Page 10 of Dreaming of You

Chapter Three

Kate was one beautiful, stubborn, romantic spitfire, who was no doubt going to bring nothing but trouble into his life. Barrett smiled to himself, as he ran a hand through his hair and stared out the window. He should really keep her at arm's length, but when she'd been ranting on about happily ever after, his thoughts had gone more in the direction of pulling her into his arms and kissing her into quiet.

He could only imagine how that would have gone. She probably would have slapped his face. On the other hand, the way she'd looked at him with her beautiful blue eyes…well, he had a feeling she'd been feeling some of the same heat. Even though she clearly did not want to feel anything for him.

He stood against everything she believed in—and vice versa. The last person he needed in his life was some dreamy-eyed woman who wanted a fairy tale. He didn't deal in that kind of optimism anymore.

And Kate certainly didn't deal in his brand of cynicism. She couldn't even handle ripping down some corny wallpaper. She'd acted like he wanted her to rip her heart out.

No. She was too much of everything.

He needed to stick with women who were on the same page as he was.

The door to his office opened. His heart gave a ridiculous leap at the idea that Kate might have come back for round two. But it was his younger brother, Matthew Fox, who walked over the threshold.

Matthew and he shared similar features, with brown hair and green eyes, but that's where their likeness ended. Matthew was an outgoing, talkative salesman, who liked nothing better than entertaining and closing a deal. He also enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, the result of those deals.

There was no question that Matt was his parents' favorite. Matt was the one who'd gone into the family business, who now worked with his dad, who played golf at the club and loved a good party. Whereas he didn't like golf, parties, or the business.

But he did like his brother.

"Matt. What are you doing down here?"

"Checking out your new digs. Not exactly a step up from your last place. Why didn't you stay at the tower? We've got plenty of room on the thirty-sixth floor."

"I like to keep my feet a little closer to the ground. A couple of days there was all I needed."

"Too close to Dad?"

"That was one of the reasons I decided to leave sooner rather than later."

Matthew grinned. "Understood. But this old Victorian should be housing a tea shop, not a law firm, not that you have much of a firm, since it's only you. And did I see that the upstairs office is a wedding planning company?"

"Yes, it is."

"How's that going to work with your business?"

"I have no idea. I didn't realize what the company was until I came by on Friday night." He shrugged. "It will work out. So, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here for Mom."

He groaned. "What party do I need to be at now?"

"The Winter Ball on Friday night. Mom wants you to take the daughter of her best friend Karen Cummings. Karen's daughter, Elaine, is in town and is dying to go to the party. She needs an escort—you."

"Why don't you take her?"

"I can't. I already have a date, but you do not."

He let out a groan. "I do not want to go to that party."

"I don't think you have a choice."

"Let me guess—Elaine is single."

"Definitely. But she's also very attractive, so this might not be bad, as setups go."

"Mom needs to concentrate on setting you up. I already went down the aisle once. It's your turn."

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