First and Only

by Olivia Howe

  I like talking with the folks that come by. They’re nice and polite. My only dilemma is that I wish it started in the afternoon, when I could be filled with joy and energy.

  “Lauren, can you get the boxes out of my truck? I’ll start setting up our table.” I haven’t had coffee yet. I don’t want to move. As if she read my mind, Carrie comes strolling over with a shit-eating grin on her face. “Here.”

  “What is it?”

  She hands me an energy shot. “That should wake you up.”

  “You’re a lifesaver.”

  “I know.” She laughs and walks away.

  I slurp down the energy booster just like I would a tequila shot—with no problem at all.

  I unlock her truck and grab a few boxes at a time. I don’t want to drop any of these precious pies.

  Maybe I load up with a few too many. I can’t really see over the boxes.

  I keep walking anyway, hoping for the best. Until I run into someone.

  “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I can’t see anything over these dang boxes.” Luckily, the unknown person catches the pile of boxes before they hit the ground.

  “Lauren?”

  I look up at the familiar voice. It’s him. “Mark! What are you doing here?”

  “My friends wanted to find an old part to a car. Some people told us that this place would be our best bet for finding it.”

  “This market usually fills with people quickly. You’re lucky you came so early.” I smile at him. He’s so beautiful to look at, so mysterious.

  “What brings you here, carrying boxes?” His voice sends chills through my body.

  “My boss is working a table today. She’s selling her famous pies.”

  “I will have to stop by and purchase one of them. I love pie. Which one do you recommend?”

  “Blueberry. Definitely the blueberry pie. That one’s my favorite.”

  “I’ll take your word for it. Can I help you with those boxes?” Before I can answer, he’s taking them from my hands.

  “Thank you.”

  Mark sets the pies onto the table. Carrie is nowhere to be found.

  I look up at Mark. His dimples send a smile to my face. I’m probably blushing at this point.

  “Let me take you out.”

  “Are you asking me out on a date?”

  He giggles. I love that sound. “Yes, I am.”

  “Sure.”

  “Does tomorrow night work for you?” He looks into my eyes with hope.

  I take a minute to think. “I have to work tomorrow until eight at night, and then I’ll be free.”

  “Perfect. I’ll pick you up around then. We’ll go have a few drinks. How does that sound?”

  How can I say no to anything this man asks of me? He’s too handsome and sweet. And today, I found out he’s a gentleman, too.

  “It sounds nice.”

  “Mandi?” Adam’s voice brings me out of my trance. I was on a roll, and I like where this story is taking me.

  I walk into my bedroom. Adam sits up and looks at me. My jaw drops.

  His eye is black. His face is covered with scars. I check out his abdomen. It’s filled with bruises.

  “Adam.”

  “Before you freak out, I’m okay. I’m used to it.”

  “You should see the other guy.” I try to crack a joke, which makes him laugh and then cringe in pain. He holds onto his ribs. “Are they broken?”

  He shakes his head. “Just sore.”

  I don’t like this sight of him. He’s all beat up, and his handsome face now hides underneath a blanket of scars and bruises. I don’t think I will ever get used to this. It’s brutal on my emotions and my nerves.

  I run to the bathroom and find a washcloth, coating it with warm water. I place it softly on Adam’s face, trying to pat some of the blood away.

  “I have to leave tonight.”

  “Why?” I don’t want him to leave. What will I do with myself? I just got him and now he’s leaving.

  “I have to go train, and I have a match back home. It’s not too serious, but Eddie wants me to do it. He wants me to have as much practice as I can. And it’s for charity. I’ll only be gone three days tops.”

  Relief washes over me. At least he’s only going to be gone for a short period of time, but three days without him is going to be miserable. At least I’ll have all those days to concentrate on my novel. This apartment won’t be the same without him in it.

  “I miss you already.”

  CHAPTER 9

  I ADJUST MY DRESS in the restaurant’s bathroom mirror. Carrie is hovering over me like a nosy teenage girl. I take a deep breath. “I can’t do this.”

