Perfection

by Gianni Holmes

  Perhaps he was right?

  “I’m caring and thoughtful?” I meant to say it as a statement, but it came out as a question instead.

  “Yes, you are.”

  He leaned across the table, and I met him halfway, locking lips with his. Barely.

  “Ashton Keyes?”

  I pulled back from Callum and glared at the man who had interrupted our kiss. I didn’t recognize him.

  “Yes?”

  “I’m Harry Peart with Battersea Daily. I’d like to ask you a few questions about crashing your car into your own restaurant?”

  Before I could respond, Callum was on his feet, stepping between me and the journalist.

  “Listen up, dude. We’re having a private moment here. Get the hell away from him before I have you thrown out of here.”

  “This is a public establishment, and I’m not causing any harm,” the man said with a smirk on his face. “They can hardly throw me out for that.”

  “Nice, you actually think they’d be the one throwing you out?” Callum crossed his arms over his chest, not backing down at all. “I’m going to ask you again to stop invading our privacy.”

  Once upon a time, I would’ve been thrilled at the idea of a guy fighting over me, but I was terrified at the high possibility of Callum decking this man. Callum couldn’t do with a lawsuit, and these pushy types were always the ones to cry foul when they instigated anything that resulted in damages.

  I’d had my fair share of run-ins with them. After the death of my father and brother, they’d backed off a bit, but they were getting more aggressive since the accident at the restaurant.

  “And just who the hell are you?” the journalist asked. “His bodyguard? Nah, I think you’re this week’s flavor. He usually likes them big and rough around the edges. Word on the street is he likes to be slapped around too. That true?”

  I waved frantically for a waiter, who quickly made his way over to us.

  “That’s none of your fucking business.” Callum had just collared the guy when the waiter intervened.

  “Is something wrong?”

  What kind of dumb question was that? Didn’t he have eyes?

  “This man is disturbing our lunch.” I got to my feet and grabbed Callum’s arm lest he decided to throw a punch. “Get him away from us, will you?”

  “Now, how can I move when he’s assaulting me?” The journalist looked smug about the whole thing.

  “Daddy Callum, let go.” The words just slipped out, and by the grin on Peart’s face, he was going to have a field day with this. Just great. I could see the headlines now and my mother’s reaction.

  I need a fucking bottle of vodka.

  Callum released the guy, and the waiter quickly placed himself between them.

  “We don’t tolerate our guests being harassed,” he said to the journalist. “If you plan to stay, I suggest you find a seat on the other side of the restaurant and out of Mr. Keyes’s line of vision.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll go.” Peart left with a mocking salute.

  “I’m so sorry about that, Mr. Keyes,” the waiter apologized.

  “It’s okay. We’re leaving.”

  Callum reversed our hold and took my hands. “No, we’re not. We were enjoying our lunch before that asshole decided to interrupt us. We’re not going to let him ruin our lunch date.”

  “You are staying, then?” the waiter asked.

  “I guess so,” I replied.

  “Now, where were we?” Callum asked when we resumed our seat.

  “I don’t even remember.” My mood was shot to hell, and all I could think about was ordering something stronger than pink lemonade from the menu. “My mother’s going to kill me if what just happened makes the paper.”

  He sighed. “Okay, let’s talk about it. Which part do you regret? What you called me, or that I stood up for you? You had to know I wouldn’t let anyone just treat you any way they want, Ashton.”

  With those words, he had me pooling into mush in my seat. Some of the dark clouds receded, and focusing on his face was just the light I needed.

  “Thank you.”

  “You don’t need to thank me. I’ll always protect you.” He took a long gulp from his drink. “Does that sort of thing happen a lot?”

  “It cooled down since the accident,” I replied. “Nothing exciting really happens here around Battersea. They used to focus on me a lot. I might’ve called it upon myself for the way I behaved publicly.”

  “No one has a right to invade your personal space regardless of what you have or haven’t done.”

