He parked the car, grabbed the pizza, and headed toward the front door.If she weren’t home, he’d leave the box on her doorstep and scribble something likeNow you can say you’ve tried the pizza.He was about to ring the bell when he heard the singing…if you could call it singing.It was actually more yelling—loud and forceful.Ian rang the doorbell twice, waited for the music and the singing to stop.When they didn’t, he hesitated, then opened the front door and stepped inside to the smell of cinnamon and apple.Ian spotted Katie in the kitchen, back to him, stirring a pot on the stove.Dancing?The hips, the feet, the shoulders all moved to the rhythm of “I Will Survive”.He clutched the pizza box, took in the strong legs, the slender back, the long braid bouncing around.His gaze homed in on the braid.Would it be soft and silky and–
Katie swung around, gasped.“What are you doing in my house?”
He should have risked Dolly’s gossip and gotten Katie’s phone number, so he didn’t look like a foolandan intruder.Ian cleared his throat, once, twice, tried to provide a plausible explanation for his presence.“You said you haven’t tried the new pizza place in Renova, so I thought I’d pick one up.”A shrug, a half-smile, and an attempt to make his actions appear almost normal.“So, you can see what you think.”When she continued to stare, he added, “I rang the doorbell twice…but you couldn’t hear me.”Her cheeks turned red, her lips flattened.Okay, this was going worse than expected.“Look, it seems we always get off to a bad start, so why don’t I just leave the pizza here?I really did want to try it, and I wasn’t going to sit in the place all by myself like some loser, and I didn’t want the whole town gossiping if I took you there…”
“And I’m theonlyperson in town you could ask?”
She didn’t seem as ticked as she had when she first spotted him.This look was more a mix of curiosity and confusion.“I’m not asking any of the guys from the shop, and Dolly would talk my ear off on the ride over.Jack would be a hard pass for several reasons, plus I’d have to listen to the lecture about how just because you have money doesn’t mean you have to spend it.And, if I asked any other female, I’d get paired up with them…”
Silence.A frown.More silence.
Katie Layton was going to refuse his offer.How about that?It had been a long time—years in fact—since he had to work at attracting a woman’s attention.They were always the ones chasinghim.It wasn’t that he was interested inthisparticular woman, but it surprised and perplexed him that she wasn’t affected by any of the usual tactics he used to convince a female to agree with him.It was just a pizza.It wasn’t like he was asking her on a date.He wasn’t even sure he liked her, but she certainly intrigued him.Still, if she didn’t want to share pizza with him, fine.He’d leave it here.Ian was about to tell her that when she let out a sigh, pointed to the kitchen.“I’m only letting you stay because I really want to try this pizza.”
And then she turned and made her way to the cupboard where she removed glasses, plates, and silverware.They sat in the tiny kitchen, where she picked only the pieces with sausage because pizzaalways tastes better with sausage.They talked about thin crust versus deep dish, how she’d learned to split wood, and what she was studying in college.She’d hesitated a few seconds before she told him necessity had chosen a path for her, and that path included a business degree.
“But, if you could do anything, would it be business?”
A small shrug, a soft, “I can’t answer that because it’s never been an option to do whatever I wanted.There was always someone else to think about, something else to take care of…even when my mother was alive.I had responsibilities, and it made it easier for her if I took care of my sister.How can you do your own thing when you’ve got a parent who needs your help?”
Ian looked away, wished he could think of something intelligent to say or add to the conversation.Even agreeing would be better than nothing.But what did he know about thinking of someone other than himself?He’d never wondered what his parents thought or if they were stressed.And he definitely never considered ways to relieve the “stress” especially since he might be responsible for it.Why would he do that when his life had always been about him and what he wanted?He stuffed a hunk of pizza in his mouth, chewed so hard his jaw hurt.And still he said nothing.
“I don’t expect you to understand, but you asked, and for some strange reason, I told you the truth.Ineveradmit the truth to anyone.I usually dance around and say all the right things until the questions stop and the person pats my shoulder, gives me a hug, and tells me how great I am…kind and selfless.”Her whiskey-colored eyes turned bright as she held his gaze.“I do that because sometimes it’s just easier to pretend.”
