What If It's Love: A Small Town Romance (Serendipity Series Book 2) Read online

  He envisioned trailing kisses down her neck and over her shoulders, which were bare except for the small spaghetti straps holding the dress in place. He licked his lips, resisting the urge to act on the thoughts running through his traitorous mind, and tried to come up with any words that wouldn’t send her running in the opposite direction.

  Justice quickly glanced away, returning her focus to the papers in her hand as she closed the distance between them. “They’ll bring you all out on stage together to give the ladies an opportunity to see who’s up for bid...”

  Her lips were moving, but all he could think about was kissing her again. The desire to re-live the most rock-him-to-his-core kiss he'd ever shared with another person was so strong it consumed every inch of his being.

  “You will be up after Bo Flannigan. Quinn will give you your cue. Just listen and be sure you’re ready.”

  He focused on her mouth, tried to hear what she was saying. Big mistake. Her lips were stained a lovely shade of dark red. He wouldn’t mind sporting that particular piece of evidence, though it probably wouldn’t work to his advantage on stage.

  “Are you even listening to me?” Her hands fell to her sides, papers wrinkled in her grasp.

  “I want to kiss you again.”

  Her eyes widened, and her breath caught. “What?”

  “I’m sorry, but it just keeps replaying in my mind.” He shifted his feet, then glanced away for a moment. Vulnerability wasn’t something he was comfortable with, but his brain and mouth weren’t really working together. “I really liked kissing you.”

  “I liked kissing you too, but one kiss is all there will be. Friends. That’s what we are. Nothing more, nothing less.” She returned to her checklist, cutting off his hopes of keeping the topic of the kiss fresh on her mind. When she snuck a quick glance at him, it gave him hope.

  She cleared her throat. A faint noise, but he’d picked up on it. “You’ll need to mingle among the crowd. Work the room.”

  “Work the room?”

  “Yes.” She glared at him. “Am I speaking a foreign language? Work the room. It will help loosen the ladies' pocket books.”

  The saltiness in her tone indicated how uncomfortable she was. It was nice to know he wasn’t the only one who felt out of sorts. “What would it take to convince you that we should just blow this whole thing off and talk about the big, pink elephant in the room?”

  She rubbed at her neck with a delicate hand as she looked around for an escape route. “There is no elephant. Single life…remember? It's what's in the cards for me.”

  “Doesn't have to be.”

  “Look, I’m barely keeping it together here. Don’t make this harder.”

  That’s when he looked past the dress, the makeup, and his unchecked inner hormonal teen with a one-track mind. He failed, but in the briefest moment when he could think beyond everything else, that’s when he saw it. The paleness to her skin. The fast shallow breaths that had nothing to do with him.

  “Let’s be honest with each other, Merrick. You’re not known for being real trusting of women, and if my luck with men is any indication of what my future holds, then things are better off as they are. I am not willing to ruin a friendship over a kiss.” Her cheeks flushed. “A great kiss but in the end it’s not worth the risk. I’m sorry.”

  She brushed past him. And his inner hormonal teen rushed back to the forefront of his mind, all other thoughts fleeing him save one….kiss her. It was laughable, how she was barely holding herself together and all he could think about was kissing her. Having a make-out session backstage. Worst-case scenario, she’d be mad and if the fair was any confirmation, her anger tempered her anxiety.

  Right, Merrick. Way to rationalize what you are about to do.

  He grabbed her wrist, gently drawing her to a stop. When her eyes met his, he could see the uncertainty in them. The fear of losing things that mattered. His gut twisted with those same fears.

  “Please don’t walk away.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Are things better this way? Up until yesterday at two fifteen in the afternoon, I would’ve agreed with you. But the moment our lips touched, something changed. Yes, it was supposed to be just a friendly kiss. But I think we can both agree it was much more.”

