Tempting Mr. Wrong (Wrong Man) (14 page)

He broke out of the embrace and met her eyes. “Carly, I think I’m fa…” His words trailed off at the intrusive sound of his cell phone.

Carly’s eyes had grown wide but she nodded toward his pocket. “Go ahead and get that. It’s okay.”

He saw the number was one of his army buddies. Hoping everything was okay, he squeezed Carly’s hand and answered.

“Townsend, you are going to owe me big time.”

He rolled his eyes at his friend’s cocky voice. “Hey, Jamieson, what’s up?” Casper Jamieson had served two tours with him. The guy could come off as arrogant, but he actually had a heart of gold. Especially when it came to his friends and family.

“You are going to love what I’m about to tell you. Prepare yourself.”

Lance held a finger up to Carly and tried to make a sorry-about-this expression. “I’m riveted,” he answered drily. “What is it?”

“Tell me you haven’t hit up Vegas yet.”

“No, not yet. Why?”

“Because I got you hooked up at the Bellagio.”

“What?” Lance asked.

“Got you an amazing suite, VIP treatment, the works.”

“Vegas,” was all Lance could say. Carly’s head snapped to attention.

“Don’t ask me how I did it. Okay, okay, it was my mom. Who knew she was such a card shark. She’s apparently been in Vegas a million times while I was busting my ass over in the Middle East.” He laughed again. “Anyway, she has all kinds of hookups now. I told her I had a friend who was looking to head that way so…you. Are. Welcome.”

“Sounds…amazing.”

“Only one slight catch. The voucher’s only good for another week so you gotta get your ass out there in the next two days.”

Lance’s head was spinning. “Be in Vegas in two days?” Carly removed her hand from his and backed up on the bed.

“Yeah, two days. Told my mom it wouldn’t be a problem for you, though. You’re single and flying free. Nothing and no one tying you down.”

Lance gulped. He couldn’t even look at Carly. He didn’t want her to hear his friend’s words, so he held the phone closer to his ear in a death grip.

A suite at the Bellagio sounded amazing. He had wanted to stay there and had been looking into deals. Not to mention that after the money he shelled out on Carly’s house, saving some dough at the very beginning of his bucket list would be really great.

So why didn’t it feel really great?

“Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Casper asked.

He couldn’t explain. Not here, in Carly’s bedroom with Carly right next to him.

“Sorry, just overwhelmed.” They talked for a couple more minutes, hammering out the details.

Then he hit end on his phone and turned to Carly. Her face was taut and her shoulders were scrunched up.

He didn’t know what to say. But she spoke first. “So Vegas, huh?”

“Carly…”

“In two days.” She averted his gaze.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I know I said I’d stay a little longer but—”

She shook her head, her eyes flicking up to meet his finally. “You don’t have to say anything. Seriously, Lance. I understand. I do. This isn’t just about some list of cool places to go. Not for you.” She squeezed his hand. “It’s about so much more to you.”

“I think you’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”

“I care about you, Lance. So much,” she added quietly. “Go. Have fun. You deserve it. I want the very best for you.”

He tried to swallow with a throat that suddenly felt like sandpaper.

“The fact that you even came here to begin with was amazing. And I’ll never forget this time with you. I want you to be happy and you’re not going to be until you do what you need to do.”

She did understand. It blew Lance away. He could think of nothing to say to her that would take that frown off her face. He kissed her lightly instead.

He touched the pocket that held Chris’s letter. The piece of paper that started all of this. Chris asked him to watch out for Carly. Keep her from getting her heart broken from the assholes she usually dated.

Looks like he’d let down his best friend.

Chapter Thirteen

Adam was watching Mya play in the yard. Even though he was smiling, there was something somber about him, Carly thought.

Adam didn’t turn to her. He kept observing Mya when he said, “She’s so much like Gretchen.”

Despite the sad comment, Carly couldn’t help but think how nice it was that Adam was so open with his emotions.

“Yeah, she is,” Carly said. “She looks like Chris and acts like Gretchen. Probably a good thing it’s not the other way around. I remember Chris as a child. He was way too feisty.”