  God, he was so good for me. I didn’t know what to respond, but it turned out I didn’t need to say anything at all. The manager of the restaurant came to our table to apologize to us for what had happened and recommended we have dessert on the house. I didn’t feel like it, but Callum decided we should take him up on his offer, so we did.

  By the time we left the restaurant, I was feeling better. We left Callum’s car and walked the short distance to the mall to buy gifts for his goddaughter’s birthday. That in itself turned my mood completely around.

  Shopping was my thing, and it didn’t matter if I was doing it for someone else. In fact, it meant more to me because Callum was letting me into his found family.

  “Do you have any idea what you’re going to get her?” I asked Callum as we entered the mall.

  “Um, a doll maybe? She’s always into dolls.”

  “Ooh, sounds good.”

  He squeezed my hand. “Does it? Because I think you’re thinking that’s so typical.”

  “So now Daddy is a mind reader?” I teased, tugging him into the first toy store I saw.

  “Well, you usually have a one-track mind.”

  I made a show of gasping. “And in a children’s store too?”

  “Don’t be a brat.”

  I grinned at him, striding over to a section where I spotted stuffed unicorns. “You love me being a brat.”

  His lips ghosted my neck. “Yes, I do. Now stop trying to turn me on. We have a mission to accomplish, and I’m not looking to break the bank on this.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got it.”

  I snagged a big purple-and-pink unicorn and passed it to him.

  “Uh, I don’t think she likes stuffed toys, Ash. She’s more of a doll person.”

  “Thank heavens, because it’s for me.”

  He groaned behind me. “Oh lord, why didn’t I come alone?”

  “Because it’s definitely better when we come together.” I gave him a wink over my shoulder to reinforce my pun.

  “When we get home,” he promised. “We have a little girl to make happy.”

  I helped Callum to pick out a pretty nightlight. He explained hers recently broke and she was afraid of sleeping in the dark. The light cast the constellation on the ceiling.

  “You don’t have to get her anything,” Callum told me when I announced that it was now my turn to buy something for her.

  “I know, but I want to. I just have one condition.”

  He frowned at me suspiciously. “Which is?”

  “I don’t want you to see what I’m getting her.”

  He’d probably have a heart attack if he saw the price on the gift that had caught my eye. It was extravagant, but from the way he described his goddaughter, it would be perfect for her. I knew that Phil wasn’t exactly swimming in money with three children, and I wanted it to be memorable for them.

  “But you saw what I got her.”

  “Because you couldn’t choose on your own.” I gave him my best puppy eyes. “Please, there’s a bookstore one floor up. Can you get me the two AA books the group recommends? I’m going to need them for my next meeting.”

  He shook his head. “That’s clever. Sending me off on an errand you know I can’t say no to. You should remember that the next time you can’t think of something positive to say about yourself.”

  I tried to give him money to buy the books for me, but he scowled at me. “I
can buy you the books you need.”

  “I don’t want you to spend unnecessarily on me.”

  “Ashton, let it go.”

  So I let it go and watched him walk away in his worn jeans. Would he be mad at me if I got him some new pairs? Ugh, maybe I should talk to him first about it, but then he’d turn down my offer.

  But if I bought them, what was the worst that could happen? He could not wear them, and we would be in the same position as we were now. Worn jeans that still made his ass and thighs look sexy.

  Since I knew exactly what I wanted for his goddaughter, I found it quickly. While they were wrapping the present, I wandered two stores down to the men’s store.

  I loved the mall. Our family had an independent store where we normally shopped because they didn’t wish to mingle with the masses, but I much preferred the various shops here.

  I was well acquainted with the store and knew where to find what I needed. In record time, I walked out with three shopping bags. It was still not fast enough. Callum was already back inside the kids store, waiting for me.

  “Where did you disappear to?”

