Chapter 6
6
KAISEN
I stood in the laundry room of the mansion I’d rented for the next month, scrubbing strawberry icing out of my shirt with more force than necessary.
I didn’t know why I was bothering. It didn’t matter. I could just buy a new shirt. I wasn’t entirely sure where my shirts went after I put them in the laundry. Back home, I had a housekeeper that handled my dirty clothes. I was sure she sent the stuff to the cleaners.
Probably.
I tossed the shirt into the washing machine and stomped up to the master bedroom to change. The place was nice—tasteful, historic, and way too big for one person. But it was Cape May, and if I was going to be stuck here for the next four weeks, I might as well do it in style.
The house had a certain charm, with its wide porches, ocean views, and enough room to host a small army. Which, unfortunately, I’d be doing soon enough. Bridal showers, game nights, and whatever other pre-wedding nonsense Cullen and Eliza had dreamed up.
And that meant Dorie would be here. In this house. My space.
The thought made my stomach twist in a way I didn’t want to examine too closely. Especially after today. That moment in the bakery—the way she’d licked icing off her finger—had rewired my brain. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. About her. It was infuriating.
My suitcase was sitting on the bed waiting to be unpacked. I unzipped it and pulled on a T-shirt. I heard my phone vibrating on the dresser.
I grabbed it and saw Cullen’s name on the screen.
“Hey,” I answered. “You on your way?”
“About that,” Cullen said, his voice sheepish.
I already knew what was coming. “Oh, don’t you dare.”
“Eliza and I decided to do a little road trip. You know, make it romantic. We’re renting a cute little bungalow near the water. We’ll be there Monday or Tuesday.”
I groaned, running a hand through my hair. “So, what? I’m just supposed to sit here in this massive house by myself until then?”
“Pretty much,” Cullen said, laughing. “Although you can sit wherever you want, technically.”
“Guys,” I sighed. “I could have stayed in the city.”
“You’re on vacation. Relax. Enjoy the beach. Have a drink and stare stoically at the sea. Oh, and can you do me a huge favor?”
“Absolutely not,” I said sulkily.
“Can you check out the venue on Monday? And meet with the wedding planner? Eliza and I won’t be there in time, and we need someone to finalize some details. The planner has to do it on Monday.”
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “It is so hard to be your friend right now.”
“That’s why you’re the best man,” Cullen said with a laugh. “’Cause you’re the best, man.”
“You should give a toast for me at your reception,” I said, shaking my head.
Eliza’s voice echoed through the phone. “Don’t worry. Dorie will be there, too. Be nice! Thank you! We love you soooo much, K!”
I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Yeah, yeah. Put it in the toast. Enjoy your trip. Just a reminder, you typically take a honeymoon after the wedding—not before.”
With a chuckle, I hung up and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. My typical schedule was in shambles. I was supposed to be on vacation, helping Cullen with his wedding, not sitting alone in a massive house with nothing to do. The thought made me restless.
Of course, they’d bail last minute and leave me to deal with their wedding nonsense. Typical. I should’ve known better than to agree to be best man. I wasn’t exactly the kind of guy who thrived on wedding planning or floral arrangements or whatever else was on the agenda for Monday. What was the meeting even about?
I headed back downstairs to see if the property manager had filled the fridge with my requested snacks and beer. I had paid her an extra hundred to make it happen. The woman was as good as gold.
I opened the fridge and stared at the IPA beer I requested along with the Pellegrino. Yogurt, cheese, and a fruit tray. I grabbed a Pellegrino and the fruit tray and went out to the back porch, where a set of wicker chairs faced the ocean. The sun was beginning to set behind me, casting a golden glow over the water. I sank into one of the chairs, popping open the bottle and taking a long sip. The salty breeze swept across the porch, carrying with it the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore. It was peaceful, sure, but also lonely.
I grabbed a slice of pineapple from the tray, chewing it slowly as I stared out at the horizon. I contemplated my mood. Was I lonely? I had never imagined myself being lonely. I liked being alone. But I wasn’t going to deny there was a feeling happening. I’d felt it since Cullen announced he was going to ask Eliza to marry him. He loved her. I never realized just how much love could change a man. Cullen was so happy with Eliza. I didn’t have to question that because Cullen never shut up about it.
My mind wandered back to Dorie. Her exasperated expression when she tossed icing at me, her cheeks flushed with frustration—or was it something else? And then that moment, that stupid, infuriating moment when she’d wiped icing off her finger and licked it. I couldn’t get it out of my head.
The fantasies that simple gesture conjured up were not safe for work.
“Get a grip,” I muttered to myself.
