“Do you…still have a thing for Bobbie?”
Dammit.Buck was hoping Spencer wouldn’t go there, because…the jury was out on how he currently felt.
The summer of Buck’s big crush on the dark-haired vixen, however, was indelibly etched in his brain. It had been epic, even though nothing had happened between them. Not one little kiss. He’d had hope, of course. Until he hadn’t any more.
Still, he’d figured that Spencer might have forgotten. He’d only shared his budding feelings for Bobbie with two people; Spence, and their mother, and…
Clearly his mother hadn’t forgotten.
Buck wasn’t sure exactly how to answer Spencer.
Had he been head over heels for Bobbie that last summer in town before the shit had hit the fan?Yes.Had he thought abouther while he was at sea? Another affirmative. But the memories had faded over time until the thought of her wasn’t a tender spot any more, simply a melancholy bit of brain matter that engaged every now and then to jab him.
The bigger question was, how had he felt upon seeing her again?
Honestly?
It had been like being hit in the head with a two-by-four. He’d almost been unable to breathe.
Bobbie had been a beautiful and accomplished girl in high school. Cuteandsmart.
But in her maturity, from what he’d seen today, she was sporting a confidence she’d never exhibited before, and she was positively stunning. Being in charge of her own business looked damned good on her.
Buck let his mind drift, and wondered if her hair was still as long as it had been back then. He hadn’t been able to tell. When Bobbie had faced off with him, her tresses had been up in the ubiquitous hairnet worn by most people in the food service industry.
Buck recalled her locks as being a lush, dark, silky curtain that had cascaded provocatively around her face. He’d touched it every now and then, “accidentally”, but what he’d really wanted to do was wrap his fist around it, tip her head up to his, and kiss her ruby-red lips.
It had never happened.
Buck mentally examined this new picture of her in his head.
The feature of Bobbie’s that hadn’t changed at all, were her eyes. They were still the vivid blue of twilight; fathomless like the depths of the ocean. Framed by long, ebony lashes, they had always been so compelling, and still were. Buck had forever been getting lost in them. Even now, years later, although there were some slight crow’s feet etching themselves beside thosegorgeous orbs—from worry or too much sun, Buck couldn’t tell—he could easily fall into them again.
Fuck.Buck figured that maybe Spencer was guessing correctly. Hedidstill have a thing for Bobbie.
And speaking of Spence, he’d kept his brother on the line far too long. The groom-to-be probably had a million things to do today.
Not that he was going to give Spencer any kind of affirmation regarding his fishing expedition.
“Listen. I’ve got a lot on my mind, and I’ve gotta run,” Buck prevaricated. “The van is all loaded.”
Indeed, a big, burly guy had just closed the back doors and given the chassis an unmistakable good-to-go knock.
“Fine,” Spencer snorted. “Don’t answer my question. But when I get back from my honeymoon and we get to work on our new office again, I’m grilling you for details the minute we’re alone.”
Buck sighed. “I’d expect no less from someone who’s now spending too much time around the fairer sex who likes to ‘share’. Now, go do whatever it is that a pussy-whipped, almost-husband is supposed to do. I’ll see you soon.”
Spencer simply laughed. “I’ll accept any title you want to give me, and put it down to jealousy. You just wish you had a woman like Tabitha, loser.”
Spencer’steasing, Buck could take. It was better than sharing personal shit, that was for sure.
“Yeah, well you better hang on to her pretty tightly,” Buck warned, tongue-in-cheek. “Once our brothers start sharing childhood stories about your lunatic antics, she might just try to pull a runner.”
“Nuh, uh,” Spencer said confidently. “She loves me, faults and all.”
Buck heard a raised voice in the background.
“Hey, bro,” Spencer cut things short. “I’m wanted for a crisis. See you when you get here. Don’t eat all that food on the way home.”