  I glanced at the cashier, who watched us with interest. Now wasn’t the time to experience Callum’s pride over me buying him a few things. Okay, maybe not a few, but I’d controlled myself. I didn’t get him that watch that had been blinking at me when I passed the jewelry shop.

  Well, maybe I did that too, but I didn’t have to give it to him all at once.

  “I ran into the men’s store,” I said truthfully.

  He quirked an eyebrow at me. “Don’t tell me I need to take your credit cards away too. You don’t need more clothes than you already own.”

  “There’s no such thing as too many clothes.” I nodded at the large wrapped box on the counter. “Grab that for me, will you?”

  Chapter Seven

  Callum

  Hours after it had happened, I still couldn’t get that asshole at the restaurant from my mind. What should’ve been a great day had almost been ruined by a selfish individual who had no care who he was hurting. All he’d wanted was a story.

  Ashton didn’t think I’d noticed, but he was hardly himself when we’d returned to my apartment. He’d seemed distracted, moody, and even a little bit sad. When I’d asked him to talk to me, he’d kissed me and told me he was just thinking about classes and what to do with himself now that he wasn’t going.

  I couldn’t solve his problems for him. I could only offer my opinion and support him. He had to find his way. But he didn’t have to do it alone.

  When Rue picked him up to bring him home, the apartment was silent. Too silent. Yet I could hear his laughter from the couch, his moans from my bed, and see his face, eager to learn, in my kitchen.

  The last week had been hell, and I took a nap to relieve some of the pressure I could feel from a lack of proper sleep. With worrying about Ashton, Mario’s medical bills, and his deteriorating health, I hardly had time to think of myself beyond eating and working.

  Kaylee’s party was at five. It was the perfect opportunity for him to meet my family. I planned to pick up Ashton on the way.

  He already knew Phil, but that was work Phil. They didn’t really get along well, but hopefully, if they spent some time together in a relaxed setting, Phil could see that Ashton meant no harm. That he was not Mario.

  I hadn’t told Ashton the full extent of my psychotic relationship with Mario, and he didn’t need to know. Being with Mario had been the most stressful time of my life. I’d lost everything, my home and even my family, who’d rejected me over the whole fiasco.

  My parents had always been opposed to our relationship. They tolerated me being into guys too but felt Mario was too young. We walked on eggshells around each other, my contact with them lessening the longer we stayed together.

  Mario complained that they made him uncomfortable and didn’t treat him well. He’d cried so much I gave in and stopped visiting my parents. I burned that bridge completely when they called an intervention to throw Mario out after they discovered I’d been hiding his addiction from them, but I’d balked.

  My entire family had washed their hands of me then. I had one cousin who kept me filled in about everyone, but we probably talked once every few months. According to Robbie, my parents had called me all kinds of fool for taking on the responsibility for Mario’s hospice care.

  He didn’t have anyone. What was I supposed to do? Just dump him off at a government facility and leave him there? I might not love the guy anymore, but I couldn’t help feeling responsible for him.

  The way Ashton understood that, when people who knew me all my life didn’t, was nothing short of amazing. He was worth it. All the sleepless nights when I worried about him. Those moments I lay awake, propped up on my pillow, watching him and listening to him breathe.

  After dressing for the party, I picked up the gifts to bring to the car, but one bag tumbled over onto the floor. It was one of the bags from the men’s store.

  I set the presents down on the table, then crouched and grabbed the jeans that had fallen out. I held them up, frowning. What the hell? These were several sizes bigger than what Ashton would normally wear. No way would these fit.

  I emptied the bag and checked the tags on all the clothes. Jeans and shirts. None of these would fit Ashton. They were…my size.

  Anger boiled inside me. Ashton hadn’t bought these for himself as he’d told me. He’d lied to me. He’d really bought the clothing for me.

  I didn’t need his charity. First my television, my towels, groceries, and now this.

  My stomach cramped in displeasure, and I sat at the edge of the bed.

  Look at how you’re acting. No wonder he lied to you about it.

