by Amanda Ashby
“I see,” Laney said. “Well, it’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. I’ve long wanted to meet the infamous Nina.”
The heat of the day faded, and a low buzz rang in her ears while the earth seemed to move under her feet.
Did she say Nina?
She shut her eyes to wait until the dizziness passed. All this time, and it had finally happened. Why was she even surprised he’d lied? After all, the whole book had been a lie. It’s what he did for a job. And I believed him.
She braced herself for the contempt to come. But when she prized her lashes open, Eloise was still standing there, studying her with a frank expression on her beautiful face.
“He said no one knew,” she whispered. Her stomach clenched. Who else had he told?
“Darling, I’m hardly no one.” Eloise patted Laney’s arm. “Let’s go inside. I’m hot, pregnant, and not in the mood for watching two goofballs throw things at each other.”
She opened her mouth, then shut it. While she’d hoped to never see Adam again, she’d always known there was a slender chance it might happen. But until a few days ago, she never thought she’d be talking to the woman who inspired Nina’s literary counterpart, Elle. Beautiful, perfect, spontaneous Elle.
“We can sit in the main house. I’ll get you a cold drink.”
“Sounds delightful.” Eloise tucked her arm into Laney’s, and they walked there in unison. Violet, tired of watching the screaming kids, happily followed them and curled up in the basket Jessica kept for her at the end of the reception desk.
Eloise settled into a thick cane chair, and Laney stepped into the kitchen to retrieve two bottles of locally made lemonade. She pinched some fresh mint leaves from a jar on the counter and picked up two glasses.
“This’ll cool you down.”
“I swear, if I wasn’t married to Ryan, I’d be snatching you up.” Eloise slowly poured the lemonade into the glass and took a delicate sip, somehow turning the simple task into the equivalent of a Dita Von Teese show. No wonder Adam and Ryan had both fallen for her. She ran a manicured nail along the glass and gave Laney a coy smile. “If you must know, Adam didn’t intend to tell me. I just happen to have certain…skills…at extracting information.”
After seeing her drink lemonade, Laney didn’t doubt it.
“You used sex.”
Eloise let out a throaty chuckle. “Sometimes. But Adam isn’t like most guys. He doesn’t always think with the lower part of his body. I used a more direct approach. Tequila, hysterics, and starting a kitchen fire. I doubt he remembered it.”
“A kitchen fire?” Laney quirked an eyebrow.
“Telling me who you were,” Eloise corrected with a satisfied smile. “He said your name was Laney Litchfield, and when your sister-in-law mentioned you the other day, I did some discreet digging. Don’t look so alarmed. Your secret’s safe.”
Laney shut her eyes. If she said thank you, Eloise might guess how important it was to her no one knew. But if she didn’t say something, Eloise might think she didn’t care. The wicked webs we weave…
“I appreciate it,” she finally answered.
“It’s as much for Adam’s benefit as anything. He’s been stubbornly silent on the matter, and since I wasn’t exactly the ideal wife for him, it’s the least I can do. I’m actually relieved to find you.”
“Why?” Laney asked before she could stop her herself.
“When he didn’t come back to L.A. after Ryan told him about the baby, we were worried he might have done something—” She broke off and took a deep breath. “We were concerned. But now that we’re here, it’s obvious what the appeal is.”
Yes! Laney’s itch did a fist pump. She ignored it.
“Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong. He’s only here for work.”
“You really are the sweetest thing. I can see why he wrote a book about you.” Eloise leaned forward and tucked a strand of hair back from Laney’s shoulder.
“Sweet is the last thing Adam thinks about me.”
“Try not to be too mad at him. Adam really was clueless about how the book would be received. Suddenly, everyone treated him like a love expert rather than a sportswriter.”
She stiffened. His admission that he felt like a fraud. The way he’d flinched when people called him Doctor Josh. It’s really true.
And he’d tried to keep her identity secret. Even from his own wife.
The thought teased her mind as the brothers walked through the reception doors. Ryan’s face was more striking, but Adam’s eyes were a deeper blue and had a serious gleam his older brother lacked.
He had a T-shirt in his hands, but at the sight of Laney, he quickly thrust it on.
Boo, her itch muttered.
“Should I be alarmed?” he said in a calm voice, at odds with his tight-lipped smile.
“Relax. Laney’s just been telling me about the history of St. Clair.” Eloise fluttered her lashes at him while Laney focused on creating a doorway to another realm. Or a hole in the ground. Either would be fine.
“See, I told you everyone was friendly here.” Ryan sat down next to Eloise, seemingly oblivious to any underlying tension. He slung a giant arm around her shoulder and dragged her close. She squirmed as if in protest about his sweaty naked skin, then sank back against his chest. They were nothing alike. He was a mountain of charm and good looks, and she was all curves and sophistication. Exotic and expensive. But when she pressed against him, something in her eyes changed. She really did love him.
Despite herself, Laney smiled.
“What’s so funny?” Adam’s shoulders were rigid as he took the armchair.
“Nothing,” she quickly said. Does he think I’m laughing at their relationship? She flushed and tried to think of something to cover her lapse. She turned back to Eloise, whose pale, slender arm brushed against Ryan’s face. “I just figured out what your flower is. Orchids.”
