Just One Thing Read online

  Bennett showered, shaved, ran a comb through his curly hair while it was still wet and slapped on a small bit of cologne. Then he dressed carefully in the borrowed blue shirt and his own pair of gray trousers. The shoes pinched but that couldn’t be helped. He took in his reflection in the mirror.

  The guy staring back looked determined and excited.

  “Remember what Nick said. Show her what’s under the lab coat.” It sounded ridiculous but Bennett wasn’t averse to using every one of his talents. Science wasn’t the only thing he’d studied over the years.

  He was more than happy to show her just how accomplished he was in the bedroom, as well.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ♥

  Katie stood in front of the full-length mirror in her closet and threw yet another dress on the floor. This was useless!

  How was it possible that she’d gained so much weight that none of her dresses fit properly? She didn’t feel any bigger. Peering into the mirror she assessed herself from all sides. Considering that she’d had two kids, she didn’t think she looked too bad. There was a maze of faint stretch marks on her stomach that stood out starkly against her deep skin tone, but other than that, it wasn’t too bad.

  Ugh, this was all Mari’s fault. She’d been goading Katie to try dating. That must be why she’d suggested this. Fired up, she grabbed her phone and sent her sister a text.

  Katie: Took your advice. I’m going on a date.

  It wasn’t long for the blue response bubble to pop up.

  Mari: Good. Hopefully he’ll have a nice ass. And don’t make those weird faces when you don’t agree with something.

  She stuck out her tongue at the screen.

  Katie: What faces?

  She sucked in her belly and then turned to the side. When she couldn’t hold it anymore she let out her breath and returned to her usual state of looking vaguely pregnant. It was hard to see how much her body had changed over the years, especially after having her marriage crumble around her. What if she never got up the nerve to take her clothes off in front of anyone else? At least Don knew what battle scars she carried. Bennett had probably never seen what a woman looked like naked after childbirth.

  Stop it, she thought. It’s not like Bennett is going to see your stomach. Or any other part of what’s going on under your clothes. This is not a date. This is a teaching tool.

  “Mom! Miss Ridley’s here!”

  The screech from right outside the closet door startled her so badly she almost fell into the rack of clothes. Katie grasped wildly at the closest thing which turned out to be a dress. There was a loud ripping sound as it was torn from the hanger.

  “Coming!”

  Katie snatched a robe from one of the hangers and wrapped herself up in it, leaving the crumpled dress at her feet. She was being ridiculous. What difference did it make if she had stretch marks and a bit of a pooch belly? This was a practice date. P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E. She repeated the word to herself as she went downstairs.

  Ri was already on the bottom step making her way upstairs. “Hey, girl. I’m coming up. I’m just slow as usual.”

  Ridley leaned on the rail heavily as she made her way up the stairs. Once she reached the top, she followed Katie into her room.

  “So, Jackson and I planned to make popcorn and s’mores for the kids so they can have a movie night.”

  “That sounds fun. They always have a good time when they’re with Chris and Jase.”

  Ridley suddenly narrowed her eyes and took in the disheveled state of Katie’s room. Her eyes slid over the makeup spread across her vanity table and then to the open closet door where heaps of clothes were visible on the floor.

  “I thought you said you were just hanging out tonight. You’re going on a date?”

  “It’s not … it’s not what you think.” Katie winced. She should have known that her friend wouldn’t buy her needing a night alone story. Ri was too much of a natural born detective not to notice all the clues.

  “Uh huh. Who’s the lucky guy?”

  Katie didn’t answer as Ridley pushed past her. She picked up the lipstick on the table. Katie almost laughed when Ri turned it over to see the color. There was no reasoning with her friend when she was on the scent of something juicy. She noticed things such as whether you were planning to wear red lipstick or not.

  “You know how I’m supposed to be helping Bennett with his social skills?”

  “Yeah. How’s that going, by the way?”

  “Good. Tonight we’re going out to dinner so he can get more comfortable being around people and having a good time. I’ve never met anyone who finds relaxation so difficult. It’s like his brain never stops working.”

  Ridley’s eyes narrowed as she took in the destruction of the room and then swung back over to the makeup on the table.

  “So, it’s not a date?”

  “No. It’s a work thing. Maybe I went a little overboard but it’s just because I’m excited to actually have somewhere to go for once. It’s not like I get out much. It’s really no big deal.”

  “Hmm. Are you sure about that?”

  Katie gulped. “Of course I am. Besides, I’m pretty sure Bennett already has his eye on someone.”

  “Whoa, what? I’ve never heard that! Who is it?” Ri put one hand on her belly in surprise.

  Katie turned away and started cleaning up the desk. Oops. Bennett obviously didn’t want it to be common knowledge that he liked his friend Olivia or Ri would have heard about it from Jackson. He was such a private person and he would hate to be the subject of gossip.

  “Never mind. I probably got it wrong. I just figured he had a girlfriend since … Well, what Alexander guy isn’t drowning in women, right?”

  Ri hummed in agreement. “That’s the truth.”

  Something about the face she made struck Katie as more than just general agreement. Ri chewed on her bottom lip the way she always did when she was upset.

