“Well, I—”
“He wasn’t at all happy about my presence.” He coupled another slice of cheese between two crackers.
“He made that abundantly clear.” I took another small sip of water.
“Did he? What else did he say?”
“That you professed your love for me and I was forbidden to have sex with you.” I pursed my lips, holding back a laugh. “I exaggerate but that was the general gist. What did you actually say? He wouldn’t tell me.”
“You asked him?” A bright smile lit up his face. “He must have loved that.”
“Don’t go puffing out your chest or anything. I’m ill and not thinking clearly. So...”
“I said that I’m very interested in getting to know you better, and now I know what’s been getting in the way. I told him I planned to pursue you.” He ate more of his snack and washed it down with sweet tea that he must have found in the back of the refrigerator.
“You said that?”
“I’m not into men, but he certainly has it in the looks department. Even at his age, he’s genetically gifted. So instead of dazzling you with my good looks, I’ll have to win you over with my incredible wit and intelligence. If that fails, I’ll have to pull out my tantric tricks.”
“And if I said I wasn’t interested?”
“I would know you’re lying. You’re just distracted at the moment. I’m a patient man.”
“I love him,” I said and sighed.
“I believe you, but you’re not happy.”
“That’s a bit presumptuous.”
He shrugged. “Maybe it is, but it’s still true.”
“Are you always this way?”
“What way?” Stay took the washcloth off my forehead and shook it out, letting it get cool.
“So confident of your own ideas?”
“Not ideas, perceptions and yes.” He refolded the cloth.
“Well add this to your perceptions then, I’m open for friendship and nothing more. I know my relationship with Mason won’t last forever, but I’m monogamous.”
“Even if he’s not?”
“Even.”
He slanted his head and raised an eyebrow.
“Well that’s not exactly true. If I found out he was sleeping with his wife or anyone else, I’d be livid.”
“Well then, I hope you don’t find out.” He replaced the washcloth on my forehead.
“Are you saying—never mind.” I didn’t want to know. “Why do you carry a handkerchief?”
“My grandmother said that all gentlemen used to carry them, and it’s a shame that my generation didn’t. I started keeping one in my back pocket when I was eleven years old to please her. I found it very useful and never stopped. How often do you use a restroom that’s out of paper towels? Or have a flat tire that needs to be fixed but have nothing to wipe your hands on. Or to give to a damsel in distress, like yourself. I could go on listing examples, but I’ll spare you. I’m a handkerchief zealot.”
“That’s funny.” When I fished out an ice chip from the water, the washcloth fell off in the process.
Stay shook it out again and said, “It feels really good on the back of the neck too.” I leaned forward and he wrapped it around the nape of my neck.
“Thank you,” I said, making eye contact. I felt the positive, sexual energy he projected my way, but I dismissed it, convinced that being sick had made me unusually vulnerable. “Did your grandmother raise you?”
“Yes, from eleven on. My folks weren’t the reliable sort. Alcohol was their poison, still is from what I’ve heard. Even before I lived with Granny permanently, I spent a lot of my time at her house.”
“Jacqs told me that you don’t drink alcohol. Is that because of your parents?”
“Yes and no. It was poison for me too. I didn’t like the person I was when I drank and neither would’ve you. Bond and Red stuck by me. Especially Bond. He picked me up off the ground many a time and tried to talk sense into me, still loving me even when I was a flaming dick. Red stopped me from getting my ass kicked on several occasions.”
“What made you stop?”
“My grandmother. She had really sacrificed a lot to raise me, even her marriage with my grandfather. That’s a long story for another time. I was a real handful in my teens and early twenties. One night she needed me and I told her I would come and I didn’t show. I got shitfaced and passed out at Bond’s old apartment. It’s not like I hadn’t disappointed my grandmother before but that last time, I could literally feel her pain. She thought she’d failed again and that I had become another lost cause. She didn’t say those things, she didn’t need to. She was my only family and she loved me unconditionally for years. That night broke me, and I thank the universe every day for it. I never had a drink again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I believe that everything in life shapes us into the people we are and I’m happy with myself. My grandmother is a truly wonderful woman and my parents are just people. They have a harder time coping with life than most.”
“That’s a healthy attitude. You seem at ease with yourself. I’m definitely not there yet.”
“You’re also not as far away as you think.”
“Thanks for your vote of confidence.”
“Anytime. Ready to try to sleep?” He stood already expecting my answer.
“Yes. Stay, I ... I can’t thank you enough. How will I ever repay you?” I lay down and he pulled the sheet and blanket around me.
“I have several things in mind, but you need to rest up first,” he said with his cheeky smile.
I chuckled and tried not to show my real reaction. “Seriously, thank you for being such a good friend.”
“You’re welcome. Where should I sleep?” he said, stepping away from the side of the bed.
“The couch in the second bedroom becomes a bed. The sheets are in the closet.”
“I could sleep in here with you, just in case you need me during the night.”
“Tempting as it may be, I think it might be better if you take the couch.”