Adam chuckled. “Your brother was a good guy. Besides, I was thinking Mya was the spitting image of her favorite aunt.” He leaned over and tapped her nose.

“Again, probably a good thing she inherited Gretchen’s personality over mine.”

Now, Adam did face her, his brow furrowed. “Why would you say that? I like the way you are.”

She started to shrug, but instead she took a page out of his book and decided to share. “I used to like the way I was.”

His head snapped up. “Used to?”

Carly rolled her head, stretching her shoulders. “I mean, I just wonder if there’s something wrong with me.”

“No doubt.” She laughed and his eyes softened. “I’m kidding. Carly, trust me, there is nothing wrong with you. Why would you even say that?”

Carly took a moment to collect herself. She watched Mya go down the slide and then quickly run back to the steps and climb to the top again.

“I don’t know how much you know about my history in relationships, but I tend to go all in way too quickly.”

“Ah.” Adam kept his eyes trained on Mya as well. “And this is a problem?”

“Apparently. I put 100 percent into the relationship and the guy…well, doesn’t. I think I’m mental.”

“You know what I think?” He turned to face her and waited for Carly to do the same. “I think you are passionate and loving and honest, and there is nothing mental about being true to yourself. I’ve been all over the world. We need more people like you.”

“You read people well, Adam Stone.”

“In my line of work, it’s almost a requirement.”

“About your line of work…”

“We were talking about your mental problems,” he said with a coy grin on his handsome face.

Carly laughed. “I suppose we were, but at some point, when you’re least expecting it, I will figure out what the hell you do, Adam.”

“You’ll have to kill me first.”

Together, they laughed for a few moments and watched Mya. She’d given up on the slide and was now performing a little dance routine that entertained them. But when she abandoned her routine and opted for the swings, the air grew heavy and sad between them again.

“What was Gretch like as a mother?” Adam asked, keeping an eye on Mya. “I bet she was really good.”

It dawned on Carly that Adam hadn’t seen Gretchen with Mya since Mya had been an infant. At that point, she and Chris were running on no sleep and a cocktail of fear and anxiety.

“She was amazing,” Carly said honestly. “She always knew the right things to say and do. Mya adored her.”

“What about your brother? Was he good cop or bad cop?”

A smile found its way to her lips. “Well, Mya was so young, and she rarely did anything that warranted a bad cop. But if she had, that guy would not have been Chris. Mya had him wrapped around her little finger.” She wiggled her pinky for emphasis.

“I would have definitely liked to see that,” Adam said. “Big, strong Chris Quigley.”

“It was amusing. One look from Mya, and he turned into a total marshmallow. I miss him so much,” she said abruptly, surprising herself. Adam looked over. “Sorry.”

He covered her hand with his. “Don’t apologize, Carly.”

“Thanks.” She nodded toward the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I can make something. Sort of.”

Adam cocked an eyebrow. “I’ve been warned about your cooking skills, or lack thereof.”

“From Mya?”

“And Lance, but I’m okay. I can grab something at the hotel.”

Carly lightly shoved him. “That’s another thing. Why are you staying at a hotel? We have plenty of room here.” She held her hand up and started ticking off her fingers. “You’re Mya’s uncle. You’re practically a brother to me. Move in. At least until you figure out your next move. Mya would be thrilled.”

He considered her offer.

“Come on,” she goaded. “Don’t be a Debbie Downer.”

He tried to stifle a grin, but didn’t succeed. “It would be nice to have more space and an actual kitchen. But what about Lance?”

His question surprised her. “What about him?”

He pinned her with a hard stare. “Carly, it’s obvious the two of you are…”

She offered her own version of an intense gaze, only she couldn’t sustain it. “Right now we’re nothing. Seriously,” she added as he snorted. “We were seeing each other. I guess that’s what you’d call it. It’s not like we went out on any dates or anything. Unless Home Depot, Mya’s ballet studio, and the playground count as hot date spots.”

“Better than some of the places I’ve been on dates.”