  “Not that you have to worry about that sort of thing. Jackson is so devoted to you.” Katie watched her friend’s face closely as she spoke.

  There, what was that? Her friend flinched like she’d been hit. What was that about? Jackson and Ridley were one of those couples that everyone else pointed to as an example of the perfect relationship.

  Ri shrugged. “He’s a man, too. We all have to worry about it.”

  “Hey, what’s going on with you? I’ve never seen you like this.” Katie led Ri over to the chair in front of her vanity since it had the sturdiest seat.

  This was the kind of conversation she needed to be sitting down for.

  “It’s so stupid. I know it is. But I found this business card in Jackson’s pocket with a woman’s phone number on it and I can’t stop thinking about it.” Ridley rolled her eyes. “I knew it was a bad idea to look in his coat but it was sticking out of the pocket. What was I supposed to do?”

  Katie swallowed against the sinking feeling she had listening to Ri blaming herself. It all felt so familiar, the excuses you made for the man you loved, the tendency to blame yourself for the whole situation, the despair. She’d spent years feeling like that before she had the courage to confront Don and she hadn’t been heavily pregnant at the time.

  “Ri, you don’t have to justify anything to me. I would have looked, too.”

  All of sudden Ri gasped. “Oh Katie, I’m so sorry. I forget sometimes that you’ve gone through this.”

  “It’s okay. I’m way over him. Plus, this doesn’t mean that Jackson is doing the same thing that Don was. You guys are in a completely different situation. My ex-husband never looked at me the way Jackson looks at you. Maybe there’s an explanation for this?”

  Ridley forced a smile. “I’m sure there is. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me lately. Hormones, I guess.”

  “Well, feel free to vent. I’ve certainly done it to you enough times.”

  Ri glanced over at the closet again. “Have you decided what to wear yet?”

  Katie took that as a hint th
at she was done talking about this. Not that she didn’t understand. When you were in the middle of a rough patch with your spouse, sometimes talking about it didn’t help much. Sometimes what you needed was a distraction.

  Katie walked into her closet and retrieved the two dresses she’d been debating before Ridley arrived. “It’s a tie between this purple wrap dress and my standard little black dress. These are the only two dresses that still fit me.”

  Ri pursed her lips. “The purple looks great against your skin. And I bet you have a pink lipstick that would look amazing with that.”

  “I do, actually.” Katie didn’t usually wear a lot of makeup. Really, who had time for all that? But she’d always loved the simplicity of lipstick. You could slick it on in two seconds flat and suddenly feel completely glamorous.

  She changed in the closet and when she walked into the room, Ridley whistled softly, making her blush.

  Katie covered the wrap neck of the dress which revealed way more cleavage than she remembered.

  “Wow. I know you said this isn’t a date but you might have to check Bennett’s pulse after he sees you in that. Girl, your tatas look amazing.”

  “Oh my god. Ri, you are such a trip.” Katie looked down and had to admit that her friend was right. Ever since she’d had kids, her chest had gotten bigger. It looked like she was busting out of the top.

  “Seriously though, if you want a chance with Bennett, you should take it. He’s a really nice guy and I must admit, I love the idea of you being my sister-in-law.”

  Katie yanked the top of the dress closed and searched through her dresser for a safety pin to keep it closed. “Like that’s going to happen.”

  “You know, it’s okay to like a guy. Even if he’s your boss. Maybe this was meant to be.”

  “I don’t think I’m that lucky, Ri.”

  “You never know. Sometimes the universe has a twisted sense of humor. I think you two would be great together.”

  Katie looked at herself in the mirror and imagined Bennett’s face when he picked her up and saw this dress. Would he like it? Would he wonder what she looked like out of it? Or would he be eager to get this whole thing over with so he could go hit on Olivia?

  “Maybe we would be great together. There’s just one problem.” At Ri’s blank look, she continued. “Bennett already likes someone else. That’s why we’re going on this practice date in the first place.”

  Ri’s face fell slightly. “Oh, well that doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance. He’s not engaged or married or even committed. He’s fair game as far as I’m concerned.”

  “I don’t want another guy who considers me his second choice. I want to be first for once.”

  Katie ignored Ri’s look of sympathy and walked back into the closet to find her heels. If she was going out wearing this clingy dress, she might as well go all the way and wear shoes that screamed sex, too.

  She’d never liked to do things halfway.

  ♥

  A few hours later, Katie was just finishing up the last of her makeup when the doorbell rang. She took a deep breath and pressed her palm against the flock of birds that had just taken flight in her stomach. She’d taken a bubble bath to relax but her nerves suddenly returned full force. These feelings were so unexpected that it made her feel an uncharacteristic lightness. She wasn’t used to feeling this kind of anticipation for anything.

  She loved her life and adored her children but there was definitely a sense of sameness to her everyday life. She worked hard, made dinner, played with her boys and then fell into bed exhausted at the end of each long day. Only to wake the next morning and do the exact same things all over again. For years, she’d been on a schedule of rinse, cycle, and repeat, and today it felt like she’d stepped completely out of her orbit.

