by Regan Claire
Smith looks pleased by my compliment. “I don’t know. I’ve always had a way with metal.”
“You really have a gift,” I tell him.
“He really does,” Cora adds, then looks at me for a considering moment. “April, why don’t we take a break for lunch. How do burgers sound? It’s the special today at a place that’s walking distance from here, and they’re simply amazing. Everything there is. I’ll buy.”
“Uh, sure.” I look out the window. It’s not raining anymore, but it looks like it might pour down at any time. “Where is it? I’ll drive just in case it starts raining again.”
“Okay. I’ll call something in. You aren’t picky, are you?” Cora goes for her phone. “And just bring Smith, he knows the place I’m talking about. Smith, you don’t mind showing April where to go, do you? It can be a little tricky, April. Remember, lunch is on me!”
Smith is smiling. “I don’t mind at all, Cora. Sounds like it will hit the spot, actually. Is that okay with you, April?”
I look at Cora and she winks at me. Oh sweet baby Jesus, I think she’s trying to set me up.
“You really don’t have to bother, Smith. I’m sure I can find the place on my own.”
He looks crestfallen, but Cora isn’t having it. “It won’t be a bother at all, will it Smith? Besides, the restaurant isn’t on GPS. The owners like to keep it quiet.”
What? No GPS? “If that’s the case, then maybe you should come.” Smith immediately perks back up. He reminds me of a puppy. A gigantic puppy, sweet and harmless despite a slight tendency towards drooling.
He smiles, and I try not to give the stink eye to my boss. I hope neither of them are getting their hopes up.
We walk out together, or I should say run since it’s started raining again. My car is an absolute train wreck, since I’d recently had every possession I own in the thing. The front seat is littered with hangers and fast food wrappers that I rush to throw in the back seat before Smith sits down.
“I’m so sorry. I haven’t gotten around to cleaning my car out since I moved.”
He looks around and chuckles. “I can understand why. I’d procrastinate on this job too.” He doesn’t sound judgemental, so I don’t feel quite so embarrassed.
“So, where to?” I ask after turning on the car and shifting into drive.
“Just take a left out of the parking lot, then the first left again.”
I start moving. “What’s the name of the place we’re going to? Cora didn’t say, all she said was burgers.”
He shifts in his seat. “I don’t think it has a name. It’s just a spot that some of us know about. They run different specials every day.”
I have to turn about three more times until we’re there, though I’ve driven less than a mile total. The parking lot I pull into has a few other, much nicer, cars in it. There is a very shiny food truck standing in the middle of the lot, where a few customers have braved the weather and are running up to grab their food. The truck has the word “Ambrosia” scrolled across the top in ornate letters. I wonder why he said it doesn’t have a name?
“You can stay here where it’s dry. I’ll run up and get the food.” Smith steps out of the car and half jogs to get the food. Another car parks next to me, and I sink down into my seat when I see a familiar face. Theo Thunderman steps out of the car, seemingly oblivious to the rain outside since he is strolling to the truck without so much as ducking his head a little. I really hope Smith gets our food quickly so we can leave before Theo comes back. I’m not sure if he’ll recognize me, but I’d rather not risk it. Some people I’m perfectly happy never ever meeting again, and his self-entitled ass is one of them.
Good, there’s Smith. And crap, there’s Theo walking back next to him. They’re chatting as they walk. Do they know each other? Why does Theo look so dry when Smith is halfway sodden? Oh, well it does look like the rain has stopped again. When they get to the cars they stop, and if I had any question about whether Thunderdouche recognized me, it’s gone now. He winks at me, then claps Smith on the back. It seems congratulatory. They finally part ways and Smith gets back in the car.
“Friend of yours?” I nod my head toward Theo, who’s getting in his car next to us. As soon as he shuts the door, the rain starts pouring down. “Wow, that was close. One minute longer and you would have been soaked. Er, more soaked.”
Smith smiles. “Theo? He’s family. Actually, he’s my step-dad.”
