Setting the Stage for Love

Setting the Stage for Love, Copyright 2017 Roni Paitchel Denholtz

Published by Roni Paitchel Denholtz

Cover and Interior Layout: www.formatting4U.com

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Brooke thinks William is a friend, but he wants something more. Can a rescued cat help bring them together?

There was a stepladder nearby and when she indicated it, William obligingly dragged it over. She went up a few steps and easily rehung the curtain where it sagged.

She was conscious that he was behind her, holding the ladder steadily. She put one foot down on the next step, then the other. His arms surrounded her.

Her heart rate sped up.

Brooke turned. She was much shorter than William, but on the ladder, she stood slightly above him. She inched down another step. Their eyes met at the same level.

His gaze locked on hers.

Brooke felt zapped by an electric current.

Brooke! Connie’s voice interrupted the private moment.

William let go, and Brooke stepped down, until she reached the floor. Her head spun. The way William had looked at her, as if he wanted to kiss her…

She felt a little dazed. Because, for a moment, she had wanted him to kiss her.

ALSO BY RONI DENHOLTZ

Borrowing the Bride

A Taste of Romance

Salsa with Me

Marquis in a Minute

Negotiating Love

Somebody to Love

Lights of Love

DEDICATION

For My Nieces and Nephews, in birth order:

Eric Samuel Denholtz

David Joseph Silber

Tracy Lyn Denholtz

Lauren Gabrielle Silber

Melissa Beth Denholtz

Conner Ian Klein

Arielle Trina Klein

Natalie Hannah Paitchel

With love from Aunt Roni

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A big thank you to my editor, Gina Ardito

and my cover guru and formatter, Judi Fennell!

CHAPTER I

Brooke!

Brooke Perez stared at the man who had called out her name, barely able to keep her mouth from falling open in surprise.

She stood in the entryway of the home of her brother’s maybe-girlfriend, Nicole Vitarelli. Coming toward her with a familiar spring in his step was William Jenkins—her first serious boyfriend. An expression of astonishment spread over his face as he approached.

William? she squeaked as her heartbeat accelerated. It was wonderful to see him! Using the control her actress mother had taught her long ago, she automatically modulated her voice and repeated, William? in a softer, more even tone. She followed his name with a wide smile.

Hi, Brooke! His voice sounded full of enthusiasm. Jeremy, it’s great to see you again.

She barely registered her brother, Jeremy, passing the salad they’d brought to a pretty, dark-haired young woman, who stood in the foyer. William reached out and gave Brooke a huge hug.

When she pulled back, she couldn’t stop staring at him. William Jenkins! He looked hot!

His dark blond hair was shorter than it was in high school and college. His bluish-gray eyes and wide smile remained as dazzling as when he was younger. He seemed taller than she recalled, though. And despite the large New York Jets football sweatshirt he wore, it was evident his shoulders were even broader than they’d been when he was a youth. While he looked very much the same, there was a certain air of maturity surrounding him now. He was no longer a young, attractive guy, but a man fully grown, at ease with himself and the world. And really good-looking.

Something clicked on inside Brooke, like a stage spotlight highlighting a place that had lain dark for a long time.

…my sister Brooke… Jeremy’s words pierced her reverie. Stop gawking like a teenager, she ordered herself. But she couldn’t help the smile glued on her face.

I guess you two know each other? The dark-haired woman smiling at Jeremy transferred her gaze to Brooke and William. What a coincidence.

Yes. William and I knew each other in high school, Brooke said. He was my first major boyfriend.

How funny! the woman remarked.

Brooke forced herself to transfer her attention to the petite, pretty woman Jeremy was attracted to. He’d told her Nicole had a cooking series on the local cable TV station, and Jeremy helped out by appearing on her show, A Taste of Romance, which featured romantic dinners. Nicole and her sister lived across the street from Jeremy. Nicole’s sister was the other dark-haired woman in the room.

This is Nicole, Jeremy introduced. Brooke shook Nicole’s hand. And Nicole’s sister, Marla… Jeremy continued, waving at the woman who looked a lot like Nicole, but was slightly taller, and Marla’s friend, Scott. A dark-haired guy sat near Marla. They stood and crowded around, shaking hands and exchanging greetings.

I’m so glad to meet you, Brooke said. She’d sort of badgered Jeremy to introduce her to Nicole. It had been a long time since she’d heard her younger brother sound so enthusiastic about a woman, and Brooke was eager to meet Nicole. Jeremy had told her the sisters were making dinner for several people, and it would be a great opportunity for her to get to meet Nicole at last. Somehow, he’d finagled an invitation for both of them. Now, here they were, with the simple salad they’d brought along. Even Brooke and Jeremy were capable of making that culinary contribution to dinner!

