Dating the Guy Upstairs (6 page)

“Your reputation as what?” Riley finally managed to free her hand and sucked in a lungful of air as she studied his face. “As a dater? A romance lover? A wooer of women?”

“No.” He shook his head, not even seeming to realize that he was no longer holding her hand. The fact that her own flesh felt like it had been imprinted with a branding iron didn’t improve her mood. “As a human being. Riley, you’re my best friend, and if I
were
to date you, I don’t want the world to think that I’d be the sort of boyfriend who’d treat you badly. Who’d give you spiders instead of candlelit dinners with violin players called Louis. I don’t want to be that guy. Oh, and of course I just told Tucker that we don’t have a date night. Can’t you see that the world will now think I’m the worst boyfriend ever?”

Riley realized he was genuinely concerned. No doubt it was helped along by their conversation at the library when she’d told him that he wasn’t that different from Gloria. If it were yesterday, she would’ve reached out and touched his arm to reassure him. However, yesterday arm touching didn’t result in atomic explosions in her chest, so she kept her hands by her side.

“Will, stop being an idiot. You’re not that guy, but you’re not the grand-gesture guy either. You would
hate
to go to the kind of expensive restaurant that Tucker likes, because you’d spend the whole time calculating just how many shoes the money could’ve bought for the families you’re helping overseas. And for the record, I love that that’s what you do. Plus, if we were really dating then I’m sure you’d still be romantic. Remember that time you took me on a night picnic in the park so that we could watch the boats coming into the port at nighttime? That was romantic. You packed cheese and bread and beer.”

“And no bottle opener,” he said, still frowning. “Plus the cheese was moldy. And not in a good way.”

“Yes, but when I got cold you gave me your jacket,” Riley said. It had been a long, lazy summer evening and all they’d done was stare at the stars and enjoy each other’s company. It had also been the first time that he’d opened up to her about how Lisa’s betrayal had affected him. And as the city lights danced across the water in a blurry wonder, it had been the start of their true friendship. The friendship that had given her more stability than her crazy childhood had ever managed. The memory caused her heart to pound. “Will, you might not think that things like that matter, but they do. Trust me.”

“I do trust you,” he said, his mouth set in a serious tilt. “I trust you more than anyone, but I hate that I didn’t know you thought that having a nighttime picnic with moldy cheese was a great date. What else don’t I know about you?”

“I don’t follow. What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you what’s going on. We’re so comfortable with each other as friends that we thought we could just get through this whole thing without having to plan it. I can see now that was our mistake. I’d never go into a meeting without all the facts, and yet here we are trying to do this thing without any kind of rehearsal. What was I thinking?”

“I’ve got no idea what you were thinking,” Riley said, not liking the way he was studying her lower lip as if it was something to be owned. “What kind of rehearsal?”

“Everything. Holding hands. Looking longingly into each other’s eyes without laughing. What side of the bed we prefer to sleep on. And how we kiss.”

“I-I’m not so sure this is a good idea,” Riley stammered. His hypnotic eyes began to twinkle and he took a step closer to her.

“Of course it is. And thank goodness I thought of it before the wedding, because if you thought that your conversation with Danni was tough going, Saturday’s going to be a nightmare.”

“I’m sure it won’t be that bad,” Riley lied.

“Not if I can help it. Riley Harris, I hereby give you notice that I’m about to kiss you,” he said as one arm snaked around her waist while the other helped gently dip her back. The only thing stopping her from falling farther was Will’s muscles, but before she could even begin to protest he lowered his face to hers. The last thing Riley saw was the playful smile tugging at his mouth before he leaned closer and his lips found hers.

The first time Will had kissed her, she’d been too surprised to know what to make of it. But this time, her traitorous lips knew exactly what to do as they instinctively opened to his. He let out a small moan as his grip tightened possessively around her waist, while his hips pressed into hers. Riley’s hands made their way to his face, touching the line of his jaw as his tongue teased her lips and sent a tremor of longing through her body.

Somewhere in the background she could hear people cheering. Will slowly released her, a pleased expression on his face. Riley blinked, feeling a bit like a time traveler who’d moved from one dimension to the other, and it took a moment to regain her senses. As soon as she did she let out a small squeak.

It was one thing to be a fake girlfriend, but it was another thing entirely to kiss her like the world was about to end. And to then look so casual and unaffected by it.

“Well, what do you think about that?” he grinned as he waved a hand at everyone.

I think that I’m never going to be able to look at you in the same way again.

I think that you’ve just ruined my chances of ever having a sane thought in my head.

I think that I’m falling for my best friend in a way that can’t be good for either of us.

“I think that wasn’t sufficient notice,” she said in a firm voice.

