Page 22 of Playing with Temptation

“Me, too.” Kendra smiled, rearranging little Allie’s headband. “You were my favorite, hands down.”

Greer poured apple juice into acrylic tumblers. “I’m thrilled you and Nate are back together. Sure, I’m a little miffed with him now, but he’s always been a good friend to me and Wade. Broke my heart to see how miserable he’s been without you and Kai.”

“We’re not back together.” A knot tightened in Kendra’s throat. She shifted Allie on her lap, steering the infant away from the gold hoop she was trying to rip from her ear. “I’m his media consultant.”

Greer put the juice away and set the cups and plates on the kitchen table. She turned to Kendra. “You do realize he’s still in love with you?”

Without waiting for a response, Greer called the children down for their snack.

It was just as well. Greer’s words left her head spinning.

The attraction was still there. That was evident from the way he’d scanned her figure on more than one occasion. But was it possible he still loved her?

The resentment on Nate’s face when he first laid eyes on her at the restaurant and his aggravation with her when they met at the beach house suggested otherwise.

The one-night stands they’d had were products of their lingering chemistry, bottled-up frustrations and close proximity, not love.

Greer took Allie, who was reaching for her. She settled the girl on her lap, tied on her pink bib and fed her green baby food out of a chunky plastic spoon. “Thinking about what I said?”

Kendra watched Jake, Mariah and Noah nibbling their sandwiches and drinking apple juice. “No, I was wondering what you’re feeding Allie. Looks like strained peas, but it smells better than any baby food I remember.”

Greer grinned. “It’s one of the baby food formulas I’ve been working on. Allie here is my personal guinea pig.”

“She doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, I’ve never seen a baby so enthusiastic about eating her vegetables.” Kendra nodded toward the infant, who happily consumed the strained peas, some of which now dotted her chin. “Is this just for Allie or are you thinking of going commercial?”

Greer’s eyes lit up. “Been thinking of starting my own baby food company. Everything will be fresh and organic—shipped right to your door. I want to start it as soon as Wade retires.”

“What does Wade think?”

“He’s been so supportive. He insists I don’t need to wait for him to retire, but I’d like at least one of us to be focused on the kids.”

“If Allie’s enthusiasm is any indication, you’ve got a hit on your hands.”

“Oh my gosh.” Greer looked down at her daughter, who evidently wasn’t satisfied with the speed at which her mother was feeding her. She dipped her chunky little fingers into the bowl and sucked strained peas from her fingers, getting it all over her face and in her nose. Greer grabbed a wipe and cleaned Allie’s hands and face. “I’m excited about the possibility, but I’m scared to death by it, too. You must understand that.”

“I do.” Kendra took the dirty wipes from Greer and tossed them in the trash. “Never more than when I agreed to take Nate on as a client.”

“Let me guess, it was Marcus’s idea.” Greer grinned as she resumed feeding Allie.

“How’d you know?”

“Had a feeling.” Greer shrugged, her Alabama twang evident. “He’s an old romantic soul like me and Wade. We been praying you two would figure out you were meant to be together.”

“I hate to disappoint all of you, but this arrangement is strictly business.”

“Got yourself convinced of that, don’t you?” Greer shook her head. “You don’t want to tell me? That’s fine. But if you’re lying to yourself…well, that’s another matter altogether.”

“What are you talking about?” Kendra tamped down the irritation rising in her chest.

“Isn’t it obvious?” She smiled sweetly. “You’re still in love with him, too.”

Kendra glanced toward the sound of Nate’s and Wade’s voices approaching. She pointed a finger at Greer. “No more of this me-and-Nate-getting-back-together talk.”

---