her watch. “I guess they’ll be back in an hour or so.”
“I was hoping you’d have a little more than an hour. I wanted to take you somewhere. And it’s a grown-up thing.”
“Where?” she wanted to know.
“It’s a surprise, but I’m convinced you’ll like it.”
“She’s covered,” Leslie shot in. “The boys are…um…they’re staying overnight. They want to…camp out in the backyard with Uncle Conner. Or something.”
Dylan lifted one curious brow. Suspicious.
“Can I talk to you for one second before you go?” Leslie asked Katie. “Inside?”
“Sure,” she said. “Be right back.” And she followed Leslie into the house.
They were barely inside when Leslie grabbed Katie and shoved her up against the wall. Her eyes were a little wild, which came close to frightening Katie. “Do you know who that is?” she whispered.
“That’s Dylan.”
“Dylan Childress,” Leslie informed her, letting go.
Katie chuckled. “I forgot, we’re the same age. The guys around here would never notice.”
“But you knew, right?”
She gave a short nod. “But I haven’t mentioned it and neither has he. And even though I was in love with him for a good five years when I was a kid, that has nothing to do with the guy I know now. I swear to heaven.”
“He thinks you don’t know?” Leslie asked.
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m not squealing, screaming and throwing my underwear at him. I’m making him work for attention, like a regular guy.” Then she grabbed Leslie’s arms. “I’m not playing hard to get, Les. I’m just not laying down because twenty years ago he was a twelve-year-old’s heartthrob.”
“But…you’re glowing,” Leslie said. “Oh, my God, you’re glowing!”
“Pah,” she said. “I can’t imagine why—of all the Hollywood boys during our adolescence, didn’t he have almost the worst reputation? He acts like a regular guy, but I honestly have no way of knowing if he’s overcome all that naughtiness.”
“Oh, I hope not…I mean so, I hope so,” Leslie said. “You look pretty happy.”
“I might be pleased that he came looking for me, but I am not going to be fooled by a little showmanship. I’m a little warm, however.” She fanned her face. “Besides, he’s just going to say goodbye. Which is admirable, when you think about it. He could’ve just left and it’s not like I could chase him down and reprimand him.” Then she swallowed and said, “I should have a drink of water.”
“I’ll keep the boys overnight. We’ll grill hot dogs. Watch a movie. I’ll bring them home on my way to work in the morning. You can get them into fresh clothes for summer program. And after work? I’ll be wanting every detail! Every single detail!”
“I don’t do that to you, do I?”
“Totally different!” Leslie said. “Conner is your brother. And Dylan was my secret boyfriend for years.”
Katie laughed at her; half the female population in this age group probably felt the same way. “Can we go out there now? Find out what he has in mind?”
Leslie ran her hands over her hips to dry her palms. “By all means. Try to look calm.”
“I think you’re the one who should take a few deep breaths.”
Dylan was waiting, his foot still on the porch step.
“So,” Katie said. She lifted one brow.
“I want to show you something very cool.”
“Want me to follow you?”
“I want to take the bike. You like the bike and it’s a lot easier. But you have to change into jeans. You know—bike rules.” He looked her over with a smile. She was wearing a pretty, lightweight summer dress. “That’s sexy as hell, but it could end up over your head on the freeway and you could cause accidents. We need jeans. Want to go change? And I’ll follow you?”
“Okay,” she said with a laugh. Then she turned to Leslie and asked, “Are you absolutely sure?”
“Of course. Conner will be thrilled.”
I’m not so sure about that, Katie thought.
When they arrived at the cabin, Katie parked and gave him a wave as she went inside. To her surprise, he was tailing her and the second she was in the door, he grabbed her hand, whirled her around and planted a deep, wet kiss on her. His voice was hoarse when he broke from the kiss and spoke. “I wish I’d thought this through better,” he said. “A dress. I never thought you’d be in a dress. I bet I could get under that dress without as much fight out of you.”
She laughed at him. She couldn’t help it—she was so happy to see him, she stroked his face. “Do