Happily Ever After: A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set

by Piper Rayne

  “What are the plans between you two? Are you here permanently?”

  The waitress comes over, dropping off the pitcher, and I pour our beers.

  She leans back, crosses her legs, and takes a sip. “Jeff won’t leave Arizona. His business is there. He tried to keep me there, but in the end, I said I couldn’t do it anymore. We lived in a town where I was constantly reminded of his affairs. My friends who, let’s admit it, probably weren’t really my friends, looked at me with pity afterward. Other people would give me advice like ‘sleep with the pool boy’ or ‘hire the best lawyer and hit him where it hurts.’ But I just wanted to move on with my life. So I told Jeff he didn’t have a choice, and since he doesn’t have time to raise our kids, he eventually agreed and signed papers for me to move the kids.”

  “And will he come and visit?”

  She shrugs. “You know Jeff. Work and money are at the top of his list of priorities.” She puts up her hand. “Then probably his new girl.” She lowers her hand. “Jed’s here.” She lowers it more. “Then the girls.”

  “Whoa, the girls are lower than Jed?”

  She laughs. “Yep. He says it’s just because he has more in common with a son, but they’re not blind. I guess I’m not really sure what the future will bring or how much he’ll be involved. Once Jed finishes football, I can almost see Jeff disappearing.” She frowns, sadness filling her eyes.

  Fuck, that’s sad. Jeff’s an asshole, but these are his kids. I would’ve followed an ex to the ends of the earth if she was taking my kids somewhere. Jeff and I might’ve been cut from the same cloth, but we couldn’t be more different in shape.

  7

  Marla

  * * *

  Finally a night to myself. I left Jed and Nikki in charge of the kids, and I’m sitting at the coffee shop, The Grind, in downtown Sunrise Bay, looking up jobs. Although I get child support and alimony, I need extra income in order to move out of my parents’ house. Plus, I want to show my kids that Mom can stand on her own two feet.

  A knock on the window startles me, and I turn to find none other than Hank Greene’s smiling face.

  It’s been two weeks since we’ve had to interact. Both football games since then were away, and we seem to be on opposite schedules, him not attending the one I went to and vice versa.

  He walks in, and the barista waves as though they’re familiar with one another.

  “Hey.” Hank takes off his Greene & Sons hat—the company he took over from his father. “Can I sit?”

  I shut my laptop. “Sure.”

  “Want a refill?” He points at my cup.

  “No, I’ve had enough caffeine.”

  “How about one to go? It’s a great night. Wondered if we could go for a walk?” He sits on the edge of the chair next to me without taking off his coat.

  “It’s cold outside.”

  He laughs and nods. “True, but the coffee will keep you warm.”

  I playfully narrow my eyes and put up my finger. “Okay, you have once around the block.”

  His knuckles tap on the table and he stands before going over to the barista, who talks to him about his kids and what they’re up to. She’s older but not as old as us. The ease of their conversation says they know one another outside of customer and server.

  Once he pays for our coffees and brings them back, I shrug on my coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. I pick up my laptop bag to swing it crosswise over my body, but Hank grabs the strap.

  “We can keep that here. You can trust Zoe.” He steps over and Zoe takes the bag from his hands before storing it behind the counter. He chuckles when he registers my expression. “Promise it’s safe.” He makes a cross over his heart.

  Marla, you’re not in Arizona anymore.

  The bell rings as we exit. A few loose flurries fall from the sky, the streetlight making them glow.

  “So how do you know Zoe?” I ask.

  “Is that jealousy I hear?” His tone is playful, but he’s not completely wrong.

  “No. Just curious.”

  “I own The Grind. Well, I mean, it was Laurie’s and after she died, I didn’t want to sell it even though I know nothing about running a coffee shop. Zoe is the manager and handles most of the operations. Last year she invested, so she owns twenty-five percent. Eventually I’ll have her buy me out.”

