He lets out a huge laugh, “Really, Gwenie! You shouldn’t leave it so open-ended; most men are not as well-minded as me.”
I give him a swat on the shoulder, “Kai if you were so ‘well-minded,’ that wouldn’t have been your first thought.”
He lets out another laugh, “Touché! I will leave it to up to you. You always seem to know what I like.” I shake my head at his continued insinuations and offer an exaggerated disapproving look, and then shoot him a grin.
“So, tell me about your EMT training.”
Kai is a rescue swimmer for the U.S. Coast Guard. He’s been away for a while now, finishing some training for his final certification.
“It was good…. hard, but good. Learned a lot and enjoyed it, but I was missing home. I hit the jackpot when a spot opened up out of Coos Bay for a swimmer; it was perfect timing.” He replies smiling.
“No doubt, that’s awesome Kai! Your mom must be over the moon, knowing you will be home. She was always so worried about you, and to be honest; I may have missed having you around. It was boring around here without you, and even Benny with his new job in Eugene was hardly ever here.” If I'm being honest, Kai and Ben are the only friends I have made since I moved here.
“Yes, she is...and I’ve missed you too Gwenie.” he says, then clasps his hands together enthusiastically asking, “So, that said; when are we getting together? I know Benny and Ewan are looking to get out…What do you say?”
I look over to him with a huge smile, “I say tell me the time and place, and I am there.”
***
The rest of the morning goes by quickly. Haircuts and colors kept me busy and my mind occupied. Maia Adair came in for her usual nail appointment, but to my surprise never asked about Liam. Maybe he never mentioned he had invited me to dinner.
It’s noon, and I’m starting to feel a little hungry. I always block off an hour for lunch. So today, I’m going to close up and walk down to the market. Some of the vendors still have fresh fruit and veggies, and I’m feeling like having something light. I lock up and walk down to the boardwalk. It’s warm out today with the sun shining; so, it’s busy with people coming and going. Stopping by one of the booths, I grab a basket and peruse their selection; choosing some tomatoes and zucchini for the lasagna, I will be making later tonight and fresh berries for my lunch. With the basket full, I pay the woman and head back to the shop.
As I approach my storefront, I see Liam there leaning against the wall, head down looking to his phone. He must hear me approaching because he looks up then shoots me a big smile. Not sure, how I feel about what I heard yesterday, I return the smile, trying my best not to make it seem forced.
“Hey, Gwen.” He greets enthusiastically.
“Liam.” I let out short and quick. He raises a brow in question.
I unlock the shop door and let us in. Walking to the back, I put my produce in the refrigerator, and then return to the front. Liam is sitting on one of the chairs in the waiting area.
“You’re mad.” He says matter of fact.
I look to him for a moment, trying to piece together what I want to say, without letting him know, what I heard had bothered me; but then again, it’s always best to be upfront in these situations.
“I’m not mad, but me being disappointed depends on how you answer the next question.” There, that should work. We will get right down to the point and be able to move past the awkwardness.
He looks to me with a quizzical brow, so I just let it out. “After work, last night, did you go home with a woman named Emily, and did she spend the night with you, in bed?” My eyes bulge out in shock that I actually asked the question. I quickly take it back. “I’m sorry don’t answer that; it’s none of my business.” However, I don’t need him to answer…his look says everything. Confirming that everything I had thought since yesterday was right.
He’s standing there, unable to speak. I give him a half-sided smile, then turn to walk to the back, hoping he will take this opportunity to leave.
“Gwen, may I explain!” he asks with a hushed tone.
I stop and turn around. “Liam, you don’t need to explain anything…I get it! I’m not upset or angry...just feeling a little shunned. I was looking forward to getting out. So, when you called to say you had work, I was a little disappointed, but understood. Then yesterday at Jenny’s, I overheard Flynn talking with a beautiful woman, and she was going on about you and her working things out. She mentioned she spent the night, and you two had ‘made up for lost time.’ I get you are working on your relationship, and I’m happy for you. I don’t know; I guess I’m bummed because I like you and I thought maybe there was something there, but I was wrong.” I finish with an awkward smile trying to conceal my embarrassment; I can’t believe I put myself out there only to be rejected…again!
