Hershey's Choice Read online

  “Don’t forget, honey. Just around the corner.” The older woman winked.

  Britt smiled and closed the door behind her. She unlocked the car, opened the door, and then stopped before climbing in. Just around the corner. The thought was crazy, but she couldn’t prevent her feet from taking the few steps to the intersection. Britt glanced down the street, hoping—almost expecting—to see Ryan and Hershey. When all she saw were a few men in business suits walking toward the office building across the street, she shook her head and returned to her car.

  Driving from the bakery, Britt cursed. Only a desperate woman would put faith in Phyllis’ words and expect to see the man of her dreams, and his dog, around the closest corner. Stumbling across Ryan a third time wasn’t her destiny.

  Chapter Three

  “Please tell me you’ll shave and get a haircut before Saturday.” Britt ran a hand over the lapel of Kevin’s two-button, black tuxedo jacket. The white-winged collar of his shirt was highlighted by a black bow tie and matching vest. The trousers had been tailored perfectly to rest on his black patent leather shoes.

  “Yes, Mom.” Kevin winked. “I’m booked at the barber Friday afternoon.”

  “How long will I have to wear this monkey suit?” Nathan stepped out of the dressing room, pulling the shirt collar from his neck.

  Britt smiled. She had to be the most-envied girl on the planet with the best-looking best friends.

  The guys couldn’t be more different. Kevin, slightly shorter than Nathan, had a leaner frame and shaggy blond locks. Nathan stood over six feet, muscular, dark brown hair, and retained a faultless five o’clock shadow over his chiseled jaw line. Kevin loved getting dressed up, while Nathan preferred a pastry-smudged apron covering his jeans and T-shirt.

  “You’ll survive.” She sealed the last button at his neck then reached for a bow tie from the table.

  Nathan wiggled two fingers between the collar and his neck. “I can barely breathe.” Frowning, he took a step backward. “Pink? Are you serious?” He glared at Kevin. “Is this your revenge because I beat you at basketball the other day?”

  “Britt chose the color of the ties and handkerchiefs for the groomsmen to match the wedding decor. However, I’m enjoying the sense of irony.” Kevin chuckled as he straightened the black bow tie at his neck.

  “The color is blush, not pink.” She tucked the folded handkerchief in Nathan’s jacket pocket. “I had to call dozens of stores before I found the right color, so don’t whine about how much the girly shade doesn’t work. Suck in your pride and channel your inner beauty.” Britt slapped a hand to his chest.

  “I’m lovin’ the blush already.” Nathan kissed her cheek.

  “Looks good on you, buddy. Brings out a sparkle in your eyes,” Kevin added with a smirk.

  “Stop, the both of you. Don’t think because you’re dressed fancy in tuxedos, I won’t think twice about slugging you in the gut.” Her warning silenced the guys. Growing up, they had both been on the receiving end of her punches and knew better than to challenge her. Her father had enrolled her in self-defense classes, and Britt used her boisterous best friends to practice her skills. “Where are your other two groomsmen?”

  Kevin checked his watch. “They should be here soon.”

  Bells jingled above the front door.

  “My apologies for arriving late. I had to wait for Dylan. We should tell him the wedding starts at four, and he might make it to the church on time by five.”

  Britt’s pulse skipped a beat. That deep voice caused a splendor of goose bumps to roam her arms. As she turned, she saw Ryan walk around the corner and into the fitting area. She held a breath, recalling Phyllis’ words. Just around the corner.

  His gaze met hers.

  “Britt?”

  “Ryan.” Goose bumps ran along her arms.

  “What are you doing here?” Their surprised question intermingled.

  “Hey, pretty lady.” Dylan stepped beside Ryan. “Couldn’t wait for today, knowing I’d see you again.”

  “You know Britt?” Ryan’s brows creased inward.

  “Sure, she’s Cara and Kevin’s wedding planner, and my soon-to-be date for the wedding.”

  “What?” Another question repeated by Britt and Ryan, with Kevin and Nathan joining them.

  Britt faced Kevin and Nathan, compressing a smile at Dylan’s innocent forwardness. “I’m not attending the wedding as Dylan’s date. I’ll be working.”

  “I’ll save all the slow dances for you.” He winked.

  She had to give Dylan credit for persistence.

