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“Déjà vu,” Archie muttered.
“There is no way we will get together,” Kate said. Starting now, she added mentally. Last week’s kiss was a fluke. It would never happen again, and no one would ever find out about it, so it didn’t really count. “He is a client, and I don’t date clients. Period. Put me down for no.”
“Dang it,” Gene said.
“You seem a little too adamant,” Walter said, his voice laced with suspicion. “I’ll keep my original bet.”
“All right,” she said. “Well, I’ve got an appointment, so I’ve got to get going. You guys behave.”
On the road to Jacksonville, she focused on her most pressing issue of the day—reasons why she couldn’t get involved with Adam King.
“Okay, Luna, if we’re making a list, and you know we are…” She took a sip of her coffee. “Number one is that he’s my client. His deal is complicated and could take months, depending on how long he takes to find a property he likes. If we date or hook up and things don’t work out, he might take his business elsewhere. I can’t afford that.”
His deal was putting her on the map, so to speak. Because she was so young and her brokerage so new, she’d raised eyebrows when she’d landed him as a client, and to lose him before finishing the deal would be a major blow to her reputation. Her infantile brokerage couldn’t take that.
Kate glanced at Luna, who had fallen asleep, and continued. “Plus, how would it look if I got together with a client? Everyone would say that was the only reason I got his business. And even if no one ever found out, it’s totally and completely unprofessional.”
She slid the slice of blueberry pound cake halfway out of the pastry bag and took a bite, moaning with pleasure.
“Ah, so good,” she said, swallowing. “Okay, number two. He has openly admitted he’s not into commitment. I’m thirty freakin’ years old, and regardless of what Lizzie says, I don’t have time to waste on a temporary dalliance. I mean, yes, I have put the husband hunting on hold for a little while, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still in the market for Mr. Right. Unless I want to be seventy at my kid’s high school graduation, I’ve got to get moving on a family. If his kiss is any indication, a fling might be fun, but I can’t risk my heart on something frivolous.”
She washed down the last of the cake with a sip of coffee.
“That leads to reason three,” she said, holding up three fingers to the sleeping dog. “He’d probably break my heart. I’m not like Lizzie. I can’t just love and leave. My feelings always get all mixed up. Those last two losers weren’t around long enough to do any real damage, but I have to guard my heart, you know?” Too bad Luna couldn’t take notes. This was good stuff.
“Fifty-five? Really?” she said, putting on her blinker to go around a slowpoke in the right lane. “Well, those two may not have hurt my heart, but they did bring up some trust issues. That’s another reason to keep things professional with Adam. Heseemstrustworthy, but it’s not like he’d come right out and tell me if he wasn’t. Make that number four. Actually, no, just put it under number three.”
She took a quick peek at the GPS to make sure there was no traffic or hazards ahead and then continued. “Number four is his cocky, bossy, know-it-all attitude. I feel like only one person in a relationship can have all the answers, and I’m self-aware enough to admit that’s me.”
She spent the rest of the drive going over and over it, so she could repeat it effortlessly, if or when the circumstances warranted it.
Luna woke up as she pulled into Adam’s driveway. After putting the car in park, she turned the rearview mirror to do a quick hair and lipstick check. In order to avoid the leg ogling, she’d worn slacks today, and had chosen her most comfortable pumps to accommodate all the walking.
It was a pretty house. The landscaping was immaculate, and the entryway was bare but clean. She jumped at the ferocious barking that came when she knocked. Adam opened the door but left the screen door closed as Cujo lunged for her. Certain the glass was the only thing saving her from a mauling, she put a hand over her pounding heart.
“Duke, sit,” Adam said. The dog sat immediately and stopped barking. Duke was huge, almost reaching Adam’s waist if you counted the pointy ears. “Good boy.” Adam patted the German Shepherd on the head, then said through the screen door. “You want me to put him up before you come in?”
“No, it’s okay. Luna’s in the car, and I’m fine.” Well, she would be, once her heart rate returned to normal.
Adam opened the door and invited her in. Duke sat patiently, waiting for a greeting.
“Oh, what a pretty boy,” Kate cooed, bending to scratch him behind the ears. “How handsome you are.”
“Don’t embarrass him, Kate. He’s too manly for all that baby talk.” Duke laid down and rolled over so she could rub his belly.
“I don’t know,” she said. “He seems to like it.”
“Duke, you’re shameless. Stop debasing yourself.” Adam laughed. “You want to grab a water bottle or something to drink before we head out?” he asked, heading toward what she assumed was the kitchen.
She followed, noting how nice and new everything was. The craftsmanship was excellent. “Did you remodel this house?” she asked. “The crown molding in the living room is gorgeous.”
“Yeah. It was one of my earlier projects. When I finished, I couldn’t bring myself to sell it or rent it, so I just moved in. I’ve been here about three years.”
“It’s lovely.” The kitchen was all stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops. The three light fixtures that hung from the ceiling over the island were unique and perfect for the place.
He opened the refrigerator. “Water? Coke?” he asked.
“Oh, a water bottle would be great for the road. Thanks. Also, if you’re going to move to New Bern, you’d better switch to Pepsi.”