  There would be no going back for him. Now all he wanted was more of what he'd experienced with her. The sensation of truly being alive, the protectiveness that surged through him…it was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Even more reason he need to know if what he’d felt in those few moments was nothing more than a fluke. An incredible kiss shared by two people who spend entirely too much time together. A one-time experience he couldn't replicate.

  “I’m sorry.” The sadness in her eyes begged him to understand. “I have to go.”

  Without giving her any chance to escape, he pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers. He needed to know if every kiss with this woman would leave such an impression on his being. Would such a simple act leave him thinking about it for hours or even days on end?

  Her arms slid up around his neck, and she nibbled on his bottom lip. Their kiss deepened. He pulled her body closer until it aligned itself against his.

  Heaven help him.

  It was the same. No sound other than the rushing of his heartbeat. No sensation except where their mouths and bodies touched.

  When they separated, his heart pounded feverishly against his chest. Justice slowly blinked. The stunned look slowly faded. A little shaky on her heels. He held his hand out and gently grasped her waist to steady her. She blinked again, shook her head. “I’m sorry, Merrick...I have to get everyone ready.”

  And he stood, staring after her as she hurried away.

  “Well that was entertaining,” his sister said from behind him.

  “Not now, Quinn.”

  “Fine.” She moved up beside him and stared in the direction Justice went. “I just don't understand why you aren't chasing after her.”

  “What do you want me to do?” Merrick ran his hands through his hair and cleared his throat. “Make a scene? The last thing Justice needs is me adding to her troubles.”

  “Whatever you have to tell yourself, Romeo. But I know you, and you don't put yourself out there for women. Not like this. And here we are...two kisses in and both times, the world vanished for you.” Quinn bumped her shoulder against his. “While your lips were touching hers, she was the world. You my dear brother, have crossed the friend line. There is no putting out this fire. And knowing you like I do, there is also no going back.”

  “I'm in trouble.”

  “Yep.” Quinn laughed. “You most certainly are.”

  The hall was filled with twinkling lights and wall-to-wall people. The bachelor auction was in full swing, but Justice found herself distracted. Why did he kiss her like that? Twice. They were friends. Nothing more. She’d thought she was clear when she stated her desire to be single. Kisses between friends shouldn't feel soul-burning. They shouldn't leave every nerve in her body tingling. She shouldn’t still feel the giddiness and anticipation at the sight of him licking his lips. A kiss from a friend shouldn’t leave such a lasting mark.

  “Justice,” Quinn quietly prodded from the earpiece she was wearing. “Pay attention to the bidding.”

  “Sorry.” Justice regarded the man on stage and shook her head. If ever there was a man who should've been a quick bid, Bo Flannigan was it. But there was a small bidding war going on, and she couldn’t help the amusement that washed over her when she realized who was doing the bidding. Mary Cole, a seventy-five-year-old widow, was warring for Bo against Dana Johnson, a woman who was just slightly older. The bidding had reached three hundred dollars. Glad someone thought he was a prize. It would’ve been embarrassing if he’d stood up there with no bid offered. Something she didn’t wish on anyone, no matter how bad a date they were.

  “Do we have any other bids? No? Sold to Ms. Cole for three hundred dollars.”

  “Come on!” Bo objected. “So
meone else bid! Justice...help me.”

  “This is for charity, Bo. Surely you don’t want to make a scene.” She kept her voice low as she talked to him. She rotated toward the crowd. “Bidding is closed.”

  She was getting entirely too much amusement out of his misery. She would surely be punished for it in the afterlife. Maybe she should make a long overdue visit to the local chapel and ask for forgiveness. Her earpiece crackled.

  “Merrick is next.”

  She felt the blood drain from her face. A slight tremor made it’s way through her body, and she dropped the stack of index cards on the ground. She bent down to gather them, suddenly realizing she was the only one on stage and everyone was watching her. She stayed crouched down, eyes focused on the cards as she gathered them.

  “Hey,” Quinn’s voice softened. “We have to keep things moving. My brother's next.”

