by Alicia Rae
I laughed while reaching into my pouch for more screws to secure the drywall firmly into place. I grabbed the next sheet, and we swapped positions. Then, the vicious cycle started all over again.
I held the heavy sheet in its place. “Why didn’t we hire someone to do this part again?”
“Because we’re idiots trying to save money.” Jason snorted.
Some would say the way we spoke to each other was sibling rivalry, but to us, it was brotherly love.
The front door opened, and in strolled Abbey.
“Hey, guys. How’s it going?” she asked.
Jason walked away to greet his fiancée, completely leaving me hanging with a fifteen-pound sheet of drywall in my grasp.
“Hey, fucker!” I yelled after him.
Knowing it was pointless to ask him to come back, I set it back down and turned around to face them.
Abbey’s mouth was already locked around Jason’s—or maybe his mouth was locked around hers. I wasn’t sure which, but either way, I was glad to see my brother so happy. Abbey was a great girl, and she was perfect for Jason.
“Sorry, man,” Jason responded when they finally broke apart. “You know I can’t resist her when she walks in the room.”
I crooked a brow at my brother. “I can see that.” Then, I turned to face my future sister-in-law. I drew her in for a friendly hug. “Hey, Abbey. How are you?”
“I’m doing great!” she replied.
“Hey! Get your own girl,” Jason growled teasingly, pulling Abbey back to his side.
Abbey rolled her eyes. “I tell ya, you two are a handful.” She pointed good-naturedly between the two of us. “Did you guys actually work today or just get into trouble?”
“Trouble,” I kidded as Jason replied, “We worked.”
Jason punched me on the arm, and I bit back a groan.
He gestured to what we had been working on all day. “Baby, we replaced the drywall on the whole north wall of this building.”
Abbey glanced at the wall. “Whoa, you did. I was just teasing by the way.” She stepped forward and gave Jason a quick kiss.
I was about to step away and give the two lovebirds some privacy.
Then, Abbey said in a serious tone, “Hey, Damon, can I speak with you for a moment?”
“Uh…sure,” I answered.
Abbey nodded and started walking to the front of the office.
I shifted my perplexed expression to Jason, wondering what the hell was going on.
“Don’t ask me. I have no idea.” Jason shrugged. “But if I had to guess, I’d say you pissed off the boss.”
“Isn’t Kyle the boss?” I asked, referring to our business partner, who also happened to be Abbey’s older brother. Apparently, I was missing something here.
“Nope, but he thinks he is.” Jason chuckled. “Abbey runs this show.”
I gave my brother a look of wonder, having no idea what he was going on about. “Uh-huh,” I murmured, tipping my head. “Well, I’ll be right back, and then we can clean up and head out.”
Jason flipped his hand in the air at me. “Don’t worry, man. I’ve got this.” He motioned toward his girl and told me, “You’d better go see what she wants.”
“All right,” I agreed, unbuckling my heavy tool belt before setting it down on the floor. “And thanks.”
I hurriedly went to meet Abbey at the front of the building. She was sitting with her legs crossed on the ledge of the front bay window. I paused in front of her, pondering what was going on and suddenly hoping it was not something bad.
“Is everything okay?” I asked apprehensively.
“Oh, gosh, yes!” She shook her head. “It’s nothing bad.”
“Okay, good.” I exhaled, taking a seat next to her.
She turned to face me. “Have you found an apartment yet?”
“No,” I answered with wide eyes. That was not what I had expected her to ask. “I have found a few places that I like, but I haven’t made any official decisions yet.”
Abbey smiled, but it was not a good kind of smile. It was one of those that made me contemplate what she had up her sleeve while I continued to eye her.
“But I plan to pick one of them soon,” I added timidly.
“Oh, okay,” she murmured thoughtfully. Her eyes gazed around the room before landing back on me. “Well, do you remember meeting my friend Gail?”
I was speechless for a brief second. Once again, I had no idea what I’d thought she was going to say, but that was not what I had expected.
