Page 68 of Dreaming of You

"I like her," Candice said. "She's a genuinely nice person. She cares about people. She's creative. She has a sense of humor. She's easy to talk to."

"She is all that," he agreed. "I like her, too."

"Are you going to do something about it?"

"Not sure yet. Now get out of here and go talk to your mother."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, Barrett. You're a good substitute big brother."

"I'm happy to help."

As they moved into the outer office, the woman they'd just been talking about came through the door. Kate stopped in surprise when she saw them.

"Candice," she said. "I thought you'd left the building with your mother."

"I stopped in to see Barrett on my way out. Kate, I want to hire you for the wedding."

"I don't think your mother feels the same way."

"I'm going to change her mind. I just wanted you to know. Don't write me off yet."

Relief ran through Kate's eyes. "I won't do that. I'd love to work on your wedding. But I just want you to make a decision that's right for you."

"Which is why I'm going to sit my mother down and have a long talk with her. I'll be in touch."

As Candice left, Kate sent him a searching look. "What just happened? Twenty minutes ago, I thought the Hunt wedding was done."

"I heard my mother stuck her nose into things."

"Yes, apparently," Kate said.

"Is that why you came down here—to see if I could get my mother out of your life?"

"No. I wasn't going to mention it," she said.

"Why not? It's my fault that Olivia is hesitating. I introduced you to my mother and put you in her line of fire."

"That's all you did—introduce me to your mother. Whatever she did is on her."

He was once again amazed by Kate's generosity. "I'll talk to her."

"Please don't speak to her on my behalf. It sounds like Candice wants to challenge her mother, so we'll just see what happens. You know, I'm beginning to think my mother, with her complete lack of interest in my life, is actually not so bad. Anyway, I came down here because I haven't seen you all week, and I wanted to know if you were still interested in going to the shower with me tomorrow night."

"I am—if the invitation is still good. After Sunday night—well, it seems like things have gotten a little complicated between us."

She stared back at him for a long moment, and for once he couldn't really tell what she was thinking. Usually, she was an open book. In fact, she often had trouble keeping her emotions off her face, but not today.

"That's true," she said slowly. "But I'd like you to come with me. I'd like you to meet my friends. Unless you think it's a bad idea, that maybe we should stop having so many dates that aren't really dates?"

He saw the worried gleam in her eyes and couldn't deny that he had his own doubts about moving forward. They were walking a fine line. Knowing what they each knew about the other's views on love and marriage, there was a good chance someone was going to get hurt. He didn't want that to be Kate. He didn't want her to feel the sting of another rejection.

On the other hand, he wasn't sure he'd be able to reject her, and what did that mean for him? Was he going to end up going down a road that had caused him so much pain once before?

"Should I take your silence for a yes?" she asked. "That you think it is a bad idea?"

"No. I think we should go to the shower together. I'd like to meet your friends."

"Especially Alex," she said lightly.

"And all the rest. What time should I pick you up? Or do you want to go from here?"

"Actually, I'll pick you up. I have to do a walk-through on a wedding venue down on the Peninsula at four and my car is going to be filled with party supplies, so it will be easier if I just come by your place around six fifteen, if that works."

"Perfect. I'll text you my address." He smiled. "It's a date."

She smiled back at him. "I keep asking myself what we're doing, Barrett."

"Let me know when you come up with an answer."

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