Page 51 of Every Little Kiss
Liv looked over her shoulder, surprised to see Ford leaning on the railing of his deck, holding two cups of coffee. She was less surprised by the irritating tingles that started low in her belly. Surprise over her reaction to him had disappeared when she’d agreed to let some sweet-talking playboy distract her from her goal.
He was in nothing but a sleepy grin, yesterday’s scruff, and a pair of worn jeans that hung indecently low on his hips—as if he hadn’t bothered to button them. No shoes. No shirt. Just enough bedhead to make her wonder how warm his sheets still were. Which shouldn’t have her body humming. But it did. And that made her nervous.
“Sorry, breakfast for one,” she said, sticking half of the cupcake into her mouth, because if she was going to get that promotion, then she needed to come up with a plan B, and that didn’t include the man who’d ruined plan A.
“That’s a shame,” he said. “Because breakfast for two is so much more fun.”
“I don’t have time for fun.” She shoved the rest of the cupcake into her mouth, and it sank to the bottom of her belly with a thud. “But you enjoy your coffee.”
“While your cupcakes were a breakfast for one, this coffee here is poured and ready for two.”
“I’ve already got coffee.” She nudged the thermos with the toe of her boot.
“Mine is piping hot and doesn’t come with a screw top.”
He held up the mug, and Liv nearly moaned as the steam rose into the morning mist. Her mouth watered.
“Coffee is coffee,” she lied. “And mine won’t accidentally burn me.”
“Huh, you’re one of those grumpy-in-the-morning people,” he said, releasing double-barreled dimples. “Cute.”
“I’m not grumpy.” She was hurt. And felt foolish.
Liv knew better than to entrust her family’s future to somebody other than herself. Not that she’d completely handed over the reins to Ford like she had with Sam. But when Ford had presented her with a simple solution that could solve all her problems, she’d naively bought into it. And almost blew her chance at a dream job.
“Oh yeah?” He casually rested his forearm on the railing, then eyed her backpack. “Then you want to explain why you texted a message canceling today, only to sneak out with enough gear to hike Everest? Most guys would take that personally.” Bullseye stuck his head through the gaps in the railing and barked. “Bullseye agrees.”
“I’m not sneaking, and I’d tell you it isn’t personal, but that would be a lie. I’ve learned the hard way not to rely on people who make promises they can’t keep,” she said, sticking the remaining cupcake in her backpack and swinging it over her shoulder, the weight knocking her off balance. Or maybe that was the look of hurt in Ford’s eyes at her words.
“What does that mean?” he asked, his tone going crisp like the morning breeze.
“That I was so focused on step four, I almost forgot I had to master step three first.” And single moms with futures to secure had no time for distractions from fly-by-night heroes.
“Step three?”
“Making sure Paxton gets the childhood he deserves.” She had to clear her throat before she could continue. “I had a plan and a direction, and maybe it wasn’t as flashy as others, but it was a good one.” More important, it was obtainable. “Now I have a bunch of people counting on me to deliver an event I can’t possibly pull off, and a timeline that ensures whatever I do deliver will be a disappointment.”
Even saying the word had knots forming in her stomach.
“With this Wild West–themed ropes course, no one will be disappointed.”
“There won’t be a ropes course,” she said, looking up at him. “Not that my boss knows that. She’s still holding out hope that her faith in me wasn’t misplaced.”
And Liv knew exactly what that felt like.
Setting the mugs on the railing, Ford walked down the steps until his feet were in the sand and he was inches from Liv. “Why won’t there be a ropes course?”
“Because between crowd control and traffic control, there aren’t enough officers to run an event that complex.” Liv relayed the information she’d been told by Harvey at the Department of Community Development. “So if I want to still be in the running for my promotion, I need to simplify this event, get the forms down to city hall by five p.m., and make it exciting enough to bring the crowds.”
“A ropes course will bring the crowds, and it can be simple.” Ford looked down at his lack of attire, and Liv told herself not to notice how incredible he looked—or smelled. When that didn’t work, she turned to face the water. “Just give me five minutes to get dressed, and I can show you.”
When she didn’t answer, he touched her shoulder. “Five minutes, Liv, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
But he wasn’t just asking for her time. He was asking for her trust, and that was something she wasn’t sure she could give right then.
“Don’t worry about it.” She gave a shrug to show him how this big issue wasn’t all that big. “I work better alone.”
“You’d work faster with someone who has done these kinds of things before.” And although Liv was still watching the water lap against the shore, she could feel him move closer behind her. “Do you feel like you misplaced your trust in me?”