I look to Liam, and he’s donning an enormous grin. “You like me?” he asks. Of course, he zeros in on that little piece of the emotion-reveling speech.
He starts to saunter closer. “Gem…Answer me!” He says inching closer and closer.
“Yes, but….” He stops directly in front of me.
Bringing his index finger to his mouth, signaling me not to explain further, then he starts to speak. “You’ve said your piece; now I would like to explain what you heard.”
I give a quick nod, and then wait for him to start. His smile is growing quickly, “First, I want to apologize for Sunday night, even work is no excuse to cancel plans with a beautiful woman.”
I look to his eyes; filled with nothing but sincerity. “Second, what you overheard was Emily overly embellishing the situation to suit her agenda. I’m not going to deny she spent the night…and in my bed, but what she left out was that I slept on the couch. At no point and time through the night, were we together. She was in town late, and needed a place to crash.”
My eyes now locked with his. He reaches his hand out and cups my cheek, “and third…I like you too.” With that, he lowers his head and places a soft kiss to my lips.
As he backs away, I’m pretty sure I have stopped breathing. I look up to see he is smiling down at me.
“You okay there, Gem?” he whispers.
“Y-yes!” I stumble out.
As he’s about to speak again, but someone clears their throat, indicating we are no longer alone.
“I can come back later!” Mrs. Boswell says, with a look as though she witnessed a miracle. Great, this should be top news by morning.
“Sorry. No, Marie, that won’t be necessary, Detective Adair was just leaving.” I look at Liam who has the most sinister smile.
Walking Liam to the front for a little more privacy, I direct Mrs. Boswell to take a seat and let her know I would be right with her.
“You know she saw, right?” he asks already knowing the answer.
I nod. “I’m aware, good thing Mrs. B isn’t tech savvy. She doesn’t believe in cell phones, which should buy us some time to hide before Maia hears the news.”
Liam lets out a roaring laugh, “Oh, Gwen, I’m so sorry; your phone is going to be ringing off the hook.”
I look to him with pursed lips, “I want to finish this conversation, but I think it best we wait until there are fewer ears around."
“Agreed! Can I call you later?” I nod my head, then give Liam a dimpled smile, and then head back to Mrs. Boswell.
***
I am sitting at the register closing out for the evening when my phone rings. I look at the caller ID and answer. “Ati! Is everything OK?” There is a pause on the other end for a moment.
“Gwen, I want to come home…please. I miss you, and I want to be home.”
Chapter Seven
-Gwen-
I didn’t sleep all night; I can’t take this anymore, almost every night I hear the sadness in her tone, I know she wants to be here with me.
In papa’s office, the day after my twenty-first birthday, Uncle Martin and my mother laid it out all out. Having to leave, the new house, name change, and
accounts set up with money so that I would be more than comfortable financially for a few lifetimes over, Papa had left Ati and myself everything.
I know why this needed to be done, but why do Matilda and I have to be apart. She would be safe here. With my mother gone now, it’s only Ati and me. We are all each other have. I want her here with me; she belongs here with me; in our home. If I let her come here now, she can start Emerson High in a couple of weeks for her senior year when the new school year begins. Not wasting another moment, I pick up the phone, and she answers on the first ring.
“Hey!” She greets as she answers the phone.
“Start packing up Ati...you’re coming home.”
***
I drive up to Albrecht Prep in Gary, the next morning. I leave quite early, hoping that we can get my sister all loaded and back to Emerson before I have to open the shop. I’ve rented a small utility trailer to bring everything back. I don’t believe she has much, but you never know. Pulling into the school, I park by the doors and grab my purse and any documentation. As I walk inside, I’m greeted by security. “How may I help you, Ma’am?” The Guard asks with an authoritative tone.