  She snuck a sideways glance across the stage, to where Merrick waited for his cue to move out onto the stage from behind the curtain. His gaze remained on her. A look of concern creasing his brow.

  Justice felt heat creeping into her cheeks. “I can't do this.”

  “Why not? You’ve been doing great all evening.”

  Her voice trembled. “I need a minute.”

  Without any further warning, she stood and fled the stage.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re going to take a short break. We’ll return in five minutes.” Quinn announced over the speakers. Justice could hear the echo of Quinn’s voice through the building as she ran down the hallway toward the bathroom.

  Within a few short minutes of her sliding the lock into place, a knock on the door followed by Kelsea's soft voice. “Hun, are you okay?”

  “I'm fine.”

  “You don't sound fine, and you definitely didn't look fine on stage before you ran like a jackrabbit.” Kelsea tried to open the door, but it was locked. “Come on. Open up.”

  Justice reached up and unlocked the door. She wiped the tears from her cheeks as Kelsea and Dakota squeezed into the small room. Dakota slid up onto the counter, and Kelsea opened the small window trying to make the room less stifling.

  “Talk to us.”

  “I looked like a fool up there.”

  “No one noticed the panic attack.” Dakota pulled a paper towel out of the dispenser and wet it before handing it to her. “What brought it on? You were doing so well.”

  “Merrick Hudson kissed me again before the auction.”

  “Yeah, we heard. The whole town heard.” Dakota’s amusement in evident. “Was it like last time?”

  “Oh yeah. Fire throughout my entire body.”

  “Good thing he’s a fireman.” Kelsea winked. “He can help put that out.”

  “You’re not funny.”

  “It kept you distracted enough that you didn’t focus on all the people in the room. I say if that puts your anxiety in check, that man should kiss you before every big public event.” Dakota beamed from ear to ear. “You know what you have to do?”

  “No.”

  “Bid on him.” Kelsea spoke the words she didn’t want to hear.

  “There is no way I'm bidding on Merrick Hudson.”

  “If you don't, someone else might be partaking in those soul burning kisses.” Kelsea said conspiratorially.

  Justice glared at her. “Someone else can have him.”

  “You don’t want that to happen. I mean, would you be able to live with yourself?”

  A knock on the doorframe interrupted the conversation and when Justice lifted her head, she saw Quinn standing there. “It's time to start. The natives are getting restless.”

  “I can't put your brother up for bidding.”

  “Why not?” Quinn knelt beside her. “He's going to fetch some good money for the Fireman's Fund.”

  Irritation and anger wove its way through her as she envisioned him kissing other women. She couldn’t stand up there and willingly auction him off to someone she knew.

  “You do it then,” Justice bit back.

  “Okay. Fine.” Quinn rose and started to walk away, but she returned and stuck her head around the doorframe. “If I do this though, I expect to hear you outbid every she-devil out there who wants to sink her claws into my brother.”

  “Wh—what?” Justice stammered.

  “He plays tough guy. Lives life on the edge. People like to say he's afraid of commitment, but he's not. You know what he’s afraid of?”

  Justice shook her head.

  “He’s afraid of the same things most people are. What will happen if he opens himself to trust and love someone whole-heartedly to only have his heart ripped from his chest? He fears never becoming more than what ninety percent of the people think he’s capable of. And he worries he’ll never be more than the trouble-making kid from the wrong side of the tracks.”

  Justice knew very little about Merrick’s past. She knew he’d been a teenager when Quinn’s parents adopted him. He’d been engaged once and it ended in the worst way possible. She knew only what he was willing to share. A story of a kid from the wrong side of the tracks who struggled to find his place in the world. It wasn't a full picture. There were plenty of details he kept to himself. Either way, it was the story of his past. Not the story of the future he was working so hard to achieve.

  “Not to add to your already declining emotional state, but his ex is here. If you care for my brother at all, please don’t let her bid on him and win.”