  One thing I always admired about Hank was the way he never held anything back. His life was always open for inspection and he’d answer every question honestly. It’s an admirable trait.

  “Why? Maybe one of your kids will want it.”

  He shakes his head. “Laurie and I always agreed that the kids had to make their own way. I don’t want any of them to feel an obligation to take over one of our businesses or think that maybe Laurie would’ve wanted that for them. Does that make sense?”

  “Yeah.” I really admire how well Hank is raising his kids on his own. I could stand to take a lesson from him.

  He sips his coffee. “So what were you doing in there?”

  I groan, taking my own sip of coffee to delay the embarrassing admission that I need a job and have zero qualifications. “Looking for a job.”

  “What are you looking to do?”

  We turn by the bay, where the shallow water is beginning to freeze. I can’t see the mountains in the distance in the dark, but I know they’re there. He leads us onto the walking path.

  “More like what can I do? I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the past eighteen years. Before then, I had limited work experience after I graduated college.”

  “What did you get your degree in?”

  “I never graduated. Once Jeff finished, he convinced me that he had us under control and my time was best spent making a home.” The weight of disappointment in myself settles on my shoulders.

  “And you enjoyed that?”

  “Honestly?”

  He stops and nods, looking at me over the rim of his cup as he sips his coffee.

  “I did. I loved raising our kids. Being room mother, going on field trips, volunteering, having playdates. Some of the best times with my kids happen when we’re in the car on the way somewhere. It’s where they always asked me questions and we’d have real conversations, you know? I’d never take that back, but maybe I should’ve had more balance. Why did I just drop all my own hopes and dreams? Sometimes I think my girls look at me and think, ‘I don’t want to become her.’”

  His shoulder bumps mine. “You’re being way too hard on yourself.”

  “Am I? Because I remember feeling that way about my mom at one point. I thought she didn’t have any ambition. And then I turn into her. Now the man who promised he’d take care of me just threw me out and I’m dropping the kids off while wearing a stained sweatshirt and my dad’s flannel pants.” I find a park bench and sit.

  Hank follows, his large body stretching out beside me.

  “How did I get here and how on Earth do I pick myself up?” I mumble before tears sting my eyes, threatening to fall. It will be the lowest of lows for me if I lose it in front of Hank.

  “Everyone has regrets, but the great thing about life is that it’s never too late to change what you don’t like. You can pivot and go down a different path.”

  I glance at him. “There’s this pesky thing called qualifications that you need to get a job.”

  “I’m looking for an assistant. Want to apply?”

  I laugh. “So I can lose a finger or two? No thanks.”

  “Hey now, there you go underestimating yourself. It’d probably be the whole hand.”

  I laugh again, and my head falls to his shoulder in a “thank you for making me not feel like a total loser here” gesture. His arm locks around my body to keep me there, then his lips press to the top of my head. He smells nice, like fresh air with a hint of fire.

  I’m not sure if there’s more to him offering me comfort than just being a friendly shoulder to cry on—literally—but something stirs deep in my belly.

  “There are lots of option
s. Think about something you really love to do,” he whispers. “And if all else fails, I’ll hire you. But I will warn you, there’s a required uniform that involves short skirts and heels.”

  I swat his stomach and his chest vibrates with a chuckle. I wind myself out of his hold because we’re dangerously close to crossing a line I’m not sure either one of us thinks we should. Our gazes lock once there’s room between us, the glow of the light above the bench shining down on his face. A face that’s older and world-wearier than I last saw it in my youth, but no less handsome.

  “Will you go on a date with me?” he asks before I get out the words that we’re looking for trouble. His hand moves up and cradles my cheek.

  I lean into his touch. “I—”

  “I know what you’re afraid of. The same thing you were in high school—that this town will cast you as the bad guy. The woman who went from cousin to cousin. But I don’t care. I let this opportunity slip away from me once and I won’t do it again. To hell with this town and their gossip and judgments.”

