“Abby?”
I looked up, a stab of fear coursing through me before I recognized Lane standing before me. “Lane? What are you doing here?”
I saw hurt flash through his eyes before his brow straightened back out. “I thought we were going to lunch. Is that not happening anymore?”
I nodded. “Yes, it is. I just thought I was meeting you there. Wherever there was, I guess. I was about to text you to see where you wanted to eat.”
Lane smiled. “Well, luckily for you, I’m here to escort you to our destination.” He held out his arm for me to take.
I looked at it and then at him, unsure of myself around him now. And I hated that. I used to be so comfortable with him. With our fight last night, I felt like our bond was broken.
Lane’s smile faltered, and he started to lower his arm. I stepped up quickly and placed my hand in his arm.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
He placed his other hand on mine and squeezed it. “Come on. We can go to the café that’s a block down from here.”
We walked in silence, my heels clicking on the pavement. I couldn’t think of any ice breakers to start a conversation, so I just kept my mouth shut, inwardly cringing at how much worse this could go.
By the time we reached the restaurant, I was sweating bullets. The stress of our eventual conversation was getting the best of me. Lane pulled out a chair for me and then sat himself.
He looked at me over the table while I pretended to read the menu. But, of course he could see right through me.
“How are you, really?” he asked.
I shrugged, not able to look him in the eye. “I’m okay. I had another migraine last night, but other than that, I’m fine.”
He reached for my hand, grasping it tightly. “Abby, please. I’m so sorry. Really, I didn’t mean what I said last night. I don’t just deal with you and I hope you know that. I said those things out of frustration.”
I looked at his face, full of sincerity. “I can understand that. I do. But it’s like that saying: behind every joke is a kernel of truth. You may say you didn’t mean those things, but there has to be something in you that believes it.”
Lane frowned at me. “I don’t, Abby. I’m sorry I hurt you. And that I probably caused your migraine too. All I did was hurt you last night and I never want to do that again. I love you.”
My heart swelled again at hearing his admission of love. The apology helped too. I could feel my defenses crumbling down. “I love you, too,” I whispered.
Lane sat up straight and grinned at me. “You do?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I do. I was going to tell you last night, but then…well, it didn’t go so well for us.”
Lane got up and pulled his chair around to my side of the table. Pulling me in toward him for a hug, he stroked my hair and whispered in my ear, “Please forgive me. I’m an ass.”
I choked out a laugh and nodded. “You are.”
Lane leaned back and looked at me with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “I am what? Forgiven or an ass?”
I tilted my head, giving him my best teasing look. “That’s probably still up for debate,” I said, smirking at him. “But for argument’s sake, we’ll just say you’re forgiven.”
Lane leaned in and kissed me, bringing a spark of heat to my belly, spreading outward. Before I could respond, he was gone and back around to his side of the table.
The rest of lunch went more smoothly than I had planned on. Now that things were back to normal between us, I found myself having a fun time.
“So, how’s the job search going?” I asked him. “Still searching, right?”
Lane smiled. “Yeah, still searching. Nothing is really popping out at me right now though. And my brother isn’t having any luck either.”
I wrinkled my nose. “But then how do you pay for things?” My eyes widened. “Oh gosh, that was rude wasn’t it? I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer that. I have a big mouth.”
Lane gave a short laugh. “It’s fine. We had some money saved up because we knew we weren’t going to have jobs right away and it might take some time to find something. So, we were prepared.”
“Oh okay, makes sense. Well, hopefully you find something soon.”
“Thanks, Abby. How’s your job going?”
“It’s going okay now. Now that I’m not getting weird life-changing notes in the middle of my manuscripts,” I said sarcastically.
Lane pressed his lips together as if he was trying not to laugh.
“Too soon?” I asked, smiling.
He let out the laugh he was holding back, shaking his head. “No, I’m just glad you’re able to joke about it.”
By the end of lunch, I was back to fully relaxed and stuffed full of delicious food.
