by Natalie Ann
“True, so you aren’t much help,” Quinn said, laughing. “Let’s eat it while it’s hot and you can catch me up on anything new and exciting in your life. Normally I’d figure there isn’t much, but since I saw you in town with that sexy friend of yours, I’m thinking you might have something juicy to share.”
Unfortunately, Quinn’s comment was true in that Mallory never had anything exciting or juicy to share with anyone. Not even Trixie, who she was the closest to.
But now she did have something spicy and part of her wanted to share everything that had been going on. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to start here and see where it went. She felt there were things that she could tell Quinn and they wouldn’t go any further.
“Nick and I are dating, I guess.”
“You guess? How can you not know that?” Quinn asked around a mouthful.
Good question. “Well, he lives in Richmond, Virginia, and I live here, for one.”
“Yeah, but you can work anywhere, and you said you knew him from childhood, so you have to have family there, right?”
“Sure I can work anywhere. Yes, I lived in Richmond before here, but I have no one left to go back to. My parents are both gone and I’m an only child.”
It was the most she’d ever said to Quinn, in terms of a personal nature. Surprisingly it didn’t feel like a hammer had fallen on her head when the words came out. It was easier than she thought.
Quinn seemed to hesitate and finally said, “Yeah, same here, sort of.”
One of the things she liked so much about Quinn was that she never pried, and they never shared anything too deep, but it seemed to her Quinn wanted to for some reason. After all, Quinn was the one who brought it all up just now.
Normally they just talked about things going on around town, nothing ever personal or in their past. “What about you? We’ve known each other for a year and yet I don’t know that much about you.”
Which was kind of hypocritical of Mallory now that she thought of it.
“Not much to say. I’ve been on my own since I was eighteen. I haven’t seen my mother since I was thirteen and don’t even know who my father is. One of a few men, I guess. Either way, I never met him. I’ve got two younger brothers and a younger sister, but I haven’t seen them in years either.” She shrugged. “We do talk now and again though.”
Mallory wanted to ask more, but she held her tongue. She was shocked Quinn said as much as she had already, but she didn’t want to push any more. Instead she did something she’d never done before in her life. She started to talk about herself more.
“Nick is coming back tomorrow. I’m picking him up at the airport.”
“Really? Then I guess it is more than dating. Do share. It’s been too long since I’ve heard any titillating information, let along partook in anything that might titillate me,” she said, then giggled. “And that’s just depressing, so cheer me up.”
It was new ground for Mallory and she wasn’t sure what or how much to share, but it was fun to think about having a girlfriend to confide in. She’d never had that growing up. The closest friend she had was Rene and Rene was younger than her, and she sure couldn’t tell Rene she’d had a crush on Nick.
“We’ve been on a few dates. We have fun together.”
“I want juicy. That’s dry. It must be more than that if he’s coming back. I mean I know you said his grandmother lives here, but still. What does he do that he can be away for so long?”
“He owns his own software development company, so he can work from anywhere.”
“That’s always nice, being your own boss. That would be my dream someday, to own my own restaurant. So how does this taste?”
Quinn gestured to Mallory’s half-eaten dinner, not even aware she’d been eating and talking.
“It’s really good. You never said you wanted to own your own place, but I think you’d be good at it. You’re an awesome cook. What type of restaurant?”
Mallory took another bite and could totally picture Quinn running her own place. She’d yet to bring over one bad dish of anything.
“I’m not sure yet. It’s just a pipe dream. Right now I’m learning to make everything I can just to get experience. First I need one full time job, then I’ll focus on something else, like putting money away and not having to stress each month when the bills come. What about you? Is this what you always wanted, to be an insurance adjuster?”
Mallory laughed, it was too funny of a question to not. “What, doesn’t everyone dream of that? No, it’s not what I wanted.”
“What do you want to do?”
Could she tell Quinn? Could she put a bit more of herself out there right now? Part of her needed to. To take this step and see how it felt.
“I’m writing a book right now.” It was true—she was writing a book right now. She wasn’t lying.
“Really? That’s exciting. What’s it about? How do you get it published? I don’t know anything at all about that. Then again, I don’t have time to read anything for pure enjoyment, as sad as that sounds. If it’s a cookbook, I’m all over it though.”
“It’s a mystery novel, more of a thriller. I like solving things. As for getting it published, well, that could be tricky, but I’ve got a plan for down the road.”
She left it at that. Again, not lying, but not coming out and telling the complete truth. Just giving that little bit of information felt liberating. To be able to talk to someone about what she actually did for a living and not always hiding everything. Even if it was only a tiny portion of it.
“Well, I can’t wait to read it once it’s done.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Absolutely. Why wouldn’t I want to read something my friend wrote?”
Mallory knew that Trixie read all her books, even though they were geared toward teens. It always gave her a feeling of accomplishment, pride even, that she got such good reviews on her books, but she never knew who wrote them.
But this would be different, and it was almost scary even. Writing anonymously seemed easier than people knowing. What if Quinn didn’t like it? Would she tell her? How would that feel?