A delighted smile spread across Eloise’s mouth, and her eyes gleamed. “Aren’t you full of hidden skills. I’m impressed. They’re my favorites. Now if you could get my beautiful meathead to remember, I’d love you forever.”
“If you have any complaints, then you need to—” Ryan broke off and whispered something in her ear. Eloise tilted her head and gave him a deep kiss in answer to whatever he’d said. She languidly turned back to Laney with a wolfish smile.
“What kind of flower is Adam?”
Laney clamped her lips together before she could speak. She had no idea if Ryan also knew about her past with Adam, but she certainly didn’t want to bring it up.
“It must be an X-rated flower,” Ryan said in delight, then scratched his chin. “Is that even a thing?”
“No, I just…I haven’t got one for him yet. It took me a year to figure out my college roommate’s flower. Though sometimes it’s easy. You’re a tulip.”
“Hear that, baby?” He purred in Eloise’s ear. “I’m a tulip.”
“Yes, you are.” She swiveled around to face him, her perfect manicure grazing his cheek. Ryan let out a whimper, and this time, when they kissed, it didn’t stop. Laney looked away.
“They do that a lot. We could just go. They’d never notice,” Adam said.
“Finally, you’re showing some sense,” Eloise murmured as Ryan scooped her up in his arms like she was a fragile porcelain doll.
“Excuse me, folks. There are a few things I need to discuss with the mother of my child.” He paused to wink at them before striding away.
“And that is Ryan and Eloise,” he said as they disappeared into their cottage. “The spokespeople for Inappropriate Behavior When You Least Expect It.” He pinched the top of his nose, as if trying to get rid of something painful. “You might as well hit me with it.”
“Hit you with it?”
“Eloise doesn’t specialize in chitc
hat, which means she told you something about me. That I talk to the television when I play Dark Souls? That I eat Cheetos while I’m writing? That I—”
“She called me Nina.”
Adam swore under his breath, his jaw tightening.
So, he really hadn’t known. It shouldn’t comfort her, but it did.
Which could be a problem.
“I don’t know what to say. I swear I’ve never told anyone. Eloise included.” He leaned forward. There were smudges of purple under his eyes, making him look tired. Too much writing? Her fingers twitched, and she fought back the urge to touch his skin. Then he looked up, his piercing blue eyes trapping hers. They were fringed with dark lashes and clouded with worry.
Like it mattered what she thought.
She sucked in a shaky breath.
“I believe you. Apparently, she got it out of you when you were drunk. There was a kitchen fire.”
“I should have guessed.” He massaged his temples as something rippled across his face. “Welcome to my marriage. If it’s any consolation, I know she might seem like a loose cannon with a complicated moral code, but she’d never go public with it.”
“I think you’re right. She said she owed it to you. Because of Ryan.”
“But not because she set the kitchen on fire…hence the tightrope that is my ex-wife,” he said, then let out a bark of laughter. “You’re probably the last person who wants to hear that. I take it you do have a flower for me. Let me guess. Wolfsbane. Pokeweed. Poison ivy. Cactus.”
“I’m taking the fifth.” She dipped her head, not sure whether to be amused or alarmed that he knew her well enough to guess. “Was it difficult? The divorce?”
“More awkward than difficult. Admitting what you thought was love turned out to be something less epic—” He looked away, voice resigned. “Eloise insists she only slept with Ryan so I would finally accept that the relationship was over. I wasn’t joking about being a slow learner.”
“I’m sorry. I thought that nothing happened between them until…” She trailed off, daring to meet his gaze. His clenched jaw and haunted expression suggested it hadn’t been as easy as he made it out to be.
“That version made for better PR. Truth is, we hadn’t been happy for quite some time.”
Despite herself, Laney leaned forward.
In the book, he’d accused Nina of not taking a risk on the relationship until it was too late. That had always stung, since he was the one who left. She’d been right not to trust him to stay with her. Not to hurt her.
But he’d stayed with Eloise, even when it hadn’t been good.
He’d been the one to get hurt. And they were still friends. More than friends. Family. He even seemed happy about the fact they were having a baby.
I misjudged him.
“It must have been difficult.”
“Ironic, isn’t it? I wasn’t spontaneous enough for her. I guess this is your karma moment,” he said, though there was no malice in his voice.
Her heart rammed in her chest.
Did he think she was gloating that he’d been hurt?
“That’s not what I meant. I was mad at you, but I never wanted you to be unhappy. The fact you’re still so close to them is…impressive.”
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but they’re my family. I’d rather have them in my life than out of it.”
“I get what you mean,” Laney said, thinking of Jessica. She couldn’t imagine a world without Simon’s sister. “I liked them. Though it was surreal to talk about Nina with Eloise. It’s not something that’s ever happened.”
“Not even with your husband?” he said, his eyes once again trapping hers. Shame crept along her skin, combined with annoyance that she’d slipped up. She didn’t want to talk about Simon with him. Or admit that she’d kept secrets. Besides, it wasn’t a secret, exactly; she just hadn’t wanted to ruin the happiest time in her life by dragging up the past.