I look at him. “Oh. Uh, is your mom still around?”
His smile tightens. “Yeah, why do you ask?”
“No real reason. I don’t have any family, so I guess I’m always nosy about other people’s.”
“Family can be complicated. Theo and I haven’t always gotten along, but he respects me now.” He shrugs. “And my mom seems happy enough.”
So I won’t mention I saw the man walking out of a club getting cozy with a brunette last night. Or that he hit on me.
Yeah, definitely won’t mention that.
“It must be lonely,” Smith says out of left field after I put my wipers and lights on and pull out of the parking lot.
“What?”
“Not having a family. They can make you feel crazy, and I wouldn’t mind murdering about half of mine, but I know I have them. I’m not alone.” He says the last sentence like it’s a mantra he says to keep his greatest fear at bay. Like he’s been alone before, and it was the stuff of nightmares. Or maybe he says it to convince himself because he feels lonely despite his family.
Whoa.
“I’m used to it. It suits me.” I’m not lying, but I don’t say that I would love to have someone, anyone, to share my life with. A friend, a cousin, anything.
“Maybe, uh, maybe I can keep you company sometime,” he throws out, looking straight ahead like he doesn’t want me to see his face.
Luckily I pull back into work right at that moment, and the rain has slacked back down to a fine misting once again. The weather in Virginia Beach really needs to make up its mind.
“Let’s make a run for it!” I say instead of answering, open the door and run for the building. Smith follows shortly after, and I can tell he noticed that I blew off his question.
Cora greets us as we walk through the door and puts up a little sign saying we were closed for lunch. “I don’t know why I bother. I doubt anyone will come by,” she says.
We gather in the back room around the giant table we use for planting and dig in.
“Oh my goodness, these are delicious.” It’s so good I hum. The burger is topped with tangy goat cheese and sweet caramelized onions, and the meat is just so much better than what I’m used to. Well, I’m used to frozen burritos and fast food, so maybe the difference is that it’s actually meat.
Smith and Cora make small talk while I stuff my face. When I’m done, I excuse myself to wash up, since I probably have a grease goatee. When I get back Smith is gone.
“Did he leave?”
“No, he just ran back to his truck for a couple of the bigger items that didn’t fit in the box.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“I think he’s sweet on you,” Cora tells me, smiling.
I’m not smiling. “Is he?” Yeah, I know that.
“Absolutely. He’s such a nice guy, you could do a lot worse you know.”
“I’m not really looking for a relationship right now or anything. Um, my love life tends to get complicated and I’m taking a little break from romance.”
She laughs. “A break from romance,” she says back, like it’s the punchline to a joke. Then she sees my face. “Oh, you’re serious.”
I nod, but don’t say anything else.
“Well, you can do a lot worse than having Smith as a friend, then. Surely you’re in the market for friendship.”
“I guess so,” I say, because she’s my boss and I can’t say no.
“Good. It’s hard to live in this town without a few friends. Smith will be good for you,” she says like she just cemented our fr
iendship herself.
Speak of the devil, he walks back in carrying a dour looking garden gnome holding a two pronged pitchfork.
Cora bursts out laughing at the sight. “Oh oh oh, that is too much Smith. I can’t wait until Aidan sees it.”
Smith has a satisfied smile on his face. “You need to stop bringing all the best pieces back home with you. You’d make more money if you sold them.”
She waves a hand in his direction. “Psh. Stop making things you know I’ll need to take home and maybe I’ll stop.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He sets it down on the table and I can’t help but reach out to touch it. His craftsmanship is incredible. The little gnome looks almost alive. The sleeve to my shirt rides up when I reach out, and I hear a strong hiss.
“Is that a bruise on your arm?” Cora asks.
I look, and sure enough, there’s a bruise. I shouldn’t be surprised. Mick was holding on to me pretty tightly. I’m only surprised I didn’t notice it earlier. Cora reaches out and grabs my arm, pulling the sleeve up where a hand shaped bruise circling my forearm is clearly seen.