“See, you do like me more than you let on.”
“Good night Stayman.”
“Good night, OCDC.”
CHAPTER SIX
Heal Over
by KT Tunstall
Thursday morning showed up way too soon. The light coming in through the blinds quickly made me aware of a slight headache. I moved around in bed and felt relatively normal. Then I looked at the time. Shit! 10:35 a.m. In all that had happened the night before, I hadn’t set or charged my phone. I’d have to plug it in once I got to Bella Boutique.
I stumbled to the bathroom, finding my land legs. After freshening up and taking two Tylenol tablets, I headed into the kitchen and almost collided with Stay. “Fuck, you scared the hell out of me!”
Stay, in boxers and a white T-shirt, was scrambling eggs. “I thought you might be hungry after last night.”
I stood there staring at him, trying to wrap my head around having him my apartment. Although thin, his legs and arms were far more defined than I imagined. Maybe he could have carried me, I thought. I also couldn’t help noticing that his bulge strained the opening on his shorts. Our group had gone skinny-dipping before, but I hadn’t taken notice of him then. It was hard not to while he occupied my kitchen. He needed to shave and it gave him a harder edged sexy appearance.
“Are you okay?” he said, reaching out to touch my shoulder.
“Oh, yeah ... just waking up. I came in here to start the coffee, but I can see you have it going already. Thanks. I’m starving.”
“No problem. Do you mind if I cut up some of the cooked chicken from the fridge and toss it in the eggs?”
“Use whatever you’d like.”
“Wheat or raisin toast?”
“Raisin,” I said, finally noticing the kitchen. “You cleaned up?”
“Yeah, last night. I corked the red wine and put the bottles in the cabinet with the others.”
As I showered, I wondered if I would hear from Mason. He looked so hurt when he left. I hope I hadn’t screwed things up for us. His jealousy did something strange to me. Instead of angering me, it actually turned me on. We had never discussed exclusivity, but last night he had made it clear. I just wondered if he had the same expectations of himself.
My hair would have to air dry, however, I took extra care with my makeup and it irritated me. You don’t care what Stay thinks, I reminded myself.
I quickly jetted across from the bathroom to my bedroom, and found my bed made and the evidence of last night gone. Maybe Cat was right and a man could be too nice. Of course I couldn’t ignore the fact that I told her that was ridiculous.
I dressed in a more casual outfit of crisp, pressed, designer jeans and a nice, sheer blouse in the hue of blue that we currently had on sale. After pulling on my high heeled sandals, I called Sam.
“Bella Boutique, how can I help you?” Her chipper voice helped me to relax a bit. The store was in good hands.
“Oh my god, you are a godsend, thank you, Sam. How’s it going?”
“Oh, it’s going great. I’ve made a few sales already. It’s quiet here at the moment. Oh, and I didn’t have a chance to grab food on the way in.”
“We can order something in at lunchtime.”
“Great. Hey, the bell on the door just rang so I have to go.”
“See you soon.”
I checked my reflection one last time and decided to braid my hair into a ponytail. Once done, I thought I looked presentable. “Please let him be dressed,” I said to myself before venturing out of the bedroom. To my relief, he was.
He had set the table for two. The cloth napkins that I rarely used were folded under the flatware. Eggs, toast, and sliced strawberries filled the table along with coffee and water.
I smiled, truly grateful that the night was over and that Stay had made it far less unpleasant than it could have been. “Wow, this looks great! And I owe you another thank you for straightening up my bedroom.” I took in his warm easy smile.
The hair growing in on his head and face really altered his appearance. He looked older and more dangerous. “As long as you’re impressed.”
“How could I not be? This looks delicious.”
We both sat down and I sighed internally that he not only acted like a gentleman, he ate like one too.
“Oh yum. The eggs are delicious with the spicy chicken. Do you cook a lot?” I asked, buttering the raisin bread.
“I mostly do the expedient thing, like roasting a chicken or making a sandwich when I’m on my own. I did spend a lot of time in the kitchen with my grandmother and know how to make several dishes and desserts. I think I heard you say that you don’t cook?”
“Cooking isn’t my thing, but I can get by in the kitchen. I never do anything elaborate, but like you, I rely on the basics. Hot premade meals from the deli at Publix or Trader Joe’s plus restaurant food make up a lot of my diet.”
“Same. There’s a Trader Joe’s not far from my place.”
We ate in comfortable silence for the rest of the meal and quickly cleaned up. We found an easy rhythm working side by side.
Once in his car, he said, “So are we on for dinner Friday night?”
“Only if you let me pay, to repay you for taking care of me.”
“A definitely no to that one. A man always pays according to Granny and as I already explained, I have other ideas on how you can repay me.”
“Stop it,” I said, mostly because my body responded to his sexual innuendo against my will.
“I thought we already settled this. You’re heavily in my debt and I’ll accept payment at a later date. I told you, I’m patient.”
“You’re going to have to be because it’s going to be a long time before hell freezes over.”