  “Easy for you to say.” I slide out of his hold and stand, tossing my coffee into the trash receptacle on the other side of the path.

  “It won’t be easy for either of us. I have a dead wife I loved. I grieved for her in plain sight. If we start things, I’m not naïve enough not to know what people will think.”

  “This town loves you.”

  “They’d question whether I ever truly loved Laurie. I know it, and it scares me that my kids might hear that kinda bullshit because I did truly love Laurie with every fiber of my being. I don’t necessarily believe in soul mates or being fated to one person, but I do believe in listening to my gut. And my gut tells me there’s still something between us worth exploring. It fucking sucks that my wife died and your husband ended up being a cheating asshole. If Laurie hadn’t passed, your return would be nothing more than a friend coming back into my life. But that’s not the situation. The fact is that I’m a single man and you’re a single woman.” He breaks the distance and both his hands cradle my cheeks, turning my face upward to look into his eyes. “I like you and I want to explore whatever this is with you. Let’s start with a date. Just a date.”

  His hazel eyes are so earnest and endearing, there’s no chance of me not agreeing.

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  His smile could light up the Las Vegas Strip with its wattage. “Good. I’ll pick you up Saturday at six.”

  “Okay.”

  We walk around the bay and back toward downtown.

  “I have some stipulations about the date.”

  “You do, do you,” I say with a smile.

  “No talking about spouses. This is just for us to get reacquainted with one another.”

  A night where the name Jeff doesn’t leave my lips. “Sounds good to me. What else?”

  “No sleeping together. I’m not easy and don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

  I laugh and lean into him. “Well, jeez, I was planning to drop under the table and give you a blow job. I guess that’s not happening now.”

  He holds up his hands. “I strike my last comment from the record. Maybe we can negotiate different terms.”

  “No way, you already laid down the law, Hank Greene. I wouldn’t want to compromise your morals.”

  He chuckles and stops me right before we near The Grind. He presses my back to a brick wall, and I can’t help but glance around to see if anyone else sees us.

  “One more rule.” He places his finger to my lips. “Leave it all at home. Just have a night for Marla McAlister-Greene, okay?”

  It’s a tall order, but I hope I can pull it off. “All right.”

  “You’re not the best negotiator. Maybe stay away from that field of employment.” He backs away and opens the door of The Grind.

  I smile at Hank and walk through the door to find a member of the gossip brigade eyeing us as Zoe prepares his coffee. His eyes zero in between us, presumably to see if we’re holding hands.

  “They’re still around, huh?”

  Hank catches his eye. “Hey, Earl.”

  The guy nods his hello.

  Hank leans in close to me. “Alive and kicking. They’re on to us, just so you know. This will be reported to the others and a full investigation might be launched.”

  I laugh as Hank reaches over the counter to retrieve my bag, then he secures it over my shoulder. “I forgot what a gentleman you were.”

  “I forgot how great it feels to have someone to be a gentleman with.”

  Warmth fills my veins, and as though I have the power to see the future, a feeling comes over me that I’ve never felt before, not even with Jeff. As though I’m right where I should be. As though I was meant to be in this moment at this time in my life. A serenity calms my anxiety for the first time since I’ve been back.

  He puts his arm out as an offering. “Now let me see you home.”

  I slide my arm through. “Well, thank you, sir.”

  We leave The Grind, and as the snow spins through the air, falling to the ground, I find myself falling too.

  8

  Hank

  * * *

  “You can’t go out with her,” Cade says. “She’s your cousin.”

  I button up my shirt. “No, she married my cousin. And they’re divorced, so she’s not related to us anymore.”

  “Dad! Are you trying to make us outcasts?” Cade stands in the doorway, watching me. He didn’t play last night as quarterback. Instead the coach tried him out as tight end.

  “You’re not going to be outcasts. You’ve all lived here your entire lives.”

