Someone to Kiss Read online

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Epilogue

  More from Scotty Cade

  About the Author

  By Scotty Cade

  Visit Dreamspinner Press

  Copyright

  Someone to Kiss

  By Scotty Cade

  Dane McCormick’s job negotiating leases and building out furnished office suites takes him all over the country. He stays until the job is done—and then he moves on. As satisfying as the job is, it leaves him no place to call home and no chance to build a personal life. After arriving in Greenville, South Carolina, for a job, a severe stomach virus knocks Dane for a loop. He finds a local urgent care clinic… and a tall, dark, and handsome doctor who goes well above and beyond his duties to treat Dane. The doctor’s bedside manner makes Dane forget all about his stomach flu.

  Carter Baldridge has dedicated his life to caring for others. Since graduating from medical school, he has spent all his time and energy building his urgent care business. But the morning he steps into his examining room and sees Dane McCormick on the table, he realizes it might be time to devote some attention to a part of life he has neglected. The spark is there, but so is a major obstacle in the form of Dane’s peripatetic lifestyle and a bad experience in Carter’s past. Both have to decide if the risk is worth the reward.

  Every book I’ve ever written has a little bit of me between the pages, and this book is no exception. For many, New Year’s Eve can be a hard time, especially for those who are single or lonely. But for me it’s always been a night that signals new beginnings, with worlds of possibilities. No matter how great or lousy my year might have been, that night always felt like a clean slate, so to speak.

  Someone to Kiss is dedicated to the man to whom I committed on a New Year’s Eve long before we were able to marry—the same man I finally married four years ago—who has stuck with me through thick and thin and has always had my back. He takes on more and more so I can write and never complains. Kell, I love you with all my heart and soul. And I can’t wait to spend the next fifty New Year’s Eves with you.

  Acknowledgments

  AS ALWAYS, a very special thanks to my editor and friend, Andi Byassee, who never fails to bring my stories to life. Without her keen eye, sharp grammar, and total grasp of the English language, I’m pretty sure my stories would fall pretty flat. Thank you for always finding a way to say what I meant to say, but better. I treasure you!

  And one more special thanks to Reese Dante for this magnificent cover. Reese always seems to know what I want, even when I don’t. Her insight and talent speak for themselves in every cover she designs. Thank you for all the years of wonderful covers and, more importantly, your friendship.

  Prologue

  DANE MCCORMICK stood at the freight elevator on the loading dock with his clipboard in hand, checking off load after load of office and conference room furniture, boxes of computer and communications equipment, mirrors and artwork, and seemingly unending cases of decorative accessories.

  It was mid-December and almost four months since the build-out had started. Dane happily hummed along to Blake Shelton singing “Jingle Bell Rock” and even bounced to the beat a little. Holidays or not, he always seemed to be humming these days because he was, well, happy. Happier than he’d ever been. He and his boyfriend, Carter Baldridge, had been almost inseparable since their first date, and he was sure this was heading in a very good direction. They fit together like a hand and a glove. He was sure life couldn’t get much better.

  Although it was cold and drafty on the dock, Dane was warm to his core and giddy with excitement. The anticipation of the approaching festivities put an endless smile on his face, and he was so looking forward to spending Christmas and New Year’s with Carter. To Dane, this time of year had always represented family, but he and Carter had selfishly decided this was their time, and neither was going home. They would spend the holidays alone together. Their families were none too happy about it, but understood.

  In preparation, he and Carter had decorated two trees, one at each of their places, and shopped together for their families, even though neither had met the other’s. They knew it would happen eventually, so there was no rush.

  And if Carter and Christmas weren’t enough to almost make Dane pee his pants, New Year’s Eve was not far behind. Finally, he could start the new year with someone he loved. Someone to kiss at midnight. Midnight. The signal of new beginnings.

  The past four months had been so filled with joyous hope and endless possibilities that Dane could hardly stand it. But if all that personal happiness wasn’t enough, professionally this was always his favorite day of the entire build-out process. Today he got to start turning sixty empty, uninteresting offices into beautifully furnished office suites of various sizes, complete with ten conference rooms, a dozen secretarial stations, and a half-dozen kitchenettes. He would personally choose furnishings for each office, the common areas, and the conference rooms, hang all the artwork and mirrors, and place all the decorative accessories to finally bring his vision and plan to fruition.

  Blake Shelton’s voice drifted off, and Dane’s phone rang. He looked at the screen and smiled when a familiar face popped up.

  “Hey, Bill,” he said. “It’s awfully early to be hearing from you. It can’t be more than—” Dane looked at his watch. “—six fifteen on the West Coast?”

  Bill Crocker was Dane’s best friend, his boss, and the sole owner of Omni Office Suites. Bill worked out of their San Francisco office and rarely called him this early.

  “More importantly, how’s it going there?” Bill asked.

  “It’s going well. I should have this place shining like a diamond in a goat’s ass by the end of next week. Why?”

  “There’s been a change of plans,” Bill said.

  Dane felt a wave of dread. “What kind of change?”

