My Perfect Fix (The Fix Book 4)
Page 24
Finley grabs me by both arms. “What happened after we left?”
It’s impossible not to snort. “I’m pretty sure you know exactly what happened.”
Abby raises her mimosa in a silent cheer.
Paige just watches me, exactly as she has since the moment I knocked on her front door.
Finley drops her hold. “Fine, you got it on, whatever. What was he like?”
Skirting her, I move to sit beside Abby on the sofa. “Funny you should ask.”
She doesn’t say a word but holds my gaze as she claims the armchair across from me.
“Let me start off by saying I don’t regret spending the night with him. But, when I woke up this morning I panicked and tried to sneak away before he woke up.”
Paige straightens, her mouth falling open. “You did what?”
With a cringe, I shrug. “It wasn’t my finest moment.”
Abby passes me a mimosa reminding me why I like her so much. “Thank you.”
Finley bolts upright. “Who drove you here?”
After taking a sip of my drink, I motion for her to sit back down. “I said I tried to sneak away, not that I got away. Malcolm drove me here.”
Finley sits and grabs her glass. “I’m so confused.”
Paige nods. “Yeah, what do you mean you tried to sneak away?”
Leaning forward, I set my drink on the coffee table. “I accidently set off his alarm when I opened the backdoor.”
Abby’s eyes bug, Paige chokes back a laugh, and Finley shakes her head and says, “You did not.”
I duck my head and press my fingertips to my temple. “It was so embarrassing. How was I supposed to know he had an alarm set on the place?”
“What happened after the alarm went off? Was he pissed?” Paige asks.
I raise my eyes to meet hers. “He wasn’t thrilled to be woken up that way.”
Abby finds her voice and lifts her hand to stop me. “Why did you panic and leave in the first place?”
Finley replies before I can. “It must have been some night to freak you out like that.”
Growing up, we were as close as sisters so it’s no shock she’s figured me out. “It was okay.”
She rolls her eyes. “Okay my ass. You like him.”
I retrieve my drink and take a fortifying gulp. “I just met him.”
Abby glances between us. “If you like him why’d you leave?”
Finley gives her theory before I can come up with an answer. “She left because she liked him. It’s her defense mechanism.”
I bug my eyes at her. Last thing I need is for her to divulge all of my secrets.
I answer Paige’s early question. “He wasn’t happy when the alarm went off.”
“I’ll bet,” Abby mutters.
Paige’s brows come together. “But he still drove you here?”
I nod. “I wanted to call a cab but he wouldn’t let me.”
Abby turns to Paige. “He sounds nice. I thought you said he was a jerk.”
Paige’s gaze remains on me. “It’s been months since I’ve worked at the Moose. Maybe something changed.”
My curiosity gets the better of me. “Does he live in the place above it?”
She shakes her head. “He splits his time between that place and a cabin.”
I can’t help but wonder what this cabin looks like, or if I’ll get an invitation to it.
“Are you going to see him again?” Finley asks.
Heat creeps across my cheeks. “I invited him to your wedding.”
She stands and plants her hands on her hips. “You did what?”
Paige motions for her to sit. “Don’t worry. We can add a chair. There’s wiggle room in the plans for an extra person.”
Paige is an event planner and has helped Finley plan the wedding. If anyone would know if an extra person could come, it’d be her.
My shoulders sag in relief. “See, no biggie.”
Finley’s face softens but a trace of annoyance lingers. “You are so lucky it worked out, but you suck for giving me a heart attack like that.”
Weddings are stressful and she’s definitely showing it.
“And he’s coming to the inn tonight,” I add.
Everyone leans toward me in surprise.
Finley is the first to speak. “So soon?”
I attempt to shrug nonchalantly.
She smirks. “You’re so screwed.”
It’s an effort, but I stop myself from saying hopefully. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Thankfully Finley doesn’t follow me to lecture me, not that it would technically be a lecture. She’s worried about me, I get it. If there’s one thing my cousin has always done is worry about me.
She got married early and until we all learned her husband was a cheating bastard, had what looked like an ideal life from the outside. She settled down and wanted me to find someone I’d want to settle down with as well.
I’ve had a couple long-term relationships over the years. One of my exes even proposed. Maybe marriage isn’t in the cards for me. As this morning shows, when faced with a guy I like, I run as fast as possible.