  “The guys are gonna razz me about kissing cousins or some crap like that. Hell, Xavier is already getting it because he hangs out with Mandi now. People are saying they’ll have babies with three heads.”

  “Are you telling me Xavier wants to date Mandi?” I grab my wallet and keys.

  “No. Gross. Are you listening to me?” Cade puts his arms on either side of my bedroom door as though he’s going to stop me. “It’s bad enough people are all high-fiving Jed now and he’s got all the girls’ attention at school. This is only gonna make it worse for me.”

  “You’ll play the next game. Stop worrying.” I wait for him to get out of my way.

  “Dad, you can’t leave.” Chevelle winds through her brother’s legs and secures herself to my legs, holding tight.

  “Cade is going to watch you tonight. He said you get your game of choice.” I look at Cade with pleading eyes.

  He sighs and nods. Mostly because Chevelle loves to play card games and she’s kind of a card shark who never gets enough. God help me if she ever discovers poker and plays for real money.

  “Really?” She looks at Cade.

  He sighs. “Adam was looking for you,” he lies and we both know it.

  “What does he want?” she asks.

  “He said he can beat you at rummy. Go school him.” Cade steps out of the way.

  Chevelle runs out, me following before Cade can cage me in again.

  “Dad, please, think about how this is going to affect me.” He follows me down the stairs.

  I grab my jacket from the front hallway closet. “Believe me, no one will even know we went on a date. I’m taking her to Anchorage.”

  That relaxes his shoulders a bit.

  “But I’m gonna be honest with you,” I say.

  Adam runs down with Chevelle right behind him. “I never said that. Stop following me. Dad!”

  “I like her. I asked her on a date because I want to get to know her again. So you might want to start getting used to the idea that I might have a…” I pause when the word girlfriend comes to mind. It makes us sound young and inexperienced.

  “A what, Dad?” Chevelle asks.

  Adam stares at me too.

  “A new mom.” Cade looks at his sister. “Aunt Marla is going to be your new mother.”

  He rushes up the stairs while Chevelle’s mouth falls open. “Who will be my mom? I
don’t want a new mom.” She kicks me in the shin and follows her brother.

  “I like her. She seems nice,” Adam says with a shrug and heads into the kitchen.

  I take a deep breath before leaving the house. I’ll need to talk to the kids about me dating. Because although I’ve been alone for the five years since Laurie passed away, it’s time that I get back out there, whether it’s Marla or not. They need to get used to the idea that I might have someone special in my life.

  “Cade, you’re responsible!” A door slams and I escape the house into the quietness of my truck.

  On the way to Marla’s, I can’t help feeling as though I’m biting off more than I can chew. Maybe Cade’s right. Maybe my time to make something happen with Marla has passed. I can’t resurrect the us from high school. Maybe those two vines weren’t ever meant to wrap around one another and become one.

  If only I could stop the gut feeling that says this is right and our time is now. It’s what I trusted when I asked Laurie to marry me. I trusted that gut feeling after she died, and again when I took over my dad’s business. It can’t be steering me wrong now.

  Pulling into Marla’s driveway, I find Posey sitting on the stairs up to their front door. I park and climb out of the truck. “Hey, Posey.”

  She pats the spot next to her, so I sit, holding back my smile. “Mom says you two are going to dinner?”

  I nod. “Yeah, we are.”

  “Without any kids.” Her small eyebrows rise up into her hairline.

  “Sometimes adults need adult time.”

  “Uh-huh. My daddy used to take my mom on date nights. Is that what this is?”

  How come I think Jeff only did it when he did something wrong or felt guilty for sleeping with someone else? “It is.”

  “You like my mommy?” She turns to me and crosses her arms.

  “I do.”

  She nods as if that pleases her. “She smiles a lot around you.”

  “I’m glad. I smile a lot around her too.”

  She narrows her eyes ever so slightly. “I think she likes you.”

  “Even better.”