And… There had been a little part of her that was worried he might have believed she really was like the fictional Nina. That it might have somehow tainted what they had. She’d lied by omission.
“It didn’t come up,” she said in a light voice. She was saved from further probing when Violet, who’d been asleep in her basket, woke up and started to bark.
“It’s okay, girl. I’m playing nice,” he said and turned to Laney. “Your dog really, really doesn’t like me.”
“She’s just protective,” she said as Violet walked over, still keeping an uncertain eye on him. Then he flinched and let out a groan.
“Hell, I’d forgotten about that thing. No wonder Violet’s still so pissed at me.”
“What?” Laney wrinkled her nose before turning to see what had captured his interest. Oh.
The blue sweatshirt.
“I’m sorry about that. I had no idea you were related when Jessica asked me to sign it.” Lines radiated out around his jaw. Either he was the world’s best actor or he really meant it.
“Don’t beat yourself up. Jessica’s thrilled. I don’t mind,” she said, and the truth of the statement hit her. For so long she’d carried the burden of the book alone, and even though it was Adam’s fault, it was still a relief to be able to talk about it out in the open. A relief to stop pretending I’m something I’m not.
“I’m not sure I deserve you to be as understanding as you are. About everything. About me being here.” The smile disappeared, replaced by a serious line. Like what she thought mattered. Her palms prickled as an overwhelming sense of loneliness swelled up. How long had it been since she’d talked like this to someone?
Stop it. I’m not lonely. I have everything I need.
She sucked in a shaky breath.
“Paige and her book club would never forgive me if I was the reason the great Adam Fitzpatrick never finished his long-awaited novel,” she said as Violet gave another sharp bark.
“I think that’s my cue to leave.” He stood up, treating her to the full expanse of his body. Her eyes raked over him, taking in the faint layer of sweat and the raised color in his cheeks. His square jaw was softened with a hint of a smile.
It was so familiar.
He was so familiar.
She was twenty when they’d first met. They’d been at a party, and he’d literally crashed into her as a fight had broken out. His arms had caged around her as they both fell to the floor. When she looked up, she’d found herself staring up into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.
The spark had been instant, and all Laney had wanted to do was press her mouth to his. To wrap her arms around his neck and breathe him in.
Nothing’s changed.
She shakily stood up. He was only a few feet away.
Does he feel it, too?
He tilted his head as if studying her, a curious expression in his eyes. Invisible threads that connected her to him seemed to tug her forward. Violet gave a little yip and went racing out the front door just as Jessica’s car pulled in.
Laney stepped back, heart ramming into her chest.
“I’d better let you get on with your day,” he said. “Big plans for tonight?”
“Sort of.” Truth was that she and Violet would do their nails and watch television. “It’s the Spring Fling fundraiser tomorrow.”
“I’ve seen the posters but couldn’t decide if it was a carnival or a parade.”
“A little bit of both.”
“I’m intrigued. I might swing by after I take the lovebirds to the airport. Just to make sure they get on the plane.”
“You should. It’s the quickest way to earn brownie points in St. Clair,” she said, the words out of her mouth before she could stop them. She groaned. Had she learned nothing from their most recent encounter?
“Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.” He gave her a small nod and jogged out the door, taking his
near-naked man body with him. The scent of cedarwood washed over her, and the sweep of loneliness tried to rush back in. She pushed it away. It was just a memory of the past. It had nothing to do with her now.
Violet hurried after him, barking as Adam crossed the parking lot. He stopped and nodded at Jessica, then climbed into his car and drove away.
She leaned back against the counter as Violet reappeared, her huge chocolate eyes filled with outrage. At least one of them didn’t have a problem remembering why they were mad at him.
Chapter Nine
“I fell in love with Elle in Paris. We were crammed into a tiny restaurant. It was loud, noisy, and every time the kitchen door opened, our table shook. But all I saw was her.” Blue Moon
Adam reached the town square as a huge float rolled past, dragged by an ancient tractor. The base was covered in white flowers, and on the top sat a huge red crab that had been made out of chicken wire and spray-painted cardboard. Two young girls stood on the float, both wearing fairy outfits as they clutched at large baskets. A woman knelt down, urging them to throw whatever was in the baskets out to the growing crowd.
The first girl poked out her bottom lip in defiance, and the second stamped a foot.
“It’s the Mitchell twins.” Paige appeared next to him. She was wearing a red wig and a brown dress with an apron over the top. “They’re meant to be throwing crab candy into the crowd.”
“Crab candy?” he said before pausing. “Sounds interesting.”
Paige let out a short bark of laughter. “It really doesn’t. But it’s part of the charm. It explains why I’m dressed as—”
“Anne Shirley,” he promptly said. It earned him a broad smile.
“I love book people! I told Luke someone would recognize it. I don’t usually dress up, but it’s kind of expected,” she added just as a huge corn on the cob walked past. Adam blinked.
She was right. There was a giant My Little Pony, three Pikachu, an avocado, and a waffle with leg warmers.
Across the street, Kira had on an elaborate dress, complete with a knife belt and what looked like a katana. Even Cal had pushed back his hoodie and had a green wig on his head.