Desire in a Kiss Read online

  Chris narrowed his eyes.

  “I know. I told him that we focus on jazz, but then he whipped out his instrument...” Trina paused and let the innuendo hang in the air. She smirked, obviously amused with herself, and then continued. “His violin, that is,” she said, winking. “He proceeded to play the most beautiful rendition of the latest release of that hot new R&B artist, Champagne. I had him leave his contact information and then looked him up online.” Trina handed Chris the musician’s card. “He’s a-mazing!” Her eyes rolled back, emphasizing her appreciation for the man’s work. “He’s pretty popular for his creative renditions of songs, from pop to jazz to classical. I’d love to have him come in and give us a preview, but I wanted to run it by you guys first.”

  Nodding his head, Chris turned the card between his fingers. “Thanks. Set it up. How’s everything else?”

  “Outstanding! Also, I received another call from that magazine editor. She’s scheduling interviews and photo shoots with the honorees and wanted to get the three of you on her calendar.”

  “Really!” Chris’s brows lifted, and a smile swept across his face. “Check with Kent and Ray, and let’s settle on a date soon.”

  “Cool. You deserve the recognition. You three are doing a great job at making The Reserve a hot spot. It happened so fast.”

  “Thanks, Trina!” He grinned with a modest amount of pride.

  Tilting her head, Trina gave Chris a delightful smile. “Seriously. I’m very proud of you guys.” She patted his hand. “And I’m happy to be a part of the team.”

  “You are part of this. Thanks for all you do.”

  “You’re welcome, babycakes. See you at the staff meeting. This girl has some real work to do. I can’t just stand around being pretty.” She blew a kiss as she left the office.

  Things were going well for Chris—the family business, their foundation and this fairly new venture with his longtime friends. Every area of his life seemed to be thriving with a flowing momentum. Dating was the only aspect that was still uncertain. Recently he hadn’t met women he was interested in seeing beyond the first few dates. His access to beautiful ladies was still plentiful, but lately most seemed interested in his pedigree. He was over women who wanted him to be attached to the Chandler legacy. Something was changing, and Chris wasn’t sure if it was the women or him.

  Ray entered their office with the force of a hurricane. “What’s up?” His energy charged the room.

  “You’re here early,” Kent kidded, walking in behind him.

  “It’s three o’clock.” Ray’s brows furrowed.

  “Yeah. On time is early for you!” Chris jumped in on the joke, sharing a laugh with Kent.

  “Ha!” Ray clapped his hands. “Let’s get this party started.” He removed his suit jacket, tossed it on the back of his chair and sat down with his feet up on the desk.

  Kent plopped in his chair and swiveled to face Ray. “You seem happy. What’s good?”

  “Everything!”

  Chris laughed, shaking his head. “How’s Brynn?”

  Ray’s smile nearly split his face at the mention of his girlfriend’s name. “Brynn’s good. I just left her.”

  “I still can’t believe you two met online. I’ve always been skeptical of that.” Chris shrugged, reaching for a notepad.

  “Me too, man,” Kent agreed.

  “I was too, until I found Brynn. I can’t believe our paths never crossed before—especially after discovering that we knew so many of the same people. I keep telling you guys to give this online thing a try.”

  “Maybe I should!” Chris said jokingly. “Do you think it would stop my mother from trying to hook me up with her friends’ daughters?”

  “Dates chosen by mothers never work out well.” Kent chuckled.

  “Try it. What can it hurt?” Ray asked.

  “It’s just not for me.” Chris sucked air through his teeth.

  “Sounds to me like regular dating isn’t working out so well either.”

  “Very funny, Ray!”

  “He’s got a point, Chris. We’re the ones who are still single.”

  “By choice,” Chris said pointedly, with a lifted index finger.

  “Exactly! That’s because you’ve already dated most of the women you know, player!” Kent howled. “Save some for the rest of us, man.”

  Laughing, Kent offered Ray a high five.

