“What do I say when I meet with her?”
“You don’t. I’ll be going in your place.”
Lucy clomped her way back to the kitchen and picked up the beer. She took her time drinking and finally set the nearly empty bottle on the counter. “Got any pretzels?”
“I made us beef stew for dinner two hours ago.” She raised her pierced eyebrow at him. “Yeah, I have pretzels.” He opened the cabinet and pulled out a bag and tossed it to her. “So?”
“I could go for some beef stew as well.” Lucy pulled out a bar stool and sat at the counter, fully expecting to be waited on.
“You’re a pain in the ass.”
“But you love me anyway.”
“Only if you do this favor for me.”
“She hot?”
“Smokin’.”
“Am I going to meet her?”
“Not on your life.”
“Think I’ll scare her away?”
“Far, far away.” Luke scooped up some stew in a bowl and put it in the microwave. “She’s not your type.”
“Oh. Pretty, smart, and stuck up?”
“You’re pretty, Luce, if you’d stop dyeing your hair, inking your skin, and making holes in your body. And insanely smart.”
“I’m not going for pretty or smart, bro.”
“I’ll never understand you artist types. Why can’t you keep your creativity on paper and not plastered on your body?”
“Why can’t you mind your own business?”
All the kids had been the black sheep of the family at one point in time. Since Lucy had been seventeen when the Rileys adopted her and the rest of the siblings were in their twenties and working on careers already, Luke knew how hard it was for her to feel like part of the family. Everyone had moved away and started their lives, while Luke had just returned from serving in Iraq, leaving him to deal with the teenage drama. He was the only one she had.
Luke wasn’t sure how to connect with her, but he tried. He had more patience than the rest of the herd. What she really needed was a swift kick in the ass, but he didn’t think he was right for that job either. The best he could do was to include her in as many family decisions as possible, and call on her for favors. He knew she appreciated being thought of. Granted, the girl was the most irresponsible person he’d ever met. Hopefully he could count on her to make this one call. If he dialed and stood next to her the entire time.
“Look, Luce. I like this girl and she’s ignoring me. I just want a second date.” Now he sounded like a hopeless teenager.
“Wait. This chick went out with you once already and isn’t returning your calls?” Lucy laughed and then dove into her stew. “Face it, bro,” she said around a mouthful of steak, “you’re toast. She doesn’t want a second date.” She laughed again in between bites.
“We didn’t really have a first date. It’s complicated. She’s tough. A lot like you. And I want to see her again. Just make the call.”
Lucy wiped her mouth with a napkin and showed the first genuine smile he’d seen in a long time. “This is going to be good. Give me the stupid number.” She took out her cell and dialed.
“I’m working doubles Monday through Wednesday. Make the appointment for Thursday or Fri—”
Lucy put up a hand to stop him. “Hi, um…” She looked down at the card again. “Is this Sage Wilde?” she asked in a British accent.
Luke could only hear Sage’s muffled voice on the other end, unable to make out what she was saying. The urge to lean his ear close to Lucy’s was overwhelming, but he resisted. She already had enough ammunition against him to last a lifetime.
“Yes, I’d like to set up a meeting with you soon.” Lucy got up to pace the kitchen. She was having way too much fun tormenting him. “Mmhm. Yes, I see. Well, you came highly recommended to me.” Lucy bit her lip and scrunched her face. “By whom? Well, your name is dropped all over bloody town.” She let out a fake laugh that had Luke rolling his eyes.
“Mr. Barrows,” he whispered. “Ugh…Richard, no Robert Barrows recommended her to you.”
“Oh, you know Robbie. He loves your work.” She stilled. “Robbie. You know, Robert Barrows? Yes, he gave me your number. Anyway, I’m planning a sixtieth birthday party and would love to see what you can do for me.” Lucy gave him a thumbs-up and then turned serious again. “Sure. Sure. My name is Lucy…uh, Smith.” She rattled off her number. “How about Friday? Say sixish? We can meet over dinner. Sure….great…I’ll text you the location once I’ve made the reservation. Excellent. Ciao.” Lucy tossed her phone on the counter and belt out a loud, obnoxious laugh.