  “What do you mean you can’t do this?” She turns me to face her.

  “I haven’t been on a date in years. I don’t do the whole dating thing. I’m too nervous. When I get nervous, I screw things up and I talk too much, way too much. He’s going to hate me.”

  Carrie puts her finger to my lips, shutting me up. “You’re beautiful. He’s going to fall in love with you, Lauren. You’re a sweetheart--who can’t love you?”

  Her comment makes me smile. I turn back toward the mirror, examining myself. “Are you sure this isn’t too much?” The dark purple dress hugs my body, showing off every one of my curves.

  “You look amazing, doll. Absolutely amazing.” Carrie always makes me feel confident and helps rid me of my anxiety.

  Tommy bursts into the women’s bathroom. “He’s here.”

  “Tell him I’ll be right out.”

  Tommy smiles and walks out the door.

  “This is your time to shine, Lauren.”

  ***

  Mark holds my hand as we enter the bar. Unknown music blares from the speakers. We take a seat at the bar and the bartender is there immediately.

  “What can I get for you two?” He smiles as he wipes down a cup.

  “I’ll have rum and coke.” Marks looks at me, waiting for me to order.

  “And I’ll have a grape margarita, please.”

  In minutes, our drinks are in front of us. He’s fast.

  “How many of those is it going to take to get you to go out there and dance with me?” He gulps down his drink and asks the bartender for another one.

  I laugh. “I’m not much of a dancer. I’ll break my ankle in these shoes.” I lift up my leg, showing him my five-inch heels.

  “Every woman dances when they’re drunk. I’m sure you are a beautiful dancer.”

  His comment almost causes me to spit out my drink. “You’re funny.”

  “I’m not kidding.”

  “Three.”

  “What?”

  “It will take at least three margaritas to get me out onto that dance floor.”

  “We can make that happen.” He winks at me, sending chills down my back.

  Lauren, do not make a fool of yourself.

  ***

  I was right. Three margaritas later and I’m on the dance floor grinding on Mark’s leg. I’m not doing half bad, either. He sure looks like he’s enjoying himself.

  His eyes are fixated on my body, looking me up and down every chance he gets. We’ve both had too much to drink tonight, but that’s the beauty of first dates. Alcohol is a real conversation starter, giving you enough courage to do whatever strikes your mind.

  “Tell me something… anything,” I ask, sipping on my drink.

  He takes a deep breath. We’re had some drinks into us, so this should come more easily. “I’m not married. Never been. I have no kids. I just haven’t found the right woman to settle down with. Well, to make me want to settle down. Harsh, I know, but it’s the truth.” He looks away, observing the people around us. Sadness strikes his face. Deep down, I think he wants nothing more than to settle down with the woman he loves.

  “I’m not married. No kids. I’ve been working at the same small café for years now. Part of me is scared to leave. It’s my comfort zone. I feel myself there, like I’m home. But, I want more in life
. I desire more than this.” I wave my hands around the room.

  “Be careful what you wish for. I would kill for a life like this.” He mocks me, waving his hands around.

  “Tell me more.”

  Mark sips his drink and sets it down on the bar in front of us. “My zodiac sign is Cancer.”

  My eyes enlarge. “Mine is, too!”

  “Rulers of the moon.”

  “We’re crabs,” I giggle.

  “Sexy crabs,” he says.

  We dance for hours, completely ignoring the people around us. It’s only us. We seemed to have transported ourselves to our own little universe. I could get used to staying there with him. He’s different than all the other guys I’ve met. I know women say this a lot and then completely change their minds once they meet another man. Mark is mysterious to me, probably because I’ve been in so many shitty relationships. He’s sweet, kind, smart, funny, and a gentleman. And he gets extra points for his good looks. I don’t know much about him, but I’m all in and ready to find out.

  I take Mark back to my place. I’m not paying attention to my surroundings, only the way his lips feel on mine.