  “I can’t help it if I’m in demand.” Chris gave his collar a smug tug.

  Kent and Ray looked at each other and burst into laughter once again. Chris couldn’t help but join them. The irony was evident. As eligible a bachelor as he was, his options were narrowing.

  “You may have a point, Ray. Maybe it’s time for Chris and me to look outside our usual circles. This can be a way to meet new women. It’s not as creepy as it used to be. Some pretty decent relationships started online—like yours.”

  “See? It’s not so bad, Chris. Brynn isn’t crazy at all.” Ray’s comment generated another round of laughs.

  “Trina said Eclipse magazine called. The editor wants to set up an interview.” Chris was happy to change the subject. He had too many reservations about this online thing, and he also had a reputation—no, a legacy—to protect.

  What would a Chandler look like, searching for a mate online? He didn’t express his thoughts aloud in order not to offend Ray. Chris, Ray and Kent had been close friends since high school. Finding beautiful women to date had never been an issue for any of them, so when Ray said that he was trying the online thing, Chris and Kent were shocked. They teased Ray through the entire process but shut their mouths when he introduced them to Brynn. Not only was she beautiful but also grounded, intelligent and apparently completely sane. Kent asked if she had a sister, cousin or mother that he could date. After that, Kent was open to online dating, but Chris still had his reservations.

  Chris joined the others in swiping through the calendars on their phones.

  “I can do next Wednesday.” Kent spoke first. “What time do they want to interview us?”

  “Do they want us to come to their offices in the city, or will they come here? That will help me figure out what’s best. My calendar is looking a little crazy right now.” Ray shook his head. “But I’ll be in the city already on Wednesday so, if they want us to meet there, that might work.”

  “I’ll have Trina call and ask. Should we leave Wednesday open either way? Does that work for you?” Chris directed his question toward Ray. His phone was cupped in his hand with his thumb hovering over the screen. Ray nodded. “Cool,” Chris continued. “We can let Trina know at the meeting.”

  “So, fellas. We have a big night coming up tonight, huh?” Ray clapped his hands and rubbed them back and forth.

  “Yes, we do!” Chris agreed. “This place is going to be packed. Alfonzo Blackwell is a huge draw.”

  “How’d you get him again, Chris?” Kent asked.

  “He’s an old friend of Jewel’s. She called in a favor.” Chris turned to Ray. “Brynn joining us tonight?”

  “For sure! She wouldn’t miss a chance to see Blackwell play.”

  There was that gleam again. Whenever Brynn’s name flitted into the atmosphere, Ray appeared lighter—his smile instinctual as if it generated from somewhere well beyond his lips. Chris wondered what that felt like. He thought he had come close in grad school. He figured he had loved Danielle but couldn’t recall feeling what Ray seemed to feel, which appeared to transcend emotions and come alive in their very presence.

  “You really like this girl.” With his head tilted, Chris said those words as if the weight of them had just landed on him. His friend was in love.

  Ray sat back in his chair, smiled and exhaled as if the air he released carried away every problem. “I think she’s the one.”

  Ch
ris’s and Kent’s mouths fell open. They looked at one another and then at Ray.

  “Whoa!” Kent held his hands up. “You think so, man?”

  An assured nod.

  With hands in the air, Chris made a few attempts to speak, closed his mouth and shrugged. His hands fell to his side with a slap. “What can I say? I’m happy for you, man. I have to admit, happiness looks good on you.”

  “Thanks! One down and two to go.” Ray raised his brow.

  Kent held up a palm. “Hey! Don’t speak so fast. I’m still having fun.”

  Chris laughed with them but stayed mute. He liked what he saw in Ray, and a part of him wanted to know what that felt like. He just wasn’t sure if he’d find it online.

  Chapter 3

  Serenity took the dress the attendant handed to her and looked it over. She’d lost the weight but wondered how the dress would actually fit. Peeking at the size, she heard the woman say, “Don’t be concerned about that. European sizing is quite different.”