“I don’t want to go back to work,” I groaned, leaning back in my seat.
“Well today is an early day, isn’t it? At least you’re almost done,” Lane pointed out.
“Very true. Which also means I need to get back there and finish up all my work, so I don’t have to bring it home with me.”
We stood up and left after paying. Lane stopped me outside my work building and pulled me into another hug, rubbing my back.
“I’m glad you came to lunch with me today,” he said.
“I’m glad, too,” I answered, pulling him in closer.
“Is it inappropriate if I kiss you in front of your work?” Lane asked, pulling back just enough to look me in the eyes, his manly scent invading my senses.
I closed my eyes and inhaled, enjoying it. “It might be, but I’m not sure I care right now,” I whispered back.
Lane moved in and leaned his head to mine, meeting me halfway. Our lips met, melting me where I stood. Lane’s hand supported my back, the other one against the back of my neck, holding me to him. I sighed, opening my mouth to his when his tongue swept across my lips. His greeted mine, swirling around each other.
My arms pulled him even closer, enjoying his tall frame pressed against me. I forgot where I was when I kissed him. My senses melded into one enjoyable feeling, not caring who was around. Happiness flooded through me as I stood there kissing Lane. Wanting to do more with Lane. Wishing we were back at my place.
I heard a cough nearby, and then a louder one. I pulled back from Lane and looked around to find Julie standing on the sidewalk gawking at us. My cheeks instantly flushed red and I stepped away from Lane to an acceptable distance. How embarrassing to be caught making out in public!
Julie’s wide eyes seemed to be trying to communicate with me as she walked into the building, and I knew I was in trouble as soon as I got inside. I shuddered at the prospect of the rest of my day being filled with her wanting to gossip.
Lane took my hand, pulling me toward him for another hug and kiss before releasing me. “I’ll let you get back to work before I get you into trouble.”
“Too late for that. Julie is going to be upstairs waiting on me to fill her in on all the details,” I groaned.
He laughed. “I would say I’m sorry, but I can’t apologize for that kiss. It was, wow.”
I smiled at him. “Okay, fine. Well I’ll text you when I get home and we can get together. Sound good?”
He agreed and walked away to his car. I sighed with relief at how lunch had gone and then went inside, dreading Julie’s assault.
Just as I suspected, Julie was lying in wait right outside of the elevator doors. She kept badgering me about whose “face I was sucking on” outside. Mortified, I quickly mumbled an explanation and made my way to my desk, trying to keep busy so she wouldn’t pester me anymore.
By the end of work, I had managed to be so busy that I had completed all my work, plus some extra that I didn’t even need to start yet. I got my desk organized, sorting my pens and markers by size and color, my office supplies back in their bins instead of being scattered around, and my phone and desktop had been wiped down of their dust and smudges. Satisfied, I glanced around to make sure Julie was occ
upied and then made my way out.
I drove home, finally feeling relaxed. Last night and today had taken a toll on me and I was ready for a nap. When I got home, I noticed Whitney had left a note on the fridge saying she was out for a run.
Perfect, I thought, stripping off my work clothes and putting on a pair of pajama shorts and a tank top. I went back to the living room and sprawled out on the couch, cocooning myself in the blanket we had laid on the back of it. This was my favorite nap spot in the apartment, even better than my bed. My bed was for real sleeping, but the couch was for quick and easy naps.
I felt my eyes growing heavier as I lied there, and finally succumbed to sleep. I woke up later to Whitney banging around in the kitchen and I groaned, stretching.
“Good evening, sleepyhead,” I heard from the recliner.
I froze and then looked over. Lane was sitting there with a beer in his hand, watching me. Or more obviously, watching all of me. My blanket had slid down, and my tank top had shifted up, exposing my stomach.
I laid a hand on my stomach, Lane’s eyes following my movement. I rubbed it lightly, arching my back a little more to stretch. “Well good evening to you, too,” I said, smiling. “What brings you here?”