“Riley, we just had a kiss to rival Bogey and Bacall and you’re worried about how much notice I gave you?” A frown tugged at his lips. “Unless you’re saying that you didn’t like the kiss. Okay, now I’m officially embarrassed. That’s why you wanted the rules about kissing. You think I’m a bad kisser.”

If only.

“No.” Riley quickly shook her head. That might be the easiest way to avoid it ever happening again but she couldn’t bring herself to purposely hurt him. Or to tell such an outright lie. “It’s nothing to do with your kissing. It’s just this whole thing is . . . complicated. Can’t you feel it?”

He paused and closed his eyes, allowing her time to study the dark shadows that had taken up residence on the olive skin. She longed to reach up and run a finger along the delicate ridges of his face. To get rid of the haunted expression around his mouth. But before she could, he opened his eyes again and he let out a frustrated sigh.

“Right now all I feel is relief that you’re helping me navigate Tucker’s wedding. Tonight could’ve been a disaster considering how crazy my brother has become, but instead it’s been fun. And now all I need to get through is Saturday and things can go back to normal. I promise.”

Riley clamped down on her mouth. She’d been so busy obsessing about how amazing it felt to kiss him that she’d lost sight of the fact that they were only doing this to shield him from his family. To stop him from coming face-to-face with the man he despised and with the woman who’d ruined him from forming another relationship.

For a moment she thought of what Danni had told her. That Lisa felt bad about how the relationship had ended and wanted to apologize to him. Why had he never mentioned it before? More to the point, why did he stiffen when she’d brought it up? In the past she’d always accepted that the only feelings he had for his ex-fiancée were ones of disdain, but for the first time since she’d known him, Riley wondered if Will really was as over his ex as he’d led her to believe. And if he wasn’t, did he even know it himself? Either way she suddenly felt like the biggest monster alive. This wasn’t about her, it was about him. And the last thing Will needed right now as he tried to navigate his own feelings was dealing with the fact his best friend might have developed a crush on him.

“I’m sorry, I’m just tired. It was a long day at work. But you’re right. This is all about helping you survive Tucker’s wedding.”

The troubled look in his eyes faded as he dragged her close for a hug. “Thank you for being my friend.”

“You’re welcome,” Riley croaked. She might be helping him with his problem, but who was going to help with hers?

“Hi there, Casanova,” Tucker said the following afternoon as Will finished putting away the groceries into the fridge. “I’m surprised you’re even standing after that performance last night.”

“What performance? What are you talking about?” Will shut the fridge door and began to pace. He’d spent a frustrating morning talking with potential investors and failing to get an appointment with the elusive Geoff Tait. And now they were due at an upmarket spa resort for a bachelor’s pampering session, which was sure to be as terrible as it sounded. On the list of things that he didn’t want to do, this was at the very top. However, Tucker had already given him a huge lecture on just why the men of the wedding party needed to be traditionally shaved and Will sensed that no good could come from rocking that particular boat.

Who knew that his brother would turn into such a groomzilla?

“That kiss. Riley,” Tucker said, sounding surprised as he sat down on the threadbare sofa. “I mean, that was some show.”

“Oh.” Part of the reason he was in such a bad mood was because of what happened last night. Not the kiss itself, which had been mind-blowing, but rather the fact that Riley seemed to have found it so distasteful. He rolled his shoulders to loosen the tension.

Not that he could blame her for not enjoying the kiss. After all, it was a free country and it wasn’t like there was the kissing police or anything. Of course it was a little embarrassing that she’d been so unmoved by it, while he had been . . . well, more than moved. In fact, if the crowd hadn’t started whistling and hollering their approval, Will wasn’t sure he would’ve been able to stop at just kissing her. Which was amazing in itself, since public displays of affection weren’t normally his thing. Then again, neither was kissing his best friend.

“Yeah, that,” Tucker said, oblivious to Will’s discomfort. “You have to admit it was a little out of character, but I don’t mean that as an insult. Besides, I don’t think Riley was complaining, if the goofy expression on her face was anything to go by.”

Really?

Will came to a halt next to one of the potted palms and unclenched his balled fist. If his brother was right, then it meant that the kiss must’ve been just as intense for her as it had been for him. So why did she lie about it? He frowned. Normally if he had a problem he wanted to sort out, Riley would be the first person he’d talk to, but, considering she was the subject, it made it a little difficult. Then there was the fact that there wasn’t really any point to figuring out what the intensity of the kiss meant. After all, he’d be back in Indonesia in three weeks and Riley would get her library promotion, go on dates with her boss’s lame nephew and no doubt get roped into a million other dumb things, just so she could feel independent.

“So,” Tucker suddenly asked. “What do you think of her?”