“Ciao? And British? Now we’ve established that you’re pretty, smart, and stuck up.”
“That was fun.” Lucy punched Luke in the shoulder. “And I got you a date. I didn’t know where you wanted to take her. You owe me. Big time.”
“Thanks, sis.” He pulled her in a headlock and gave her flaming pink hair a noogie. “And if you tell anyone what you did for me I’ll flat-out deny it and tell people you secretly date insurance salesmen and go to the opera.”
Lucy shuddered before flipping him off and heading out the door.
***
Sage
The workweek was a steady stream of doctor appointments, phone calls, and computer time. As luck would have it, the process to inseminate Sage was relatively simple. They signed the appropriate paperwork, went through injections, blood tests, pricks, prods, and other evasive needling, but in the end, it wasn’t as traumatic as Sage expected. Granted, she was still in a wait-and-see-if-she-was-pregnant stage.
Other than feeling like a science experiment, she felt like the same old Sage when she left the doctor’s office. Thyme, on the other hand, was a basket case. Thankfully she had Grayson and Maddie to go home to.
When Sage wasn’t meeting with the doctor or a client, she was arranging meetings and researching party ideas. There were so many websites and apps that had an abundance of ideas, which made her job even harder. Nowadays most people were cutting corners by planning their weddings, business meetings, or other events by themselves, with the help of the Internet.
Sage had to market herself in a way that showcased what she could offer and the Internet could not. Her phone calls to Lucy Smith were mostly left unanswered, so she had no idea what the woman had in mind for the party she was working on. The budget could be in the hundreds or tens of thousands. Sage had to treat every client like they were her only one.
Meeting clients for dinner or drinks on a Friday night was just as typical as any other evening. And meeting a potential client for dinner at a quaint restaurant in the Old Port was habit as well. Angelo’s wasn’t upscale. More of a date place. The atmosphere romantic, low candles burning in fat wine bottles, and classic Italian music filled the air. Often her clients wanted to taste the menu, get a feel for the ambiance of a restaurant before booking their party there.
Sage arrived ten minutes early, allowing herself time to read any last minute emails or texts, and checked in with the hostess.
“I have a reservation. Sage Wilde. I’m a few minutes early. Should I wait at the bar?”
The hostess looked down at her podium. “Your dinner companion is already here, Miss Wilde. Please follow me.”
Punctual. She already liked Ms. Smith. Only the person sitting at her table wasn’t British. And wasn’t a woman.
“Seriously? You’re crashing my meetings again?”
Luke’s hair looked freshly cut, cropped close to his scalp and neat. His eyes brimming with laughter, not the least bit ashamed. “Hardly.” He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You look beautiful.”
She didn’t think her navy pantsuit was beautiful. Her silver Manolo Blahniks with fuchsia stiletto heels, however, were stunning. Luke’s eyes hadn’t left hers, so he surely hadn’t noticed them.
“Luke, it’s lovely running into you again, but I’m meeting a client in a few minutes. You’ll have to leave.”
The hostess stood
awkwardly between them. Luke didn’t seem to be bothered by her. “Lucy couldn’t make it, so I’m here in her place.”
“What? You…you sabotaged my meeting?”
“Thank you, Haley; we’ll let you know when we’re ready to order.” He dismissed the hostess and pulled out a chair for Sage. “Please, sit. I would have ordered you a drink but I wasn’t sure what you preferred.”
“Nothing. I prefer to meet with my client.”
Luke pulled out his chair and sat close to Sage, his knees casually bumping against hers. “I’m meeting in her place.”
“Really? And what will we be meeting about, Mr. Riley?”
“My mother’s sixtieth birthday party. I believe Lucy already told you that.”
So maybe this was for real. Since his brothers and sisters were all adopted, most likely they had different last names as well. “Why didn’t you call me instead?”
“I believe I did. Quite a few times. And you never returned any of my calls. Not a very effective way to run a business.”