“Well, I did have an idea for plans, but I think I need to change them,” he said, keeping an eye on my roaming hand. I lowered it to the waistband of my shorts, lightly stroking my stomach from left to right and back again.
“Oh yeah?” I feigned an interest in what Lane was saying as I rolled to my side to face him. “What plans?”
“Um, I’m not sure anymore,” he said, rubbing a hand through his hair and shifting in his seat.
“What did you want to do instead?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
Lane grinned at me. “Nothing that I want to do with Whitney being here too. So, we’re out of luck on that one.”
I stood up and bent down to retrieve the fallen blanket, knowing full well that I was giving Lane quite the show. I folded the blanket and laid it back down across the back of the couch and then turned to him. “I’m going to go get dressed.”
“Do you have to?”
I smirked at him. “Well, you said we didn’t really have any plans, so yeah. I think I’m going to go get dressed.”
I went to my room and put on jeans and a t-shirt. Coming back out, I saw Lane was in the kitchen with Whitney and I went to join them.
“So, are we going out tonight or what?” Whitney asked as I sat down on a bar stool.
I looked at Lane, who shrugged. “I honestly didn’t have any plans in mind. I just wanted to come over and hang out with you, since last night wasn’t great,” he said.
“To The Den?” I suggested, looking around at them. “Lane, what about your brother, is he doing anything?”
Lane took out his phone. “I’ll call him real quick, see what he’s up to.”
After he left, Whitney turned to me. “Okay, spill. What happened at lunch?”
I smiled at her. “Well I told him I loved him.”
Whitney squealed, clapping her hands. “Oh yay! Did he get down on his knees and beg forgiveness?”
I laughed. “No, he didn’t! Geez! But he did apologize a lot, and seemed genuinely sorry, plus he sent those texts last night too. So, I’ve forgiven him and I’m moving forward.”
Whitney came around the counter to hug me. “I’m happy for you. Really.”
I hugged her close. “Thanks Whitney. He makes me really happy. How’s Luke doing? Any luck there?”
Whitney gave me a knowing smile. “Definitely. I’ve got his phone number and we’ve been texting all day. Even at work, he kept sending me cute little messages and pictures.”
My heart melted a little for her. It had been a long time since I had seen Whitney this happy because of a guy. Her last boyfriend had left her after confessing to cheating on her for over half of the year they had been dating. The devastation I witnessed was something I never wanted her to go through again.
“I’m happy for you too, Whitney! But you know I’ll have to grill him when I meet him. I can’t have anything but the best for you! Why don’t you invite him out tonight?”
“I already did,” she said, waving her phone around. “While you were knocked out on the couch snoring, I was getting a group night set up for us to go out.”
I rolled my eyes. “I do not snore.”
I felt hands on my shoulders. “Yeah, you do. It’s cute though. Like a womanly snore.”
I swatted my hand back behind me, hitting Lane. “Shut up. Even if I do snore, you’re not supposed to tell me I do! And I don’t snore. So, it doesn’t matter.”
Lane and Whitney exchanged glances before cracking up laughing. I stood up, a scowl on my face. “Fine, go ahead and laugh. I’m going to go get ready.” I turned around and left to the bathroom to do my hair and makeup.
A couple hours later, the three of us plus Luke, Lane’s brother Kent, Julie, and a few of our other co-workers were at The Den, drinking and exchanging funny work stories. I nudged Lane when I noticed Julie kept glancing over at Kent over her fruity cocktail. Lane watched her for a minute and smiled, leaning over to me.
“I’m not sure Kent is into the cougar type.”
I hit his arm. “She’s not that much older!” I looked back and forth between Kent and Julie. “Okay, so she is a bit older. Like twenty years older.” I furrowed my brow, trying to decide what to do.
Lane turned my head to face him, leaning in toward me. “Relax, Abby. Whatever happens, happens. Don’t worry about your friend or my brother. They’re adults, so let them do what they want.”
I nodded, knowing that was true. “I just don’t want to see Julie get hurt. She can be annoying and over-the-top flirtatious, but she’s really vulnerable and has horrible luck in dating.”