“Yeah, I had a weird run-in with some people last night. I’m fine though.”
“Why were you with the type of person who would do this to you?” Smith reaches over brushes my purplish skin ever so softly. I pull my arm back. I don’t want them touching me.
“It’s not like that. A guy was just a bit reluctant to get arrested. He held on a little too tight when I was trying to convince him to go with the cops.”
Smith’s jaw is tense.
“Really, I’m fine. Mick was just scared to be locked up. Believe me, I won’t be seeing him again.”
“He hurt you. He could have done worse. You need to be careful, April. The men here can be dangerous,” Smith says.
I try to laugh it off. “He wasn’t the one I was worried about, really. His girlfriend tried to stab me.” Judging by their stony faces, they don’t think it’s funny.
“That sounds like quite a story, April. Barely here and already getting into trouble,” Cora adds, and I’m not sure if it’s a reprimand or just a comment. She doesn’t look like she just reprimanded me, though.
“Yeah, I kinda have bad luck with that sort of thing.”
She nods, then a little chuckle of her own escapes. “I see what you mean.” She looks at Smith, “Now let me get my hands on that gnome so I can put it in the car” She reaches her hands out, and with far more strength than I expected her to have, she grabs the metal lawn statue from the table and lugs it out.
“Holy crap, that thing must weigh a ton!”
Smith looks at me. “It’s a lot lighter than it looks. It’s not made out of iron.”
“Oh, that makes sense. I was about to be incredibly impressed by her super strength.”
He doesn’t respond and the silence stretches to the uncomfortable realm. I realize he’s looking at me. Not really staring, just glancing up, then away, then back again as if he’s working up the courage to say something. I think about what Cora said, about how he’s a nice guy and I could do a lot worse. My mind drifts to Rhys, and how he’s almost certainly not a nice guy. Maybe it would do me some good to make friends with someone like Smith instead.
“Smith?”
“Yes April?” he answers quickly, as if this whole time he’s been waiting for me to talk to him.
“About earlier, in the car. I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to respond.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” He looks at the floor.
I sigh. “It’s just that I’m not looking for any sort of romantic entanglement right now, Smith. I just moved to town, and that’s the farthest thing from what I need.” I pause, wondering if Cora is right about what I’m going to say next. “But I could use some friends. I just want to be honest with you, because you seem like the type of guy who would make a good one, and I want to make sure we’re on the same page.”
I watch his face to gauge his reaction, but I don’t know what I’m expecting to see.
He looks up at me. “Thank you for your honesty, April. I think that you’re the type of person worth knowing, and if that means being friends and no more, then I guess that’s what it’ll be.” He pauses for just a second. “But tell me when you’re ready for a bit more. I’m okay waiting until then.” He smiles, and I have to bite my tongue. Should I tell him my non-romantic plans are permanent? He made it sound like I pushed a pause button for that sort of thing, and he’s first in line when the timer starts ticking again.
Cora walks in right when I’m opening my mouth to explain futher in a way that won’t hurt his feelings.
“Hey, April. Let’s go ahead and close early today. I don’t think this weather is going to clear up and we’ve had only three customers,” she says, then starts cleaning up.
“Then this is a good time to make my exit before Cora hands me a broom,” Smith turns to me. “I was thinking maybe you can come over sometime soon. I can grill. If we’re going to be friends, we should get to know each other better.”
That still sounds like a date, but Cora has stopped sweeping and is looking at me, a smile wide on her face.
“That might be good.” There, that wasn’t a yes.
They both must be satisfied with the answer because Cora goes back to sweeping, and Smith makes his exit. We make quick work of the rest of the mess, and before I know it, I’m in the car on my way home.
I keep thinking about the new people in my life on the way home. Smith clearly has a crush on me. He seems like a good guy: honest, trustworthy, and easygoing. If I were a different person, maybe I’d give him a shot and see if any fireworks built up from there, because as things are I don’t feel that zing with him the way I do with other guys I've dated.