  That gave her small comfort. The number on the tag was what she wore after losing her first twenty pounds.

  “Try it on. I can’t wait to see it on you!” Rayne nudged Serenity toward the fitting room. “And you try on this one, Elisa.” Their friend took the second dress and nodded her approval. “We’ll see which one looks best, and the two of you can choose.”

  “Let’s do this!” Elisa lifted her eyebrows at Serenity.

  “Let’s do it!”

  Serenity stepped into the narrow box of a room and closed the door. Leaning against the wall, she took a deep breath. She’d lost a total of forty pounds so far, and trying on clothes was still a chore because of her curves. People told her all the time how amazing she looked. She received their compliments graciously, but their enthusiasm made her wonder what they were really saying about how she looked before. Her confidence had never been tied to her dress size. But now people treated her differently, especially men, and she wasn’t sure she liked that. Inside she was exactly the same person.

  Slipping into the dress, Serenity appreciated how the inside layer, with its comfortable elasticity, glided over her curves, yet also fit her waist. The top layer was the same champagne hue but made of lace. The dress settled just off her shoulders, and at the bottom a slight train caressed the floor behind her as she moved. Twisting side to side in the mirror, Serenity smiled, taking a calm breath. It was a good fit. Maybe she didn’t need to lose those last ten pounds. Her and her mother’s new lifestyle had already proven beneficial to their health and their shapes.

  Stepping out of the fitting room, Serenity was met with gasps from her friends and strangers.

  “Oh my goodness!” Both of Rayne’s hands covered her mouth. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

  Elisa stepped out of her fitting room with the champagne halter dress that Rayne had handed to her. “We’re wearing that dress.” She pointed to Serenity. “Turn around, girl.” She took Serenity by the hand, and led her in a ballerina twirl. “This is it, Rayne. What do you think?”

  “Stunning! But it’s up to you, ladies. Your dress is pretty too, Elisa.”

  “Uh-huh? Do you see how you said that? I think I prefer stunning over pretty!” Elisa called to their attendant. “Can you please bring that dress in my size? Thank you so much.”

  The girls laughed excitedly as the attendant quickly obliged. Elisa disappeared into the fitting room and emerged moments later, looking just as stunning as Serenity.

  “We’ve got our dresses!” Serenity squealed, slapping Elisa high five.

  “And I know just where to find the perfect shoes. Now let’s go eat. Ha!” Elisa dashed back to her room.

  Serenity took one last look at herself from varied angles offered by the multitude of mirrors and headed back to her fitting room, carrying a healthy dose of pride. When the doctor had warned her mother of possible impending diabetes, it had scared both of them. Serenity had supported her mom by changing her eating habits too. They had started out taking walks in the evening and eventually began jogging. Each month they tried something new, so they wouldn’t get bored with working out. Now they could both credit yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, boot camp and Pure Barre classes for better health and fit bodies.

  An hour later, the girls were chatting over drinks in one of their favorite Thai restaurants.

  “That was fun! At least there were no tears this time.” Elisa laughed. “We were such a mess when you found your dress, Rayne.”

  “She looked so beautiful!” Serenity said, with a reminiscent tilt and shake of her head.

  “She absolutely glowed. I could have sworn I heard harps playing in that bridal shop when she walked out of that dressing room. Ethan is going lose his mind when he sees you on your wedding day.”

  “Thank you. The moment I stepped into that dress, I knew it was the one.” Rayne paused and sipped her ginger martini. “Girls!” Elisa and Serenity looked up. “I’m getting married!” she sang. Rayne closed her eyes and squealed, flapping her hands in the air. Elisa and Serenity squealed along with her. “I can’t believe it!”

  The shrieks snagged the attention of the few patrons in the restaurant. Most smiled, signing off on their happy display.

  Laughing, Rayne shrunk into her shoulders. “Sorry,” she said to her collective audience.

  “I love Ethan. From the moment I met him, he became the big brother I never had.” Serenity leaned left to allow the waiter to place her sushi on the table.