  “For starters, the building that houses the Alexandria office was just sold, and the group who bought it is going to demolish it and the one next door to build fucking twin towers. We have six months to vacate. Got the official notice yesterday, and legal is working out all the lease issues. Trust me, we have an ironclad lease, and they will pay big for breaking it. But now we have to find new space, build it out, and get everyone moved in six months. Doable but a very tight schedule.”

  The waves of dread Dane had experienced at Bill’s earlier comment about “change of plans” turned into multiple tsunamis. “But Bill. We had a deal. I was gonna stay here and manage the Greenville facility for the next year and a half. I bought a condo and everything.”

  “I know. I know, Dane, and I’m sorry,” Bill said, sounding sympathetic. “But I wasn’t expecting this. Our lease in that building doesn’t expire for another four years.”

  “Shit,” Dane said under his breath. He knew it wasn’t Bill’s fault. This was his job, and there was no one else in the company who could do it except him or Bill. How could he go from ecstatic to devastated in less than a minute?

  “This might be a stupid question, but could you not take this one?” Dane asked. “I’ve been on the road and living out of extended-stay hotels for the last six years. I could use a break.”

  “Ordinarily yes,” Bill said. “But that leads me to the next part of my dilemma.”

  “Oh great. There’s more?”

  Bill continued. “Unfortunately there is. I was just offered an opportunity to acquire a small three-facility operation called Seattle Suites.”

  “Let me guess, they’re in Seattle?” Dane asked.

&n
bsp; “See. That’s why you’re my number one man. Anyway, it’s small but very profitable. The financials look great, but unfortunately all three buildings need a complete overhaul.”

  Dane rubbed the back of his neck. “Imagine that. Just my luck.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Never mind. Just me being dramatic. Go on.”

  “So I figured I would get Seattle started while you handle Alexandria, and then as soon as you’re finished in Virginia, you can head to Seattle to take over for me.”

  Dane felt weak in the knees, and he desperately needed to sit down.

  I’m gonna have to leave Carter for at least a year.

  “Is there any other way?” Dane asked looking around for any place to sit.

  “I’m afraid not,” Bill said. “You don’t sound like yourself, Dane. What’s up? Does this have anything to do with Carter?”

  Dane sat on an unopened box of telephone equipment, dread and anger building within him. “It sure the fuck does. You gave me at least a year and a half here, and Carter could be the one for me, Bill. But four months is just not long enough to ask him to close his practice and move across the country with me. So I guess you know what that means.”

  Dead silence on the other end of the line.

  “In case you don’t, it means I lose again.”

  Silence for a few more seconds. “I’m sorry, Dane,” Bill said at last. “If there was any other way. And don’t go thinking you’re gonna quit on me. I can’t do this without you, Dane.”

  Dane huffed. “Now you’re gonna guilt me into staying?”

  “I’ll do whatever the fuck I have to,” Bill said. “You’re my second-in-command, and besides that, you’re my best friend.”

  “Then why don’t you want me to be happy?”

  “Of course I want you to be happy. But all this just came up.” Bill sighed. “Okay. What if I pass on the Seattle Suites deal? Can you at least handle Alexandria?”

  Dane didn’t respond.

  “I can’t do it on my own, Dane, and I’m trying to meet you halfway. Please don’t leave me hanging.”

  Dane realized he was sounding like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. This was his job. It was what he’d signed on for, knowing the drawbacks and advantages. And besides, he owed Bill—a lot. Bill had literally saved his life. A life that even Dane himself, at the time, didn’t think was worth saving. You have to do this.

  Dane sighed. “I won’t leave you hanging,” he assured Bill. “And you don’t have to pass on the Seattle deal. We’ll get both done somehow.”

  “But what about Carter?” Bill asked.

  “I’ll do the best I can to explain it to him, and hopefully we can make it work.”

  “Dane, I….”

  “I know,” Dane said. “It’s okay.”

  “Look at the bright side,” Bill said.

  “What bright side?” Dane asked.

  “Alexandria is a half day’s drive from Greenville and an even shorter flight. You guys could go back and forth. I’ll even pay for the travel.”

  “Probably not gonna work,” Dane said. “And even if it did, that’s no way to grow a relationship. And what happens when I have to go to Seattle?”

  “That presents a bit of a bigger problem and will make things more difficult. I know that. But the company’s gonna buy your condo. Name your price. So that’s one less thing you have to worry about.”

  Ignoring the comment, Dane asked, “When do I have to be in Alexandria?”

  “The day after Christmas at the latest.”

  “Who’s gonna manage the Greenville office now?” Dane asked.

  “I’m promoting and moving an assistant manager out of the Atlanta office to Houston and relocating the Houston manager to Greenville.”

  “Fine.”

  “I’m really sorry, Dane—”

  Dane disconnected the call abruptly and cursed out loud this time. He looked at his phone and literally felt like slamming the damn thing to the ground and stomping on it. He’d finally found someone he wanted to be with, but fate had intervened. Dane rested his head in his hands. How am I gonna break the news to Carter?

