Oh no. “What hunky guy?”
Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Oh please. The coffee shop was buzzing the other morning about your new guy.”
Kate grimaced. “Shit. What were they saying?”
“Only about how you’d picked up some awesomely hot, rich guy who might be named Bruce Wayne or Clark Kent because apparently he’s superhero material.”
Swallowing a groan, Kate gave up all pretense of trying to work, removed the costume, and waved Sabrina off the box. “I think I need a drink for this conversation. You want something?”
“I’ll take an orange soda if you’ve got one.” Sabrina hopped down, pulled on her jeans and T-shirt, and followed her to the kitchen. “So come on. Spill the beans. Who is he?”
“Well, I can tell you he’s not Clark Kent.” She pulled out a soda for Sabrina and grabbed a bottle of wine for herself. “His name’s Tyler Golden and he’s—”
“Holy shit! You’re dating one of Pennsylvania’s most eligible bachelors? Seriously? When—Where’d you meet him?”
“You know who Tyler is?”
Sabrina’s expression was classic exasperation. “Hell, yes. We studied the GoldenStar in my business class. My professor is a major fan.”
“And you probably got an A in that class, didn’t you?”
“Of course.”
Not a surprise. Sabrina had an incredible work ethic, probably because every cent she earned from modeling for Kate and working for Tracy’s Catering went toward paying for her education. She and her mom had been scrimping and saving pennies for years to send Sabrina, the oldest of eight, to college. She’d be the first in her family to attain a college degree. Hell, she’d been the first in her immediate family to get a high school diploma.
And, if Sabrina had her way, she’d be the first member of her family to own her own business.
When Kate didn’t respond right away, Sabrina prompted, “So, when did you meet him?”
“At a New Year’s Eve party, but we didn’t start dating until after Arnie and I broke up.”
Sabrina brushed that last hurried statement off with a wave of her hand. “No offense, Kate, but you and Arnie . . . That just wasn’t meant to be.”
She grimaced. “Did everyone think that way but just didn’t tell me?”
Sabrina’s raised eyebrows kept her grimace in place. “Would you have listened?”
“Alright, stupid question. Of course I wouldn’t have.”
“You came to the right decision in the end. Don’t sweat it now, sweetie.”
Kate hesitated before voicing the question she’d been dying to ask someone. “Have you seen Arnie lately?”
“Oh yeah.” Sabrina brushed off her concern. “He seems fine. You know Arnie. Nothing seems to rattle the guy.”
Guess she wasn’t that unforgettable, which was a shitty thing to think considering she’d broken up with him.
“Damn, there goes my mouth again.” It was Sabrina’s turn to grimace. “I’m sorry, Kate. That doesn’t mean he—”
“No, no. Stop. I’m being foolish. It’s been weeks. I’m glad he’s moved on.”
“So tell me more about this new relationship. What’s Tyler like?”
Kate smiled and tingled just thinking about him. Something she’d never done with Arnie. And there was that guilt again. “He’s smart and handsome and sexy and—”
The knock on her door made them start like teenagers caught talking about sex by their parents, which made them burst out laughing.
“Hold that thought.” Kate headed for the door and turned the knob. “I’ll be— Tyler!”
She had a bare moment to process the fact that he was there before he reached for her, one hand around her neck, the other on her hip, pulling her tight against him. His lips landed on hers and, in the next second, he was kissing the hell out of her.
After a brief moment of shock, she returned it, wrapping her arms around his neck and opening her mouth so he could slide his tongue against hers.
He felt so damn good and she’d missed him, so much more than she’d ever admit.
She forgot all about Sabrina, all about everything but the feel of him against her and how she responded.
Apparently, he felt damn happy to see her, if the ridge in his jeans was anything to go by.
He hadn’t even made it in the door yet and, without breaking the kiss, she tugged him through and closed it behind her.
Just before she could manage to climb him like a tree and embarrass the hell out of him, her, and Sabrina, she pulled away.
At least, as far as he’d let her get, which wasn’t far at all.
“Tyler—”
“I’m sorry for not calling first.”
His low tone made her body tighten in interesting places. “I’m glad you’re here. I’d like you to meet someone.”
His gaze immediately searched the room, spotting Sabrina.
He grimaced for a split second before wiping it away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to inter—”
“No, it’s okay. Really. Come say hello.”
Sabrina couldn’t quite hide her huge grin, and she jumped up from her chair to shake Tyler’s hand. “Hi. I’m Sabrina Rodriguez.”
“Tyler Golden. Nice to meet you.”
Kate put her arm around the girl and hugged her. “Sabrina models for me, but she’s a college student too and works for a caterer. She’s getting a degree in hotel-restaurant management, as a matter of fact.”
Tyler’s smile made Sabrina’s expression go slack. Jared had the reputation for being a lady-killer, but Tyler had just as much charm to spare.
“So which half of that major are you more interested in?” he asked.
Sabrina’s bubbly personality leaped at the question. “Oh, definitely the hotel. I just find there’s more to keep you busy with hotels.”
“Yeah, they can be a definite challenge.”
And there was definite stress in his voice. Kate looked up to search his expression. Nothing showed on his face, but his eyes looked exhausted.
“I don’t know if Kate told you, but my brother and I are opening a spa retreat locally and—”
“Yes! I know. It sounds amazing.” Sabrina’s enthusiastic response made Tyler smile, and Kate’s breath caught.
Wow. She’d never realized how easy it was to fall in love.
Guess it really did just take the right guy.
As Sabrina gushed about how excited she was about the spa and the economic opportunities it would bring to the area, Tyler encouraged her to give his human resources manager a call about a job.
And Kate dealt with the terrifying-electrifying sensation of knowing she could be totally destroyed by emotion.
Tyler liked Sabrina. He really did.
She was bright, bubbly, and had absolutely no artifice. And no filter. Whatever she was thinking came straight out of her mouth.
But right now, he wished she’d leave. As soon as possible.
He wanted Kate to himself.
It made his chest tight to think how easily he’d fallen for her. It hadn’t taken any effort at all.
Mia had required effort. And he felt like shit admitting that, even if it was only to himself.
But he refused to wallow in it. Mia was gone.
Kate was . . . his.
And he planned to prove it tonight. If he didn’t pass out first.
He hadn’t realized how god-awful tired he felt. He’d only slept about three or four hours a night this past week and it was catching up to him. Which sucked because he’d had big plans for tonight.
“Hey, Sabrina, do you mind if we finish this tomorrow?” Kate cut back into the conversation as Sabrina paused to take a breath.
The other girl didn’t seem at all put off by Kate’s suggestion. “No, of course not.”
And if her grin was anything to go by, Sabrina knew exactly why he and Kate wanted to be alone.
But he couldn’t let her leave without adding, “I was serious about you applying for a job, Sabrina. Can I let the HR guy know you’ll be in contact?”