The Standby Guy (Men of Lakeside) Page 4

  But right now, gobsmacked was the only word Katie could think of to describe Carter’s expression when she opened the door to him that evening. She was so glad she’d taken that trip to buy a new dress last night. She liked the way she looked in the mirror, and now she felt as if she were glowing from the inside out. More than that, she felt like a desirable woman for the first time in forever. Because of the way Carter was looking at her.

  And the way he looked to her? He often wore a suit, and he’d always looked as devastatingly handsome in one of those as he did in worn jeans and a fitted T-shirt. But in this suit, black with the tiniest of white pinstripe? A crisp white shirt and a black tie with a gray swirl that stopped the outfit from being too stark?

  Mouthwatering.

  “Looking sharp, Mr. Colburn.”

  He’d swept his gaze slowly over her, from her untamable hair pulled back in a blinged-up clip, along her over-the-knee-length lilac wrap dress, down her bare legs to the strappy sandals with not-too-crazy-tall heels. Her body warmed, her skin tingled, her pulse raced, her mouth grew dry.

  “You’re beautiful, Kat.” Carter cleared his throat. “Are you ready?”

  She was still standing in the doorway, her hand on the knob, blocking Carter’s entrance. What was her problem? She stepped back to let him in. “Come on in. Just let me grab my purse.”

  She turned away but swore she could feel his eyes on her. She couldn’t resist glancing over her shoulder. His gaze heated her. A hint of that sexual confidence she’d been searching for was starting to tickle her skin, heighten her senses. Tease her with possibilities.

  And it was because of Carter.

  Could her best friend be the one to help her find her it again? Her first thought was a resounding no, of course not. He was her friend. You didn’t flirt with your friend. You didn’t have sex with your friend.

  But as she reached for her small dress purse, she asked herself who better? She liked Carter. She trusted him. He was her friend. He didn’t want a long-term relationship, either. He was a rebound guy.

  No way. She had to push that thought right out of her mind. He was Carter.

  Katie’s fancy purse slipped out of her hand, and the contents spilled out over the floor. “Shit.” She dropped to her knees. She’d zipped her ID, credit card, and a small amount of cash in the pocket, but her tube of lipstick rolled under the sofa, and her cell phone and notebook slid across the hardwood floor. As she reached under the sofa for the lipstick, Carter joined her on the floor.

  “Get up,” she cried. She grabbed the lipstick tube and jabbed his hip with her elbow. “You’re going to have dust all over those black pants.”

  He sat back on his heels. “Katie Kat,” he said in mock-dismay, “are you telling me you didn’t clean this floor before you got ready for a dinner I invited you to at the last minute?”

  “Ha. Ha.” She picked up her phone, protected by its plastic case. She frowned. Where was the notebook? Katie glanced over to Carter. “Hey!”

  “Look what I found.” He fanned the pages with his thumb but kept his eyes focused on her as he grinned, instead of reading what was on the page, as she was sure he wanted to do.

  “Give me that.” She grasped his arm, the muscles hard beneath the soft fabric.

  Carter glanced down at the open notebook, then closed it and handed it back to her. “You’re taking it to dinner tonight?”

  “I carry it everywhere.” She shoved it into the purse. They stood. “I’d feel naked without it.”

  His eyes smoldered, and he didn’t say a word. She shivered from his expression. What just happened? What had she said? Oh. Naked. Was he thinking about her naked? Was she thinking about him naked? Of course not. Friends didn’t think about friends naked. She shivered again. She’d never thought there’d be a time when she’d have to watch her words around Carter.

  She cleared her throat and straightened her skirt.

  The knees of his trousers didn’t show any of the dust she’d been afraid of, but she brushed them down with her hand anyway. Her mind was whirling, full of her conversation last night with Ginny and Anita. She needed practice. She wasn’t going to be able to find that confidence without some help. She wouldn’t want sex with Carter, but could he help her get to the point where she felt comfortable flirting and indulging in that sexy banter she loved in her favorite romantic comedies? She’d never reach the fling stage if she couldn’t get to the flirting stage first.

