Kiss Me Every Day Read online

“I guess I can’t complain about that. It being kids and all.” Rosi anchored her hand on her hip. “But what’s going on with you?”

  She pulled her eyebrows together and shook her head, trying to put on a good show. “Nothing’s going on. Why?”

  “You’ve been hibernating for weeks.” Rosi frowned. “I half-expected you to go inside without talking to me.”

  “I know. I almost did.” She blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been super busy at work.”

  “Jesus, girl. You need to stop listening to everyone else’s troubles and find someone to create your own with.” Rosi chuckled.

  “Total truth.” She laughed along with Rosi.

  “Why don’t you come out with me and Meg this weekend? I bet we can find you some good candidates.”

  “Let me get through the rest of the week, and I’ll let you know.” No way was she going out with Rosi and Meg again. The last time had been a colossal disaster. They’d taken her to a party with their circle of friends, after which she’d woken with a massive hangover. Apparently she was really entertaining after a few or five drinks and had given her number to three clingy women she couldn’t shake. They’d called her for weeks afterward for reasons ranging anywhere from counseling advice to detached sex.

  That was the first and last time she’d had sex on the first date, and she had sworn to herself she would never let it happen again, no matter how long she’d been without it. The sex hadn’t been bad, but it lacked the passion and emotion she craved. Even though she’d been a willing participant, the regret hit her immediately—and hard. She’d finally blocked their numbers from her cell phone and stopped answering the door without knowing who was on the other side.

  Carly was also successful, self-sufficient, and had a good career. That combination never failed to attract the needy ones. Just once she’d like to have a successful, confident woman show some interest in her. She knew she was unapproachable and had been working on being the one to make the first move, but after growing up as the smallest and nerdiest among all her sisters, she still found it hard to initiate conversation when it came to dating.

  After entering the house, Carly dropped her bag by the door and went to her closet, immediately pulling out a few of her sexiest dresses and slinging them on the bed. Normally, she wouldn’t even bother to change for the event, but the usual business-casual wardrobe wouldn’t work tonight. She intended to make herself irresistible, if that was even possible. Then she would know if she had any shot with the dashing Wynn Jamison. She flopped onto the bottom of the bed and shook her head as a tingle washed through her. The whole possibility of a romance with Wynn was probably all in her head. She’d seen Wynn many times before and had never thought she had even a remote chance of Wynn being interested in her.

  She tried on multiple dresses, skirts, and blouses and finally settled on a black, sleeveless lace dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Well, as perfectly as her curves could be hugged. She’d added a few pounds over the past few months due to her nonstop work schedule and much too much take-out food. Ever since she’d been featured in the health section of the San Francisco Chronicle, business had been steadily climbing. Soon she’d need to add more counselors to her practice, but it would take time to research doctors with the right credentials and personalities. Perhaps tonight would be the beginning of a life that involved more play than work.

  * * *

  Mrs. Pritchard was in her yard, as usual pruning her rose bushes, as Wynn drove up. She immediately stopped and waved. Wynn returned her wave and found Mrs. P crossing the lawn to greet her, a daily event in the past. It was good to see Mrs. P, even if it was in her dreams.

  “You’re home early. Are we having dinner tonight?”

  “I’m so sorry. I won’t be able to have dinner.” She closed her eyes briefly and took in a breath. She’d forgotten all about their routine. “I should’ve called you earlier. I have a thing to be at tonight.” Tonight was their usual dinner night. While Mr. P went bowling, Mrs. P and Wynn went out to eat, then spent the evening together. Wynn had adapted to this arrangement within a month of moving into the neighborhood. She hated to cancel, because spending time with Mrs. P was always a pleasure. Mrs. P was fairly persistent, and Wynn fully admitted she enjoyed spending time with her. Mrs. P’s dinner-choice variety included a range of Chinese or Mexican food, and Wynn was lucky to get Thai food on the schedule once a month.

  Mrs. P raised an eyebrow. “Oh, a date? You haven’t been on one of those in ages.”

  She chuckled. “Nope. Just a fund-raiser.”