  Our clothes are off in record time. His warm naked body lies on top of mine. He plants kisses down my body, teasing my breasts with his teeth, licking me there.

  Then he grabs a fistful of my hair, yanking back my head.

  “I need you,” I whisper, wanting nothing more than to feel him enter inside of me.

  He places a kiss on my neck and plunges inside of me. I moan out with pure ecstasy. Sucking on my neck, he keeps a tight hold of my hair. I hold onto his ass, pulling him closer to me. I want to feel him deeper in me.

  “You’re so tight.”

  I moan.

  He moans.

  He goes deeper, forcing my fingers to wrap tightly around the sheets.

  And then it hits me… I reach my climax almost the same time as him. My body shakes, bringing me into a trance. He knows exactly the right spots to hit to drive me over the edge.

  ***

  A knock at my door interrupts me. Adam is home in North Carolina, training for his big match tomorrow. Maybe it’s Karen. She got a hotel room, and I haven’t seen her since. I’ve talked to her a few times but I think she has been spilling her heart and soul into her work at the dance studio as an instructor. She is dealing with a lot at the moment. I’ll have to swing by and drop coffee off to her or something.

  I rush to the door, curious as to who’s there, and open it wide. It’s Adam’s sister.

  “Ivy!”

  “How are you doing?” She barges through my door, which I don’t mind. But I sure wasn’t expecting it to be her. That’s how Ivy is: outgoing, doing whatever she pleases, but graceful. She’s a free spirit, willing to help anyone who she thinks needs her. She’s the type of person who would dance in the middle of the street, dance naked in their backyard back home, or even barge into my house like we’ve been friends since childhood.

  “I’m okay. What are you doing here? Everything okay?” I shut the door and take a seat on the couch next to her.

  “Everything is fine.” She’s quiet as she looks around my house, standing even taller in her high heels.

  And then it hits me. “Adam sent you, didn’t he?”

  She laughs and straightens her lacy blue blouse “He wanted me to check up on you.”

  He’s worried about me? He hasn’t been gone more than twenty-four hours. Butterflies fill my stomach. He really does care about me.

  “Let’s go shopping.” Leave it to Ivy to get right to the point. She has always hated small talk.

  “Where? I have to concentrate on writing my novel.”

  She shakes her head. “Not right now, you don’t. You need to get out of the house.”

  I laugh and so does she.

  “Let me go get dressed.”

  ***

  We shop in downtown Chicago. Ivy wants to hit every single store and seems ecstatic cruising Michigan Avenue, popping into the sales at every boutique. I follow her lead, letting her take me wherever she wants to go. I should be home writing, I think—I was so in tune to my novel and characters when she popped in and can’t stop thinking about them as we window shop.

  The sidewalk and coffee shops are packed. In a little corner park, mothers run after their kids while teenagers hang out with their friends. Shouldn’t they be at school? As we walk past a water fountain. I spot an elderly couple holding hands. I want to have that one day.

  Ivy brings me back to the real world. “Earth to Mandi.”

  “What?”

  She laughs. “I asked where you wanted to eat.”

  “Anywhere. I’m starving.” I didn’t notice how hungry I am. Luckily Ivy showed up or I would be withholding food from my body. I was so into writing that I didn’t even notice.

  We get chicken wings and fries with a milkshake then sit down in the café and both dig into our delicious meals.

  “I’m so happy you and my brother are finally together. It only took nine years.” We both laugh at her comment.

  “It was more like ten years.”

  “I knew you both liked each other. You were always together. I don’t understand why he was with Clarissa. I used to watch the way he looked at you. And you looked back at him the same way.”

  I’m not sure what to say. She’s right, and we both know it. Adam and I were inseparable. I don’t understand why Clarissa and James were even in the picture. Maybe it was because we were young and dumb.

  “That doesn’t matter now. I’m happy you two are together.”

  “He’s my muse.”

