That much was true and if Audrey really was my woman, I’d be the first to tell.
Audrey
The whole damn town had gone Spring Fling crazy. With the dance less than two weeks away, Tulip had transformed itself overnight into a spring wonderland of pastel colors and spring motifs. Even Big Mama’s Diner looked like spring and Easter had thrown up. Everywhere. But a girl had to eat and I needed to get out of the house for a few hours before I went stir crazy. Working on my novel and adjusting to pregnancy took up all of my time, mostly because of the impromptu naps and all day sickness.
But my appetite had returned and there was a chili cheese burger with a big pile of waffle fries in front of me and I couldn’t wait to dig in. Or for my triple thick milkshake to get here.
“Hey Audrey!” Hope practically bounced in front of the table as she removed her apron and tossed it on the seat opposite me. “Have you gotten a dress for the dance yet? I’m going shopping today if you’re interested.”
I groaned. “Not you too, Hope?” There was no place safe from talk of the dance. No place except the one place I’d just left.
“Of course, me too. I’m single and this dance is a chance for me to get dressed up, take a twirl or two on the dance floor and maybe kiss a hot guy. Why aren’t you more excited?”
“What’s there to be excited about? It’s the same dance I was forced to attend a million times. With the same people.” And the same food and same music. Everything was exactly the same.
“Except you have the date you’ve always wanted.” Her voice was wistful and filled with hope, ironically.
“And if it were twenty years ago, I’d be writing his name and mine inside a heart on my notebook, but it’s not. So, I won’t.”
Her pretty features twisted into a confused frown and she leaned forward. “But this is your chance to make him see you. Really see you, as something more than Will’s little sister.”
I ignored the way my heart leapt to life and thudded against my chest with useless hope. “That’s never going to happen, Hope. I’ve come to terms with it and you should too.”
“But you could get all dolled up and make him see you as a beautiful adult woman.” She spun a magical fairytale in her mind and I listened with an amused smile. “He’d finally see the real you and the dance will be the perfect backdrop for romance.”
“I have a couple little black dresses and I’ll pick one when the time comes.” Whichever fit over my changing body would be the winner because my goal was not to impress anyone, least of all the man I’d been conscripted to escort for the night. If I could have gotten out of it without drawing too much attention and suspicion from Mom and Will, I would have. But there was no way out without a detailed explanation, which I had no plans of sharing. Ever.
Hope shook her head, blond hair standing up in all directions as she raked her fingers through it. “Get something no one has ever seen in you in before, Audrey. You’re going with Mr. Spring Fling!”
“I have three dresses no one has ever seen me wear before so it’ll be fine. Besides this isn’t a date, it’s a show for the town. To help with the Hometown Heroes hoopla.” I ignored the pain in my chest and the acid in my belly as the truth of my words penetrated my brain.
“At least tell me you’ve booked an appointment for hair and nails?”
I laughed at the expression on her face. "Who knew you were such a girly girl?” I shook my head. “I’m not doing any of that Hope. It’s not my scene but you should have fun with it, go with some of the other women.”
“Goodness woman, you’re trying to kill me aren’t you?” Hope shook her head, a smile teasing the corner of her lips. “You really aren’t going to do anything special?”
“No Hope, I’m not. This isn’t what you think it is.” Or what I want it to be. Wanted it to be. Past tense. “This is a town dance Hope, nothing will happen.”
“But what about,” she glanced at my calm for once belly and back up to my face. “You know?”
The baby. “That’s my issue and I’ll deal with it. On my own. It has nothing to do with the dance.”
“Maybe not but it has everything to do with your date to the dance.” Thankfully she lowered her voice or else the whole half-empty diner might have heard, putting me back on the Tulip grapevine topic list.
“Not my date,” I corrected. “Just two old acquaintances attending an event together. For charity.” That was all it was and I wouldn’t let Hope or myself believe otherwise. “Tell me what you plan to wear?” It was just the distraction Hope needed to get off the topic of me and Walker, telling me all about the red off the shoulder she’d set aside at the new boutique that had just opened up.
“It’s deep red and off the shoulders Audrey, but it gives me the curves I’ve always dreamt of having.”
“Hope you have plenty of curves already, honey.”
Her skin blushed prettily. “Maybe, but in this dress there’s no doubt.”
“I’m sure you’ll be gorgeous.”
She grinned happily. “Maybe I’ll even snag a dance or two. Or maybe even a date.” Her eyes went wide with a dreamy quality I knew all too well. I used to believe in those endless possibilities too, but reality beat it out of me. Coldly. Cruelly. Efficiently.
“Be careful what you wish for,” I told her honestly. I’d wanted nothing more than for Walker to see me and he had, but it was temporary. For him. For me, the consequences were far more long lasting.
“I’m gonna wish for it all, Audrey, for both of us. And I hope we both get it.”
“Get what?” Janey had appeared, seemingly out of thin air, with a wide smile and innocent eyes.
“Nothing,” I said quickly and took a quick glance at the time on my phone. “You’re right on time as usual, Janey.”