Later, he would realize they’d shared more than pizza that night.They weren’t so different from one another, hiding their true feelings from everyone, pretending around the truth…
Katie was workingthe morning shift at Lina’s Café when Ian Finnegan walked in.They hadn’t spoken in two days since the night they shared pizza and more information than she’d intended.It wasn’t like he had her phone number, though he could have gotten it from Dolly.But that would have started all sorts of gossip.Still, she’d enjoyed his company and wouldn’t have minded seeing him again.
Maybe beneath the good looks and arrogance was a decent guy who preferred to keep his real feelings hidden.She knew all about keeping your feelings to yourself, displaying a calm outward demeanor… Acting like you didn’t need anyone.She and Ian Finnegan had connected, and it had been easy—and that bothered her.A lot.
Was he so skilled that he knew every line to use to make a person comfortable?He wasn’t interested in her…was he?He’d seemed genuine when they talked, but what did that even mean?She’d thought about him too much these past two days and didn’t like that the conversation from that night blasted through her thoughts at random times.Or that she recalled those blue eyes.The deep voice…
“Katie?”She glanced up to find Ian Finnegan three feet away.Blue eyes and a smile that made her jumpy.“Hey, Phyllis told me to sit wherever I wanted, so…” He pointed to an empty booth near her.“Can I sit here?”
“Of course.”Stay cool.Ignore the smile.Question the sincerity in those words and the smoothness in that voice.Question everything.“Would you like coffee, extra cream?”Darn, why had she mentioned that?I only drink coffee with cream, he’d told her.Black stuff bothers my stomach…
The smile spread.“Sounds perfect.”
Katie sucked in a breath, made her way to the counter, where she poured a coffee, and grabbed the cream.
“I see you’ve got the looker today.”Phyllis nudged her arm, let out a laugh, followed by a long sigh.“That wavy hair belongs on a girl.He sure is nice to listen to…and those are some eyes.”
“I couldn’t say.Asking for a cup of coffee isn’t exactly swoon-worthy.”Why was everybody obsessed with Ian Finnegan?Sure, he was great to look at, and who could ignore that mesmerizing voice or the sky-blue eyes?But he was still just a guy.
Another laugh, this one deeper, the sigh even longer.“I think just about anything coming out of that young man’s mouth could be swoon-worthy.And if he sets his sights on something orsomeone…” The headshake made her bun flip-flop.“All I can say is look out.She’s never going to see it coming, or if she does, she’s going to jump right in.”A snap of her gum and then, “Know what I mean?”
Katie cleared her throat, concentrated on the coffee mug and cream.“No, I don’t.”Phyllis loved solving puzzles and wasn’t shy about pulling someone in if she thought they held a missing piece.Well, she wasn’t getting a response, no matter how many times she tried.
Katie made her way to Ian’s booth, set his coffee and creamer on the table, and pulled out a pad and pen.It wasn’t like she needed to write anything down because he’d already told her he loved Lina’s blueberry pancakes and sunny-side eggs.“What can I get you today?”
He poured cream into his coffee, added a little more, picked up his spoon, and stirred.“I think I’ll have…” His eyes crinkled at the corners, his voice dipped.“Do you remember what I told you I’ve eaten every time I come here?”
She wouldnotadmit to that.“I don’t think so.I’m guessing from the time of day it’s going to be a breakfast item, but… I could be wrong.”
His gaze narrowed the tiniest bit as if he were trying to determine the truth of her words.“Okay then.I’ll have blueberry pancakes, sunny-side eggs.Extra syrup.”
“It shouldn’t be long.”As she turned away, she caught Phyllis watching her with a look that saidYou’ve got the hots for him.Don’t even try to deny it.
Fine, she’d never met anyone like Ian Finnegan.Cool, self-assured, way too handsome, with clothes that cost more than her computer.But there was something about him that hinted he might be more than looks, money, and attitude, andthatwas the person she wanted to get to know.