  Chapter One

  CARTER STRUGGLED to keep his balance as he carried box after box of holiday decorations down the narrow attic stairs. He and Dane had spent the last couple of nights shopping for and decorating Christmas trees for both of their houses, and now Carter was putting out all the other decorations at his place to go with the tree.

  He felt like a kid as he opened all the boxes, delighting in things he’d forgotten he had and remembering special times with other things. Carter slowly peeled the tissue off of a foot-tall mechanical Santa dressed in a red velvet suit, and his heart filled with joy. He slid his finger up Santa’s back under the coat and pressed a button. Santa slurred, “Ho! Ho! Ho!” while he waved slowly with one hand and rubbed his big tummy with the other. Nothing a couple of new batteries can’t fix. This toy had been his favorite growing up, and his grandmother was kind enough to give it to him many years ago, along with most of her decorations. They were some of his most cherished possessions.

  A buzzing sound interrupted Carter’s reverie, and he ran to the kitchen to check the chicken in the rotisserie oven. I think another twenty minutes should do it. He closed the little oven door and ran back to the living room, hurrying as he knew Dane would be home in about an hour, and he wanted everything to be perfect. After carefully placing all his decorations, Carter stopped and looked at his handiwork. Perfect! Now on to the outside.

  After carrying the last couple of cartons out to the porch, Carter started decorating the railing, handrails, and planters. He’d always loved Christmas, but something about this one, with Dane, made him ecstatic. Who knew a stomach flu could have such a happy ending? Carter thought as he twisted lights through the two tall, thin topiaries on each side of the front door.

  Dane showing up at Carter’s urgent care clinic one morning with a nasty stomach virus had been one of the best days of Carter’s life, and certainly something he hadn’t expected when he’d woken that morning. Vomiting aside, they’d hit it off almost instantly, and although Carter had no idea if Dane was gay or not, he’d been very hopeful when Dane had invited him to dinner as a special thanks for talking such good care of him. Since then they had been almost inseparable. Life was good.

  DANE CHEWED nervously on his thumbnail as he sat patiently staring at a red traffic light. Four more blocks before he would have to tell Carter he had to leave Greenville for at least the next year. And after Carter’s past experience with a long-distance relationship, Dane wouldn’t blame him if he turned his back on Dane and ran.

  To make matters worse, Dane hadn’t been exactly forthright with Carter about how he got to Greenville and how long he would be in town. After all, he didn’t really know. A lot could happen in a year and a half. He hadn’t meant to intentionally mislead Carter, but when Carter stated he would never get into another long-distance relationship, Dane had stopped short of the whole truth. In his defense, he thought if things worked out between them, he would ask Bill for a management position in the Greenville office and stay put. At the very least, if he did get another transfer, a year and a half would be enough time to be sure of the relationship and ask Carter to come with him. Looking back now, he realized he’d made a big mistake.

  Stupid! This holiday season will probably be the end instead of the beginning.

  Dane jumped when he heard a horn blowing behind him. He looked up—the light had turned green. He waved his apology, turned onto Crescent, and drove very slowly for the next two blocks, hoping he could come up with an easy way to break the news to Carter. But based on the way he felt right now, he knew an easy way was nonexistent. At the last second, Dane decided he would wait until after dinner. Last night after they’d done the dishes, they’d lit a fire and laid on the floor of the living room watching the twinkling tree until they’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms. He doubte
d that either of those things would happen tonight.

  With a plan, however lame it was, Dane felt a tiny bit better. When he pulled into Carter’s driveway and put his car in park he sighed. Carter waved from the porch as he arranged a red velvet bow he’d obviously just attached to one of the lights flanking the large beveled glass door and was about to attach the second. The topiaries and a door wreath were already adorned with tiny white lights. Dane got out of the car, leaned against the door, and took it all in. From the driveway he could see one single candlestick shining brightly through every window, upstairs and down. The tree they had picked out and decorated together glowed beautifully through the large floor-to-ceiling living room window. He thought the scene was right out of a gay Hallmark commercial, complete with the gorgeous man waiting for him on the porch.

  Waving back as he bit his lip, Dane ducked back into the car and gathered his things. As he got closer to the porch, he heard Patti LaBelle’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” and his heart dropped to his stomach. He did his best to paint on a smile, but when he stepped onto the porch and the two men locked eyes, everything changed.

  “What’s wrong?” Carter asked.

  Dane should have known he wouldn’t be able to hide this from Carter. They’d become so in tune in just four months that each could usually tell what the other was thinking or feeling. Dane wrapped his arms around Carter and held him tightly, resting his head on Carter’s shoulder. He watched the red velvet bow drift to the porch floor as if in slow motion.

  “Dane! Tell me what’s wrong. Are you sick?”

  Dane wanted to say, “Yeah, I’m sick. Sick and tired of the universe screwing me,” but that wouldn’t do any good. Instead, he said, “No baby, I’m not sick.”

  “Thank God.” Carter grabbed Dane by his shoulders, pushed him back, and caught his gaze. “But Dane, you’re starting to scare me.”