  “Wait. Roll back the tape.” Ryan held up a hand. “You’re the wedding planner? The woman who defied my mother?”

  Her heart sank. She placed a hand over her mouth to hide her gaping jaw. He did not say my mother. No.

  “Yup. Britt put Mom in her place,” Dylan boasted. “Something no one has done and left unharmed.”

  “Dylan is your brother?” Britt shook her head. “Your mother is Grace Jerome?” Someone shoot me now before the dragon lady finds me.

  “She lied.” Ryan shook his head. “She said she didn’t know you. Why didn’t you wait yesterday?”

  “I wanted to, but Mrs. Jerome thought I should leave.” She sighed. “I didn’t know she’s your mother.” She couldn’t tell Ryan what a horrible person his mother was. How could a mother lead someone to think her son stalked women? Or any of the awful actions she claimed had occurred in the house?

  “Do you two know each other?” Dylan crossed his arms over his chest.

  “She’s the girl I told you about. The one who Hershey—”

  “Britt is Ms. Crazy?”

  “What did you call me?” Frowning, she placed a hand on her hip.

  “Ah, I get the picture now.” Nathan pulled off his bow tie and unleashed the buttons at his throat. “You’re Mr. Arrogant.”

  Britt punched Nathan’s arm. I need a new best friend. One who doesn’t repeat stuff told in confidence.

  “Could someone tell me what is going on?” Kevin stepped forward.

  “I’ll fill you in on the details later,” Nathan said, and then turned to Ryan. “The dragon lady scared the bejeebers out of Britt. Had her thinking you were a low-life scum who preyed on women.”

  “Who’s the dragon lady?” Ryan, Dylan, and Kevin asked.

  “Your mother and your soon-to-be mother in law.” Nathan pointed at each man.

  She threw a harder punch at Nathan’s arm. I should never have told him about the encounter with Grace Jerome, or the immature nicknames. This fitting had taken a turn for the worse. No matter how much she wanted to get to know Ryan better, Britt had learned all she needed. He was Mrs. Jerome’s son.

  Being the professional, she collected the two garment bags from the wall hook and shoved one at Ryan and the other at Dylan. “You two, in there.” She pointed to the dressing rooms on the right.

  They did as instructed.

  “Small world.”

  Britt threw Nathan an icy stare. “Don’t go there, unless you want me to bruise your left arm, too.”

  “I wish someone would tell me what I missed.” Frowning, Kevin raised his hands in the air.

  “Let’s get out of these monkey suits, and I’ll give you an update.” Nathan pushed Kevin into the dressing rooms to the left.

  Britt inhaled a deep breath. Of all the men in this town to be crushing on, she chose Ryan, son of the dragon lady. Grace Jerome would surely make the next few days of Britt’s life a miserable existence. Ryan was off limits. If she valued breathing.

  Ryan emerged from the dressing room, struggling with the buttons at his neck.

  “Need some help?” Britt walked toward him, ignoring the flutter of butterflies in her belly. Damn, he looked good in a tux.

  “Since Britt is the woman you’re sweet on, does that mean I have to back off?” Dylan asked from dressing room.

  Ryan banged a hand on the door. “Britt’s standing right here, you jerk. She can hear you, t
oo.”

  Dylan stepped out of the room. His pants were unbuckled, showing the waistband of his blue boxers, and his starched white shirt was unbuttoned to the waist. “Technically, I met her first, so I have pursuing rights.”

  “What are you talking about?” Ryan rolled his eyes.

  Britt placed a hand over her mouth, stifling her laughter.

  “I get to woo Britt until she falls for my awesome good looks.” Dylan opened the front of his shirt, revealing his six-pack abs.

  Ryan shoved his brother back into the dressing room. “I swear if you don’t close your mouth, my fist will help.”

  “Boys, stop.” As much as Britt enjoyed the glimpse of Dylan’s abs, she wasn’t interested. “No wooing will occur.” She fastened the buttons at Ryan’s throat. A surge of electric tingles ran from the tips of her fingers to the center of her hand. She leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “You’re sweet on me?”

  Ryan lifted an eyebrow. “You called me Mr. Arrogant?”

  His breath caressed her neck. Britt breathed in his scent of warm woods mixed in patchouli and sandalwood. “You called me Ms. Crazy?”

