Page 39 of One Unexpected Kiss

Hudson scowled. “Making me miserable because you’re miserable is just petty.”

Carmen hooted. “Misery does love company. Don’t worry, Papa Paul. I’m going to bring you all your favorite muffins and cookies.”

Her promise earned a grateful smile from the older man. I’d bet she—along with his other daughters—had him wrapped around her little finger.

“You’d better save me some,” Hudson said. “I’m going to need some cheering up now too.”

“Both of you, stop being so dramatic,” Annette said. “And don’t feel sorry for your father. I promised him tickets to two Carolina games next season if he gets through this recovery without complaining, but so far, it’s not looking good.”

“I’ll buy my own Panthers tickets,” he grumbled.

“Didn’t you promise me Carolina tickets when I got my wisdom teeth out?” Hudson mused. “She never came through on those, so I don’t know if I’d believe her, Dad.”

Annette chuckled. “I made you the same deal I made him, which is why you didn’t get them. Like father, like son.”

The two men looked at one another before glaring at Annette, who batted her eyes. I laughed and peeked at the other table, where my sister was sitting. I hoped she was having as much fun as I was. The Ramsey-Croft family was a riot. I enjoyed the way they taunted one another, knowing it was coming from a place of love. Though I loved my mom and sister, I’d never felt like I fit in with them. This loud family gathering, complete with dogs that bowled people over, was more my speed. It was only bound to get louder and crazier when there were more grandchildren running around.

With a pang, I realized I would never experience any of this for myself. Sure, I was sitting at the table, but I was a guest, not a member of the family. Marriage and children weren’t in my future—I had my career.

I wasn’t supposed to be here. I was sure Annette had issued the invitation with good intentions, but the gathering was only tempting me with things I would never have. I should have used this time to read up on the next commission member I planned to visit. Failure was not an option, because if my career was all I was going to have, then I was going to be damn good at it. And hope like hell it would fill the aching hole in my chest.

CHAPTER 9

Claire

AFTER DINNER, Iescaped into the backyard for a few moments of solitude under the guise of taking the dogs out. The yard was fenced, so they didn’t need an escort, but that was my story, and I was sticking to it. I would have already made my excuses, but Stephanie hadn’t wanted to leave, and she was the driver. Calling an Uber would only have made me look like an ungrateful jerk.

Spending time with Bennett’s family had unnerved me in a way I hadn’t expected. I’d always told myself that a career was enough. Loneliness was the price I paid for being successful. Then I’d started dating Reg, and he seemed to understand me. We wanted the same thing—namely, to dominate in our jobs. I began to think that maybe I didn’t have to be alone. He didn’t resent the time I spent at the office, because he pulled the same long hours.

When I caught him cheating on me, he was surprised that I was upset. “You didn’t think this would last, did you? A man like me needs a woman who puts my needs first. Men don’t marry women like you.”

I’d been proud of who I was and what I’d accomplished. He’d hurled it at me like an insult. And he’d hit his mark, damn it. I could forgive him for everything else, but never for making me doubt myself.

Exhaling, I wrestled a tennis ball out of Larry’s mouth and pitched it into the darkness. I’d given everything I had to my job, and when push came to shove and the partners had to decide between me and Reg, I’d gotten the boot. To be fair, Reg had been there a year longer than I had. Still, it stung, and because I’d been let go from such a prestigious firm, I was branded unemployable by all the others. Then I’d been unable to pay my bills and forced to accept the charity of my sister and my brother-in-law. I’d hit rock bottom.

From a young age, I’d known I didn’t want to be like my mom, who was always scheming to find another man to support her. I’d busted my ass and gotten a Harvard law degree—and the debt that went along with it—so I would never have to depend on anyone. But there was more to life than being financially independent. The love in Bennett’s family was so strong it was almost palpable. My mom loved me, but it wasn’t the same. When I’d graduated from law school, she asked me if she needed to come to my graduation. I told her to come if she wanted. She’d sent a card.

Meanwhile, all but one of the Ramsey-Croft clan showed up for Paul’s last supper. I wanted to build that for myself—a family who would show up. But I’d worked hard for my law degree, and I didn’t want to give up on building a new career for myself. I couldn’t have done that even if I’d wanted to—I was too far in debt.

The sliding door opened, and Bennett appeared. I quickly turned back to the dogs to wrestle the ball out of Larry’s mouth again. Bennett couldn’t hear my thoughts, but I felt exposed all the same. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this honest with myself. Maybe never.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked.

“Making friends with the pooches.” I gave up on the ball and ran my fingers along Sadie’s silky ears. Maybe instead of a crazy cat lady, I’d be a crazy dog lady. I was growing fond of these two fluff balls despite our rough introduction.

“I’m surprised you want to after earlier.” He walked over, snapped his fingers, and pointed to the ground. Larry sat his ass down and dropped the ball at our feet. Bennett picked it up and threw it.

Well, damn.It would have been helpful to know that command. “I’m impressed.”

Bennett chuckled. “Don’t be. That’s his only trick, and it serves him more than it does me.”

“What kind of dog is he?” I’d been trying to figure out what breeds might be in his mix. Maybe some German shepherd. He was certainly big enough for that.

“The ugly kind.”

A laugh escaped before I could stop it, and looking at Larry’s lopsided doggy grin, I felt bad. “Oh, stop. That’s mean.” I leaned down and scratched his ears. “Don’t listen to him. You’re very handsome, even if you are an overzealous welcoming committee.”

“He’snothandsome. I’m honest, not mean.”

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