  When she opened the door, she got an even bigger shock to see not only Bennett but Hunter. Her son was staring up at Bennett with wide eyes.

  “Mommy, he’s tall.”

  Even though the boys had seen him several times, she could imagine his height seemed even greater when standing right next to him, especially from a child’s perspective. She found herself forgetting just how tall he was sometimes herself until he came over to show her something and she had to crane her neck.

  Katie nodded. “Yes, he is. Hunter, did you say hello to Mr. Alexander?”

  “Hi!” Hunter waved enthusiastically and then ran past Katie into the house.

  Katie looked behind Bennett and saw Ridley standing on the sidewalk.

  Her friend smiled smugly. “Hi, guys. Sorry, Hunter forgot his favorite pillow.”

  “Right. Sure he did,” Katie teased.

  “Uh, hello Ridley.” Bennett looked between them uncertainly, probably wondering why Katie looked annoyed and Ri looked gleeful. He had no idea just how devious his sister-in-law could be.

  Hunter came back then carrying his pillow. “Got it. Bye Mommy!”

  “Bye baby. Be good for Miss Ri, okay?”

  “Okay.” Hunter looked up at Bennett again. “Are you going to kiss my mom?”

  Katie’s mouth fell open. She realized it was unexpected for the kids to see her with a man other than their father. That was why she hadn’t dated. She hadn’t wanted to confuse them, and okay, truthfully she hadn’t really wanted to go out with anyone anyway. If she’d thought it would be an issue she’d have had a talk with the boys about dating. But apparently a talk was long overdue if Hunter thought that all men and women automatically kissed each other.

  “Hunter, Mr. Alexander is my friend.”

  Bennett gave her a strange look before he knelt next to Hunter. “Buddy, I only wish I could be lucky enough to kiss an amazing lady like your mom. But first I need to show her that I’m a good guy. So tonight I’m taking her to dinner. Is that okay with you?”

  Hunter nodded, like this made perfect sense. “Just don’t chew with your mouth open. She hates that.”

  Bennett slanted a look in her direction. “Sounds like good advice to me. And by the way, my mom hates that, too.”

  Ridley waved as she led Hunter down the sidewalk toward her house. Katie picked up her purse from the front table and locked the door behind her. She followed Bennett down the driveway to the pickup truck she’d seen at the Alexanders. He held the door open for her and took her hand gently to assist her into the cab.

  Once he closed the door behind her, Katie put a hand over her heart. She was trying so hard to pretend like she wasn’t freaking out but wow, she hadn’t dated anyone as well-mannered as he was. He did it so naturally, like it was second nature instead of begrudgingly like the so-called gentlemen she’d encountered in the past. Then there was the way he’d handled Hunter. Bennett might not have children of his own, but it was obvious that he was comfortable with them. He’d handled the situation directly and with a kindness and understanding that she hadn’t been expecting.

  If she’d been the blunt type with men, she might have just asked then and there if they could skip dinner and get right to dessert.

  Practice date, remember? Katie blew out a breath, trying to cool down since her cheeks felt uncomfortably hot. It was harder than she’d thought to remember that this wasn’t a real date. Bennett was just as smooth as his brothers when he wanted to be!

  They were quiet on the way to the restaurant. Finally Bennett glanced over at her.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Katie blushed. “Thank you.”

  “Sorry that took me so long but ever since you opened the door, I’ve been trying to think of something better than ‘You look beautiful’ and I honestly can’t think of anything. Those words don’t seem like enough.”

  Katie could have melted right there on the spot. How was it that this man thought he wasn’t good with words?

  “You clean up pretty nicely, too. I like your shirt.”

  For some reason, that amused him. “It’s not mine. Nick loaned it to me. Apparently I’ve been too busy to go shopping for the past decade or so. My bro
ther declared my wardrobe as tragic.”

  The image of the completely competent Bennett asking his little brother for fashion advice thoroughly charmed her. Not to mention that it was incredibly flattering that he’d cared enough to ask for help.

  “He did a great job. I guess he would know about clothes, huh, considering that’s Raina’s thing.”

  Bennett nodded. “Exactly. That’s what I thought, too. One of the perks of being an Alexander. There’s always a brother or cousin who can help you with any situation.”

  They arrived at the restaurant and found a parking space in the back. After Bennett turned the engine off, they both sat, unmoving. His fingers clenched and unclenched against the steering wheel and Katie saw what she’d been too self-absorbed to notice earlier.

  Bennett was nervous. Really nervous.

  "Want to know a secret?" When he glanced over curiously, she took one of his hands off the steering wheel and gently uncurled his fingers. “I’m nervous, too.”

  Bennett let out a long breath. He didn’t ask how she knew what he was feeling. “You are?”

  "Absolutely. I changed clothes a bunch of times. You're not the only one who has trouble with dating. In fact, this is the first date I've been on in years."

  Bennett leaned over. “I find that very hard to believe but that’s probably a good thing. Maybe you won’t laugh too hard when I inevitably embarrass myself. Wait here a second.”

  She watched as he got out of the truck and then came around to her side to open her door.

  “You didn’t have to do that. You opened it for me when I got in.”