by Skye Jordan
“I’m celibate, not dead. You try celibacy, see if you don’t think about sex all the time.”
I’m laughing as we turn the corner toward the small appliances, and I run the cart right into someone. “Oh, jeez. I’m sorry—”
It’s Chloe’s cop, only he’s in plain clothes. I’ve always thought uniforms made even the most ordinary man handsome. But in Hot Cop’s case, it doesn’t matter. The man is gorgeous in and out of uniform.
“Ladies,” he says, hand gripping the front of my basket. His gaze immediately latches onto Chloe. “Celibate, huh?”
Her cheeks turn pink, but she stands tall and meets his gaze directly. “Does that dim our spark, Officer Wilde?”
“Hell, no.” His mouth lifts in a half smile, and his gaze is smoldering. “Have you been a good girl otherwise? No fruit thievery? No instigation of restaurant brawls?”
She lifts her brows and pretends to think about it. “I may or may not have jaywalked since I last saw you.”
“Girl,” he says, “you’re lucky I don’t have my cuffs with me.”
“I like the sound of that more than I ever expected.”
“Hello,” KT says. “Other human beings standing right here.”
A young girl comes up behind him. “Found a cupcake pan.”
All eyes turn to the girl. She’s in her early teens, and she’s a little on the surly side. She takes one look at us, rolls her eyes, and turns away. “I’ll look for decorating tips.”
Hot Cop catches the girl by the arm and gently turns her to face us again. “Piper.”
She heaves a breath and gives us a rote “Hi, I’m Piper, nice to meet you.”
Chloe’s grin is quick and bright. “I’m Chloe. You remind me a lot of myself at your age.”
Piper’s narrowed eyes assess Chloe. I have no idea what she sees, but I can’t imagine how anyone could find fault in this woman. She’s amazing inside and out. Piper doesn’t respond, but she doesn’t pop off with a smart-ass remark either.
“Is that right?” Hot Cop says to Chloe.
“Oh, yeah,” Chloe confirms.
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.” He gestures to the other women. “Piper’s my goddaughter. This is KT and Laiyla.”
Piper offers a wave, but no smile.
“Okay,” he says. “Go find your decorating tips.”
When Piper turns on her heel and walks away, Hot Cop looks at Chloe. “Does that dim our spark, Ms. Hart?”
She smiles. “Hell, no.”
KT gives me a puh-leeeeze look, then to Chloe, she says, “Maybe you should move into the Georgie Pie.”
I’m thoroughly entertained. It’s fun to see someone else’s sexual shenanigans for a change.
Hot Cop turns his gaze on KT and me and offers his hand. “I’m Xavier, by the way. When I’m out of uniform, you can call me Z. We haven’t formally met, but I’ve heard about you ladies around town.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear,” I say, shaking his hand.
“I never do.” He shakes KT’s hand, then says, “I’d better get going. Those cupcakes won’t bake and decorate themselves.” His gaze lingers on Chloe. “And I’ll see you around.”
“Yes, you will.”
“Be good,” he says before he turns and follows his goddaughter.
KT and I wait for him to disappear into the store before turning our expectant gazes on Chloe.
“What?” she says, grinning like a teenager. “It’s just a spark.”
“Sparks like that start fires,” KT says in that matter-of-fact, deadpan way of hers. “Don’t go trying to get this town to live up to its name.”
“Ha,” Chloe says as we continue down the aisle.
“Back to our previous topic,” I say. “KT, I think you should move into Georgie Pie for now. You’re the one who’s doing all the work.”
“Growing out of seventy square feet of living space is a process,” she says. “It’s like introducing a goldfish into their own twenty-gallon tank. You can’t just drop them in. They’ll die from shock. A transition is required.”
I start laughing and swing my arm over her shoulders, hugging her to me. “I love you.”
Which results in a round of silly hugs and I-love-yous all around. I’m having a hard time remembering the last time I was this happy. Quite possibly here in Wildfire with Levi and our friends. The realization nudges me closer to that decision Levi wants me to make.
Chloe picks up a casserole dish with a bright blue paint on the exterior and almost drops it. “This could cause serious damage.”
“You want to see damage,” I say. “Look at the price.”
Chloe turns the dish over and sucks air before gingerly putting it back on the shelf.
“It’s Le Creuset. If you want some, I’ll just lift one of the three different sets my parents have. They’ll never miss it.”
“If we’re setting this boat up for me,” KT says, gesturing to the basket at large, “all this has to go back. I want black or silver, none of these wacky colors.”
Chloe and I both stop and stare at her.
“Who are you?” I ask.
“What are you?” Chloe asks. “What girl doesn’t like color?”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly your normal girl.”
“Oh, we noticed,” I say, laughing.
“Which brings me back to the whole guy situation,” KT says. “I don’t know what I’m going to do about men for the next two years. I’m not used to living out in the wild.”
“Are you still hooking up with passengers?” Chloe asks.
“And only passengers,” KT says. “It’s truly the best possible situation. I get a sexy one-night stand with no strings; he gets an extra-special memory of the cruise. How can I replicate that here?”
I shake my head. “I cannot help you with that.”
“I’m sure there are plenty of guys in town who’d jump at a chance to hook up with you,” Chloe says.
“The difference is, on the ship, there are rarely any witnesses. One night is one night. In a town like this one, I’d be labeled a slut after the first three guys.”