  The pleas of his sister tore at her heart. If Bella bid, she would risk her life savings to keep Merrick from enduring that fate. Because above all else, they were friends, and she knew enough to know having the woman who left him at the altar bid on him would be a crushing blow. She had to go back out there. Anger that Bella would show her face in Serendipity wound it’s way through her very being. Anger. She could use anger. Focus on it. Channel it. Use it to keep her own insecurities at bay. For Merrick, she could do this. She hoped.

  “I'll see what I can do.”

  “Merrick Hudson is up next, ladies.” His sister stood on the stage, walking around Merrick and showing him off. Enjoying every minute of his unease.

  “Where's Justice?” he whispered. “Is she alright?”

  “Focus, Merrick.” Quinn rested her hand on his shoulder. “A man of action and strength. He can whip up a mean pizza and pick the perfect beverage to pair with it. He loves adventures and cuddling by a campfire. This fine specimen is also a lieutenant with the local fire department. Get him while the getting is hot! Let's open the bidding.”

  “Fifty dollars,” Linda Olsen called out. He wrinkled his nose as he reflected on the memory of an unsuccessful date with a difficult and high-maintenance woman. She was not his type. It became clear within the first fifteen minutes of their dinner date.

  “Sixty.” A voice from the back...the Mayor's niece, Alicia DeLuca. She tore through men as though Serendipity had an endless supply. He'd not yet fallen into her tangled web, and he would be sure he never did. It was an easy task since she was a bit young for his tastes.

  “Sixty-five.” Kreed Bryant called out from just in front of the stage. Merrick laughed when Dakota elbowed him. “What? I could use some help with building the shop.”

  “Ooh, good idea.” Dakota paused, her brow creasing before she called out “Eighty-five.”

  Glad his friends were all having fun at his expense. He snuck a glance toward the side of the stage. No Justice. “Where is she?”

  “She’s fine. You have a job to do right now, so focus,” Quinn whispered.

  “I'll pay six-hundred for him.”

  The familiar voice caused Merrick's head to jerk back as though he’d been slapped. The lights in the hall were dim as most of the bright lights were focused on the stage. Wincing, he peered out into the crowd. Off to the side stood the last woman on earth he wanted to be auctioned off to.

  Everyone looked around, some recognizing the woman who'd just invaded their little town. Dakota, who happened to be standi
ng near the woman, gave her a long stare, a look of annoyance creasing her delicate features. “And you are here because?”

  “I’m his fiancée.” Bella moved a little further into the room.

  The whole place let out an audible gasp. He did not want this woman to win, but only one person knew his full history with the woman who'd just upped the stakes and his sister who was in no position to stop a Marcone from getting what they wanted. He wondered if he could bid on himself as he swallowed the lump in his throat.

  “Ex-fiancé if we’re being honest.” Kelsea stood, arms crossed, death stare fiercely focused on Bella. “Eight hundred.”

  “Wedding ring on your finger says you won’t be paying for Mr. Hudson.” Bella held her head with her chin level, confident in her assessment of the situation.

  Chase moved up beside his wife and draped his arm around her shoulder. “I back my wife’s bet.”

  “Whatever. I’ll play your stupid little game.” Bella rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Eight hundred and fifty to close the bidding.”

  “A thousand dollars.” A soft trembling voice called out. He knew the voice well.

  “Now we’re talking, ladies and gents. Go big or go home!” His sister called out from beside him. She covered the microphone and leaned close to him. “You can breathe.”

  “I don't see how this is going to end well. I’d have better luck handling Bella on my own.”

  “Because you’ve done such an excellent job up until now. Can you just trust me?” Quinn uncovered the mic and played it up for the crowd. “We have a new bidder.”

  The stage light found Justice in the sea of people. The room went into a roar of thunderous applause, getting behind the hometown girl. All the color drained from her face, and she swayed on her heels.