Charles is not in today, and I have never met this guy before, he must be new. “Hi, my name is Gwen Batin. I’m here to pick up my sister Matilda Batin, but I believe that there is some paperwork for me to sign first.” I reply.
He looks to his computer screen and nods, “Yes I see you have a scheduled meeting with Ms. Darcie, the student advisor. One moment please, while I reach her.” I nod and wait as advised.
Moments later a tall, familiar woman walks through the door and makes her way to me. My breath catches in my throat, and I hold it there. Standing in front of me now, she extends her hand. “Hi, Ms. Batin, I’m Ms. Darcie, but please, call me Emily. I’m Matilda’s advisor.”
Ok and that confirmed it. Right there before me is Liam’s, Emily, thee Emily, the one that claimed a night with him that never happened. I stand there for a quick moment, and then extend my hand, “Nice to meet you.”
She motions me to the door she had previously entered. “Please follow me back to my office, Ms. Batin.” I follow, and we walk into a small office down the hall. “So, I see here that you are removing Matilda from Albrecht, may I ask why?” Ms. Darcie asks or Emily as she had said to call her.
“She wants to come home…has for a while. This is what our mother wanted for her, so I respected my mother’s wishes, and she stayed here. Now, she is almost eighteen and will be able to make that decision for herself. So, instead of her coming home in November when that happens, I think it better she starts in September at Emerson High and avoids any setbacks that may arise if she were to start halfway through the semester.”
Ms. Darcie sits up, “Emerson High?” I know I have piqued her interest, but I don’t want to give too much info.
“Yes, that’s where I live,” I say.
“Emerson is a small town. I have some good friends there. Perhaps you know them…” she looks down to the file in front of her and her eyes widen and lips pursed. “…Gwen.” She finishes.
“Yes, Emerson is small. I may know them, but I don’t get out much.” Wanting to change the subject quickly I ask, “So about Matilda; I would like to get the paperwork done so that we can get heading back.”
“Yes, of course.” She hands me the file, showing me where to sign.
“Thank you! I’ll head up to Matilda’s room; it’s going to take some time to get her things loaded.” I say standing from my chair.
Emily softly shakes her head, “The maintenance department will handle the loading, but you are more than welcome to meet her up there.”
I thank her and head out. Ms. Darcie was quite pleasant. I wonder why things didn’t work out with her and Liam. Then again, why am I wondering about that, I should be grateful they didn’t.
***
We got Matilda loaded up quickly and made it home in enough time to open the shop.
“You’re going to have to spend the day here with me today, Ati. I don’t have time to drop you at home.”
“No problem!” She responds. Then a look comes over her face, “Gwen, why are you working? I mean I thought Papa left us a lot of money?” She asks.
“Yes, we are financially secure, but seeing as we are trying to blend in, I thought that maybe a young twenty-something living lavishly in a small town would make for unwanted gossip.” I try to explain, but the look on her face is still one of confusion, or she’s just looking at me as if I am crazy.
Then, as if a lightbulb went on, she says, “So, that explains the car.”
Squinting my eyes as if to scold her, “Hey what’s wrong with my car?” I ask jokingly.
Matilda gives her head a shake, “Gwen, it’s perfect…everything is perfect, now that I’m with you.”
She gives me the biggest, brightest smile and I feel the same way. Everything is finally coming together. I am not sure this is how our mother wanted things to go, but it’s done, and I plan to make the best of it.
She looks around, taking in the area, “So how can I help?” She asks.
“You can start the coffee. I think my first client is walking through the door now.”
***
The rest of the morning, Matilda helps with sweeping up and grabbing coffees for the clients. She even helps with getting them shampooed and prepped for me and starting a casual conversation until I am ready. I had never really realized how much I longed to have Ati around until now. This moment here, only confirms that I did make the right decision to let her come home.
My one o’clock appointment walks through the door, and Matilda greets him with a smile and a tone to her voice, which I have never heard from her before…, seductiveness! What the hell! I turn to see none other than Benjamin Adair standing there.
“Hey, Ben!” I say.