  “I’m crazy,” she murmured.

  Carter heard her. “Crazy? I’ve known that for years.”

  “Ha. Ha.” Maybe she needed to start a list of things she would never do for the rest of her life. Asking Carter to help her with sexy stuff would be right at the top of that list.

  She glanced at the clock. “We have to go. We don’t want to be late.”

  She locked the door behind them. Carter held the car door open for her and then joined her in the quiet of his cozy sedan. She shoved all the thoughts of the past few minutes out of her mind and tried to imagine what the inside of the restaurant would look like.

  “Sean texted me last night to let me know he got there okay,” she said after a minute or two of silence. “Then he talked to me for all of two minutes this morning, but the important thing is that he sounds happy. Excited.” She looked over to Carter. “I wish Tim could have been here to see our little boy all grown up.”

  Carter cleared his throat. “Tim would be so proud of Sean. He sent me a text, too, last night.” He glanced at her as he turned up the winding road that would take them to the exclusive restaurant that overlooked the lake. “He does sound happy. It’s tough to let him go, though, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. He’s been a part of our lives for so long.”

  “He still is. Just from farther away. How’s your mom taking it?”

  Katie shrugged. “She’s fine. Her only grandson leaving Lakeside really didn’t affect her day-to-day life, and that’s what matters to her.” She tried not to be bitter, but Lilah Bergstrom had always put herself ahead of everyone else. Even her daughter and grandson. Katie’s dad had died when she was a teenager. Her mother was on her fourth husband now.

  “We’re here.” Carter pulled under the portico in front of the Castle on the Hill. At one time, the huge building had been the private home of a wealthy industrialist who obviously thought he was the king of all he could see and wanted to live in a medieval castle to prove it. He wasn’t a king after all, of course, and eventually sold his company and moved to a warmer climate. The building had sat empty for years before a new owner transformed it into a fancy restaurant.

  A valet opened the door for Katie, and she stepped out of the car into the muggy evening. Carter was at her side a moment later, and she slipped her arm through his. The castle looked even bigger and more impressive from this vantage point. As they neared the heavy, carved doors, nerves danced a tango in her stomach. She pulled him to a stop.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “We should have gotten our stories straight.” Her heart began to race. Why did she think she could do this? She was a lousy liar. “How long have we been dating? Where did we meet? Stuff like that.”

  Carter wrapped his arm around her waist and moved them over to the side so they wouldn’t block a group of diners approaching behind them. “We don’t have to make it complicated. We’ll tell them we’ve known each other for a long time, but we just recently started dating. It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

  “Right. Keep it simple.” Katie took a relieved sigh. “Don’t know why I got so nervous all of a sudden.”

  “No reason to be worried. We’re having dinner with friends of Gloria Burns. That’s all there is to it.”

  “Simple. Right.” She turned to him and placed a hand on his chest. It was firm. And warm. “Before I forget, thanks for helping me check the first couple of items off my list. It means a lot to me.”

  His smile was enough to weaken her knees. Who knew that was a real thing? Knees w
eakening? “Before I forget,” he replied, “thank you for coming with me tonight. It means a lot to me, too.”

  She leaned in and placed a soft kiss to his cheek before she thought twice about it. It must have been an effect of the weakened knees syndrome. Then she pulled away and tugged his arm. “We’d better get in there.”

  Chapter Four

  The Worthingtons had already arrived, as Katie had feared. She hated to think she was the reason she and Carter were late, but a quick glance at the ornate clock on the fireplace mantel told her they were right on time. Her mother had never been on time for anything in her life, and for Katie, after all the embarrassing times they’d burst in after a school meeting or theater show had already begun, being punctual was important to her.

