Just Between Friends (O'Rourke Family 4) by Julianna Morris Read Free Book Online Page B

reception leftovers—into the refrigerator.
    “So?”
    “So it’s traditional to eat the top layer on the first anniversary. That’s why it isn’t cut at the reception. Your mother wrapped it very carefully to be sure it would keep.”
    “Oh.”
    Dylan had never paid much attention to wedding traditions,but it stood to reason that Katydid would know. He remembered her as a little girl, dressing up as a bride and begging him to play the groom. Until now he’d always refused—even as a child he’d never envisioned marrying a spoiled princess. The idea that he was now legally wed to the Douglas family heiress—the most spoiled princess of them all—was a little more than he could comprehend.
    “It’s great about Kane and Beth’s baby,” he said uncomfortably. “A girl. Kane is so proud I think he burst all the buttons on his shirt.”
    “I suppose you’d want a son.”
    “I don’t want either.”
    Kate looked appalled. “You don’t want children?”
    “Maybe someday, but we have the next year to survive before I can think about that.”
    Hurt filled her eyes and Dylan groaned. Things were harder now, awkward in a way they’d never been between them.
    “Yes, well…are you sure you don’t want the large bedroom?” she asked.
    The change of subject startled him, though it shouldn’t have. Their wedding had put an end to Kate’s dreams of love everlasting and family and babies. Maybe she’d feel better if she understood it wasn’t an end to those dreams, just a postponement. After they were divorced she could get married again and have a grand bash to put their garden ceremony to shame.
    “Katydid…I realize this has been hard for you,” Dylan said slowly. He might not be happy about getting talked into her scheme, but he still cared about her.
    “You don’t need to worry about me.”
    “I do worry. You haven’t been yourself all day. I know you’ve had ideas about love and everything going along with it, and your grandmother screwed that up. But it isn’t forever. You’ll be able to get back to doing whatever you want.”
    “I see.”
    When she didn’t say anything else, he shifted uneasily. “Well, I’m going to grab a shower and pull out some work. I’m putting together a proposal for the J.R. Hansmeir Building. Unless you want to shower first…?”
    “No, I’m going to read for a while.”
    Kate waited until Dylan was in the bathroom, with the water running. She sighed and glanced around her cozy little home.
    Dylan already had the plans drawn up to enlarge the carriage house living area, adding a second bathroom, a combination office and den, and another bedroom on the opposite end from hers. A bedroom he planned to use once his construction crew was done. She was surprised he hadn’t planned separate entrances or decided to build an entirely separate apartment.
    “I wish you knew what I want, Dylan,” Kate said softly. “I really do.”
    She curled up on the couch and lifted her novel. It was a tale of two lovers in medieval England, trapped by circumstances beyond their control. But tonight of all nights, it had no hope of holding her attention and after a while she put her head down on the cushion, staring into the empty fireplace. Here she was, sitting alone on her wedding night.
    A tear dripped down her cheek.
    This was really pathetic.
    A second tear joined the first.
    She could be honest with Dylan and explain everything, but that would send him running for the door so fast he’d be a blur on the way out. And on top of everything else she felt dreadful for the way she’d deceived him.
    The tears began falling so fast she couldn’t count them, and after a couple minutes she fled into her room.

Chapter Four
    D ylan stood in the shower and let cool water stream over him, wishing it could wash away memories of everything that had happened that day. But a river of ice water couldn’t make him forget the heated moment in the garden when he’d kissed his bride.
    “It