She smiled but it faded quickly. “Lance got a call last night. A very good offer for a free place in Vegas. So that’s that,” she said nonchalantly, even though she felt anything but. “Lance is going to venture off to parts unknown. At least, unknown to him. He’s leaving tomorrow.” She said that last part very quietly. Her throat closed up every time she tried to talk about him leaving.

He covered her hand with his and squeezed. “I’m sorry, Carly. Listen, any man would be lucky to meet a woman like you.”

She smiled, knowing he’d be first in line if the situation were different. “I think you’re going to make some lucky girl really happy someday, Adam.”

“That ship may have sailed.”

Carly wondered if he realized he was rubbing his bad leg when he said that. She wanted to reassure him, but Mya ran over and hugged both of them.

“Hey, sweetie, how would you feel about Uncle Adam moving in with us for a little bit?”

Even a blind person would be able to see the excitement bubble up in Mya. The little girl started jumping up and down and grinning. “Yay.”

Carly slid a glance at Adam and raised a cocky brow. “I think that settles it then.”

“I guess it does,” Adam said and gave Mya another hug.

“Can you cook?” Mya asked.

Carly merely rolled her eyes at the question while Adam laughed, and Mya ran off to continue playing. “See, I told you everything would work out,” she said to him.

“It’s going to work out for you, too, Carly. I have a feeling Lance will come around. He’d be an idiot not to.”

She wished she could agree with him, but she knew that after Lance left tomorrow, she wouldn’t see him again. When Adam put his arms around her for a reassuring hug, she went willingly, letting him comfort her while she thought about how much she wished Lance were the one with his arms around her right now.

…

Lance had been dragging his feet all day. Didn’t take a genius to figure out why.

The bright lights and debauchery of Vegas, the hurricane drinks and beignets in New Orleans, camping out in the Redwood Forest: none of them seemed to hold the same appeal they had a couple weeks ago.

Still, he had a plan. A plan he’d been honing for years. A plan that didn’t include Carly.

He ran a hand over his face as he drove his Jeep around Pine Springs. He’d quickly come to know his way around. He was familiar with the location of the home improvement store, Mya’s school and dance studio, Carly’s new place of employment.

Carly. Everything came back to Carly.

They hadn’t been together since the other night, much to his dismay. But Lance knew it was the right decision, even if he hadn’t been able to sleep without her flower scent surrounding him. He was leaving tomorrow, taking off for Vegas first. He’d confirmed his room at the Bellagio earlier this morning. He’d love nothing more than to spend his final night on the East Coast with Carly in his arms.

She deserves better than that.

Carly wanted a nice, stable family. Lance was in no position to give her one. Maybe it was selfish, but hadn’t he earned the right to be a little selfish after everything he’d been through? The same way Carly had earned the right to a family after the life she’d experienced.

Irritable, Lance pushed the button to let the window down and soaked in the air that was finally turning cooler, although it did nothing to ease his nerves.

“What’s the matter with you?” he asked into the silence of the car.

For the first time in his entire life he was getting to do exactly what he wanted. Living such a structured life, he’d never been able to set off for places unknown. For years, he’d dreamed of truly being on his own, calling all the shots on his own terms, and doing things for himself, and only himself, with no set plans or future action items.

“You should be happy.”

But he wasn’t. He flicked his turn signal on and pulled into his destination, willing the somber mood to dissipate. Since he knew that being with Carly tonight in the way he wanted was not an option—at least, not a noble one—he’d decided it was time for some old-fashioned chivalry.

He threw the car into park but kept it running while he went over his list again. He’d made it this morning while Mya had been at her dance lesson. The menu was set. Obviously, they both needed a break from the kitchen. In terms of cooking, Carly was…improving somewhat. Thank Christ. He would feel even worse about leaving if he knew Mya would be eating more soggy vegetables and overcooked chicken.