  “I know. You did good, girl.” Elisa winked.

  “Speaking of Ethan, he asked about your date the other night. He laughed when I told him how horrific you said it was.” Rayne hid her smile behind the martini glass, sipped and stretched her eyes at Serenity.

  “Tell him I said it went like this...” Serenity put one hand over her throat and, with the other, she pretended to stick a finger into her mouth. The spectacle made Elisa cover her mouth to keep the wine she drank from spraying the table. Rayne, with her hand over her heart and her head back, laughed so hard she snorted, which propelled the girls into a frenzy of laughter until tears streaked their faces.

  “Oh—” Rayne tried to catch her breath “—I can’t believe I just did that!”

  Serenity’s sides ached. She panted in an attempt to pull herself together. Each time they calmed down, they would start all over again.

  “That’s why I love hanging with you, ladies,” Elisa said. “We can be totally silly. Clint doesn’t get it.” She referred to her boyfriend. “I told him that his friends didn’t know how to really have fun.”

  “I know. Ethan thinks we’re nuts too. And when I get home, I’m going to show him just what Serenity thought about that date.” Chuckles spread around the table once again. “Seriously, he actually hoped it would work out.”

  “I know. Just let him know I’m no longer interested in his matchmaking services.”

  “If we leave it up to you, your next date is likely to be with a floormate at your nursing home!” Elisa said matter-of-factly, before tossing a spicy tuna roll in her mouth.

  Serenity’s mouth opened and closed. “What?”

  “You always say you don’t have time to date.”

  “She’s right.” Rayne nodded her head vigorously. “That’s why Ethan has been on the case, trying to hook you up with his friends and colleagues.”

  “I’d make time for the right one.” Serenity squared her shoulders.

  “When?” Elisa and Rayne said at the same time.

  “Whatever!” Serenity waved her hand, dismissing their interrogation. Of course she didn’t have an answer. Up until recently, she hardly thought about dating. Work and the organization occupied her time and thoughts. “I just don’t have a lot of spare time.”

  “We always make time for what we want,” Rayne challenged.

&
nbsp; “Besides, what kid are you giving music lessons to at eight o’clock on a Saturday night?” Elisa said.

  Having no viable answer, Serenity playfully rolled her eyes at Elisa. “It’s not that I’m not open to dating. It’s just...not easy finding a nice guy. The last few that I went out with were complete disasters. Most of them just want to have sex and text. I want long conversations on the phone. I want to learn a few things about a man before I jump into bed with him...like his STD status. Ha!” All three fell out laughing.

  “That’s funny but so true.” Elisa punctuated her statement with a fork in Serenity’s direction. “I agree.”

  “Seriously. It seems like men don’t want to take their time to get to know women these days. I’m kind of an old-fashioned girl. I want to be courted.”

  “You’re right, Serenity. I think that’s why I fell for Ethan. He didn’t pressure me to sleep with him on the first date like some other guys I dated. We spent time getting to know and really like each other. We’re friends.”

  “That’s what I want! Someone willing to be my friend.”

  “It’s so important. I believe that the friendship that Ethan and I have will get us through the rough spots that are sure to come up. Without friendship as a foundation, what can a couple stand on when a little turbulence hits the relationship?”

  “Exactly.” Serenity sat up straighter. “Think about it. Most friendships outlast relationships. Have you ever wondered why?”

  Elisa slowly nodded her head in consideration. “You’re right. Some of my friendships, like ours, date back to childhood.”

  “And before Clint, you didn’t have a relationship that lasted more than two years!” Serenity saw the realization dawning in Elisa’s eyes. “That’s because friendships play by a different set of rules. We accept our friends for who they are, regardless of how great or zany they may be, but we look for people to date who will conform to our expectations of them. It’s not fair. If we treated our relationships more like friendships, maybe they would last just as long.”

  “Whoa! Look at you giving solid relationship advice.” Rayne nudged Elisa. “Did you hear that?”