Have a seat, Nicole said to Brooke with a smile. I’ll just put this salad in the fridge.

Jeremy followed Nicole, and William drew Brooke to the couch. Wow, I can’t believe it. Nicole told me some more people were coming for dinner, but I didn’t know it was you and Jeremy. What a great surprise! They sat cozily close. How are you, Brooke?

Fine. How do you know Nicole? she asked.

I’m a videographer for the Morris County cable station, William replied. I’m assigned to Nicole’s cooking show, and every once in a while, I get a great home-cooked meal. I almost didn’t believe it when Jeremy appeared on the show. We barely had time to talk, so I was hoping next time to catch up with him and hear more about what you’re doing. This is even better--I get to see you in person!

Brooke took a deep breath. She felt as if she had stepped onto the stage and was now bathed in a rainbow of light. Which made no sense at all.

William had been her boyfriend—her first long term one—back in high school. She’d broken up with him amidst teenage confusion and upheaval. But after some time, they’d ended up casual friends. In college, they dated others and saw each other occasionally, but since then, they hadn’t really stayed in touch. The last time she’d seen him must have been six years ago, a brief and accidental encounter. He’d been with a woman she didn’t know, in a store in their hometown.

She didn’t want to think about all that now. She deliberately chose to concentrate on the present. And with that thought, an idea burst into her brain. William…an old friend. This was exactly what she needed at this point in her life. After that fiasco with Nate, she’d sworn off men. But maybe an old friend…

The last time I saw you, you were a redhead, William said, interrupting her train of thought. He cocked his head slightly. I like your natural color better.

Brooke grinned. She enjoyed changing her hair color to suit her mood, but for the last year had left it her naturally blond color, with an occasional highlight of blue or purple in the front. She wore it shorter than she used to and wondered what he thought of the style.

You look great, she said, deciding she’d feel more comfortable if the emphasis was on him and not her. How’s your family?

My sister teaches deaf children up in Sussex County, William said. My parents… He shrugged. They’re okay.

Familiar sympathy tugged at Brooke. His mother and father had both worked for large corporations for years. They often traveled, separately, leaving William and his older sister with various housekeepers. Both the kids had resented their parents’ total devotion to their jobs, feeling they came in second place in their parents’ lives, which was true, Brooke often observed. Although the Jenkinses were well off and their children had everything they needed, they weren’t there for them in the way her own parents were: at music concerts and play performances, at science exhibits and soccer games. Her parents ate dinner at home a large percentage of the time, despite their busy schedules.

My dad had some health issues and retired last year, William continued. He’s golfing a lot now, and I actually get to see him occasionally. I think he feels badly that he didn’t spend much time with us when we were younger, he confided, his voice dropping. My mom is still working, although she doesn’t travel as much as she used to. He shrugged again, but Brooke guessed from his tone he didn’t resent them as much as he did when he was younger.

Dinner’s almost ready, Nicole said, interrupting the moment.

Perhaps they’d have more time to talk about his family later.

She hoped he wouldn’t bring up hers. Brooke knew Jeremy hadn’t told Nicole about their famous family, preferring Nicole get to know him for himself. Before she could let William know not to say anything, he grasped her hand.

Her skin tingled where they touched and the tingling spread like wildfire from her hand, up her arm, and through her entire body, warming her from the roots of her hair to her toes.

Thanks for asking. His voice was husky, his expression warm. Everyone here calls me Will, by the way.

Will. She’d have to get used to that.

Brooke swallowed. I want to hear about your job, and how you’re doing, she said quickly as he pulled her to her feet. A change of subject might avoid the topic of the famous Perez family.

William was tall, and next to him, she felt small and unexpectedly feminine. As they followed Scott into the dining room, he talked about his job, doing video for the nearby county cable station. A lot of feature programs, he said, some hard news, and he enjoyed it. He’d worked in Boston, in Connecticut, and Maryland, but was happy to get the job in New Jersey and come back home.

I’m renting a small house in Roxbury with a friend of mine and planning to buy one soon. But enough about me, I want to hear about you.

Brooke felt torn. She wanted to hear more about him. On the other hand, her brother had engineered this gathering so she could meet Nicole. She hadn’t heard Jeremy so enthusiastic about any woman for ages, especially