This Time Around (Road to Blissville, #4)

by Aimee Nicole Walker

“I see you brought your attack dog with you to work today,” I said when I walked inside the kitchen door at the side of the house. Then I got a load of the wallpaper and cringed. “I’m not living in a house with that kind of wallpaper, Andrew Mason-Miracle.”

  Andy dropped the scraper he was using to remove said ugliness. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Milo.”

  “What part? The one where you take my name and not the other way around or that you’ve bought this house for us to live in?” I tilted my head to the side. “Come to think of it, shouldn’t I have paid for half of the house too?”

  “Well, I—”

  “Wasn’t sure if I would like it so you didn’t bring it up,” I said looking around the kitchen. “Tell me what you envision for this room, Slugger.”

  “Obviously, the dancing peppers have to go. These cabinets are still in excellent condition, but they’ve probably been painted a few dozen times. Stripping off the paint probably isn’t feasible at this point, so I either sand and repaint them or replace them altogether.”

  “What about this wall here between the kitchen and what I presume is the living room. Can it come down to open up the space?”

  “It’s not a structural wall, so yes.”

  “Show me the rest, Slugger. Tell me what you see that appeals to you so much.”

  “It’s not so much the looks but the feeling I have when I’m here. It just feels…”

  “Right,” I finished for him.

  “Yeah.”

  “Eat your lunch then you can give me the grand tour.” Bull suddenly looked alert once he got a whiff of the bacon in Andy’s BLT sandwich. “What do you think about the house, little man?” Bull wagged his tail and barked. “I bet he loves that big backyard.”

  “He really does. Alli Cat would love the big windows with wide sills all throughout this house.”

  “Are you saying my cat is fat?”

  “I’m saying your twenty-six-pound cat needs sturdy window sills for squirrel and bird watching. You can take from that whatever you want, but it’s the truth.”

  The enthusiasm in Andy’s voice was endearing as fuck, but I tried to play it cool. The truth was, I’d most likely live in a tent if it meant sleeping beside him each night. I mean, it would need to be a lavish fucker with silk pillows and plush bedding, but still.

  “Show me the good stuff,” I said after Andy threw our empty lunch wrappers and cartons away.

  “You don’t have much time left on your lunch break, so I need you to pick between the good stuff dangling between my legs or the house.”

  “House now, sex later.”

  As much as I teased Andy, I knew exactly what he was talking about when he said the house felt right. I liked the house I bought a few years ago, but it never felt like a forever home. Of course, that might’ve had a lot to do with a certain man missing from my life.

  “This is my favorite room,” Andy said then opened the door to a decent-sized guest room. “The window seat isn’t as grand as the one in Maegan’s house.”

  “Yet,” I stressed. “I have complete faith in your ability to make this window even better than hers.”

  “Are you always so competitive with your sister?” Andy asked teasingly.

  “Always, Slugger. Maegan’s mini mansion is going to be tough to beat, but I believe in you.” I raised up and kissed his mouth. “Show me the rest of the good stuff.”

  Andy showed me the master bedroom and a smaller bedroom next to it that he wanted to convert into a master bathroom. “It will have a large walk-in closet for your vast wardrobe over here,” he said walking over to the left of the room. “And over here, I see a large soaker tub big enough for two and one of those fancy walk-in showers, also big enough for two.”

  “I like the way you think, Slugger,” I said, looking around the room and seeing exactly what he described. “What about the rest of the rooms?”

  “Well, there are two more bedrooms and a Jack and Jill bathroom between them.”

  “Awww, Mae and I shared one of those when we were kids.”

  “The first floor is a living room, kitchen, dining area, and a half bath for guests to use instead of having to traipse up the steps.”

  “Or piss off the porch,” I mumbled.

  “I’ll need an engineer to double-check that this isn’t a support wall,” Andy said when we returned to the first floor. If it is, we can still take down the wall, but we’d have to put beams across the ceiling, and there’d need to be support posts. There are plenty of ways to do that without it looking as tacky as you might imagine. I can show you pictures of the various options.”

  “This fireplace,” I said as I walked into the living room. “It’s beautiful. I love the old, weathered mantle just the way it is.”

  “I do too,” Andy agreed. “And what about that big bow window? Won’t Alli Cat love that?”

  “Yeah, she’ll have a blast watching birds, rabbits, and squirrels from that window. That front yard has a lot of potential for beautiful landscaping. I can have this looking like the prettiest house on the block in no time.” I turned toward the love of my life standing in a shaft of sunlight pouring through the window. “I love it too.”

  “Really?” Andy asked hopefully.

  “Yes, but that dancing pepper wallpaper must go, Andy. I’m not even playing right now.”

  “You have my word.”

