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“I suppose you’re right. It’s just a lot for a young man to take on himself.”

“But he did and, honestly, Mom, it’s not a chore to Tate.” The bell situated at the shop’s door tinkled, and Kelly was grateful for the interruption. “Looks like we’ve got a customer. Can you please see what they want? I need to send an email to Macy, then I’ll be right out. I need to get started on these flowers for the wedding this weekend.”

The twinge of guilt for sending the email without talking to Tate about it was swept aside as a warm glow settled in her stomach. There were some things she wouldn’t tell her mom, like the weekend where she and Tate would be alone in a hotel room with a big bed.

She couldn’t wait.

Chapter Fourteen

Anticipation fired throughKelly as she waited at the bar for Tate to arrive. He’d texted her to say he’d be there in about forty minutes and wanted to meet her for a drink. She had expected that he’d want to go up to the room to dump his stuff, but maybe it was better they started the weekend off casually with a drink before they went up to the hotel room.

When she’d checked in, she’d been surprised at the size of their accommodations. It was more a suite than a standard hotel room. Tears had welled in her eyes when she spied the beautiful flower arrangement on the coffee table in the sitting area. Tate’s message to her had been short and sweet.

I can’t wait to spend time with you. Txxx

“Hey, beautiful, can I join you?”

The voice over her shoulder was familiar, and the hairs on her arms rose, like she had a million ants crawling over her skin.

Kelly swiveled her chair and came face to face with her past. “Hello, Edwin. And, no you can’t join me.”

Ignoring her, Edwin slipped onto the stool she’d been saving for Tate. “Oh, come on, Kel-Bell, don’t be like that. Surely, enough time has passed for you to let go of your bitterness about our breakup.”

Kelly clenched her fists at her side, controlling the desire to pick up her glass and toss the remainder of her wine in his face. At the time, she thought his nickname for her cute. Now it grated on her every nerve ending. “I haven’t allowed myself to think about you over the last couple of years. Though I’m surprised you’re allowed out. Or are you on the prowl again for another woman to join your little wives club?”

“Are you interested? Are you lonely, Kelly, and that’s why you’re sitting at the bar all by yourself?”

Dammit, she’d walked right into that.

“As if,” she scoffed. “And no, I’m not lonely. I’m waiting for someone.”

“And that someone is here, so I suggest you leave Kelly alone and go hit on some other woman.”

Relief swept through her. She slid off the stool, and in two seconds, she was by his side. “Tate,” she murmured as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed her body fully against him and captured his lips.

Tate’s hands gripped her waist tightly, and he angled his head, deepening the kiss as if he was as starving for a taste of her as she was for him.

“If this is for my benefit, it wasn’t necessary. I did enjoy the show though.”

Pressed up against him, she knew the moment Tate’s whole body tightened. The last thing she wanted was for him to get into a fight with Edwin. The guy wasn’t worth it. Plus, she needed to deal with this herself. Edwin was her past, not Tate’s.

“I’ve got this,” she muttered before turning to face her ex again. Even though she didn’t need it, having Tate behind her bolstered her confidence. “You’re such an ass, Edwin. What Tate and I have is a million times better than what we ever had. I’m with a real man now, not a guy who has to surround himself with ‘yes’ women to make himself feel important.”

Edwin’s face turned redder and redder with each word until it looked like he was about to explode. He got off his stool. “You were one of those women, Kelly. And if I do say so, you weren’t that great.”

“Enough.” Tate moved until he was standing toe to toe with Edwin. “I don’t know who the hell you are, but you don’t speak to Kelly, or any woman, that way.”

“What are you going to do about it? Hit me?” Edwin sneered and Kelly resisted the urge to do just that. It was what he deserved.

“Don’t tempt me,” Tate ground out.

How on earth had she thought Edwin attractive? Imagined he was the man who was going to be her future? Looking at him standing in front of her and Tate, he didn’t resemble the person she’d dated for more than a year. It was clear he’d been hiding his true nature, and she was now seeing it. Pity for his wife and any other woman who lived with him filled her, and as much as she’d like to tell them his real nature, in all likelihood they wouldn’t believe her. Or they already knew and were happy to stay with him.

“You’re not worth our time, Edwin.” Kelly placed her hand on Tate’s forearm, the muscle still hard beneath her touch, as if ready to spring into action if she said the word. “Let’s go, Tate.”

“You’re the type of person who gives men a bad name,” Tate said and slipped his arm around Kelly’s waist.

She welcomed his strength and warmth.