Hell yes, I remember her.
I cleared my throat and responded, “Yes.”
Who could forget those flawless long legs in that black dress of hers and the way the material made her ass look so tempting?
“She happens to be looking for a roommate.” Abbey searched my eyes. “I thought you might be interested.”
“And what made you think of me?”
“I know you are looking for a place, so I was hoping this could help you as well as Gail out,” she answered.
“Uh, Abbey—” I started to say.
She jumped in, “Look, Damon, you’re a great guy, and I really see this roomie thing working out for the two of you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even consider putting my best friend in this position.”
I was going to speak, but if I had learned one thing about Abbey in the time I’d known her, it was that when she was on a roll, I should let her finish. My head was spinning like crazy anyhow.
I was still stuck on the roomie part of her speech as she continued, “This could be perfect for you two. You only want temporary housing until you’re sure California is right for you.”
Abbey knew about the resume I’d put in at William Rawn Associates, the nation’s largest architectural firm located in Boston. It was a long shot but a dream of mine. Jason, Kyle, and Abbey had all been very supportive of the opportunity. Although I would need to relocate for the job, I could still help them from afar.
“Yes, that’s true, but that doesn’t mean I want to live with someone in the meantime,” I countered.
“But roommates can be fun, and Gail is the most easygoing person in the world.” Abbey grinned. “If you want quiet, she’ll give you space, or if you want company, Gail is a great friend.”
My head was spinning, and another reason this was a bad fucking idea popped into my head. “I’ve never lived with a woman before.”
Abbey’s lip twitched in amusement. “I had never shared a living space with a man before Jason and look how wonderfully that worked out.”
My eyes felt like they were bulging from their sockets as thoughts of my ex-girlfriend, Beth, and all her unnecessary drama surfaced in my mind, and our relationship hadn’t even gone as far as living together.
“Whoa!” I bellowed out, shaking my head. “I’m definitely not looking to get into a relationship right now. I’m still traumatized from the last one.”
Abbey stifled her laughter as she rolled her eyes at me. “Oh, come on!” A chuckle slipped past her lips. “I’m not trying to push an arranged marriage or anything like that here.”
“I don’t know about this, Abbey.” I sighed.
This is not a good way to solve my housing issue. Definitely not my style.
Abbey was suddenly serious again. “Damon, I wouldn’t ask if this wasn’t important. Her story isn’t mine to tell, but I will explain this much. Gail has the most genuine, loving family. Some aspects of her personal life haven’t been easy for her, but she’s the strongest woman I know.” She glanced out the window briefly before looking back at me.
Her eyes now looked sad, and her expression pulled at my heartstrings.
“She put herself through college, paying her own way, while always helping out her family, financially and otherwise, as much as she could. This last week, her hours at work were cut dramatically. All I ask is that you at least consider it. Can you do that for me?” she asked kindly.
I took a deep breath and then let it out. This was th
e wildest, most irrational idea I’d ever been asked to do in my life. But I was not the kind of man to walk away when someone needed help.
The seconds ticked by until I eventually said, “You should have been a lawyer, you know that?”
Abbey stared at me inquisitively for an instant before her eyes filled with shock. She jumped to her feet. “Is that a yes?” she nearly yelled.
I stood up next to her and gave her an authentic smile. “I don’t have a clue what I just let you talk me into.” I paused, making her wait for my answer. “But for some crazy-ass reason, it’s a yes.”
Abbey let out a loud squeal and threw her arms around me as she thanked me profusely. I genuinely feared what I had just voluntarily signed myself up for, but I could only hope it would be best for everyone involved.
~Gail~
Nerves were a woman’s worst nightmare, and mine were at an all-time high today.
After changing for what felt like the millionth time, I glanced at my bathroom mirror and decided this outfit would have to make do. If I changed again, I would be late for the dinner that Abbey had arranged for Damon and me at The Fresh Ketch.