“I…You never said you wanted to discuss business. You implied…I thought…”
“You assumed.”
“Yes, well.” Sage picked up her water and scowled. Once again Mr. Sex-on-a-Stick had the upper hand. Very well. She could be professional about it. Pulling out her iPad from her bag, she clicked on to her favorite app and started a new spreadsheet while she talked business.
“Do you have a date in mind?”
“I do.” He stared at her, his dimples pronounced on his chiseled face. Was it hot in here? Her palms were sweaty while gooseflesh had taken over her arms and chest.
“A date on the calendar for your mother’s party.” She tapped her screen, opening and closing apps, trying to look busy so he wouldn’t notice the slight shake in her hands. Must be a side effect of the possible pregnancy.
“My mother’s birthday is February 15th. I was thinking the weekend before or after.”
“Valentine’s Day is very busy, and overpriced. I suggest the 17th.” She typed in the date. “What is your budget?”
“I have no idea. How much does something like this usually cost?”
Figures. Typical man. “It can cost as much or as little as you’d like. Do you have an estimated number of guests who will be attending? A venue idea? Theme? Location? Anything?”
“I’m thinking low-key. Just family. Probably at her house. Potluck style.”
Sage put her iPad down and sighed. “So what do you need me for?”
“Because I’m a guy and I don’t know how to plan these things and you’re good at it.”
“You have sisters. Ask them for help.”
Luke tipped his head back and laughed. “You obviously haven’t met my sisters. Well, Rachael would be great, but she’s in California. Lucy, though, she’s more useless than me.”
“The British one?”
At least he had the decency to look embarrassed. “Yeah, she’s not quite British. More so just a pain in the ass.”
“And it was your idea to have her call me?”
“Guilty.”
“I’m not sure if I should be flattered or calling for a restraining order.”
Luke’s face softened and turned serious. “I’m sorry, Sage. I guess I crossed the line. I shouldn’t have pushed.” He stood and tossed a few bills on the table. “I…I won’t bother you again.” He took off before she could figure out if she wanted him to stay or not.
It wasn’t until he left that she felt alone. He’d confused the hell out of her, yet she had the urge to help the poor guy out. Luke was nice, not a creep like Mr. Barrows. The man obviously had no clue how to plan a simple party for his mother. The least she could do was help him out. As long as she had the upper hand, knew where she stood, she could handle the sexy firefighter.
Taking out her phone, she unlocked her screen, scrolled through her recent calls and hit redial.
“Hello, Lucy? This is Sage Wilde. I’m sorry our meeting tonight didn’t work out, but I’d like to schedule another. How about Monday morning at ten at The Sweet Spot? It’s a bakery in Portland. Please call or text to let me know if the time and location work for you.”
Within minutes she received a message back:
I’ll be there.
Whether she’d be meeting with Luke or his sister, she didn’t know. Either way was fine with her.
Chapter Three
Sage
After finishing her cranberry scone and her second cup of coffee, Sage sent off a few emails to clients and closed her laptop. Damn that stupid, sexy fireman and his sister and her tardiness. Sage Wilde did not like to wait around for people.
The bell on the door to Sweet Spot chimed as another customer entered. Sage glanced up and quickly looked away from the site of the troubled girl who’d entered the shop. The girl went up to the counter and spoke quietly with the teenager who was working the register this morning. Sage stood and slid on her coat.
“Sage Wilde?” The girl had shockingly pink hair, too many piercings, and a dog collar around her neck. Her thin body looked ridiculous in torn mesh stockings, combat boots, and a black fatigue coat.
Homeless or on drugs, for sure, and what would this girl want with her? “Yes, that’s me.” Sage clutched her keys in her hand, ready to claw at the woman if she tried to pickpocket her.
“You’re not what I expected.” The woman made herself comfortable at Sage’s table, taking off her coat.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re not Luke’s type.”
“Again, excuse me?” How did this woman know about her and Luke? Not that there was anything between her and the man.
“You seem a little…not like him. Luke usually goes for the church girl types. That’s all.” She shrugged and wrapped her hands around her coffee.
