A Valentine for Kayla by Kimberly Rose Johnson Page A

reached across the table and rested his hand over her fist. “I have an idea,” he said quietly.
    â€œMargie, may I call you back?”
    â€œSure, but the parade is a go. I’ll be sending out emails to all the downtown businesses.”
    â€œOkay.” She disconnected the call and returned her attention to Derek. “What’s your idea?”
    â€œYou could put the playthings for the kids in the park. There’s plenty of green space. The parade will draw more foot traffic than you’ve ever seen at one time.” He gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it. “And I’ll help with your float.”
    The park was actually a decent idea. A smile stretched her lips. “Great idea—thanks! I could kiss you right now!” Her cheeks burned as her comment registered in her mind.
    â€œI won’t stop you.” He waggled his brow.
    Her thoughts immediately shot to their kiss last night. She buried her face in her hands.
    Derek chuckled as he pried her fingers away from her face. “I was teasing. But in all seriousness, you can kiss me anytime.” He shot a cheeky grin her way.
    Kayla made a face and rose. “You ready to get out of here?”
    â€œYep.” He got up and held out his hand.
    She slipped her fingers through his.
    He spoke softly into her ear as they left Java World. “I meant it when I said I’d like to help with the float. Keep me in the loop. Okay?” He stopped walking and they stood facing each other on the sidewalk.
    â€œI will, and thanks.” She looked into his eyes and her heart tripped as she realized she could see them in a serious relationship if things continued to progress as they were. Then again, maybe this was infatuation. She definitely liked him, but she didn’t know him all that well. He was such a mystery.
    He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “If you’re not too busy, we could do something Friday night. Maybe dinner and movie?”
    â€œI’d like that.” Her skin tingled from his touch.
    â€œI’ll call you.”
    â€œDJ!”
    â€œOh no,” Derek groaned. He gently grasped Kayla’s shoulders and looked directly into her eyes.
    Kayla’s heart beat wildly and fear gripped her. The look in Derek’s eyes scared her, more than the idea of building a float.
    â€œWhatever happens next, know that everything I’ve told you is the truth. I really like you, Kayla.” He released her shoulders and turned toward a woman who kept calling out to someone named DJ.
    Kayla moved to get a better view of a petite woman with long blond hair and gasped. “Oh my goodness!” She looked exactly like Estelle Rogers. Kayla was a fan of her movies, except that last one she’d done was awful. What was she doing in Oregon?
    * * *
    Derek’s heart beat double time as Estelle stormed toward him, her ridiculously high heels clicking on the sidewalk.
    Kayla grabbed his arm. “That’s Estelle Rogers! I love her movies! How do you know her?”
    â€œIt’s kind of a long story.”
    Estelle stopped a couple of feet from him and glared. “It’s about time I found you. Your mother said you were in town. Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
    â€œKayla Russell, meet Estelle Rogers.”
    Kayla held out her hand. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’m a big fan.”
    â€œThanks. Be a dear and run along. I need to have a word with my boyfriend.”
    Derek cringed. “Ex-boyfriend, Estelle.” Kayla shifted beside him and he turned to face her. He grasped her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
    The light that had shone in Kayla’s eyes was gone, and in its place confusion resided. “You have a girlfriend? Why is she calling you DJ?”
    â€œEstelle isn’t my girlfriend. We broke up more than six months ago.” His stomach tightened. What a mess! “I’ll call you and explain everything later. Okay,