I took another drink and stared out at the water. With my traveling today, I didn’t have time to go for a run this morning. Now seemed like the perfect time to do that. Especially after the cake-testing. I wasn’t a health nut, but I did try to stay in good shape.
I decided to go. It wasn’t like I had anything else to do. I changed into my running gear and headed out, the cool evening air making for a comfortable evening. I ran hard, pushing myself until my legs burned and my lungs ached. I reached the downtown area and slowed to a walk. That was when I saw her.
Dorie .
She was exiting a yoga studio with another woman, both of them laughing about something. Dorie was wearing tight-fitting yoga pants and a tank top, her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. She looked incredible. And for a moment, I couldn’t hide the shock—or the hunger—I felt.
She spotted me before I could school my expression. Her smile faltered. “Hey,” she said.
“Hey,” I choked out, my voice coming out rougher than I intended. It didn’t help that I was still breathing hard.
“Hi,” the other woman said. “I’m also standing here.”
“Annie, this is Kaisen. He’s Cullen’s best man. He’s in town…” She trailed off. “Are you just in town for the weekend?”
I grinned. “For the month.”
“Oh, joy,” she muttered.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said with a nod at Annie. “Don’t let her reaction give you the wrong impression. Most people enjoy my company.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Annie grinned. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
I couldn’t help but smirk. “Have you? What has Dorie been saying about me?”
“Eliza will be here tonight,” Dorie said, cutting in. “And we’ll be getting lunch tomorrow. Then a venue walkthrough on Monday.”
“Actually, no,” I said.
“No what?” Dorie frowned.
“They aren’t coming tonight. They called and said they’re taking a romantic drive, renting a bungalow or some kind of love nest. Sounds like they won’t be coming up for air until later next week.”
Dorie smiled and shook her head. “Of course. That’s what love will do for you.”
Her reaction was very different than mine. She was acting like it was no big deal. Like she expected it.
“I’ve got to get home and start dinner for the kids,” Annie said. “I’ll see you around, Dorie. Kaisen, maybe I’ll run into you later.” She waved as she walked away.
That left Dorie and me standing on the sidewalk.
“Have you been telling everyone I bumped into you?” I asked.
She crossed her arms over her chest, looking me up and down. “People need to know there’s a new menace around town.”
“Menace is a strong word.”
“I see you’re running again, which only proves my point.”
“What’s wrong with running, assuming I don’t knock a pretty girl into the bushes?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t try to butter me up. And there’s nothing wrong with running on its own. It’s just when people do it recklessly?—”
“Recklessly?!” he interrupted. “Come on. I was just jogging in the park.”
“I’m just calling it like I see it.” She shrugged. “Well, I should get going.”
She turned to leave, and before I could stop myself, I called out to her. “Dorie.”
She paused, glancing back at me. “Yeah?”
“Do you want to get a drink?”
The words surprised me as much as they surprised her. Her eyes widened, and she looked down at herself, suddenly self-conscious in her yoga clothes. “I, uh… I have an early start tomorrow. Saturdays are the busiest days at the bakery.”
Did she just turn me down?
“I see.”
“I’ll see you around,” she said and turned on her heel.
I frowned, watching as she walked away. No one had ever turned me down before.
I stood there for a moment, feeling oddly off-balance. What was happening? This felt weird.
I shook my head and started walking.
“Damn, K, you’re losing your touch.”
I started a slow jog and then increased my speed. The rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement was steady, but my thoughts were anything but. Dorie’s rejection—if you could even call it that—lingered in my mind like a bad aftertaste. I wasn’t used to this. I wasn’t used to feeling unsure.
Was it the wedding? The sudden shift in life? Or was it just her?
I pushed harder, my lungs burning as I sprinted down the empty street. It was fully dark now. Streetlights guided the way, casting shadows across the pavement. I didn’t stop until I was back at the house, sweat dripping down my face and my shirt clinging to my chest.
I walked into the bathroom on the bottom floor and washed my face. I needed a shower, but first, I was going to have that drink. Even if it was alone. I grabbed an IPA from the fridge and took a long swig.
The house felt even bigger and emptier. I took another long drink and started upstairs. What a wild Friday night. This was a first for me. All because that woman shot me down. I didn’t know why I even asked her out for a drink. I couldn’t stand her and she hated me.
I reached the landing at the top of the stairs and paused, leaning against the railing. I took another sip of the beer, the bitterness sharp on my tongue, and let out a long breath.
I didn’t hate her. That was the problem, wasn’t it? If I hated her, this wouldn’t feel so complicated. The way she looked at me like she could see straight through all my bullshit—that got under my skin. And for some reason, I couldn’t shake it.
Dorie Blake was going to be the death of me.