“What do I think of her? Well, of course I think she’s great. I mean she’s been my best friend for two years. And sure it bugs me that some people take advantage of her kind nature, but it’s just part of who she is. Plus, you have to admit she’s pretty gorgeous, and—”

“Will, buddy,” Tucker cut him off. “I’m not talking about Riley, I’m talking about Danni. You met her last night for the first time and since we’re getting married on Saturday, I want to know what you think about your future sister-in-law.”

“Oh.” Heat rose to his cheeks. He knew that. “Danni’s great. I mean really great. Plus, she was telling me that she finally convinced you to come and see me in Indonesia.”

“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” Tucker sighed.

“Yes,” Will said truthfully. He’d been more than a little impressed at Danni. She might only come up to Tucker’s shoulder, but Will could already tell by her laughing eyes and generous smile that she was exactly the kind of woman that his brother needed. The kind of woman that would stop Tucker from turning out just like their father. For the first time since his brother had called to tell him about the wedding, Will had actually begun to think Tucker wasn’t crazy. “I’m sure that you’ll be very happy together.”

“Thanks, man,” Tucker said before his green eyes clouded over. “I just wish—”

Tucker froze as the unspoken words sat between them.

I just wish that Mom was here.

It had been eleven years since their mom had been killed in a car accident. Eleven years since Will had opened the front door to see a police officer standing there, her expression grim and full of sorrow. Tucker had been away at the time, which meant that Will and his father had been left in painful silence, trying to untangle what her death meant. Sometimes Will felt like he was still trying to untangle it.

It also wasn’t something that they tended to talk about. It was too painful. Too big. But he knew that Tucker had somehow always felt guilty for being away that weekend. As if he could’ve done something, said something that might have made the difference. Perhaps he could’ve? After all, Tucker was the diplomat of the family. The one who always held the peace.

But now Tucker was getting married. Was moving on with his life. Will might still be caught in that moment too often, but Tucker deserved peace.

“She would’ve liked Danni,” he said truthfully. “I think they would’ve got on well together.”

“You really think so?” Tucker’s eyes searched his face, his expression half fearful, half full of hope that he was telling the truth.

“Yeah.” Will nodded. “I really do.”

“Thanks,” Tucker said in a gruff voice as he blinked his eyes. “I like the idea that she would’ve liked her.”

“Me too.” Will nodded, for the first time wholeheartedly pleased that he’d come back for Tucker’s wedding. To see his older brother finally have something that was all his—not just something that he’d been given by the old man. Then he grinned. “She always wanted a girl. Probably why she tried to put you in a dress when you were two years old.”

“That was a christening gown, and if that’s the way the best man’s speech is shaping up, then we’re going to have a serious problem,” Tucker growled, though he was smiling.

“Please. I have much better ammunition than that,” Will assured him as he gave his brother a final pat on the arm. “But I mean it. Mom and Danni would’ve loved each other.”

“I think you’re right,” Tucker said. He leaned forward to study the graphs Will had printed out for the meeting he’d just come from, then picked one up and gave Will a hopeful look. “By the way, how did it go this morning? Did you blow their socks off?”

“No dice.” Will resumed his pacing as he filled his brother in on the meeting and on his efforts to track down Geoff Tait. “Apparently helping people become self-sufficient isn’t sexy enough for them. Since when did banking have to be sexy?”

“Times are tough right now,” Tucker said in a soothing voice as he held out an envelope with gold lettering on the front. “And speaking of tough times, I want to make sure you and Riley don’t experience any.”

“What?” Will blinked, unsure what his brother was talking about.

“Date night.” Tucker grinned like a fool as he pressed the envelope into Will’s hand. “Here’s an all-expenses-paid night out at Terra. And before you say no, listen to me. You and Riley are such good friends that it would be easy to forget that she’s now your girlfriend. You need to treat her like the woman you love, not the girl downstairs you like to split a pizza with.”

That would be because we’re
not
in love
, Will wanted to retort. But of course he couldn’t. Not just because he didn’t want to be the one who ruined his brother’s wedding, but because judging by the fact that if even Riley was starting to doubt he was over Lisa, everyone else on Saturday would think the same thing. And if they discovered he and Riley weren’t a real couple it would just add fuel to the fire.

He rubbed his brow and tried not to groan.

“Great, eh?” Tucker continued to grin. “Oh, and I forgot to mention that I’ve even included a violin player in there for you. What do you think?”

That you’re crazy. That love has taken away your brain. That spending an entire night with Riley in a romantic restaurant could very well be my undoing.

“Sounds amazing.” Will plastered a smile on his face as he glanced out the window, just in time to see Riley’s mom climb out of an ancient Mini, her layers of silk skirts fluttering around her. It matched her warm but slightly erratic personality. “Okay, that’s weird.”

“What’s weird?”

“Riley’s mom’s here, but Riley’s working until five and then has to go to some kind of team meeting, which doesn’t finish until seven,” he said—then understanding kicked in. It meant that Jude hadn’t called in advance to tell her daughter she was coming.

