“Kinda cool, being able to travel around like that,” Ben commented with more than a hint of envy. “You get sick of one place, you just pack up and check out somewhere else.”
Lauren had done that, leaving a quiet Philadelphia neighborhood for the sparkling Big Apple she’d always longed to explore. In the end, she’d discovered it wasn’t where you were that mattered. It was who you were with. “It’s not as fun as it sounds. If you’re not with the right person, you could be living in a castle, and it’s still awful.”
As he handed over the sandwiches, Ben frowned. “You sound like someone who has some personal experience with castles.”
And princes, Lauren added silently. The problem was, the ones she kissed kept turning into frogs, instead of the other way around. She used to believe there was someone for everyone, but lately she couldn’t help wondering if that philosophy needed some fine-tuning. “Let’s just say I’ve done my time in the tower and I’m not in a hurry to go back.”
Her attempt at humor had the effect she was after, and he grinned. “Rapunzel. Ever since she saw the movie, my niece Allie is crazy about that story. She always says if that was her, she’d never have let them put her up there in the first place.”
“Good for her,” Lauren approved. “I wish I’d thought of that.”
He gave her an encouraging smile. “We all make mistakes, Lauren. It’s what we do afterward that really counts.”
The simple wisdom in his words touched her deeply. In the brief time she’d known him, she’d gotten more warmth and understanding from him than she had in a year with Jeremy. If only she’d known more guys like Ben, she might have caught on to Jeremy’s scheme in time to save herself a lot of heartache.
Shoving the past into the back of her mind for now, she closed the fridge and smiled up at Ben. “Thanks for your help. I should get back down there to help Julia set up for the party.”
He cocked his head like he’d just heard something unusual. “You don’t sound thrilled with that.”
“Well,” she hedged then decided she might as well come clean. “I’m not used to kids, so I’m not sure what to expect.”
“You’ll do fine,” he assured her with a confidence she wished she could tap into. “Kids love making Easter eggs and eating snacks, so there’s not much for you to do except make sure they don’t dye their friend’s hair purple or something.”
“You almost make it sound like fun,” she said as they went back through the apartment.
“It is if you let it be. Like most things, if you let it feel like a chore, then it’s no fun at all.” Pausing beside Julia’s enormous dollhouse, he made a face. “Like this beast. Nick wanted it to be a Christmas Eve surprise, so he shanghaied me to put it together and bring it up here while Julia was gone. Not my favorite kinda job, but since it was for her, I went along.”
“She absolutely adores it,” Lauren told him sincerely. “It was really nice of you to help out.”
“Well, I couldn’t leave Nick to do it himself. He doesn’t know a screwdriver from an impact wrench.”
Neither did Lauren, but she kept that to herself as they went back downstairs. Closing the door behind them, she looked up into those bright blue eyes as they crinkled in a smile. For her, she realized. He was trying to build up her confidence, to drive away some of the uncertainty that had dogged her every step since leaving New York. Who did that for a stranger? she wondered. She’d given him no encouragement whatsoever, and yet he’d still been so kind to her, she couldn’t help wanting to spend more time with him.
Bad idea. Very, very bad.
“Thanks for the advice about the kids,” she said politely. “Have a good day.”
“You, too, princess.”
With that, he sent Julia a quick wave and headed for the door. Lauren tried not to stare after him, really she did. But she couldn’t help herself, and was mortified to realize she was still watching him when Julia glided up next to her and bumped her shoulder.
“Earth to Lauren.”
“Hmm?” Her old friend laughed, and Lauren realized she’d been set up by a pro. Glaring over, she asked, “What were you thinking, tossing us together that way?”
“That you need to meet a nice guy who would treat you the way you deserve.” Nodding at the view outside the front window, she added, “I think Ben fits the bill nicely, don’t you?”
She wanted to deny it, but that would be transparently stupid, so she shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Oh, come on! There’s not a single woman within a hundred miles who wouldn’t kill for the kind of attention you’ve gotten from him today.”
“I’m sure,” Lauren replied primly. “He looks like the cheerleader type.”
“You were a cheerleader,” Julia pointed out, blue eyes twinkling merrily. “I think you two look fabulous together, but there’s more to it than that. He’s a real sweetheart, and you could use some of that in your life. You don’t have to marry him or anything. I was just hoping you two might hit it off and enjoy spending some time together while you’re here.”
“But when you get back from your honeymoon, I’m leaving,” Lauren reminded her.
Julia responded with a cryptic smile. “We’ll see. I came for a two-week vacation and realized this is where I was meant to be. Maybe you’ll do the same.”
“I’m not sure where I belong, but it’s certainly not here.”
“We’ll see,” her friend repeated, going to the door when the bells above it announced the first of their egg-coloring guests.
Lauren was a little baffled by her debate with Julia, but one thing was certain. She had no intention of getting attached to this tiny fishing village or the very appealing Ben Thomas. She’d left behind the life she’d once been convinced she wanted, and she simply didn’t have the heart to open herself up for any more disappointment.
As she crossed into the crafts section of Toyland, she saw there were about ten kids of various ages scattered around while a handful of parents clustered near the coffee and Danishes Julia had set up for them. The boss was her usual brilliant self, chatting up parents and kids with equal enthusiasm. At a loss for what to do, Lauren took a few minutes to assess the situation before jumping in.
To her surprise, a little girl in a pink T-shirt and denim capris approached her. Giving Lauren a quick once-over, she offered up an adorable gap-toothed grin. “You look like you need a friend.”
If this had been an adult, the forthright manner would have startled Lauren. Since she towered over her greeter, though, it was just cute. Hunkering down, she offered her hand. “You can never have too many friends. My name’s Lauren.”
With a firm shake, the girl said, “I’m Hannah Martin. Julia’s going to be my aunt soon.”
Julia gushed about the Martin family, so Lauren felt as if she knew them already. “I hear you’re going to be the flower girl at their wedding. Are you excited?”
“Very. It’s an important job, and I have to do it right. Mommy and Julia took me shopping in Portland to buy me a special dress and fancy white shoes. They’re beautiful,” she added with a dreamy sigh.
Lauren smiled as her memory flipped back to her own childhood, playing princesses with her sisters. What little girl didn’t like dressing up for make-believe? “Are you carrying a basket or a bouquet?”
“Both,” Hannah informed her proudly. “I have to toss rose petals out of the basket, but I get to hold