  I stared down at the shirt I held. The material was really good. Better than anything I’d worn lately. The jeans were designer quality as well. The clothes would definitely give a boost to my wardrobe.

  Was he ashamed of the way I dressed, how I lived?

  My common sense warred with my immense embarrassment when I stared at the jeans I had on. They were worn, and there was no hiding it. My T-shirt was probably the best I owned, but around the neck, the color was fading.

  “Why’d you do it?” I muttered. He must’ve known how angry this would make me. Hadn’t we discussed boundaries?

  I’d seen his face earlier as he picked out gifts for a child he didn’t know and his excitement as he gushed over what to buy. The way he’d cared for Mario today, expecting nothing in return. Our lunch date.

  Some of the cramping in my gut eased. Ashton liked giving. He had no ulterior motive but doing something nice for me. Deep down, I knew that, but I’d need to tear the shroud of pride over my heart before I could accept these gifts.

  No doubt, he never thought I’d accept them, so he’d kept them from me. I couldn’t blame him, given my reaction to the television and even paying for his AA books.

  Enough. Ash is a good guy.

  I swallowed my pride. Before I could change my mind, I yanked my T-shirt over my head.

  I would be a little late, but so be it. I took the iron to one of the fancy shirts he got me. Shit, I remembered what it felt like to wear shirts like these constantly. The jeans hugged my ass and thighs in a soft caress. A little tight-fitting, but Ashton would like that.

  I would’ve liked to wash them first, but there was no time. I needed Ash to see that I was making an effort to change too. He didn’t have to be perfect in the way he thought perfection meant. None of us was perfect.

  My pride was one thing I’d have to deal with. Before I’d fixed up the apartment, it had been a mess. I’d even turned down Phil when he’d invited me to stay in his guest room until the place was habitable.

  I’d slept on a mattress on the floor for about a month before I slowly acquired secondhand furniture. I’d sold all of mine back in New York to facilitate Mario’s and my move here.

  The mirror didn’t lie. I looked damn good. Ashton would be please
d. I even took the time to run a brush through my hair. I only needed new boots, but these old ones would have to do for now. I could work up to buying a new pair.

  I had to pick up Ashton at his home, and there was every possibility that I’d meet his mother. That wasn’t the reason for the nervousness in my gut, though. It wasn’t the reason I wanted to puke at all. The feeling was ridiculous, but I was anxious about Ashton seeing me in these new clothes.

  What if it really hit him that I couldn’t even afford to buy better clothes for myself? But he already knew that and didn’t seem to care.

  Fuck, what if the clothes hadn’t been meant for me? Too late for that now. I’d already been admitted onto the Keyeses’ property and was parked at the front of the house nestled on a sprawling estate.

  My hands gripped the steering wheel as I took in Ashton’s wealth. Shit, why did he want to hang around my cramped apartment so much? Even the pool house I could see was bigger than my space.

  A middle-aged woman, dressed conservatively in a brown-and-orange dress and flat boots, appeared at the top of the steps. I couldn’t turn back now. I hated that I was acting this way when I had to pick Ashton up, but he meant the world to me. I wanted his mother to be able to tolerate me at least.

  If their relationship improved, I believed half of Ashton’s stress would disappear. The woman had no idea of how inadequate she made him feel.

  I climbed the steps. The plainly dressed woman was more than likely not his mother. With a place like this, they would have servants. Ashton often spoke about one maid who had raised him.

  “You must be Master Ashton’s boyfriend, Callum.”

  She might not have been his mother, but displeasure was written all over her face nonetheless. She made no qualm about eyeing me up and down.

  “Yes, I’m Callum.” I extended my hand instead of waiting on her to offer. “Nice to meet you…”

  “I’m just the maid, Ava.”

  Aww, the woman Ashton was fond of. I smiled at her, lightly shaking her hand, then releasing it. “Ashton has told me so much about you. You’re definitely more to him than just a maid.”