“Didn’t want to risk you leaving too soon.” She glanced at Hope and then back at me. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
Hope stood and tossed the apron over her shoulder with a grin. “I’ve got a week’s worth of tips to spend so you two have fun.” She walked off with eager steps towards her red dress and her dream night.
“What was that about?” Janey arched a brow as though she might weasel a secret out of me, but she was wrong.
“Nothing, just shopping.” That much was true but if I engaged in a personal discussion talk would turn to Walker and that wasn’t a road I felt like treading today so I flipped open my laptop and turned it to Janey. “Go through it and let me know what you think.” It was never easy to sit while someone judged your work but it was a necessary part of my job, so I tackled a few fries while Janey browsed.
“I love it.” Her smile spread wide but not Janey wide.
“But?”
“It’s nothing, really. I love the layout, it’s user friendly and the transitions from one style of photos to the next is smooth. I just want some of the colors a little more vibrant and a little less vibrant in a few cases.”
“That’s easy enough to fix,” I told her and took the laptop to make the changes. She was a surprisingly easy client with almost no edits so it took no time at all. “Better?”
“Yeah, thanks Audrey. I can’t believe how good it looks, like this calendar is some big city gala or something.” Her smile was big and bright, almost wistful. “And the photos look…wow.”
“Your work is as good as any photographer I’ve ever seen, Janey. Except that lady who takes pictures of babies in watermelons and piles of kittens, those are just too cute. And I didn’t edit the photos.” That much was true. Even the discreet photos of Hometown Heroes out in town living their lives had a crisp expert quality about them.
“Thank you, Audrey. And thanks for this, it is incredible. If you want to put a banner or something on my site for publicity, you’ve earned it.”
“I’m happy to help Janey.” That much was true. We were both young-ish women running small businesses and every little bit helped.
“Good because I have another favor to ask. Well not really
a favor but more like a job.” She hesitated and instantly I went on alert.
“What do you need, Janey?” If she needed me to keep pretending to be Walker’s girlfriend, I might toss the rest of my milkshake at her before telling her no.
She sighed. “I want you to work your magic on my website. The one for my photography business and studio. I want it sleek and glossy, like this.”
That was an easy answer. “Absolutely.” Business was business and I was definitely not in a position to turn away business, not with a baby on the way. “Do you have time to talk details now?”
“Nope. I have to come up with a few ideas for the next round of Hometown Heroes photo sessions. Your boy Walker is up next and I am desperate for inspiration.”
“Fishing,” I blurted out much louder than I needed to. Much louder than anybody needed to, honestly. “He loves to fish and spending time outdoors. If that helps.” I should have kept my mouth shut because that gleam in her green eyes was downright terrifying.
“It does help, actually. Thank goodness someone around here knows him well.” I felt a sudden awareness in the air and I knew, without turning around that Walker had come inside. Either Walker or Chris Hemsworth.
“Will knows him even better but he’s probably afraid if he helps, Walker will retaliate.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Whatever you say, Audrey. Thanks again.” She stood and grabbed the big ass bag that always hung from her shoulder. “I’ll find you when my schedule frees up.”
Alone again, I finished my food, left a tip and gathered my things. I had already exhausted my capacity for dealing with people today so it was time to go home.
I blamed it on pregnancy brain, the shock of seeing Walker when I felt him minutes earlier, because I did shock the hell out of me. But not was much as the tall, thin brunette in the elegant magenta dress. She was perfect for Walker.
Go fucking figure.
Walker
Of course it would have to be my terrible luck that after not seeing Audrey for days, she would be exactly where I am at the most inopportune time. The minute I stepped into the diner with Lindsey by my side, I felt her presence even before my gaze landed on that curtain of black hair that hung all around her shoulders, shielding all other details. I couldn’t tell from my spot in the booth whether she was happy or sad, angry or frustrated or annoyed. Any of those were legitimate options but I couldn’t help but wonder how she was doing. If she was missing me the way I missed her.
“Someone you need to speak to?” Lindsey’s voice p0ulled me from those unproductive thoughts and I refocused my attention to her. Lindsey was pretty in an obvious kind of way with long dark brown hair that was always straight and sleek or pulled up into an elegant bun. As the owner of an image consulting firm she was always impeccably dressed. She was sophisticated, independent and beautiful. I should have been all over her.
I wasn’t. “Nah, it’ll keep,” I told her, finally answering her question about my long looks at the booth on the other side of the diner.
Satisfied that she had my attention, Lindsey relaxed and twined her fingers together on top of Big Mama’s plastic menu. “I can help if you’re serious about making a run as County Attorney. It’s not a big election but it’s an excellent first step.” Her smile was cool and polite as she sold me on the idea. “You have a great reputation in Tulip and it’s pretty good throughout the county, your conviction rate is high enough to be tough on crime without being heartless and you’re a local boy. All good things.”
I spent my life reading people from the members of the jury to the judge, the defendant and the defense counsel. There was what people said and what they didn’t say. “But?”
She sighed. “But this is the south, Walker and like it or not, you don’t’ have a wife or a fiancée or even a serious girlfriend. That’s not ideal. It will make people wonder about you, which is the easiest way to kill a campaign.”