  “You really should have more fun, dear.” Mrs. P leaned closer. “You know, find a good woman to roll around in the sheets with on a regular basis.”

  She’d forgotten how delightful and forward Mrs. P could be. “I think I’m okay in that area.”

  “I mean the same woman—someone to settle down with. You know, a hot number to push all your buttons all the time.” Mrs. P tilted her head and winked. “Like Mr. P does for me.”

  “Oh my gosh, Mrs. P. Even my mother isn’t this honest with me.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you have me.” Mrs. P swayed, and Wynn reached out to steady her.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. It’s just getting a little warm outside.” It had been an exceptionally hot August, with temps averaging in the upper eighties to lower nineties.

  She walked Mrs. P over to her porch, where she had a tray with a pitcher of iced tea and two glasses set on the table as usual. Wynn filled them both and handed Mrs. P a glass before she set the pitcher back in its spot atop the fine doily Mrs. P had crocheted. She’d made it specifically to keep the sweat from the pitcher from pooling on the tray.

  “Where’s Mr. P gone this early? Bowling doesn’t start until seven, does it?” She was guessing, but the time sounded about right.

  “This week is his team’s monthly dinner before bowling. Beer and burgers.” Mrs. P sipped her tea. “It’s too bad you have that fund-raiser. A longer girl’s night would be fun.”

  “I’m sorry. Jordan would kill me if I bailed. Would you like to come with me? I can’t guarantee you’d have fun, but I know the food will be good.” Wynn took a drink of tea and wondered how Mrs. P managed to sweeten it perfectly every time.

  “That would be nice, but I’ll have to take a rain check. I’m afraid I’m not up to it tonight. The heat has gotten to me.” Mrs. P sipped her tea. “Jordan. She’s the older one, right?”

  She nodded. “You met her at my housewarming party.”

  “Right. Attractive, stiff, and kind of bossy, as I recall. I bet she goes through women like a five-year-old with a bag of Tootsie Rolls.”

  Wynn almost spit out the sip of tea she’d just taken. Mrs. P was spot-on about Jordan and the women in her life. “She’s definitely bossy.”

  “You’re not like her at all.” Mrs. P gave her a soft smile.

  “Well, I hope I’m like her in some ways. She’s very successful.”

  Mrs. P patted Wynn’s hand. “Success doesn’t outweigh happiness. What good is it if you have no one to share it with?”

  A lesson Wynn had learned over the past year. A random thought of George, the security guard, flew through her mind. Did George have someone like Mrs. P at home waiting for him? Someone to retire with and enjoy life. Only his retirement would be cancelled because he was being laid off soon. She could change that, right? It was her dream, after all.

  She sipped the last of her tea, squeezed Mrs. P’s hand, and stood. “I need to finish some work before I get ready to go. You should head inside and get out of this heat. We’ll talk tomorrow. Have dinner then, okay?”

  Mrs. P smiled widely. “I’ll look forward to hearing all about the party.”

  Sadness filled Wynn’s heart as she left Mrs. P and walked across the lawn to her own front porch. She really did miss these heart-to-hearts with Mrs. P. She’d always been a ray of sunshine in Wynn’s life, and she honestly missed that light.<
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  * * *

  Wynn glanced at her reflection in the darkened window before she entered the building. The streetlight behind her made her silhouette glow. She’d gone through several outfits before she’d settled on khaki pants with a long sleeved, cream-colored, button-down shirt and a tan, cotton blazer. Penny loafers were her go-to when it came to casual shoes. She’d waffled on the jacket. It had been hot when she’d left the house but was always cooler on the pier. Again, satisfied she was presentable, she went inside.

  She could hardly contain herself, knowing she would see Carly tonight. She was Suzanna’s best friend and always helped out at her events. Dinner with Carly the night before flew through her head, and she tried to make sense of it all. It was last night, but it wasn’t. She now seemed to be reliving a day that had happened one year in the past. She had no idea which was reality and which was a dream. If it was a dream, she couldn’t seem to wake herself from it.