Lane gave me a peck on the lips. “I love that you’re protective of your friends. Even if they do annoy you.”
I kissed Lane back. “Thanks for that. I love you, too.”
His eyes lit up. “I’ll never tire of hearing you say that.”
I was about to respond when a wadded-up napkin hit the seat between us. I looked up at the group, ready to yell at whoever had ruined our moment. I noticed Whitney had that wide-eyed innocent look on her face and I glared at her. I grabbed the napkin and threw it back at her, hitting her in the chest. “Thanks a lot, Whit!”
She busted out laughing. “Sorry! Okay, not really, but you guys were getting too serious over there! This is supposed to be a fun night and we’re out with all our friends! Come on!”
I rolled my eyes at her and stood up. “Fine! Shots for everyone!” I made my way over to the bar and ordered a round for our table.
As the hours passed, I felt myself relaxing more. I felt safe here, surrounded by my friends. By the time everyone was ready to leave, my head was buzzing and I was feeling loose-limbed. I had to grab onto Lane’s arm to steady myself as we made our way out to the sidewalk where we said goodbye to some of our friends. Ten minutes later, it was just me, Lane, Whitney, and Kent left standing there.
“Well, doesn’t this bring back memories,” I said.
Whitney huffed. “Yeah, let’s not bring that up right now. That wasn’t that great of a night! You almost got ran over!”
I took a step toward her and stumbled. “Hey, hey, hey. I think it was a fantastic night. I did meet Lane, after all.”
Lane smiled at me while holding my arm to keep me upright. “Very true. And if you’re ready, we should probably get you ladies home.”
The street swayed when I looked at it, causing my stomach to roll. “One of these days, I’m going to learn my lesson and not drink so much.” I pressed a hand to my stomach to try to calm it.
We started across the street when the light turned green and I slowed down to walk with Whitney, wanting to talk to her about Luke. I had noticed that they seemed more intimate than I had thought they were, sharing heated looks and leaning over to whisper in each other’s ears.
>
When we were almost to the other side, I heard a scream from behind me and turned to look back.
“No freakin’ way,” I whispered. “This can’t be happening again.”
A red four-door car was whipping around the corner, trying to beat the red light. Tires squealed as it raced down the street and all I could do was stand there and stare at it. It was coming closer as it turned onto the street we were crossing. The wind picked up, dragging my hair across my face as I stood in the path of the crazed driver.
It was as if I wasn’t in control of myself, like I could only watch what was happening. I could hear Lane and Whitney yelling at me to move, but my body felt sluggish, as if it was weighed down. I turned my head to look at them, realizing that the whole world seemed to be in slow motion.
Then everything crashed down around me at once, time speeding back up. My arm was yanked to the side, forcing me out of the path of the car right as it drove past us. Screaming was all around me as I fell to the ground, Lane underneath me.
Whitney grabbed my other arm and pulled me up and onto the sidewalk, tears running down her face. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn’t you move?”
I could only stare at her. My mind hadn’t caught up with the events that had just happened, and I felt confused, like I wasn’t sure of where I was or who I was with. My brain was filled with cotton and feeling fuzzy. I look at Lane and Kent, who were both staring at me like I had sprouted an extra eyeball.
I cleared my throat. “Um, I don’t know. I guess I was scared and froze.”
But I knew what happened. Deep down the truth was slowly creeping its way into my brain. This was no coincidence. Once, sure. Twice, maybe. Three times? No way. How could the same car keep coming around the corner every time we were here? No, not every time. It was Friday. I met Lane on a Friday night. When I tried to break up with him and came to The Den it was a Friday.
Friday nights at this exact corner, a red car came crashing around the corner every time I tried to cross the street. No, definitely not a coincidence. This was just more evidence to me, and this car was an important piece of the puzzle.
I thought back to the strange phone call I had heard from the dream during my migraine episode. I suggest extreme actions. Chills raced down my spine. You need to kill that one.
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