  “I apologize for my mother.” He placed a hand on her arm.

  She took a step backward, meeting his baby blues. The sincerity in his eyes made her weak at the knees. Time froze. Britt was lost in his gaze. She felt as though she floated amongst the puffy white clouds.

  “I hate to interrupt this cozy moment.” Nathan tapped her shoulder.

  The perfect moment had been shattered. She blinked, forcing aside the fantasy then turned.

  “I have to get back to the bakery,” he said.

  “And I have to return to work,” Kevin added.

  Britt flashed a smile. “You are both good to go. Make sure you hang the garment bags in a closet so the tuxes don’t get wrinkled. I’ll finish with Ryan and Dylan then catch you later.”

  Nathan kissed her cheek. “Be a good girl.”

  She wanted to throw a punch to his gut for his whispered message against her cheek. Instead, she stuck out her tongue. Once Britt’s best friends left the shop, she put on her business face and added the bow ties and handkerchiefs to Ryan and Dylan’s tuxes. She could actually do her job as long as she avoided any lengthy connection to Ryan’s gaze.

  Once Britt gave her approval, she pushed both men back into their dressing rooms. As she left the store, she stopped at the front counter to thank the tailor for his work, and then headed for the exit.

  “Britt.”

  Ryan wrapped a hand around her arm, stopping her from opening the door.

  “Would you like to get a coffee, or a bite to eat?”

  “Not fair.” Dylan nudged his shoulder against Ryan’s. “I wanted to ask her.”

  “I must decline both thoughtful offers. I have another appointment in ten minutes.” She lied. Britt had nothing to do this afternoon. Her plan consisted of grabbing a salad on the way home and relaxing in the back yard under a shady tree. Lunch with Ryan sounded heavenly, but she couldn’t. He was out of reach. The fire of this budding attraction had to be stomped into ashes. Men were nothing but trouble. “Give Hershey a hug from me.” Britt opened the door and left, before she changed her mind.

  ****

  Ryan followed Dylan into the restaurant’s lounge and spotted Kevin and a few of Kevin’s friends from work. “Don’t tell me we’re late again. After this afternoon, you’d think I’d stop travelling with Dylan.”

  “No.” Kevin chuckled. “I thought we’d hang out at the bar until everyone arrives. We’re waiting for one more.”

  “Nice place.” Ryan admired the new Harbor View Restaurant. The front entrance gave its patrons two options. The lounge area had a bar and several tables where people could gather to have an appetizer and a few drinks, or to have a drink while waiting for their table. The main restaurant area continued with the light blue and cream-colored hues as in the lounge, but had a classy and artsy ambiance. The floor-to-ceiling windows provided exquisite views of the harbor between Halifax and Dartmouth, and the intimate white lighting and cozy fireplace created a romantic setting. A soft jazzy tune played in the background.

  “The restaurant has been booked since they opened a few months ago.” Kevin swallowed a mouthful of his beer. “Nathan knows the head chef and scored this reservation.”

  “Nathan is the guy from the tuxedo shop today?” Ryan couldn’t forget the tall man who called him Mr. Arrogant and received a punch from Britt. She told Ryan she didn’t have a boyfriend, but when Nathan left the shop, he kissed Britt’s cheek. A knot of jealously twisted Ryan’s gut, causing an instant dislike to Nathan. He demanded details from Dylan and learned Britt wasn’t just Kevin’s wedding planner, she was Kevin’s and Nathan’s best friend.

  “Yup.” Kevin pointed to a guy standing at the other end of the bar with a cell phone to his ear. “By the way, Nathan told me about your weird encounters with Britt. As her best friend, I have to ask what your intentions are.”

  “I…umm.” Ryan liked Britt. She took away his breath every time he saw her. Confessing his mushy feelings to his soon-to-be brother in-law was one thing, telling Britt’s best friend was another.

  “I’m joking.” Kevin slapped a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “You can tell her yourself.”

  Ryan followed Kevin’s gaze to the entrance of the lounge. A breath staggered in the back of Ryan’s throat. A vision of beauty approached. She wore a sleeveless white blouse, black skinny jeans hemmed below her calf, and high-heeled stilettos with straps around her small ankles. Her beautiful brown tresses cascaded over her shoulders, hiding the strap of a gray purse.