Realization set in. “Are you Lucy?” The other woman nodded. Definitely not what she expected in Luke’s siblings. Granted, they were all adopted so she didn’t expect them to look alike. Sage pulled her arm out of her Burberry coat and slid back to her seat. This conversation would be interesting. She didn’t want to sound too curious about Luke Riley, however, she did want to know why he got up so abruptly from dinner. And why he called her to help with a simple family birthday party.
“So Friday night didn’t go well?” Lucy put her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her palm, as if the two of them were longtime friends having a normal girl chat.
The woman was odd. “We picked a date, but Luke didn’t have any details regarding guests, venue, food, etcetera. I was hoping you or your sister could help give me ideas as to what your expectations are for your mother’s party.”
At the mention of her sister, Lucy dropped her hand and averted her eyes. “I don’t think Rachael will be able to help much and I’m sort of…new to the family. Luke is the best one to plan this shindig.”
The Riley siblings were confusing the hell out of her and the last thing she wanted to deal with was family drama. “Look, Lucy. I’m sure your mother is a wonderful woman and will appreciate whatever you and your brothers put together for her. I don’t think you’ll be needing my services.” Sage stood, put on her coat, and picked up her bag. “Have a nice day.”
The girl snorted at Sage’s departure, bringing Sage to a complete halt. “Is there a problem here?”
“You’ve got a stick up your butt, lady. I don’t know why Luke’s so hung up on you.”
“I beg your pardon, but I don’t have a ‘stick up my butt.’ I have a business to run. I don’t appreciate you and your brother wasting my time.”
“Geesh, you’re dense.” Lucy took another casual sip of her coffee. “My brother has the hots for you and is using this party as an excuse to hook up.”
“So why did he walk out on me before dinner was even served?” Crap. She didn’t mean to let that slip.
“He what? You must have really pissed him off. He’s been in a pretty shitty mood all weekend.”
“I didn’t do
anything to piss him off. Your brother is as odd as you are.”
Instead of being offended, Lucy laughed. “Luke’s as straight-laced as they come. He’s a guy. He has a penis. He thinks with it. A lot. But he also has a good heart.”
Even more confused than she had been when Luke walked out, she rubbed her forehead. Her phone beeped, signaling her next appointment. “I have to go. I hope everything works out for your family.” Sage left the bakery before she gave into temptation and asked more questions about Luke.
He so wasn’t worth her time.
***
Luke
“You did what?” Luke shouted at his phone as he hit his head on the back of his couch. How dare Lucy set up a meeting with Sage? God, he was already humiliated enough after walking out on her the other night.
“Dude, I was doing you a favor.”
“Seriously, Luce?” Luke grounded his teeth and counted to ten. “How the hell was this a favor? What were you thinking?”
“Hey, the lady had your panties in a twist. I wanted to meet her. See what kind of woman knocked Luke Riley on his ass.”
“I barely know the woman. We had dinner once. We’re not compatible,” he lied. “So leave it alone.”
“She’s definitely interested. She didn’t text me because she wanted to plan Mom’s party. She wanted to see you.”
“She said that?” Damn, now he sounded like a middle schooler.
Lucy laughed. “Not in so many words. Women can tell these things.”
This time Luke laughed. “You’re telling me you have woman’s intuition? You’re the least ladylike person I know.” Luke knew the offhanded comment wouldn’t offend her. Still, he softened his response. “But you could be if you stopped hiding behind this punk disguise.”
“Whatevs. Gotta run. You owe me.” Lucy hung up before Luke could reply.
He felt like a total ass. First for stalking the woman. When she’d joked about the restraining order, it was like an old roll of film playing through his head of all the lawyer and courtroom visits his parents had over the years. Each foster child who entered the Riley home, whether it was for a few weeks, months, years, or forever, came with his or her share of baggage. And then there was the current restraining order Rachael had out on Dylan. If he made Sage feel uncomfortable, he’d leave her alone, no matter how much it pained him.
Wilde For You (The Wilde Sisters Book 3) Page 3