  “Kiss me then,” I told him. “I need to finish my shift and then I need to get to Queen City Divas to get ready for the big event. I can’t wait for you to meet Archie.”

  “The guys and I will be there as soon as our meeting is over,” Andy said. “You’re not going to give Ollie a boner again are you?”

  “Not on purpose,” I replied sassily. “Kiss me.”

  And he did. Not some little peck on the lips but a full on I-can’t-wait-to-get-you-home-tonight kind of kiss with tongues and feelings. It made me want to be late returning to work, but Andy shooed me out the door so he could get back to removing the tacky-ass wallpaper.

  I couldn’t keep the grin off my face when I drove away from the house on Lover’s Lane. I snorted at the name of the street. The only thing cornier would’ve been if Blissville had an Easy Street.

  “I wonder what Andy will think about this outfit?” I asked Archie.

  “I don’t think he’ll be able to do much thinking at all with the way your ass looks in those shorty shorts and those fishnet stockings making your legs look a mile long. Damn, Peach, how many squats does it take to get an ass like that?” Archie swatted my butt for emphasis. “That little peekaboo cleavage you got popping out of your lacy corset is perfect. This drag mother is so damn proud of you.”

  “I miss Dame Alotta Bang Bang,” I told him. “Are you sure you don’t want to reprise that role?”

  “Baby doll, my drag days are behind me.”

  “You’re thirty-five not ninety-five,” I argued. “So start acting like it.”

  “I just don’t have the time anymore, even if I was interested. I have a new calling in life, one that I’m so proud of.” Archie had hung up his stilettos after his best friend died of AIDS. He spent all his time running a transition home that provided people with HIV and AIDS a safe place to live, recuperative care, and even hospice in a compassionate environment. “With the latest cuts to the HOPWA federal grants, I’m not even sure if I’m going to be able to keep Ryan’s Place open much longer.”

  “I have an idea,” I said. “Why not hold a charity event here where a percentage of the money goes to Ryan’s Place? The ownership adores you and the crowds still ask for you.”

  “I don’t know, Peach. I’m so out of practice.”

  “This isn’t the confident person I know and love. Sometimes you just gotta tuck and strut until you feel that confidence return. Come on, Arch. Let’s ask around and see if we can set something up.”

  “Okay, Peach. Don’t get your hopes up.”

  “Peach, you’re up in five,” Tony said.

/>   “Please don’t run off before I can introduce you to Andy.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it, Peach.”

  That night, I performed “Lady Marmalade” with a group of queens. Of course, we did the P!nk, Christina, Lil’ Kim, and Mya version. I felt Andy’s eyes on me as I worked the stage and sang my heart out. I loved performing, but it meant even more to me knowing that Andy not only tolerated it but encouraged me to be myself. Hell, he would randomly send me clips of songs he thought I should perform. That was an amazing gift, and I vowed never to take it for granted.

  After I changed into my street clothes and removed my makeup, Archie followed me out to the VIP section where my guy and his friends sat.

  Brent, Adam, Tyler, and Keeton stared at me like they still couldn’t believe it had been me up on that stage. “I know, boys. I was amazing tonight.”

  “You sure were,” Andy said, greeting me with a possessive kiss.

  “Andy, I want you to meet Archie. He’s my dear friend and used to be my drag mother extraordinaire.”

  “It’s so good to meet you, Andy.” Archie kissed both of his cheeks. “I’ve heard so much about you that I feel like I know you already.”

  “Uh oh,” Andy said. “Only believe the good stuff.”

  “Of course, sugar. I know what a drama drag queen this one,” Archie pointed at me, “can be.” Archie wrapped his arm around my neck and said, “Introduce me to the rest of your friends, darling.”

  I introduced the frat boys and Keeton first, saving the best for last. I don’t know how I knew, but I just had a feeling that Archie needed someone like Ollie in his life. I noticed the way Ollie’s eyes widened and Archie’s lips lingered on the pastor’s cheeks. I sighed happily and plopped down in Andy’s lap.

  “I see the wheels turning, Peach.”

  “Everyone deserves to be as happy as we are, Slugger.”

  “Don’t push,” Andy said. “It will happen if it’s meant to be.”

  “Sometimes we just need a gentle push.”

  “Or a ghost to lock us in a room together,” Andy suggested.

  “That too.” I looked over at Ollie and saw he was deep in conversation with Archie while the rest of the table watched the activity on stage. I hadn’t seen Archie smile like that in a very long time, and I desperately wanted to see my friend happy. Except, Andy was right. People had to find their way to one another.

  I just hoped it didn’t take twelve years for them to see each other again, and then another two years of acting stupid on top of that before they figured it out.

  “I’d like to propose a toast,” I said to the table. Everyone lifted their glasses of soda or water. “To serendipity.”

  “Serendipity,” they all said then bumped glasses.

