LITMIR.BIZ

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did you get into the house?”

      He hesitated a moment. “The door was open.”

      She shook her head. “I can’t believe I forgot to lock it.” She must have been so excited about trying on the skirt that it had completely slipped her mind.

      “I just walked right in.” He smiled. “I guess old habits die hard.”

      She knew her parents’ house had once been like a second home for Brock. His own home life had been less than ideal, according to her brother Tony. The tiny apartment he shared with his mother was in a seedy part of town, most of their furniture and clothes secondhand. His mother worked nights as a cocktail waitress, leaving Brock to fend for himself. Which was why he’d spent most of his time at the Talavera’s house.

      But that was over a dozen years ago. She found it a little odd that he had just walked right in and up the stairs to her bedroom. “What brings you to Seattle?”

      He hesitated a moment. “I came for the party.”

      “Oh.” She’d sent an invitation to his mother, asking her to pass it along to him, but hadn’t heard a word from either of them. “I never got your RSVP, so I just assumed you weren’t coming.”

      “I hope it’s not a problem.”

      “No, of course not…” The sound of voices emanating from the living room made her grab his arm. “It’s Mom and Dad! They can’t see you here.”

      His brow furrowed. “Why not?”

      She pulled him into her bedroom, then swung the door shut. “Because then they’ll know something is up. I’m throwing them a surprise anniversary party. If you suddenly show up after all these years, I know they’ll suspect something.”

      “Do you want me to climb out the window?”

      “You’ll break your neck if you do. I’m on the second floor. Just stay in here until the coast is clear.” A knock at the door made Kate jump.

      “Katie, can I come in?” Rose Talavera asked from the other side of the door.

      “Just a minute, Mom.” Kate whirled toward Brock. “Get under the bed!”

      “How about the closet?”

      “There’s no room in there.” She pushed him down toward the floor, then watched him scoot under the bed.

      Her father’s voice emanated from the hallway. “Why are you standing out here, Rose? Where’s Katie?”

      “She won’t let me in,” Rose replied.

      “Are you all right in there, Katie?” Sid Talavera called through the door.

      “I’m fine,” she shouted as she straightened the bed ruffle to conceal the six feet, two inches of male hiding underneath. Then she sat down on the edge of the mattress. “Come in.”

      The door opened and her mother and father entered the room. Sid was a building contractor, his burly frame a testament to his profession. Rose was a head shorter than her husband, with full, pink cheeks and a ready smile.

      Rose looked around the bedroom. “I thought I heard you talking to someone.”

      “Just myself.” Kate stood up and twirled around. “Thank you for fixing the skirt, Mom. It’s perfect.”

      Sid frowned. “It’s a little short, isn’t it?”

      Rose smiled. “So, some men like to see a bit of leg. What’s wrong with that?”

      “All I’m saying is that there’s not very much material there. And I don’t know why both of you have been so excited about this skirt. I was expecting to see sequins or something a little more dazzling.”

      “It’s subtle.” Rose reached out to brush at a small spot near the hem. “Men like subtle. And they like legs. It’s a good combination.”

      “I still say my Katie doesn’t need some magic skirt to win a man. They should be falling at her feet like flies.”

      Kate’s cheeks burned as she thought of the man currently laying in the proximity of her feet. She never should have told her parents about the skirt. Or it’s effect on men. But she couldn’t worry about that now. She had to find a way to get Brock out of the house without her parents seeing him.

      “Well, some men need a shove before they will fall,” Rose said, rising to her daughter’s defense. “And if the skirt can help give them that shove, what’s the harm?”

      Sid still didn’t look happy about it. “So what exactly are you planning to do, Katie? Stand around in shopping malls and cruise the aisles of Safeco field during a Mariners game looking for men?”

      “A Mariners game?” Rose shook her head. “Baseball season doesn’t even start for two months. I think she should strike while the skirt is hot. She’s been a bridesmaid in two weddings since Christmas, thanks to this skirt. Now it’s our Katie’s turn to be the bride.”

      “Don’t worry, Dad,” Kate assured him. “I don’t plan to go trolling for men. I’ve got one picked already.”

      Rose’s eyes widened. “Who is it? Do I know him? What does he do for a living? Does he come from a nice family?”

      Kate held up both hands. She’d already said more than enough. Certainly more than she wanted Brock Gannon to hear. “I know you’ll like him, Mom, but that’s all I’m going to say for now. He may not be interested in me.”

      “If that’s the case,” Sid replied, “then he’s too stupid to be my son-in-law.”

      “I need to change now,” Kate said, glancing at her watch.

      Sid and Rose moved toward the door. Her mother turned on her way out. “Let me wash that spot out of the skirt. I was making cannoli while I was mending it and must have spilled a little dab on the hem.”

      “That’s okay. I’ll take it with me and wash it out later. I’ve got to get back to work.”

      Rose looked disappointed. “I was hoping you could eat lunch with us.”

      “Sorry, Mom. There’s a big meeting of investment bankers scheduled later this afternoon and I need to check in and make sure everything is ready.”

      Sid rubbed his hands together. “So that means more cannoli for me.”

      Rose tutted under her breath as she followed her husband out of the room. “You get one cannoli, Sid Talavera. I mean it. And don’t try to sneak one past me like you did last time…” Her voice trailed off as they moved down the hallway.

      Kate walked over to the door and closed it. “Okay. You can come out now.”

      Brock slowly slid out from under the bed, his dark hair slightly tussled. “It’s been quite awhile since I’ve hidden under a girl’s bed.” He smiled. “Makes me feel seventeen again.”

      His smile made her stomach feel funny. “Glad to know I’m not your first.” She held out her hand to help him to his feet, her heart skittering at the way his big hand closed around her fingers.

      “Thanks,” he said, straightening to his full height.

      “You’re welcome,” she replied, automatically reaching up to brush the dust bunnies out of his hair.

      He took a step closer to Kate as her fingers rippled through the short, silky strands of his hair. She suddenly realized how intimate it was and drew her hand back as if she’d been burned. “Sorry.”

      “Me, too.” He said huskily. “I’m sorry you stopped.”

      She swallowed, then turned around. “I need to change clothes, then I’ll find a way to sneak you out of the house. Do you have hotel reservations somewhere?”

      “Every place I checked

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