Continuation 3

Being late isn't exactly a big ass clue that I kissed you," I say. "I'm totally fine."

"Good, because it was just one little kiss," she says, taunting me.

"Right, didn't mean anything," I say, heading inside as she flinches as if I've struck her.

Why did I say that? Why did I lie? What a fucking disaster. I couldn't tell her what that kiss did to me, that I haven't slept through the night since, thinking about her soft lips. That wouldn't help either of us. It wouldn't change the fact that she's still off limits.

Still, I know I hurt her feelings. I feel horrible, but it's better off this way. It's the way it has to be. It's better to hurt her a little now than to have a bigger heartache later.

I walk into the kitchen. Sadie takes her spot on a fluffy rug, and I take mine at the island beside my dad. My parents both kiss me on the side of the head. It doesn't matter how old I get, they never miss a chance to kiss me or each other. Yes, I have those parents. The ones that smack each other's asses and have a sex drawer next to their bed that I'm not supposed to know about.

My dad is one of those rare attorneys that actually loves his job. He doesn't practice as much anymore, preferring to spend his days forming the legal minds of tomorrow by teaching Criminal Justice at The Citadel. My mom stayed home with me my whole life. When I went to college, she decided to get her real estate license, and has made a name for herself in the Charleston area.

My mom holds up a plate of cookies, and I take one. My place was always the hangout spot when I was in high school. These cookies are part of the reason why. Everyone loves them. My mom calls them "Marry Me" cookies. Supposedly baking them for your boyfriend guarantees a proposal. Guess it worked on my dad.

Ainsley walks in, snatching the cookie right out of my hand, takes a huge bite, and licks her lips. The little tease. I know that look in her eye. She's about to teach me a lesson.

"You always did make the best cookies, Diane," Ainsley says, giving my mom a hug.

"So sweet of you," my mom says, giving me a little wink.

My dad gets one arm around Ainsley, lifting her slightly in the air. "Cliff," my mom playfully scolds him. "Put her down."

Ainsley gives him a huge hug, and my dad says, "It's been too long. What have you been up to? Rhett says he hasn't seen you much, either."

So I left out the part where we walked Sadie together every night for days and days. To her credit, Ainsley doesn't miss a beat, telling them about her hopes to open a store one day, and that she'll be designing Skye's wedding dress in the meantime.

No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to tear my eyes away from her. The way she smiles as she talks—there's no ignoring that. I don't know the first damn thing about silk or pearls or sequins. I couldn't tell you the difference between Chantilly lace and Venetian lace to save my life, but the passion with which Ainsley talks about it all makes me care. I think I could care about anything she's talking about if she's smiling like that.

"Maybe you could help me look at some options for a storefront, if I decide to open a store here in Charleston?" Ainsley says to my mom.

I know my mom wouldn't take a commission, either. Ainsley is family in her book.

"Oh, I'd love to," my mom says.

They continue to chat and catch up, but I might as well not be in the room. Ainsley hasn't addressed me, asked me a question. She's barely even glanced my way. My dad looks at me then back to Ainsley. I can see his lawyer mind spinning like he's getting ready to cross examine a witness, preparing to lay a trap for them to unknowingly stumble into.

"So any dates since you've been back, Ainsley?" my dad asks, his eyes glued on me. "Must be someone special."

Damn! He can tell something is off. Ainsley and I haven't said two words to each other. Normally, we talk, joke around. My parents aren't used to this silent treatment, and neither am I.

"Not really," Ainsley says, glancing at me.

"Oh, come on," my dad says, eyeing me again. "Pretty girl like you, they must be standing in line."

"I think Brody scares them all off," she says, giving me a sweet smile.

"That reminds me," Skye says, walking into the kitchen. "Ainsley, Rhett, are either one of you bringing a date to the engagement party? I've got to get the final numbers in. It's tomorrow night."