I was wearing the most conservative white dress I could find in my closet with a matching pair of flat sandals. Half of my hair was pulled up with bobby pins, and the rest was flowing down my upper back.
I picked up my phone off the counter and checked the time. Butterflies surfaced in my stomach as I realized I would be sitting across the table from Damon in less than twenty minutes. I heaved in a gulp of air for courage, and I grabbed my handbag off the counter. Then, I slipped my phone into the side pocket before making my way out of my apartment, so I would not be late.
Surprisingly, I ended up walking into the restaurant a whole ten minutes early. My eyes scanned the room, looking to see if Damon was already here.
A tall blonde woman at the front counter made eye contact with me as I approached her.
“Hello there. Welcome to The Fresh Ketch.” She smiled. “How many are in your party this evening?” she asked in a perky tone.
“Two.” I reciprocated her friendly smile as I searched the crowd for a second time. Then, I quickly gazed back at her. “I’m meeting a gentleman here by the name of Damon Johnson. Is he here yet by chance?”
She glanced down at the computer screen in front of her before looking back at me. “Not yet, but I do see your reservation. Would you like to be seated now?” She pointed behind her. “Or maybe you’d like to take a seat at the bar while you wait?”
“Um…” I stalled. I could really use a drink at the moment, but I realized mixing alcohol with an important conversation was probably not the best idea. All in all though, it was about the only way I would make it through the next hour, so the bar was the way to go. I blinked at her and said, “The bar sounds fantastic.”
“Of course.” She nodded. “Go ahead and take a seat over there, and I’ll send him your way as soon as he arrives.”
“Thank you,” I responded before heading toward the bar.
I noticed an empty cocktail table on the left in the back of the room. It was the perfect hideout spot. I ambled over to the wooden chair and settled into my seat. My nerves were now out of control with anticipation of seeing Damon for the first time since meeting him at Pearl’s party.
A waitress appeared at my side. “What can I get you to drink, hon?”
I rotated to face her, and I chose the first drink that came to the front of my mind. “A screwdriver, please.”
“Going right for the good stuff.” She grinned. “Give me just a few, and I’ll be back.”
“Sure. Thank you.”
Within minutes, the waitress promptly returned with my drink. I sipped on it while watching the baseball game on a flat screen hanging from the ceiling. Oh-so slowly, the tension in my body dulled. At least, that was the case until the second my eyes caught sight of Damon striding through the front double doors. He was wearing a white collared dress shirt with the sleeves cuffed at his forearms. His dark denim jeans had a light-colored stitching.
My pulse pumped uncontrollably as he approached the same woman at the front counter, and he offered her a friendly smile. The young blonde briefly spoke to him before pointing my way.
Damon spun around, searching the crowd. When his eyes met mine, he revealed a heart-melting smile that defined the curve of his strong cheekbones. I was pretty sure my heart faltered for a few beats before kicking into an uneven rhythm. I forced myself to swallow deeply as he began to close the distance between us. His stride was composed, radiating strength and confidence. His brown hair was shorter than I remembered, and his tanned honey skin contrasted his soft blue eyes, making them appear calm and alluring. It was a strikingly hot mix.
I stood to greet him. My knees felt weak, but I ignored the sensation as I smiled shyly. “Hello, Damon.” I kept it short and sweet, so I would not lose control of my voice.
“Nice to see you again, Gail,” he replied, not missing a beat.
The deep throatiness of his tone sent awareness trickling down my spine. I resisted a shiver at the sound.
I gestured to the chairs adjacent to us. “Shall we?”
“Of course.”
After taking our seats, my adrenaline kicked into overdrive. I didn’t have the slightest clue how to get this conversation rolling, so I began with something simple. “Would you care for something to eat or drink?”
“Sure.” He glanced down at my drink and then back up at me. A mischievous grin revealed itself within his expression, making my heart stutter. “I see you already got started without me.”
I shrugged, going for innocence. “Liquid courage and all…” I trailed off, realizing that was probably too honest of a response.