  “You look good.” One of Kevin’s friends greeted Britt.

  “Smoking hot,” Dylan said.

  “Watch your mouths.” Kevin shoved aside both guys then wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I thought you might not come.”

  “Someone told me my presence was required.” Britt kissed Kevin’s cheek.

  “Let’s head to the dining room.” Nathan stepped from behind Ryan. “I’m starving.”

  “You own a bakery.” Kevin frowned. “How can you be hungry?”

  “I make the food.” Nathan rolled his eyes. “I don’t eat it.”

  The hostess arrived and showed them to their table.

  Britt sat first with Kevin to her right. Nathan grabbed the chair left of Britt, leaving a pouting Dylan to take another seat.

  Ryan sat across the table from Britt. “Hey.” He couldn’t stop staring. Her brown eyes held him captive.

  “Hey, yourself.” She smiled. “Twice in one day. Where’s Hershey?”

  “He really wanted to come, but he doesn’t own a dinner jacket.” Her smile melted his heart.

  Conversation flowed seamlessly with everyone sharing stories about Kevin. Ryan enjoyed hearing tales of the three musketeers. And Kevin’s military buddies talked about their adventures serving their country. Ryan and Dylan shared embarrassing moments of Kevin and Cara’s dating days. The stories Ryan heard only confirmed his opinion Kevin was the right guy for his sister.

  Choosing from an exceptional menu, Ryan opted for the traditional rib-eye steak with sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes. The tablespoon of Roquefort cheese added a tangy flavor of spice to his steak. A half hour after the dishes were cleared, the bachelor party’s guests either went home to their wives or joined Dylan in the lounge. Ryan remained at the table with Britt and Kevin.

  “A great night. Good company and tasty food.” Kevin swallowed the last of his beer.

  “And Cara will be pleased you’re not going home with lipstick on your face and a pair of lacy underwear tucked in your pocket.” Ryan chuckled, pushing back his chair. “I have to find Dylan and get home to walk Hershey.”

  “Good luck prying Dylan from the blond in the lounge.” Nathan returned to the table. “Did he drive?”

  “No, I had a feeling his evening would end with booze and women.” Ryan shrugged. “My truck is in the shop until tomorrow. Sus
pecting tonight’s outcome, I wouldn’t let Dylan drive, so we took a taxi. I’ll catch a cab home.”

  “I can drop you off after Kevin,” Nathan offered.

  While Ryan didn’t dislike Nathan as much as his initial gut reaction, he still didn’t like the way the guy hovered around Britt. “I live across town. I don’t want you to go to the trouble.”

  “I’ll drive you home.” Britt stood and slung her purse over her arm. She glanced around the table of quiet stares. “What? Ryan’s house is on my way.”

  “Umm…sure. Thank you.” Ryan wanted to kiss his woman-chasing brother for scoring him a ride home with Britt. “I’ll let Dylan know we’re leaving then meet you by the door.” He said goodbye to Kevin and Dylan before joining Britt. They walked in silence to her car and once inside, Ryan advised her of his residence. “I really appreciate the drive home, but I’m not staying at Dylan’s tonight.”

  “Oh?” She turned, eyes wide.

  “I live on Loon Lake.” He nodded.

  “I wasn’t in your house yesterday? The one in complete disarray?”

  “Good heavens, no. I’ve been staying with Dylan until the utilities and plumbing at my place were done. I should have told you. I’m sorry.” He reached for the door handle. “I’ll grab a cab.”

  Britt placed her hand on his shoulder. “That’s okay. Loon Lake is actually closer to my place.”

  Yes! Ryan pulled the seatbelt over his chest, grinning from ear-to-ear. He hadn’t been able to talk much with Britt at the party tonight. To have this alone time would end a perfect day.

  ****

  What happened to avoiding Ryan? Britt didn’t listen to her head. The words of offering a ride home fell out of her mouth before she thought. At least, she learned he didn’t live in the untidy house. She should have known. The house had Dylan written all over it.

  The drive to Ryan’s house was quite pleasant. They chatted about music. Their tastes were quite similar. He enjoyed the classic oldies, older rock, and some country. She laughed when she told him of her music collection containing Elvis and The Rolling Stones. Arriving at his house meant their time together was over, causing disappointment to settle in her stomach.