Rider's Kiss

“You hide,” Reena answered as she finished off the cookie. “We both know that’s true.”

Okay, that was out of left field. “Huh?”

“You wear big clothes like armor, Victoria. It’s not because you’re hiding extra pounds, though. You just don’t want to be…noticed, I think.”

Victoria was getting increasingly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, so she tried to lighten the growing tension. “Is this the part where you offer to take me shopping? Like an intervention or something?”

Reena laughed. “No, you dork, but that’s not a bad idea. I keep telling you that if you would just let me help a little bit, you’d have men clamoring to go out with you.”

“Who says I want men clamoring?” A lie and they both knew it. “And who the hell has time? I have a business to run. Remember that little tidbit?”

“Plenty of career women have a personal life.” She quirked a brow in that regal way only Reena seemed to possess. “That’s no excuse. Try again.”

Victoria stiffened. “Maybe I like the way I look. Ever consider that?”

Reena’s bright blue eyes turned sympathetic. God, Victoria hated that look the most. She didn’t want sympathy. Sympathy was a useless emotion. She’d gotten plenty of it when her mother had passed away. It hadn’t brought her back, and it hadn’t lessened the pain. Sympathy sucked.

“If you did,” Reena went on, “then you wouldn’t constantly put yourself down.”

Victoria held up both in hands. “Fine, I surrender. I hate the way I look. My clothes practically scream boring, and my hair hasn’t been touched by an actual hairstylist in ages.” She held up a hand before Reena could say anything more on the subject. “But that’s not why you stopped by.”

Reena sighed and looked away. “No, it’s not.”

“You’re stalling,” she replied. “Out with it.”

Reena’s gaze connected with hers. “Rider is coming home.”

For a second, Victoria thought her heart had stopped beating. Like, shut down entirely. She couldn’t breathe. Rider? She hadn’t seen him since graduation. He’d picked up and left town a month later. Even though he hadn’t given her the time of day, even though he barely knew she existed, Victoria had missed him for weeks afterward.

Reena patted her on the back. “You okay?”

“Terrific. Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” Victoria did not want to get on the subject of Rider James. Reena was one of the few people in the world who knew the truth. She understood that Victoria had always carried a torch for Rider. She was also the only person who knew that the feelings were all one-sided.

Victoria quickly stood and busied herself with the dishes. “Is he coming home for a visit, or is it permanent?” She couldn’t help the hope that sprang up inside at the notion that maybe he was coming home for good.

“An extended visit,” Reena explained in a quiet voice. “He’

s opening a branch of his auto-detailing business here in town.” She paused. “Mom and Dad are thrilled. It’ll be nice to spend time with him.”

“Yes,” she said, knowing how much Reena missed her older brother. “I know how hard it was for you when he left.”

“We keep in touch. E-mail. Social networking sites. Text messages. We see each other on holidays and all that too. But it’s just not the same, you know? It’ll be nice to have him home longer than a few days.”

“I’ll bet.” She turned and kept her voice under control as she asked, “So, is that what you wanted to tell me?”

Reena sat back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t fool me, Victoria. I know you’re freaking out right now. Might as well admit it.”

Victoria slumped, admitting defeat. Reena was her best friend, after all. There was no way she could hide anything from her. “Okay, if you must know, then, yes, I’m freaking out. I haven’t seen him in…ten years. A lot has changed since then.” Victoria felt like a teenager all over again as she thought of seeing Rider. So much time had passed. What would he think of her? God, must she be so transparent whenever the man’s name was mentioned?

“I bet he’s missed you too.” Reena reached out and covered Victoria’s hand with hers. “More than you think, sweetie.”

Victoria snorted. “Right, because we were so close before he skipped town.” She shook her head. “No, whatever fascination I had for your brother is in the past. I’ve moved on. Besides, I’m sure he’s got some gorgeous woman stashed away somewhere.” Even the thought made Victoria slightly queasy. Then a thought struck. Would he be bringing her with him? Would Victoria have to watch him kiss another woman? Please, life couldn’t be that cruel.

Reena pulled her hand back. “Nope, no girlfriend. No wife either. He’s one hundred percent available.” She bobbed her eyebrows. “Interesting, don’t you think?”

Victoria tapped her fingers on the table. “It would be if he even knew I existed. Since he doesn’t, the point is moot.”

“Then why are you so nervous?” She pointed to Victoria’s spastic hand and said, “Always a dead giveaway.”