc asked.
“Yep. It’s just a baby.” She joked and patted her belly. “We’ve missed you. You haven’t been around much lately.”
Sam nudged his wife with his elbow. “He’s been busy with better company than us, Tri.”
“I’ll be around to bug you guys soon enough. You can’t get rid of me that easily,” Luc teased.
Kassie just smiled and nodded. Normally comfortable around most of these folks, anxiety had taken over.
“I think we’re going to work the room,” Luc said, and flashed Sam an odd look. “How’s the temperature?”
“Ah, I’d say tepid. But you may want to limit your rounds to that corner there.” Sam pointed to a corner of the room. Kassie noticed it was the opposite side as her brother.
“Thanks. But I think we’re good.” Luc turned to Kassie. “Right, Kass?”
“Yep. We’re good.” She looped her arm into Luc’s as if it was second nature. “Nice talking to both of you. Maybe we’ll circle around again.”
“How are you doing?” Luc whispered to her as they made their way through the crowd.
“I’m thinking maybe we should start in the kitchen. I need to catch my breath. Maybe get a drink. And I know where he hides the good liquor.” She tightened her hold on Luc as they walked. She wasn’t good. Her heart raced as she worried about how her brother would react. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, why does Trina call you Rock-Star?”