  Ivy looks at me with a cute puppy-dog face. “Awww! I’ve been meaning to ask you how your novel has been coming along.”

  “It’s going pretty well.” I take a sip of my chocolate milkshake. The taste makes my mouth water. “I think it’s because of Adam.”

  “Because he’s your muse?” Her smile is never-ending and shows dimples just like her brother’s.

  “Yes. Ever since he’s come back, the words are flooding out of me.”

  “You two are meant for each other. Always have been.”

  “How’s college going?” I change the subject.

  “It’s great. The parties are off the hook. I’ve pledged a sorority.”

  “Which one?” I ask, intrigued. When I was in college, the popular sorority girls were always out doing fundraising and acting better than everyone else. No way in hell did I ever want to join. But Ivy is at a different school, in a different city, and she’s not stuck up whatsoever. Actually, quite the opposite.

  “Zeta Beta Zeta.” She looks so happy.

  “Good for you. Do you like it?”

  “Uhh… hell yes. The boys in the house next to us are swoon worthy. The girls are like my sisters, and there’s a lot of them to look out for me. It’s nice to have that bond with someone from a totally different background than you.”

  “Refreshing, ain’t it?” I know exactly what she means. That’s how I felt moving to Chicago. Different people. New city. New experiences.

  We finish our meals. Ivy drags me to every store in the mall. My feet are killing me by the end of the day. We’re there for hours before I get home and drop my bags on the floor in my living room. I got enough shoes to last me a lifetime and dresses for when summer comes around. As I crawl into my bed, my eyes shut instantly.

  CHAPTER 10

  MY PHONE RINGS. I know exactly who it is. I shut the water off and hop out of the shower quickly.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, baby.” Adam’s voice sends chills down my back. I shiver.

  “Are you ready for tonight? Who are you fighting?” I ask, drying my hair off and slipping some clothes on.

  “I’m more than ready.” His voice is music to my ears.

  “Who are you fighting?” I ask.

  “Charlie Colby. He’s a new one.”

  “Good luck.”

  “I need my good-luck charm.”

/>   “I’ll be watching online.”

  “Don’t forget. Knowing you’re watching will give me all the luck I need, baby.”

  Call me baby again, I think. “I miss you.”

  “I miss you more than you know. I’ll be back soon. The things I’m going to do when I see you...”

  I lick my lips. I’ll be counting down the hours.

  “I’ll be waiting.” We both laugh. He’s so easy to talk to.

  “I’ll be looking forward to it.”

  “See you soon.”

  “Adam,” I whisper.

  “Yes?”

  “Be safe.”

  “Always am. I’ll be with you soon.”

  I hang up the phone, thrilled and ready to see him kick some boxing ass.

  ***

  The big fight is on in five minutes. I take my bowl of popcorn out of the microwave and then get comfortable on the couch in front of my TV. I promised Adam I would be watching and sending him good luck virtually. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else besides here, watching the man I’ve always loved win.

  I dive into the conversation between the commenters, even though they’ve been talking for a while and I’m a bit lost. They are discussing each boxer, analyzing their strengths and weakness. “Well, Tim, I think Adam Wilson has been having a great year. He’s back in his home state for another chance at a win to add to his record. Charlie Colby is still new to the world of boxing. His current record is 5-0 with three knockouts.”

  “He’s still good for being new, Shawn. The fans are calling him ‘Jabber,’ and I think that name fits him well.”

  “Charlie Colby is fast, but Adam Wilson has great foot work and knows how to trick his opponent.” I think Shawn is team Wilson, though of course he’d never say it, or maybe he’s just stating facts.

  “He is named The Great for a reason.”

  I know, I think. He’s amazing, and he’s all mine.

  “Welcome to Township Auditorium in South Carolina. Tonight we have a headliner fight between Adam ‘The Great’ Wilson and Charlie ‘Jabber’ Colby going head-to-head. Neither of these men has lost a single fight. But tonight, one of them is going home with a loss.”