  Malcolm Worthington appeared to be in his early seventies. He was tall, with an athletic build and a ready smile. He stood when they approached the table, which was tucked into an alcove in the elegant dining room. He shook Carter’s hand. “Gloria has a lot of good things to say about you.”

  “I can say the same about you, sir.” Then Carter took Katie’s hand and brought her to his side. “This is my friend, Katie Dixon.”

  “A pleasure.” Worthington bowed slightly and then gestured to the elegant woman seated to his right. Her tailored ice-blue dress complemented her trim figure and smartly cut silver hair. “My wife, Evelyn.”

  “I’m happy to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Worthington,” Katie said.

  “Please, call us Malcolm and Evelyn,” Mrs. Worthington said graciously. “It’s a joy to be able to chat with some younger people. Friends our age can be so dreary.”

  Katie sat between Evelyn and Carter; Malcolm was across the cozy table from her. A trio of candles flickered from a glass-and-iron holder in the center. His scrutiny unnerved her slightly, but then he smiled as if he approved of her.

  She blinked and swept her gaze around the room, taking in the old-world charm. Heavy wood and weathered metal dominated the space, contrasting well with the substantial stone walls. Mullioned windows, thick tile floor, and wrought iron light fixtures added to the ambience. “This is a beautiful restaurant. I haven’t been here before.”

  “Gloria introduced us to this place,” Evelyn said. “We hadn’t been aware there was a restaurant of this caliber in the area.”

  Katie couldn’t help the prickle of irritation that ran up her spine. “You’ll find a wide variety of restaurants and shops here in Lakeside and in the other towns around Lake Margaret. There are also excellent theaters and spas, wineries and golf courses. We have just about anything you’re looking for around here.” Katie never hesitated to stick up for her hometown.

  Evelyn’s cheeks pinked. “Oh yes, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to sound elitist. On our first trip to Lakeside, Gloria took us to Bud’s Bar and Grill.”

  “Had the best burger of my life there,” Malcolm said. “You don’t have to sell us on the area, my dear. We’re already very pleased with what we’ve seen.”

  He called the waiter over and ordered wine for the table, then turned to Carter. “I understand your family has a business in Lakeside.”

  “Colburn and Sons Salvage. We rescue architectural details from buildings before they’re demolished or renovated. Then we either resell the items as is or repurpose them and sell them in our showroom.”

  “Interesting. And it does well?”

  “Very well. My parents started the business before I was born. It’s been going strong for over forty years.”

  “And what do you do?” Evelyn asked Katie while the men continued to discuss the salvage business.

  “I’m a photographer. I have my own studio, Dixon Photography, in downtown Lakeside.”

  “Of course. Gloria was telling us about the family photo shoot she’s planning with all five generations. I didn’t realize you’re the photographer. She had very nice things to say about you.”

  It was going to be a challenging session. Katie looked forward to it. “She was over the moon when her great-granddaughter named her baby girl Gloria. I think that’s what prompted the idea.”

  “Do you have any children?” Evelyn asked.

  “A son. Sean. He left for college in Ohio yesterday, so I have a bit of the empty-nest blues.”

  “Oh, I remember those days.” Evelyn’s blue eyes sparkled. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. It won’t be long before you’ll be enjoying your quiet time and worrying that there might come a day when he wants to move back in.”

  Katie chuckled. She wasn’t quite there yet, but she admitted, “I can picture that.”

  “How long have you and Carter been dating?”

  “Not long, actually. But we’ve been friends forever.” The lie rolled too naturally off her tongue. She couldn’t stop her glance from straying over to Carter, but he was still talking with Malcolm. She took a sip of her wine before she could continue. “It’s a little strange, to be honest. To think of him in a completely different way than I have for all these years.” In a way, it was the truth. For the first time, Katie had actually imagined having sex with Carter. For one insane moment, she’d wanted to have sex with Carter. But it was a terrible idea. She knew that. It could only end in awkwardness or tears or both.

  “The man you love should be your best friend. I can’t imagine being happy together long term unless he is.”