Like I feel with Rhys, though zing is putting it mildly. He’s passion and danger, and all the things mothers tell their daughters to stay away from. Why do the bad boys make the best kissers? I'm back at my apartment and remember to pull out my phone to text Rhys that I’m off early. It rings immediately, startling me so that I drop the phone on my doorstep. Luckily it doesn’t crack the screen, and I'm able to answer.
Needs a Cold Shower
“I was literally about to text you,” I say instead of hi. Rhys chuckles on the other end.
“Were you?” he asks.
“Yeah, my boss closed up shop early today because we were so slow.”
“I thought the weather might make Cora close early. How do you like the job so far?”
“I like it a lot. It’s only my second day, but I’ve already learned a lot. I didn’t realize you knew Cora. Do you know everyone in this town?” I ask, balancing the phone on one shoulder while I unlock the door.
“Only the interesting people,” he says. I can hear the smile in his voice.
“I guess I must be interesting then,” I say. I can’t help myself from smiling while I walk into my apartment.
“You are most definitely interesting, April.” His voice deepens, and I can hear the promise of so many extremely interesting things in it. Before I can respond in kind, his tone changes and so does the subject. “I have your money. Is now a good time to bring it by?”
I look around my empty place and cringe at the idea of another human being seeing it, then shrug my shoulders. “Yeah, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I’ll see you soon.”
“Don’t you need my address?” I ask.
“I make a living out of finding people, April. Get ready, I’ll be there soon,” he says, then hangs up without further explanation.
It’s only after I put my phone on the charger that I realize maybe I shouldn’t want him to know where I live. I’ve been stalked a time or two in my life, and usually I’m a bit more careful. Well, I didn’t give him my address anyway; he just knows how to find me already.
I’m not sure that’s comforting, but at least he asked before stopping by.<
br />
I kick off my work shoes and give my toes a quick inspection. Home pedicures don’t last as long, but they’re more affordable on my non-existent budget. Happy with the lack of chips in my polish, I wonder if I have time to take a quick shower before Rhys makes it over. I’m covered in dirt so it doesn’t matter if I have time to take a shower.
I take the quickest shower of my life, barely taking the time to wash my hair and scrub the dirt from under my nails. I wrap my favorite towel around my body just in time to hear a loud knock at my front door. It can’t have been ten minutes since he called, but a quick look through the peephole shows that it is, indeed, Rhys at my door.
And I’m basically naked.
I open the door a few inches. “I didn’t expect you to be here so soon. I just got out of the shower.”
“I was close by when I called. I take it you’re not ready.” He eyes the area above my towel where water from my hair is still dripping down my chest before pulling his gaze back to my eyes. They look a little unfocused. Hah, now he knows what I feel like.
“I just got off work, I had to take a shower first.” I briefly consider asking him to wait outside, then realize it’s still raining so step aside so I can open the door wider. Besides, I like the way he’s looking at me right now so I feel like being nice. “Come on in. I’ll just take a minute to finish getting dressed.”
I head back to my room, not bothering with the door since the angle of the hallway prevents accidental peeping, not that I’d mind a little on-purpose peeping from Rhys. My heart speeds up at the thought. “You said to get ready on the phone. What did you mean by that?” I call out to him while I use the towel to dry off before wrapping it around my hair.
“I was under the impression that you want to get a couch. I brought my truck. Figured you might appreciate some free furniture-moving muscle,” he calls back.
I make a quick search for clean panties, beyond glad I find a pair quickly, and shimmy them on. “You brought a truck to take me couch shopping today?” I snap my bra into place, then start digging through the trash bag full of clothes I haven’t unpacked yet. “I don’t even know where to go to look for a couch,” I say while I search for something to wear. There’s no way I won’t take him up on the offer though. I’ll gladly give my big toe to sleep on anything other than my recliner tonight.