  She made her way to the private room Suzanna always used for her events. It was the perfect venue, with a room and patio that looked out onto the bay, where you could slip out onto the pier and enjoy the ocean air. The crowd was thinner than she’d expected, but she’d also arrived later than planned. Today she’d had to return multiple emails from the CEO and adjust the list of employees to be cut before leaving the house. She’d removed George. At least, that was one thing she could fix in this crazy alternate reality. The pressure she’d been slammed with when she’d first moved into the COO position was overwhelming. It demanded much more of her time than her previous position had. The energy required to remain on and available twenty-four seven for the first few months had sent her crashing after the first quarter. She’d lost fifteen pounds living on coffee and Red Bull. She’d also come down with bronchitis, but couldn’t afford to take any time off and had continued in a zombie-like state—on autopilot until she’d gotten her rhythm down. The back of her neck heated and her breathing shallowed. She was surprised at how real everything felt in this dream.

  * * *

  Carly’s anxiety was going through the roof. Since she’d arrived, she’d been casually watching the entrance looking for Wynn. The text she’d received from her this morning had sparked all kinds of crazy fantasies throughout the day, most of which would remain locked away in her mind. If nothing else, the text exchange gave her something to work with tonight—something to start a conversation, even if it fell flat. Who had Wynn been kissing last night, and why had she felt the need to apologize?

  She’d watched the door open for what seemed like the gazillionth time, only this time her breath caught in her chest as Wynn entered. Jesus, she looked hotter than hot. The courage Carly had gained since this morning quickly went out the window. She turned and hurried in the other direction and right into Suzanna.

  Suzanna put her arms out and took her by the shoulders. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”

  “Nowhere.” That was true. She had no idea where she was going to hide.

  Suzanna glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Ah. I see. Wynn is here.” She made eye contact. “You’ve been watching for her.”

  “What? Why would you say that?”

  “Either that or you’ve developed a pretty ridiculous twitch that flips your head back and forth multiple times per minute.”

  “Oh, shit. Was I that obvious?”

  Suzanna grinned as she nodded. “Why don’t you just say hello? I know my sister. She’ll be fine if you make the first move. In fact, you’ll probably have to.”

  “I can’t. That’s just not me.” Even Carly thought it was weird that she was the perfect image of confidence in her job but couldn’t manage to make eye contact with a woman who interested her.

  “Then it’ll never get done.” Suzanna shook her head. “Do I have to do everything for you two?”

  “Yes. Please. Find me a woman, do the painful part of dating and getting to know her, and then let me slip in when it’s all cozy and comfortable.”

  “Painful?” Suzanna raised her eyebrows. “Are you kidding me? Getting to know someone is the absolute best part of falling in love.” She took her hand. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

  Falling in love? She let her hand slip from Suzanna’s. “No. I can’t. Not yet.” She needed a minute to calm herself—to get herself together—or she’d be babbling like an idiot.

  Suzanna tilted her head and smiled. “Okay, but if you don’t make a move, I’m going to make it for you.”

  She nodded. “Got it.” She watched Suzanna weave through several people until she met Wynn halfway across the room. They exchanged a few words, and Wynn smiled broadly. Such a beautiful smile. She’d be an idiot to let this opportunity go. She kept her eyes glued to them as they conversed, and then Wynn glanced her way and smiled again. A tingle shot through her, and she sucked in a deep breath. It was now or never.

  * * *

  Wynn glanced at the bar. A drink would calm her anxiety—help her loosen up. She’d just taken a few steps in that direction when Suzanna came toward her from across the room. “Wow.” She stood back and surveyed her. “Dapper at its finest, as always.”

  “I learned from the best.” She motioned to Jordan, who stood across the room at the bar dressed in a blue pinstripe suit with a powder-blue button-down. She seemed to be organizing something.

  “Are you kidding me? She’s got nothing on you.” Suzanna grazed her fingers across the collar of Wynn’s jacket. “That’s business, but you’ve got a natural soft butch style going on here.” She moved closer and whispered, “Women love that.” She smiled and smoothed the lapel.