The sigh came out as a weak, frustrated growl. “The people of Tulip know me.”
Lindsey nodded, agreeing without actually agreeing. “Maybe so but this position isn’t just for Tulip. It’s the whole damn county Walker and the rest of them don’t know you that well.”
Shit, as much as I hated to admit it, she was right. “You’re right but the fact is that I’m not seeing anyone,” I told her honestly even as my gaze once again landed on Audrey as she packed up her belongings and got ready to leave. I wondered if she would stop at the table to speak, or would she make a scene? Audrey wasn’t really that kind of girl so I wasn’t all that worried but when those violet eyes slammed up against mine, a sliver of unease worked its way down my spine.
“You sure about that?” The question came from Lindsey, posed low and for my ears only as Audrey made her way to the door.
“I am,” I grunted, noting the tension that seemed to have gripped Audrey’s entire body as she turned accusing eyes my way. She passed without a word and my shoulders fell in relief. I didn’t owe Audrey any explanation, no matter how much I wanted her to know that whatever she was thinking about me and Lindsey was all wrong.
“The good news,” Lindsey said a little louder than necessary to get my attention, “is that I can work with whatever this is. A complicated relationship is better than no relationship at all, so tell me what’s the deal.”
I glared at her one track mind, wanting to explode but knowing she was only trying to help. She was only here as a favor to Mayor Ashford. “There is no deal. She’s a friend. Barely that, she’s my best friend’s kid sister. That’s all.” And maybe if I said it enough times, I’d believe it too.
“Ah,” she said with an amused sort of understanding. “Say no more. If you can make any progress in that area, let me know. In the meantime I’ll see what the county says about your bachelor status.”
“There is no progress to be made, Lindsey. I have a…list,” I whispered the last word because saying it out loud was more than a little damn ridiculous. “A list of traits for my ideal woman and she doesn’t fit any of them.” It was a lie and it felt like one on my tongue, bitter and acidic. Audrey fit more of them than she should, dammit.
“Let’s hear them, then,” she said, a smile lighting up her face.
“I’ll email them, how about that?”
Lindsey looked at me, tossed her head back and laughed loud enough to draw attention from the whole diner.
Audrey
Work was always an excellent distraction when there were things going on that I didn’t want to deal with or think about, but when you were battling all day, nonstop nausea, work itself was the distraction. I couldn’t work very efficiently when I had to stop every half hour to empty the contents of my stomach, which let me tell you, was running on fumes. I managed to get a banana and half a sandwich in my stomach without any repercussions and that was hours ago, yet still I sat with a blank expression on my face, staring at the screen like it might bite me.
A knock sounded on the door and that’s when I knew things were off the rails, because I stood with a smile and made my way to the door, figuring any visitor would be a welcome distraction from…hell, my whole life right now. But I should have known, the last good thing the universe had done for me was give me Mom. Since then, it had been one shit show after another and when I opened the door I could barely suppress a moan. “Walker. What are you doing here?” And why in the hell did he have to look so damn good? It was the middle of a work day, for crying out loud, where was his mussed hair and midday wrinkles? Instead he looked gorgeous, handsome and slightly stubbled, shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal the gleaming golden goodness of his forearms.
He blinked, surprised that someone might not actually be happy to see him. I couldn’t blame him, most people were happy to see him. Including me. Except for today. “I just came to check in, see how you were doing.” His words sounded right but they didn’t make any sense.
“I don’t need anyone to check up on me, Walker. I’m an adult and I’m fine. Just fine.” My
hand closed around the doorknob and pulled it in close to my body. “You can tell well to stop meddling. If I need something, I can ask for it or I can get it myself.” I’d been doing it for years, since leaving Tulip for college, taking care of myself without an entire town making sure it was done right.
He sighed and raked a hand through his perfectly coiffed hair. “Are you okay, Audrey? Seriously? You look, I dunno, sick.”
“Gee thanks, Walker. I’m fine.” And I would be even better if he would go away and never come back.
“I didn’t mean it like that, Audrey.” He took another step closer and I squeezed the knob hard enough that I knew it would leave marks in my palm but I didn’t care. “I just…haven’t seen much of you lately.”
And there it was. Walker wasn’t used to me avoiding him. As a girl I’d gone out of my way to show up where he was. To make sure he saw me. It was truly pathetic, on both of our parts. “I’ve been busy, Walker. Besides we’ve gone years without seeing each other, what’s a few more days?” No matter how much I’d wished for it, Walker had never reached out to me, never called to check on me or in any way indicated we were more than people connected by my brother.
“What’s wrong, Audrey? I thought we were friends, at least.”
“We know each other,” I told him with a firm voice. “The same way you don’t owe me anything, I don’t owe you anything Walker.” Not an explanation or anything else he thought he was entitled to simply because we slept together a few times.
“If this is about-,”
“Christ, Walker, there is no this. I’m tired and I’m busy with the business I run. Not pining away for you, not wishing you would show up and interrupt my day. Working.”
“Just tell me what I did, Audrey.” That plea in his voice got to me. Damn him and that stupid vulnerability, making me believe he actually gave a damn when my brain knew it was nothing more than foolish male pride.
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