  “I don’t know, Faith,” I said looking into the mirror in the dressing room. “I think I look like the lovechild of Burt Reynolds and Evel Knievel, not Kenny Rogers.” I stroked my hand over my fake beard and took in my leisure suit. “I don’t think I ever saw Kenny wear a leisure suit.”

  “It was the best I could find on short notice,” my sister said.

  “Uh,” said a masculine voice from behind me.

  “Just Andy,” I told Tony when I could see he didn’t know how to address me. I’d been behind the scenes enough to know he called the queens by their stage name.

  “Okay, Just Andy. You’re up in five minutes.”

  “Oh, Faith. I’m not sure I can do this.”

  “Knock it off,” she said. “You’re going to be amazing, and Milo will be so surprised.” She smiled at me and tears swam in her eyes. “I love you so much, Andy.”

  “Damn it, now I definitely have to go through with this harebrained plan.”

  “It was your idea,” she reminded me. “I’m just helping you out.”

  When Milo told me Peach was going to perform a few songs as Dolly Parton, I came up with the idea of joining Peach on stage dressed as Kenny to sing a duet before I dropped to one knee and proposed marriage. What better time than when both our families were in attendance to raise money for Ryan’s Place? I sure as hell couldn’t back down now after I asked for Dennis and Jackie’s blessing.

  “Are you sure Milo knows the words to this song?” I asked.

  “Positive,” Faith replied with a laugh. “We used to sing it in the car all the time.”

  “Was that before or after you became Linda the cheating whore?” I asked.

  “Before, duh. How could I be Kenny after Milo blew my ass up on that boat? That dude wasn’t good enough in bed to die for either.”

  Her antics relieved my tension until Tony said, “Okay, Just Andy, Peach is wrapping up ‘9 to 5’ so you’re up.”

  “Wish me luck.”

  “Break a leg,” Faith said. I gave her the evil eye. “That’s what they say in show business.”

  I walked out from behind the curtain as soon as the music for “9 to 5” ended. The crowd hooted and hollered when they saw my ridiculous outfit. Peach turned around to see what the commotion was about and clutched her chest when she saw me walking toward her. The grin on her face was enough to melt my fear, and the music for “Islands in the Stream” began playing when I reached her.

  I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but my Peach didn’t give a damn. Whatever I lacked in musical talent, I made up for with swaying hips and emotion. We made one hell of a fucking team, Peach and I. When the song ended, I slowly lowered myself to one knee, careful not to rip a hole in the crotch of the leisure suit and reached for Peach’s hand.

  “I told you this time around would be different. What do you say, Peach? Will you share your life with me?”

  “There’s no one else I’d rather spend it with, Slugger.”

  After we soaked up the adoration from the crowd, I slipped Tony a fifty-dollar bill to play lookout while I lived out my dressing room fantasy with Milo.

  The End!

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  Only You

  The Fated Hearts Series

  Chasing Mr. Wright, Book 1

  Rhythm of Us, Book 2

  Surrender Your Heart, Book 3

  Perfect Fit, Book 4

  Return to Me, Book 5

  Always You, Book 6

  Any Means Necessary, Book 7

  Curl Up and Dye Mysteries

  Fatal Reaction (Series Prequel found on author’s blog)

  Dyeing to be Loved

  Something to Dye For

  Dyed and Gone to Heaven

  I Do, or Dye Trying

  A Dye Hard Holiday

  Road to Blissville Series

  Unscripted Love

  Someone to Call My Own

  Nobody’s Prince Charming

  The Lady is Mine

  The Lady is a Thief

  Coauthored with Nicholas Bella

  Undisputed

  Circle of Darkness: Genesis Circle Book One

  Standalone Novels

  Second Wind

  Second Wind

  First, I need to thank my husband and children for their constant support and encouragement. It’s not easy living with a writer who often disappears into a fictional world for long periods of time. They do so many things to help me out so that I can realize my dream. I love you guys more than words can ever express.

  To my creative dream team, thanks seem hardly enough for all that you do. Miranda Vescio of V8 Editing and Proofreading, thank you for your tireless work, feedback, and many laughs while editing. Jay Aheer of Simply Defined art is an incredible artist, and I love how she brings my words to life. Stacey Blake of Champagne Formats is also an amazing artist who does incredible interior formatting, illustrating, and designing for e-books and paperbacks. Let’s not forge
t Judy Zweifel of Judy’s’ Proofreading. She does an amazing job of finding the tiniest details that make a book shine.

  To my lovely PA, Michelle Slagan. I’m not sure how I ever did this without you. I love you to the moon and back!

  Lastly, I am so grateful for my beta readers and the honest feedback they provide me. Thank you for all that you do, Racheal, Kim, Laurel, Michael, Brittany, and Jodie.

  Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.

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