  “It’s not like I have a choice.” She pointed to her boobs, which were fairly ample. Even a good sports bra couldn’t keep them confined.

  Suzanna laughed and bounced her eyebrows. “I bet they love those too.”

  Confidence shot through her. Suzanna always knew the right thing to say when Wynn was feeling insecure. Wynn wasn’t sure if it was true. Growing up in Jordan’s shadow was a challenge, and Wynn strived to be just as successful, but Jordan never made her feel like she could do anything as good as she could.

  “I’ll be right back.” Suzanna glanced over her shoulder at one of the guests. “Why don’t you go talk to Carly for a bit?”

  She caught a glimpse of Carly across the room, who wore a black, form-fitting, sleeveless lace dress that captured Wynn’s attention immediately. The contrasting, creamy skin of her shoulders made her want to trail her fingers along them—feel their graceful power under her lips. No matter what day it was, and apparently even in her dreams, Carly still managed to take her breath away. Carly glanced her way and smiled. Butterflies swarmed in Wynn’s stomach when Carly headed in her direction, and she took in a breath to settle her nerves. Carly was the only woman who could do that to her. She’d dated plenty of women and enjoyed them all, but Carly made her feel all sorts of crazy inside.

  “Don’t you look dashing tonight.” The smile on Carly’s face was magnetic.

  The heat rose in her cheeks. Her sister hadn’t been lying after all. “Thanks. You look pretty magnificent yourself.” And she did. Carly could be wearing a whiskey barrel, and that wouldn’t change.

  Suzanna reappeared between them. “If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought the two of you got dressed in the same house.” Their colors complemented each other perfectly. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you take a walk together on the pier?” She ushered them toward the door. “Hurry, before Jordan starts barking out orders.”

  Wynn’s moment of hesitation was just a smidge too long, because Jordan spotted her and came rushing over. “Hey. You’re late.”

  “Sorry. Long day at work.”

  “I was just sending Wynn and Carly out on the pier for a walk.” Suzanna continued to nudge them toward the door. “Carly has been working so hard, I think she needs a break.”

  “Oh. I could use a break.” Jordan held out her hand. “Hi. Remember me? Jordan Jamison, like the whiskey,
but full-bodied and smoother.” She finished her quip with a wink.

  Ugh. The ridiculous line.

  “How could I forget?” The sexy lilt in Carly’s voice let Wynn know she didn’t stand a chance against her sister. She should’ve used the line but couldn’t bring herself to be so cheesy.

  Jordan glanced at Wynn and shoved a handful of envelopes into her hands. “Can you take care of collecting the rest of the pledge cards for me?”

  “Sure.” She took the envelopes and watched Jordan whisk Carly outside to the patio and then to the gate that led to the pier.

  Suzanna widened her eyes. “Why the hell did you let her do that?”

  “I think Jordan likes her, and Carly seemed okay with it. Besides, you saw what happened. I didn’t let her do anything.” Was she really allowing this to take place again? Even in her dreams? She watched the two of them walk from the patio to the pier, catching a shrug from Carly as she glanced over her shoulder at her.

  “God, you are so blind. I talked you up to Carly all night, and you totally blew it.”

  “I guess I did.” She’d lost her chance with Carly as soon as Jordan approached, just like she had in reality. Tonight she was supposed to receive the kiss they’d shared—the one Carly remembered, the one Jordan was going to enjoy instead of her. This dream was rapidly turning into a miserable nightmare she couldn’t wait to wake up from. She shoved the envelopes into her jacket pocket and headed to the bar. This night wasn’t going to turn out any better than it had the last time.

  * * *

  Carly checked her phone for text messages as she sat in the backseat of the Uber taking her home. She had a message from Suzanna thanking her for showing up and helping as usual, but nothing else.

  “Can you turn on the radio?” The Toyota Prius was abnormally quiet tonight, and she needed some music or something to keep her mind busy.

  Her phone chimed, and she saw a text from Jordan. She hadn’t given Jordan her number, so Suzanna must have provided it. Always the matchmaker. Only Carly wasn’t sure she was okay with it this time.