“So tell me more about Nick,” Quinn said, interrupting her thoughts, and Mallory was happy for the reprieve.
“He’s single, obviously, since we’re dating.” she said laughing. Then without thought, she blurted out, “Actually he just called off his wedding over a month ago.”
“Oh, wow. And he’s jumping right into a relationship with you? That doesn’t bother you? You don’t find it strange?”
Mallory hadn’t thought of that and now was wishing she hadn’t mentioned it to Quinn. Maybe she was better off not talking.
“I’m not really bothered too much. I mean, I am, but he called it off, not her.”
“Do you know why? Has he said?”
“I know bits and pieces of it. And remember, Trixie is his grandmother and I’ve known Trixie for years, so it’s not like Nick’s life has been a secret.”
“That’s true, you did say that. Makes sense. Is this some type of long-lost love reuniting?”
Though Mallory was a romantic at heart and her thoughts had drifted down that path recently, she would never admit it. There was just too much in her and Nick’s past to think this could work out—or work out smoothly—no matter how much she might wish for it.
“I don’t know about that. The thing is, though, I know he’s probably seeing her now. Back in Richmond…and I’m a little insecure about it.”
Quinn picked her empty plate up and dished some more dinner on it. “This is really good. I’d say this recipe is a keeper for sure. I’d be insecure too, if I were you. But you said he broke it off, so what makes you think he’s seeing her now?”
“She works for him, or she did. I’m not sure if she is still there. We haven’t gone into too many details. It’s kind of a touchy subject and I haven’t wanted to push.”
Because pushing on his personal issues would give him leeway to push on hers.
“Okay, that’s a little odd. Have you talked to him since he’s been gone? Has he said anything about seeing her?”
“I talked to him on Tuesday when he got there and that’s it. I was a little distracted with work. He sent me a few texts.” And she picked up the equipment he wanted. “I’ll see him tomorrow when I pick him up. Maybe that’s why I’m so nervous about it. I have no idea how he is going to be when he comes back.”
Will he be upset or bothered? Will he be happy to see her or…or realize that he needs to go back home, and that he just returned to get his car? She had to stop letting her mind wander, but it was twisting her upside down worrying.
“I guess all you can do is talk to him when he gets here. It’s never good to hide things from each other.”
“You’re right, it’s not,” Mallory said, hoping she didn’t look guilty.
Chapter
Boy, Mallory was a sight for sore eyes.
As tired as Nick was, he couldn’t wait to come back and see her. Having her standing there while he walked out with his carry-on bag and pulling a bigger suitcase was the brightest moment in the last four days for him.
He’d wondered if she’d be here. Not that she’d forget, though he was slightly nervous she’d get lost in her work and lose track of time.
No, he was more worried that with him gone, she would start to think that maybe it was for the best. That maybe this couldn’t work, no matter how much he was trying to figure out how to make it happen.
“You look stunning,” he said, walking up and dropping his bags, then pulling her close and hugging her tight.
She returned his hug, laughed, and leaned back to kiss him quickly. “You must be exhausted if you think that with the way I’m dressed.”
He stepped back and picked his bags up, then looked at her more closely. She looked about as tired as he felt. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she was wearing jeans and a shirt that had seen better days.
“How much sleep have you had since I’ve been gone?” He hoped it was from work, and not her worrying if he’d return.
“Enough,” she said.
“Liar, liar. I smell the smoke from your pants right next to me.”
“That’s a pretty ridiculous statement coming from a grown man,” she said and wrinkled her nose at him.
“Maybe I’m just happy to be back and seeing you. Did you think of that?”
She eyed him for a moment. “No.”
“Which way to your car?” he asked, trying to figure out what to say next. He didn’t talk again until she was behind the steering wheel. “Did you think I wouldn’t return?” He figured it was best to be direct.
“It crossed my mind. Then I realized your car is here.”
“I told you I’d be back. Did you want me to stay there?”
He hated asking but knew they needed to talk. He couldn’t wait to get back and see her and he couldn’t figure out what was going on in her head, but there was something, there was no doubt.
“I wanted you to return.”
“Then why say it crossed your mind that I wouldn’t?”
“You live there. I live here. You haven’t seen your family and…other people in over a month. I thought maybe when you returned home, you might realize that your time here was up.”
“Other people. You mean Kendra?”
“Yeah,” she said quietly.
He hadn’t expected this reaction from her. He’d told her that his relationship with Kendra was over and there was no chance of reconciling. Hell, he didn’t even know Kendra was thinking along those lines because it frankly never crossed his mind.
Did maybe Mallory think he’d see Kendra and realize he’d made a mistake canceling the wedding? That sure the hell wouldn’t say much about him as a person to be sleeping with her here in Lake Placid.
He wanted to be annoyed over this situation but decided to hold off and see what was going on in Mallory’s head some more.
“I saw her and we talked,” he admitted.
