Katee Robert - In Bed with Mr. Wrong

Why did I let you convince me to do this? Brianne Nave grabbed the shirt shed discarded two minutes ago and held it up to her body as she looked in the mirror. It was the same plain pink shirt itd been the first time she considered it.

Her best friend, Avery, laughed on the other end of the phone line. Because youre the best friend a girl can have?

Which was the same argument she and their other best friend, Drew, had used to convince Bri to agree to this blind date in the first place. Drews brother was back in town for a few weeks on leave, and they were worried hed spend the whole time holed up doingwhatever it was they thought hed do. They hadnt exactly been clear on that.

She threw the shirt back on the bed and started to reach for the other shirt shed considered, only to realize it was also pink. Shed been waffling between two nearly identical shirts for the last fifteen minutes. I cant do this.

Sure you can.

Avery, I havent been on a date in God, she couldnt remember the last time. Maybe once in college?

Thats exactly why you need this. There was never a better time to get back on that horseor a better guy. Ryans a total sweetie.

She knew that. She knew all about him. Drew and Avery had said nothing but good things about Ryan since she met them a little over a year ago. He was a real-life hero, to hear them tell of it. A god among men. Throw in a brother as attractive as Drew, and she wasnt worried about him being a dud.

No, she was worried about him thinking she was a dud.

Hating the insecurity trying to take root in her stomach, she walked to Mr. Smiths fish tank and dropped in a few flakes of the fish food he liked so much. Ill only be gone a few hours. Not nearly long enough for him to get lonely. But

Its too late to worry about it now. Hes already on his way. So just take a deep breath, let go of whatever neurosis is circling that busy brain of yours, and have a good time.

Easier said than done. Hes leaving in two weeks. She dropped onto her mattress and reached for her boots. They were cute, not sexy, but shed rather sacrifice a little style than end the night in an ER because she slipped on ice.

Besides, she didnt exactly own any shoes that could be considered sexy.

You have to start somewhere. Its not like hes flying to the moon. Long-distance relationships work all the time.

You sound like youre already planning the wedding. Avery did that, though. She skipped adding two plus two and jumped straight to four. Drew, the towns sheriff and most eligible bachelor, wasnt much better.

There cant be a wedding at all unless you actually go on a date. She knew exactly what to say to cut right through Bris arguments. Because Bri wanted that lifethe husband, the kids, the white picket fence, the rootson a foundational level. Shed just never been courageous enough to take that first step.

Hadnt her childhood taught her better than to expect permanence? Nothing was ever concrete. Life took people awayforever, in the case of her parents. Shed gone through three foster homes before she finally landed in one that stuck, and while shed never been abused, there never seemed to be enough food to go around, never enough clothes to keep warm, always bigger kids who wouldnt hesitate to hurt her if she didnt hand over whatever it was they wanted at the time.

Back then, it was convenient to think that someday a Prince Charming would come along and theyd live happily ever after, but shed learned a long time ago that fairytales only existed in books.

A rumble of an engine had her rushing through her small house to the front window to peer through the sheer curtains. An SUV stood at the end of her walkway and the man getting out of the drivers seat could only be described as perfect. And women thought Drew was handsome? Oh my God, Avery, you didnt tell me he was gorgeous.

Dont be gross. Ryans like a brother to me.

She took in his square jaw and short dark hair andoh Lordthose shoulders. He looked like Clark Kent without the glasses You set me up with Superman.

Im not hearing this.

Hes here early. Who shows up for a blind date early? Bri looked down at her boring maxi skirt and sensible boots. She should have dressed in something racier, something that would make a man like that stand up and take notice. As it was, shed be lucky if he didnt ask to have pizza delivered to avoid being seen with her at any of the restaurants in town.

Unfortunately, shed probably already killed the ability to do racier. She shot a guilty look at the empty Oreo package visible through the doorway to the kitchen. When her neighbor Marcys cat had gone missing, shed invited the poor woman over to comfort her. Shed been so busy chatting, shed eaten half the package herself.

Maybe there was still time to change.

Hes a solider. They take that punctual stuff pretty seriously.

He was already halfway up the walkand answering the door in her bra might be racy, but it wasnt the kind of racy she wanted to aim for. She hurried into her bedroom and threw on the closest pink shirt. Hair up or down? Surely there was a hair band in this room somewhere?

Youre stressing yourself out. I can hear it.

I have to go. For better or worse, she had to open the door when he knocked. Bri moved back into the living room, shuffling to the window, needing another look at him. He was just as gorgeous now as hed been the first time. Crap.

Relax and have fun! Ill call you tomorrow.

She hung up her phone and realized she was sitting here, staring out the window, like some kind of freak. Bri dropped the curtain and backed up so quickly, she almost tripped over her end table.

Oh God, this is going to be a disaster.

At least he hadnt seen her watching him. She hoped. Even knowing he was a few steps away from the door, she still jumped when he pounded on it. You can do this. Its just one date. It doesnt matter if hes gorgeous. Hes a nice guy. Taking a deep breath that did absolutely nothing to fortify her, she opened the door.

Drews brother really did look like Superman. He had that amazing almost-too-perfect-to-be-real face going for him, and his eyes were the clear blue of a winters dayfar better than her murky-ocean color. He towered over her, the sheer size difference making her wonder what it would be like to be wrapped up in his arms.

She realized she was drinking him in like a cool glass of water on a summers day. He, however, didnt seem to be feeling the same overwhelming awe she was. He had an odd look on his face, as if he didnt know what to make of her.

Her stomach tied itself in knots as the truth hit her like a bucket of icy water. Shed seen the very same expression on the faces of her first foster parents. Theyd tried to tough it out, but their determination only lasted six months. That he might be judging her just as quickly hurt more than she dared admit.

Ryan. He held out his hand, apparently deciding that shaking was better thanwhatever the alternative on dates was. A kiss on the cheek? A hug?

She took his hand, wishing she didnt notice how warm it was despite their breath ghosting across the air between them. Bri.

Nice to meet you. He didnt smile, just continued looking at her with that odd look on his face.

You, too. God, she must really not be what hed expected. Had Drew painted him a picture of a sexy librarian, complete with pencil skirt and thigh-high stockings? Even on her best day, she couldnt measure up to those kinds of expectations.

Maybe it was best she didnt know what hed told Ryan.

She swallowed hard, hating the way her throat had tightened. I just need to grab my purse. And try to convince herself that she could do this. A minute alone to shore up the barriers shed built to protect herself would have to be enough.