His eyes shimmered, and the corner of his mouth slightly twitched with humor. “Not a bad way to go,” he teased.
I had to laugh. “That’s what I thought.”
The waitress appeared at our table. Damon ordered a full rack of baby back ribs and a Bud Light while I went for the Ketch Burger, fries, and a water.
“So, how long have you known Abbey?” Damon inquired after the waitress left us.
I toned everyone around us out. I wanted to openly talk with Damon, so we could get to know one another better, even if it would only be fractionally.
“Since my first year in college. Abbey and I had an English course together.” I smiled, recalling that first day I’d met her. “I saw her sitting down, waiting for the professor to arrive. She had these dark purple glasses on, and she was organizing her notebook with a pen already in her hand, so I figured she was smart,” I admitted sheepishly.
Damon let out a husky laugh. “So, you assumed you’d sit by the smart one in class?”
“Yep.” I chortled. “I sat in the seat next to her, thinking she could help me get by with a passing grade.”
He perked up one brow at me. “And how did that work out?”
“Well, I later found out that we both sucked at English, but with all our late-night study sessions, we managed to pull off an A-minus for the semester.” I paused, feeling grateful that I had Abbey in my life. That woman was my rock. “But the best part was gaining a best friend along the way.”
“So, it was all worth it then?” he asked sincerely.
The waitress returned with our food and drinks. It was then that I realized how hungry I was.
“Definitely.” My cheeks started to hurt from smiling so much.
The two of us began to eat, and we also made small talk with one another. For being in a bar, I barely heard the noises around us. I was completely zoned in on Damon, and I felt my earlier uneasiness slip further away as we continued to talk.
I told Damon about my occupation as a physical therapist, and I learned he was an architect. He had designed all the floor plans at the office he and Jason had recently purchased with their newest family member and business partner, Kyle Madison. Kyle’s wife, Lily, was Damon and Jason’s cousin, and Kyle was Abbe
y’s older brother. Kyle, Jason, and Damon were currently in the middle of rebuilding the interior of the building. It sounded like a very lengthy process, but I could hear the excitement and passion in Damon’s voice as he spoke about the details.
It was calming to learn more about Damon, considering the circumstances we were about to endeavor in the near future. I caught myself sneaking glances at him for a few seconds longer than would be considered polite even though I had been trying hard to resist. He was just utterly attractive in every sense of the word.
He seemed very responsible, composed in the way he carried himself, and compassionate about his work and family. He had all the admirable traits I looked for in a man—I mean, roommate.
As the end of our night neared, an immense dark cloud formed, hovering above me. I had yet to ask him about moving in with me, and I needed to get it over with before I chickened out and ran for the hills.
Instead, I found myself avoiding the subject. “So, do you think you’ll make California your permanent home?”
Damon’s soft eyes turned thoughtful as they penetrated mine. It was as if he was trying to get a read on the sudden shift in my demeanor. He bent forward and gently rested his forearms on the table. My attempt to ignore his movement failed miserably as I found myself glancing at the way his biceps hugged the sleeves of his slightly fitted shirt. He was just so damn gorgeous.
“I’m not sure yet, but it’s a possibility. The idea of moving here permanently is still new to me,” he responded honestly. “So far, I’ve really enjoyed being here and learning the area. Lake Tahoe has quite the scenery.”
I nodded in agreement, noting he was not set on this being his long-term home. Maybe that would help reinforce the need to keep my distance, so I would not become attached to him.
“It is beautiful, isn’t it?” I asked, responding to his comment about Lake Tahoe.
He delayed a moment but kept my gaze locked with his, driving my heart rate up again. It was as though something inexplicable was passing between us.
“It is,” he breathed.
His response caught me off guard, and I inhaled a feeble breath. I wanted to ask what he’d meant by that, but I didn’t. I could not go there. I needed to stay in neutral territory and get to why we’d met here. Otherwise, I was going to lose my nerve and run for the exit.