Her Accidental Boyfriend(8)

The elevator doors slid open and Kagan gasped at the beautiful display in front of her. With only the faintest whispers of August’s daylight remaining, the outside terrace and pool area sparkled. Tiny white lights adorned the trees, large pillar candles flickered on the tables, and tall wrought iron lampposts lit the area in romantic ambience. Bluesy music reached her ears, the smell of something yummy—sizzling beef maybe?—made her stomach growl. And dozens of people dressed in their finest attire turned their heads and watched them make their entrance.

Shane put his left hand on the small of her back and guided her through the crowd. He said hello and nodded, smiled, gave quick handshakes, all while keeping his fingers across her sensitive curve. Her body reacted in a most uncharacteristic way. Weakened. Needy. Her stomach tightened and she batted her eyelashes. Like she wanted everyone to think they were there together.

He’s not actually your boyfriend, Kagan.

“Hey sis,” Shane said to Sela, stopping to greet a small group standing near the poolside bar and breaking Kagan’s crazy symptoms of lust. Thank God. His hand slipped off her back as he hugged Sela in greeting.

Sela’s boyfriend and Shane’s best friend was next. “Luke, it’s good to see you.” They patted each other on the back. “How was Costa Rica?”

“Lonely,” Luke said, bringing Sela tight to his side. His job as a sports photographer took him all over the world, although he’d recently opened a studio in Cascade and cut back on his travels. Kagan sighed. The adoration and love between him and Sela was palpable.

“Kagan, you look amazing,” Sela said. “And Shane, you’re not so bad yourself.”

“Thanks,” they said in unison.

Kagan sensed her cheeks reddening at their simultaneous response. She toyed with the pearl bracelet on her wrist.

“Mom,” Shane said, kissing a petite woman on the cheek. “You look lovely this evening.” She grinned up at him, tiny wrinkles around her blue eyes adding to their warmth. “Dad.” He put his arm around a tall, good looking older man. “Looks like the Sullivan men scored tonight.”

Yep, cheeks reddening.

“Thanks for coming. This is Kagan.” Shane put his arm around her waist. “Kagan, my mom, Meg, and my dad, Henry.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Kagan said, taking a small step away from Shane’s embrace. His touch put inappropriate thoughts in her head and it freaked her out to be standing in front of his parents.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Meg said.

Finally meet me?

“Sela’s mentioned you several times,” she added. “Milt too.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Don’t tell him I told you, but he thinks you’re an angel. Swears it’s you who’s increased his business.”

Despite Meg’s near whisper, everyone heard what she said and smiled. Emotion, thick and heavy, choked Kagan as confusion felled her. Half of her wanted to run away and hide, but the other half wanted to stay and really get to know these kind people.

“That’s very sweet. Thank you for telling me.”

“Shane, darling,” said a beautiful woman in a slim black gown as she approached their group. She lit up a smile for Shane, then toned down the happy curve of her red lips and nodded to everyone else.

As Shane introduced his family to his boss, Kagan wondered what he’d say when he came to her.

“And this is Kagan Owens.”

She gave the bogus smile she’d perfected in New York. What had she expected Shane to say? My friend Kagan Owens? My date Kagan Owens?

“Hi,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you, and congratulations. The Duchesss is beautiful.”

“Thank you. I’ve got to steal this young man for a little while. Hope you all don’t mind.”

Shane cast her a quick glance before he left. Her air space staled in his absence.

“How about a drink, Henry?” Luke said. “Ladies, can I get you anything?”

“I’m fine, thanks,” Kagan said. Sela and Meg answered similarly and Luke kissed Sela before he and Henry stepped away.

“Did you hear about Vanessa?” Sela asked.

Vanessa was Sela’s best friend and Luke’s younger sister. Kagan hadn’t seen her since her wedding a couple of months ago. “No. Is everything all right?”

“She’s pregnant!” Sela bounced up and down. The silvery sequins on the bodice of her peach strapless dress shimmered. “They didn’t exactly plan for it to happen so soon, but it was obviously meant to be.”

Wistfulness flowed through Kagan. How exciting and thrilling. And scary. She wished the best for Vanessa and her husband, Hayden. They were an adorable couple and their wedding had been a huge event in Cascade. She’d been honored to be included on the guest list. And despite her best efforts to keep things on the surface, she’d grown to care about the people she’d met.