After I shower and change into fresh clothes, I head back downstairs. My anxiety at being caught mid attempted escape disguised my hunger. Instead of rejoining the gang in the family room, I detour through the kitchen.
“I’m glad I was wrong.”
Bagel in hand, I jump at Paige’s words. “What?”
She starts making another batch of mimosas. “I’m happy Malcolm was cool to you. But, if he starts acting like a dick, let me know and I’ll kick his ass.”
“I’m only here for a week. It’s not like I’ll ever see him again.”
Her expression shifts to something more mischievous as she loads a rustic looking tray with the drinks she made. She makes a point of shoving one in my direction.
Enough so that I set my food down and cross my arms. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
With an innocent shrug, she turns and leaves.
What the heck was that about?
I watch her back as she moves out of sight. If I weren’t so hungry, I’d follow her and pester her until she shared. Making quick work of both my bagel and my mimosa, I rejoin the group in the family room.
Finley grins when she sees me, and announces, “We should have a date night. Do you think Malcolm would come?”
My step falters. “What?”
Abby finishes her drink and sets the now empty glass down. “No can do for me. I’m fully booked until the wedding.”
Finley glances over at Paige. “Same here, and I’m pretty sure you are as well.”
Finley waves her off. “We still have to eat.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. Besides, he’s already agreed to be my date for the wedding. Can’t we just leave it at that?”
With a pout, Finley sinks back against the cushions of the couch. “Oh come on. I want to have a chance to see you two together before I decide if I approve or not.”
Pressing my fingers to my temple I claim the armchair across from her. “Approve? Please don’t turn this into something it’s not.”
Finley tips her head to the side. “Alright, what is it?”
I lift my hands in exasperation. “A fling. It’s just a fling. Some fun, no strings sex and companionship while I’m in town. That’s it.”
Her lip curls. “You don’t want more?”
As much as I love my cousin, we’re wired differently. Fling is a bad word in her vocabulary. She’s the type who is only comfortable in a long-term relationship with someone she loves.
I’m not against that, in theory. She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her and I’m thrilled for her. Marriage just might not be in the cards for me. That doesn’t mean my life is lacking in any way.
I have a great job, an awesome condo, the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want to. I’m not going to settle. Ever.
“I don’t need more.”
<
br /> Paige inspects her fingernails. “But you must want more, or you wouldn’t want to see him again.”
“Okay, I’ll clarify. I don’t want anything more than a week full of awesome sex with a hot guy.”
The sound of an extremely masculine throat being cleared catches our attention. I glance over to see Asher cringing.
“Did I come back too early?”
Noah moves into view. “No way. I want to hear more.”
Covering my face with my hands I groan.
Also by Carey Heywood
The Fix Series
Fix Her Up (Finley & Noah)
Fix Me Not (Paige & Asher)
Fix My Fall (Abby & Spencer)
My Perfect Fix (Lucy & Gideon)
A Fix Fling Novella (Heather & Malcolm)
Him & Her Series
Him (book 1)
Her (book 2)
Them (book 3)
Sawyer Says (spin off)
Being Neighborly (spin off novella)
Carolina Days
The Other Side of Someday (Courtney & Clay)
Yesterday’s Half Truths (Lindsay & Luke)
Chasing Daylight (McKenzie & Mitch)
Love Riddles
Why Now? (Kacey & Jake)
Why Lie? (Sydney & Heath)
Why Not? (Reilly & Trip)
Standalones
Better
Stages of Grace
Uninvolved
A Bridge of Her Own
Audiobooks
Him
Her
Better
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. Supporting her all the way are her husband, three sometimes-adorable children, a mischievous black cat, their nine-pound attack Yorkie, and their new rescue German Shepherd puppy.
She loves to hear from her readers!
www.CareyHeywood.com
info@CareyHeywood.com
Acknowledgments
In no particular order, I’d like to thank Naruto, Christine, Nasha, Christine, Brenda, Abby, Katy, Heidi, Amanda, Renee, Jennifer, Vanessa, Charity, Hang, Seth, Zach, Aydan, Emma, Joy, Kim, Haley, and everyone else who has helped me along the way.
I’d also like to thank my readers for your love and support.
If you enjoyed this series, please tell a friend <3