More silence, like she was weighing her words. “Did she say why she hasn’t returned any of your messages?”
“Sort of, but I didn’t buy it completely.” Which was true. Why would she not talk to him at all and then say she wanted to get back together? Even if she was thinking along those lines, why not at least reach out to Nick with something? Anything. No, he didn’t really buy her explanation. “Want to know what she said?”
“Only if you want to tell me.”
Nick knew she was driving and paying attention to the road, but the least Mallory could do was turn her head and look at him now and again—acknowledge he was there.
“I do. I don’t want lies or secrets between us.”
She laughed, not a happy sound either. “I’d say we have plenty.”
“Lies or secrets?”
“A little of both, don’t you think?”
She was right, even if he didn’t want to admit it. “Have you lied to me since we started sleeping together? Or since we started dating?”
“Are we dating?”
“Of course we are. What would you call it?” He was getting more confused by the minute.
“I’d call it dating too, but I guess we haven’t really had this conversation in depth.”
“So, answer my other question. Have you lied to me since we started dating? I know there are secrets and I hope to get to a point where there aren’t. I thought you—we—were working on that.”
“No, I haven’t lied to you since we started dating. And yes, I’ve told you some secrets that I’d thought I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
“Then what’s going on? Why are you acting completely different than when I left?”
What was he missing here? Why was she so cold right now?
She waited for a minute, then calmly said, “You were going to tell me how it went when you saw Kendra.”
He decided he’d had enough and just said, “I will. But what is different with you? Why are you acting so indifferent right now?”
It was the last thing he expected and started to wonder if everything he’d seen or saw in her before was an act, or a game. Maybe she was just as unemotional as Kendra could be.
Then he saw her eyes fill with tears and one escape down her cheek, and knew he was wrong to even consider those thoughts. “What is going on, Mallory?” he said softly.
She didn’t say a word, just pulled over to the side of the road and put the car in park. “I’m trying not to act jealous that you went home and saw your ex-fiancée and I’m not doing a good job of it.”
Jealous! “What do you have to be jealous about?”
“I don’t know what your life is like back in Richmond. I don’t even know that much about your relationship with Kendra. Only what you’ve told me, and though you called off the wedding, maybe she would want to get back together. Maybe you would see her after a month and think it was all a mistake and you had so much invested that it was worth another chance with her. I don’t know. All sorts of things have crossed my mind in the last few days.”
He undid his seat belt, then reached over, released hers and pulled her into his arms. He was crazy to think she was emotionless.
“I’ve missed you so much these last few days. If I had any idea you were feeling this way, I would have called. I tried not to bother you. The few times I sent you messages it’d taken time for you to get back to me. The one time we talked you were distracted and I knew you were working. I could hear you typing. Why didn’t you say anything to me?”
“I didn’t want to bother you with it. I didn’t want you to think I’m this insecure person smothering you back here. You just got out of a relationship—a long-term relationship. You were going to marry her. The last thing I want to do is start acting like a jealous girlfriend.”
“You can act like a jealous girlfriend anytime you want. Just don’t throw my equipment out of any windows and I’ll be happy. But you can do what you want with my clothes. They’re more easi
ly replaceable.”
She chuckled a little and he was happy to hear it. “I won’t. Don’t touch my computer either. Still, I’m sorry. This isn’t much of a welcome-back party for you.”
“No, it’s not, but it’s fine. We still have a lot of territory to move around in, you and I. We’ll get there.” He believed it wholeheartedly.
***
Mallory was feeling like a complete idiot right now. The last thing she’d wanted to do was come off sounding like she was insecure and that was exactly what was happening.
She didn’t want him to think she was back here thinking of him nonstop either, but again, that was pretty much what she told him and put all the power in his hands.
That was a stupid thought, she knew it. There was no power in either of their hands right now, but she was still feeling like a fool at the moment.
She sat back and looked at him, realized he looked pretty tired himself, and here she was dumping all sorts of emotional bullcrap in his lap. Talk about a great impression for the first time he goes away and comes back.
How the heck were they going to be able to make a long-distance relationship work? Now he’d worry every time he left she’d turn into a psycho woman in his absence. She pushed that thought away for now. Too soon to go there.
“How much sleep did you get?”
“Enough,” he said, laughing at the frown on her face for him throwing her words back at her.
“Seriously. You look pretty tired too. Were you worried about me finding an old flame while you were gone?” she asked, trying to joke with him now, hoping the crisis had passed.
“Actually, I was worried you would think everything that’s happened in the last month was too much for you and you’d want to go back to being the little hermit you’ve been for years.”
“Hermit,” she said, gasping. “I’d hardly say I was a hermit.”
“Really? If you’d known I was coming to town a month ago would you have even stayed? Or would you still be holed up, hoping I’d leave so you could venture out and not run into me?”
“Point taken. But that is all in the past now. You do know I’m here and I’m not a hermit anymore.” She wanted to tell him about how she opened up more with Quinn but decided now wasn’t the time. “Kendra?” she asked again.