  Even if Katie had been looking for a man to have a long-term relationship with, it wouldn’t be with Carter. He didn’t want anything serious any more than she did. Which would have made her idea to ask for his help perfect if he hadn’t been her best friend. If he didn’t live right next door to her. Still, Evelyn’s words gave her a warm feeling, and Katie found herself reaching over and taking Carter’s hand in hers.

  He turned away from his conversation with Malcolm and gave her a curious grin. Then he must have assumed she’d taken his hand to reinforce the idea that they were dating. He sent her an indulgent smile and squeezed her hand. He turned back to Malcolm to continue their conversation, but he kept his hand in hers.

  It felt too good to have his fingers wrapped around hers. Time to change the subject. “How long have you and Malcolm been married?”

  “We celebrated fifty years last December.”

  “Congratulations. You must have been very young when you married.”

  “A mere baby,” Evelyn said with a laugh. “Malcolm and I were friends first, too, part of the same group that hung out together. I was dating his best friend at the time, and when I discovered he was cheating on me, I tossed him to the curb. Malcolm was there to console me, and that was the beginning of it all.”

  Katie’s heart raced as she realized she was dating her husband’s best friend this very moment. Of course, this was different. She wasn’t cheating. And they were pretending, so it wasn’t really dating. But for a crazy moment, it had felt real.

  Katie asked about the Worthingtons’s children, and Evelyn rambled on about their two sons and two daughters, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren until their meals were served.

  “So Carter tells me that you two live next door to each other.” Malcolm glanced up from the thick prime rib he was slicing. “Makes it handy for a little romance, I would think.”

  Katie swallowed her bite of incredible salmon and then took a sip of wine while she debated how to answer. She decided to go with her gut and answer the way a girlfriend would. The way a woman who was regaining her confidence would. She bumped her knee against Carter’s and tried. “It’s been handy for a lot of things, hasn’t it, sweetheart?”

  Carter caught her gaze and cleared his throat. “Definitely.”

  “We sat outside and looked at the stars last night,” she gushed. God, this felt so awkward. “It was a gorgeous night. Quite romantic.”

  “You looked beautiful in the moonlight,” Carter murmured. He sounded so sincere it made her shiver.

  “Aww, thank you, sweetheart.” Katie caught Evelyn smiling at Malcolm. Looked like
their plan was working.

  Carter took her hand and lifted it to his mouth, pressed his lips to the back of her hand, and gave her another one of those romantic looks. The world seemed to tip for a moment, then right itself again.

  Katie wasn’t used to seeing any man look at her that way, much less Carter. She didn’t know what to say, how to react. She could only go with her gut, so when Carter released her hand, she placed it on his cheek for only a moment, long enough to feel the warmth of his skin and the tickle of his scruff on her palm. And those tingles running again through her entire body. She swallowed and dropped her hand into her lap.

  Oh, this felt way too real. Way too easy.

  The conversation for the rest of the meal was light and mainly revolved around the Worthingtons’ family. Whatever business Carter and Malcolm had discussed while she’d chatted with Evelyn had apparently been finished. She and Carter shared some good-natured smiles. It was refreshing to see a couple still as happy as the Worthingtons seemed to be after more than fifty years of marriage.

  If Tim hadn’t died, would he and Katie have still been happy after more than twenty years? She’d loved him fiercely. They’d been so young when they married; he’d been so young when he died. It was hard to picture what her life would have been like if Tim had been there with her every step of the way. And if Carter hadn’t.

  Malcolm pushed his empty plate away. “Carter, would you have some time to see me tomorrow in your office? I’ve decided to buy a little place here in Lakeside, and I’d like you to handle the transaction for me.”

  Little place? The old Parkhurst mansion was almost as big as the Castle on the Hill. Katie held back a triumphant smile. Carter had done it.

  “I’m sure we can work you in,” he replied. “I’ll have Lucy, my secretary, call your office in the morning.”