“My intuition says otherwise.”
Thankfully my phone rang and interrupted us.
“Hey, Lainie. Sorry about the food fiasco,” Jacqs said when I answer the call.
“At least you weren’t the one who cooked it.”
“Very funny. It figures my sister would be immune.”
“How are you, girl?” I asked.
“Oh me, I’m fine, but Red insisted I take the day off. You know how stubborn he can be. He’s also insisted on taking care of me,” she said, chuckling.
“Sounds like he just wanted an excuse to stay in bed and ditch the office.”
“That’s exactly what I said. You can’t argue with the head of the company. Plus there are plenty of perks right here.”
“Oh, I can only imagine,” I said.
“Is it true Stay took you home last night?”
“Yes, and he’s driving me to Red’s right now to get my car.” I glanced over at him and he shot me a sexy look. I almost smacked his leg, but decided against it.
“He spent the night? You have to come in and tell me everything!”
“I have to get to the store. Sam opened for me and is there by herself.”
“What happened to Mason last night?” she asked.
“Long story.” I glanced at Stay.
“Fine. Call me as soon as you get into your car. I want to hear all of it.”
“Isn’t Red beside you, wanting your full attention?”
“We took a break from other activities, to do some work. He’s on a conference call.”
“Well, my insatiable friend, I’ll call you in a few.”
Stayed pulled up beside my car and said, “Five-thirty on Friday.”
“Yes, okay.” I turned in my seat to face him and said, “Listen Stay, all kidding aside, you made last night and this morning so much easier for me and I’m forever grateful.”
He touched my cheek. “Thank you for letting me.”
How do you respond to something like that? I had no idea what to say. My eyes started to close and my head rested into his warm palm. When I realized what I had done, I blinked my eyes and shook my head. “I’ve got to go. See you Friday.”
Once in my car, I dialed Jacqs.
“I’ve been chomping at the bit here,” she said when she picked up.
“All of three minutes?”
“It was a long three minutes. Tell me everything!”
“There’s not much to—”
“Bullshit! This isn’t the time to hold out on me.”
“Fine, give me a second.” I pulled into traffic and stopped at a red light. “Stay stayed the night because he’s the one who drove me home and I didn’t have my car.”
“That was nice of him. Did he sleep in your room?”
I thought I heard her whisper something. “Of course not. Is Red with you now?”
“Yes, go on.”
“He was an incredible gentleman and after I got over being mortified to be “tossing my cookies” as he called it, in front of him, and crying like a blubbering idiot, I found out that he’s a decent guy. That is, when he’s not being a complete flirt.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. So he flirted with you. Excellent!”
“Well, let me tell you this. Mason was there waiting for me.”
“At your place?” she asked and then she mumbled something to Red.
“If you’re going to tell him everything, you might as well put me on speaker phone.”
“Great!” she said and then I heard the click.
“I was kidding.”
“I’m not. Go on. Did Stay meet him?”
“Yes and it was no love affair.”
“Oh, I see what you did there,” she said and giggled. “I’m so jealous that he got to meet him. Boy that must have been exciting.”
“That’s not what I would call i
t.”
“Did Stay and, um, the other man talk?”
At least she had some boundaries. “Yes. When I was busy in the bathroom divesting myself of lunch.”
“To be a fly on the wall in that room... What did they talk about? Hang on a second.” Then I heard her say, “Stop it,” to Red, but her voice sounded playful. “Red says I’m being too nosy. Please tell him this is how we talk.”
“She’s right, but she is excessively nosy too,” I said, laughing.
“Thanks for throwing me under the bus. So go on...”
“There’s not much else to tell other than Stay really saved me from what could have been a horrible night. He even made me breakfast this morning and it wasn’t half bad.”
“So wait a second. If you ended up at our place, that had to be because...”
“Yes, Mason stood me up, but then showed.”
“Wow. You certainly had an interesting night.”
“Listen, I’ve just pulled into the back of Bella’s and I need to run. Oh, before I forget again, my mother is having one of her horrible parties in a few weeks and I was hoping I could drag you along.”
“Just let me know when. I would love to see your father, and the food is always amazing. Plus, you have to admit, the people watching potential is just excellent.”
“That’s only because you and my father make up fake conversations that are hysterical.”
“Your dad is a kick. Tell him I said hi next time you talk to him.”
“I will. Hi and bye Red.”
“Hey, Lane. Glad to know you’re better. Has Jacqs told you we are planning a dinner party soon?”
“Honey, I wasn’t planning on inviting her. Just kidding! No, I totally forgot,” Jacqs said before I could respond.
“A week from Saturday,” Red said.
“Sounds good.”
“Talk soon,” Jacqs said.
“Bye guys.”
After placing my purse down on my desk, I lifted an unopened box and carried it out into the shop. Sam stood behind the counter.
“Love the flowers,” I said to Sam as I placed the box down. “They look great on the counter. Where’d you get them? I can reimburse you the cost.”
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