He’d ordered ahead from the local Italian place after Mya had informed him that Aunt Carly loved the eggs and plants there. Placed through the Mya filter he guessed that was eggplant parmesan. He’d ordered two of those, along with bread, salads, and
tiramisu
for dessert. Plus, he’d included the kid and picked up the favorite of children everywhere, “pasgetti and meatballs.” Eating with Mya wouldn’t make for the most romantic evening, but that was probably a good thing. There would be no temptation with his favorite four-year-old slurping up pasta next to him. Besides, he knew Carly would be touched that he’d thought of Mya.

Next up, he stopped at the flower shop he’d driven by the other day on Main Street. Again, he’d turned to Mya, who assured him that Aunt Carly liked roses. He chuckled. Almost ten years in the army doing intel all over the world, and he was relying on a four-year-old for reconnaissance.

Food and flowers purchased, he headed home. Carly was going to be so surprised. He made good time on the way back to the house. With a spring in his step, he exited his Jeep, grabbed all the necessary bags and headed toward the porch. When he heard Carly’s voice coming from the backyard he grinned. Perfect. He could get everything set up while she was outside.

Making his way to the kitchen, he quickly set out candles and found a vase for the flowers. Then he grabbed a couple plates and set the table, even going so far as to use the cloth napkins Carly avoided.

He stepped back and eyed the table. No one would confuse him with Martha Stewart, but he thought it looked good. Pleased with himself, Lance nodded and returned to the kitchen. But as he turned to look through the bottles of wine in the wine fridge, something caught his eye from the backyard. Wine forgotten, he crossed to the French doors. Carly and Adam were sitting on the deck while Mya ran around the backyard. Adam said something to Carly and she threw her head back and laughed. Then she leaned into Adam and he gave her a quick squeeze.

Lance’s heart clenched. It wasn’t jealousy squeezing the air out of his lungs. It wasn’t anger or outrage. He’d gotten to know Adam, and the guy was a decent man, a man who had seen his fair share of action in the military and was now paying the price. Even so, he was great with Mya.

He watched Mya run over to the two of them and all three laughed. That’s when Lance realized what emotion he was feeling.

Envy.

It should be him out there in the backyard. He should have his arm around Carly. Mya should be doing one of her crazy dances for him. Unclenching the hands that had spontaneously curled into fists, Lance let out a huge sigh. He couldn’t hear Mya’s sweet little voice, but whatever she’d just said had Carly and Adam launching off the deck. The three of them were running around the yard—well, Adam was walking gingerly, but Carly and Mya were racing from side to side and ducking around the swing set.

Despite the uneasy feelings swirling inside of him, he couldn’t help but laugh as the two of them started twirling. Mya looked so much like Carly. He wondered if that trend would continue as she grew up.

Another cold fist of emotion slammed itself into his gut—fear this time. He wouldn’t be around to see Mya grow into a woman. Of course, he would keep his promise to Chris. He would check in on them, but that wasn’t going to be the same as living there.

He shoved a shaking hand through his hair. This was utterly ridiculous. So he’d grown close to Carly and Mya over the last couple of weeks. He was about to set off on the adventure of a lifetime—the adventure he’d been planning for a lifetime. He was only feeling this way because watching the three of them…

Lance rested his forehead against the glass of the door. He closed his eyes and shook his head. With Carly and Mya dancing and turning circles in the yard and Adam now taking pictures of the activity with his phone, Lance understood what he was watching.

A family.

Carly did have a family, and he was observing it through the French doors. He wondered if Carly even realized it. Lance knew Carly and Adam didn’t have romantic feelings for each other. He could see it from his separated vantage point now. At the same time, feelings could change and evolve over time. Not every relationship started with the punch that he’d experienced the first time he’d laid eyes on her. And if Adam was lucky enough to have Carly look at him in a way that made Lance’s heart drop out of his chest, then he would congratulate the man and step back, because he was choosing himself over Carly, and she deserved someone to choose her.

Suddenly, he felt very, very tired.

Pushing open the door, he stepped into the backyard. Upon seeing him, Carly’s face lit up. How could he miss the way her eyes sparkled and her cheeks flushed? Adam offered a wave but before he could greet him, Mya ran over to him and jumped. He caught her midair.