That made more sense.

He knew Riley loved her mother, but he also knew that from time to time she screened her calls, and he was guessing that after the India fiasco, that’s what Riley must’ve been doing. His theory was confirmed when he saw Jude lift what looked like one of her homemade carrot cakes out of the trunk. It was Riley’s favorite, and this wouldn’t have been the first time Jude had used it as a peace offering.

He turned back to Tucker. “Can you give me five minutes? I’d better go and tell her that Riley’s not here.”

“Of course. Trust me, I know all about sweetening up the in-laws.”

Hardly
, Will silently thought as he hurried down the stairs to let her in.

“Will, so lovely to see you again.” Jude put the carrot cake down on the small table in the shared hallway and wrapped him up in a warm embrace. It had taken Will a while to get used to how touchy-feely Riley’s parents were, especially compared to his own family. Even when his mother had been alive there hadn’t been much hugging, and after her death there had been none. He still wasn’t quite comfortable with it, but he accepted that it was just part of who they were. “When did you get back?”

“Monday,” Will said as he untangled himself from Jude’s numerous scarves. Her hair, which had once been the same color as Riley’s, had now faded to a dull amber, but nothing could dull the twinkle in her eyes. “But Riley’s not here.”

“Oh.” Disappointment spread across her face before she gave a small shrug, which caused the numerous bracelets and necklaces she was wearing to clink together. “I had to come up to Seattle for art supplies so I thought I’d pop in on the off chance she was home. She hasn’t been returning my calls.”

“I’m sure it’s not intentional. You know how busy she is. And that boss of hers at the library has her doing all kinds of things,” Will added as he thought of Bingley the guinea pig and the dumb date she’d been roped into going on. He tried not to remind himself that helping him was probably on the list of dumb things she had to do too.

“Dear William. You’re a sweetheart, but you aren’t so great when it comes to covering for my daughter,” Jude said, but there was no malice in her voice. “Besides, I don’t blame her. Poor Riley; I’m not sure what she did to get stuck with me and Tom for parents. The pair of us seem to go from one disaster to another.”

“You know she doesn’t think that,” Will said. Besides, even though he knew Riley did get frustrated with some of the things her hapless parents did, she loved them deeply. More important, she knew that they loved her. Something that Will had often envied. “I swear that she really has been busy.”

“I do worry that she pushes herself too hard. Still, while you’re home at least I know she’ll relax a bit more.”

“I try my best,” Will said, before remembering the feel of her mouth on his, her skin soft against his fingers. Heat flooded his cheeks and he coughed. “Er, so would you like to come upstairs? Or you could go over to the library and see her.”

Jude shook her head. “The last thing she’d want was me turning up at work, but would you mind if I left the carrot cake with you? Also, could you give her an invitation?” Jude fumbled around in the giant patchwork bag that was hanging off her shoulder before producing a black-and-white postcard. “Turns out that there’s a lovely art gallery not far from where I’m staying and the owner has asked me to exhibit some of my work— the ‘Life’ series. He thinks we might sell some.”

“That’s great news,” Will said truthfully. Jude might be terrible when it came to love and money, but she was an incredibly talented photographer. Unfortunately, up until now she’d never liked the idea of selling her work. Hell, Will had once seen her donate ten percent of her Monopoly income when she was playing the board game. Riley’s father, Tom, was the same. And while he knew that Riley had problems with her parents erratic lifestyles, he’d always found it refreshing compared to his own father. “She’ll be so pleased.”

“I hope so.” Jude’s lower lip began to tremble, her cheerful mask falling for a moment as she passed the postcard to him. It was a picture of a woman with long dark hair tenderly cradling a small child. It was stunning; he could understand why the gallery owner thought they might sell.

“It’s amazing. It reminds me of all those photographs you took of Riley as a kid,” he said. The series of black-and-white photographs hung in her bathroom.

“She still has them?” Jude seemed surprised. “Riley was eight and we’d been staying at a friend’s commune. Anyway, she spent the entire time sitting in a tree reading her book while all the other kids played a crazy game of tag below her. Bless her, she was oblivious to it all until she finished the story.”

“Now, that I could imagine.” Will grinned at the idea of Riley sitting in a tree, all long legs and red braids, engrossed in a book while chaos surrounded her. “And I’m sure she’ll be thrilled about the exhibition.”

“Actually, I was hoping she might be able to come down for the opening on Saturday night. I know it’s short notice, but I’d really love if she could be there. You too, of course,” Jude said in a hopeful voice.

“Saturday? I’m so sorry, but she’s actually going out with me that day,” Will said. He winced at the disappointed look on Jude’s face, and hurried to explain. “My brother’s getting married. I think you met him once.”

“Of course I remember Tucker. He’s almost as handsome as you,” Jude said, her frown disappearing.