Page 69 of Dreaming of You

Chapter Fourteen

Kate pulled up to Barrett's house in her SUV with her trunk filled with wine, beer, food platters, and party games. Hanging out of her back seat window was a bunch of balloons. Getting out of her car, she jogged up the steps to Barrett's townhouse, which was located in the Marina, only a couple of blocks from the bay.

He opened the door with a smile, having exchanged the suit he usually wore to the office for a pair of dark jeans and a black leather jacket over a long-sleeve, dark-green sweater that matched his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. He really was one of the most attractive men she'd ever known.

"Hi," he said.

"Are you ready?"

"Unless you want to come in?"

She wouldn't have minded seeing Barrett's home, but she was running a little late. "I think we should get going. I want to make sure I have enough time to set up."

"No problem." He pulled the door shut behind him and followed her to the car, his grin widening at the balloons.

"I know," she said, reading his expression. "It's like I'm driving a clown car, but I wanted to do balloons because they're festive and they fit the theme."

"There's a theme?" he asked, as he got into her passenger seat.

"It's a throwback shower, recreating the free, fun days of our youth. It's not going to be a traditional shower. There will be plenty of alcohol, for one. And games, but not traditional shower games. These will be fun."

"Games, huh? I think I'm going to need the alcohol. I'm beginning to wonder what I've gotten myself into," he said dryly.

"Don't worry. You're going to have a blast. The arcade alone will be worth it. I think you'll enjoy the night."

"I already am," he said, giving her a warm look that made her want to pull the car over and kiss him.

Clearing her throat, she turned her attention on the road, thinking it was good that Alex and Andrea's house was not too far away. "How was your day?" she asked, hoping some boring tale of law would slow her pulse down.

"It was good. I lost a client."

"How is that good?"

"They reconciled. Since they have two children under the age of five, I was happy to lose the business."

She gave him a quick look. "You don't sound like a cynical divorce lawyer when you talk like that."

"Once in a while, people prove me wrong. How did your meetings go? Did you hear from Candice?"

"I did, and I didn't just get a call, I got a signed contract. She said she sat down with her mother and hashed things out. Olivia is going to take more of a back seat."

"That just means she'll be a back-seat driver," he said with a laugh.

"Probably. But I have the job, and that's exciting."

"Well, good."

"I think I owe you another thank-you. Candice told me that Olivia had changed her mind about following up with your mother's suggestion. Did you call your mom?"

"I did. I told her to stop trying to blow up Candice's wedding and your business because I don't want to get back together with Vanessa."

She glanced back at him. "That sounds very definitive."

"It was definitive. We had a long chat, and I think she finally heard me. She said she was sorry about her behavior at her party and to extend her apologies to you."

"That was nice."

"She can be reasonable on rare occasions. Anyway, I'm glad you got the job. And I think Candice has the perfect person to plan her wedding."

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