Ben being one of four sons of Aldric and Maia, like all the other men of the Adair family, he does not disappoint in the looks department. He shares all the same features of his brothers. Favoring their father in stature, they all display, tall well-defined athletic frames, and the richest of blue eyes that reach the bottom of your soul when you look into them. However, their coloring comes from their Mediterranean born mother. Dark, almost black hair frames the ‘Adonis’ like features of their face and olive toned skin, sun-kissed from them spending a lot of time outdoors.
“Hey Gwenie?” he says with a smile, but his eyes focused on Matilda.
I finish the client in my chair, clean up quickly, and Ben takes a seat. “This has been a good week. Kai was in yesterday and you today.” Ben lets out a quick chuckle.
“Same as usual, Benny?” I ask.
“That works!” Ben replies. He is never much concerned with what I do, only wants it out of his eyes.
“So, who’s the new girl?” He asks, of course, Matilda is standing right there and jumps in.
“Matilda, Gwen’s sister, but you can call me Ati” she responds.
I give her a slanted look, but when I turn, I see Ben is holding her gaze with his own blue eyes. As much as I love Ben, and he is a good person, he is far too old for my sister.
“Yep, my seventeen-year-old, still in high school, sister!” There that should do it.
Ben quickly turns his now large-eyed gazed to me and I can see the red hue of embarrassment creeping up his face. Matilda has always been a beautiful girl, with looks mirroring those of our mother. Where I have dark hair, Matilda has wild and curly golden tresses that fall to the middle of her back, and instead of my blue, she has emerald green eyes that hint a touch of gold in the right light. Ati is quite tall, standing at 5’8, with tan skin, sun-kissed cheeks, and full pink lips. The picture of traditional beauty some would say; but now that she has gotten older, her youthful beauty has grown to that of a stunning woman leaving men like Ben, speechless.
Ben clears his throat and sneaks another quick side-glance at Ati, before turning to me again, “So have you seen Liam?” He a
sks.
I nod, “Yes, I spoke with him yesterday.”
“Who’s Liam?” Ati interrupts.
“Liam is Ben’s older brother,” I reply.
Matilda’s eyebrows raise, and she asks, pointing to Ben, “Does he look like him?” Ben lets out a low possessive growl, while I let out a laugh and shake my head at Matilda, “What it’s a legitimate question.” She says.
“People say that all four of us look alike, but I am by far, the most handsome,” Ben adds in with a smirk.
Matilda, immediately perks up, “There are four of you?” she asks with a more curious tone, and Ben lets out an even more notable groan.
“Yes, there are four of them, and all much older than you, Ati,” I inform, still laughing at Ben. Then a thought comes to my head, “Actually, they also have a younger sister who is your age. Thea is a doll, and I think the two of you would hit it off.”
Ben and Ati look to me, and then Ben adds, “That would be a great idea. Give me your number, and I will pass it along to Thea.” He finishes with a smile.
I jump in quickly, “That’s okay, I can pass her number along to Thea.” Ben lets out a laugh, and Ati rolls her eyes.
I finish up with Ben and have about half an hour before my next appointment. Ati is sweeping up around my chair; while I restock the order of color, I received this morning.
“So, how old is Ben?” she asks.
“Too old for you,” I respond.
She stops sweeping and puts her hand on her hip. “Seriously Gwen, I’m going to be eighteen in two and half months...I’m not a baby anymore.”
I shake my head and answer, “He’s twenty-four. He’s the third born of the boys. Liam, I think just turned thirty-one, Kai is twenty-six, and Ewan is the youngest boy, at twenty-two.”
Matilda slyly smiles, “So you like the older one...Liam?” She asks. A smile comes to my face, and I can feel my skin warm up. “Never mind, you don’t need to answer. I can see by the look on your face that you do. However, answer me this. You’re twenty-three, and he’s thirty-one, which, if my calculations are correct, is an eight-year difference, a lot more of a difference than the six years between Ben and I.”
Liam & Gwen - Entirely Yours: A Romance Novel (The Adair Series Book 1) Page 7