“You make it sound like you choose a different guy every night,” I say.
When I get nothing back, I focus in on her. “KT?”
“What?”
My brows shoot up. “Do you sleep with a different guy every night?”
She lifts a shoulder. “If I hit the motherload on any particular cruise.”
Chloe sighs. “I want to be you when I grow up.”
My cell rings, and I pull it from my pocket to find my mother's name on the display. I groan, hit Decline, and slide it back into my pocket. “My parents.”
“You’ve got to find a way to make them realize you’re serious,” Chloe says, “or they’ll never stop harassing you.”
KT steps in front of the cart and faces me. “Laiyla, you’ve spent the last thirty years living up to your parents’ expectations. You went to the schools they wanted, got the grades they demanded, did the internships they set up, socialized with only the best and brightest. When does your life become your life? You’re thirty years old, and you’re still concerned with your parents’ judgments. Sweetheart, I’m saying this with the utmost respect and love, but you’ve got to cut them lose. You’ve got shit to do with your life, and it doesn’t necessarily include making money for your parents or doing everything they want or expect you to do.”
I exhale and nod. “You’re right.”
“They’ve had their chance to live their lives,” Chloe says. “They’re successful and accomplished. They have every material luxury they want. But you don’t have to be a feather in their cap. You can make the choice to be—unapologetically—you. Because you are fucking amazing.”
All my breath whooshes out, and tears sting my eyes. I leave the cart to pull them both into a hug, holding them tight. “I love you guys so much.”
16
Levi
I’ve spen
t my day trying not to watch for Laiyla, which means I’m always looking for her until I realize I’m doing it. Then I refocus for ten minutes and then just repeat the habit.
To be honest, even if it is only with myself, I spent last night reliving our interactions, trying to see signs of the future. It was like trying to read fucking tea leaves and truly made me crazy.
I’m asking a lot of her, I know, but I’m at a point in my life where I need to know whether she can make this commitment or not. I’m aware of the sacrifices she would be making by staying here with me instead of returning to LA and her high-powered job inside a company where she’s respected and well-liked, when people here aren’t one hundred percent on her side.
But I also know what I feel when I’m with her. What I see in her eyes when she looks at me. And I know the people of Wildfire. They’ll not only accept her in time, they’ll applaud all she’s giving back to the community by getting the marina back up and running. I know we could be happy if she’d just believe.
Chloe has moved into the Georgie Pie and KT almost has the plumbing problems with the Cecelia Rose fixed. All three women will have their own space soon. The project is well underway and going smoothly.
We have most of the boats gutted, and once they’re renovated, the girls will be playing musical boats, moving from old to new so the boats they’re using now can be brought up to the same standards. I have a few guys gutting the marina’s market and others grading the land for the restaurant. The road ahead is long but well plotted.
I’m breaking up the rotted floor in one of the older, wooden boats, when Laiyla pokes head in. “Hey, handsome.”
I stop what I’m doing, straighten, and rest my hands on the end of the shovel I’m using to pull up the rotted wood. I’m so happy and relieved she came to me first, I feel like I’m floating. “Hey, beautiful.”
She comes in and looks around. “This is pretty bad. Is it worth renovating?”
“It would cost way more to buy one to replace it. Even a used one.”
“Okay.” She continues toward me and slides her arms around my waist.
“I’m sweaty.”
“I know.” She’s smiling as she presses her body to mine. “I’m at a stopping point in the office. Is there something I can help you with out here?”
I smile, and she laughs.
“I meant with the boats, but yeah, I like your idea too.” She cups my jaw. “I missed you last night.”
The declaration floods my heart with joy. I lay the shovel aside and wrap her tight in my arms. “Me too.” I lower my head and kiss her. “I have to go by Whisper Cove to pick up our power washer. Want to come? I could show you the development.”
“I’d love that.”
We take the short drive up and around the lake with Laiyla tight to my side, our fingers threaded, her kissing my neck.
“Maybe we should take a pit stop.” My suggestion makes her laugh.
She lifts her head. “I was thinking of taking you up on your offer of dinner at your house and a night in a real bed with an amazing man.”
I squeeze her thigh. “I love that idea.”
She presses her face to my neck. “I do too.”
I slow as we approach the development and park in front of the trailer just as Mitch walks out. He lifts a hand, then spots Laiyla and smiles big. When we get out of the truck, Laiyla’s smiling just as big, and she and Mitch hug.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” he says, still holding her. “I was wondering when he was going to bring you by.”
I’m surprised by just how good it feels to see Laiyla reconnect with someone who really cares about her.
She pulls back, her hands still on his arms. “You look amazing.”
“That’s my line, beautiful.” Mitch gestures toward me. “You keeping him in line at Otto’s?”
“I try.”
“That’s all any of us can ask for.”
“I’m gonna show her some of the houses,” I tell Mitch. “And I need to pick up the pressure washer.”
“Kenny has it in one of the Sycamore models about a dozen houses up.”
Mitch’s phone rings. He smiles at Laiyla and gives her arm a squeeze. “We’ve got to catch up soon. Have you over for dinner. You can meet my wife and kids.”
“I’d love that.”
When Mitch takes his call, I reach for Laiyla’s hand, and she doesn’t pull away as we stroll the street. “There are five models here: Lakeview, Haven, Sycamore, Cascade, and Summit.” I gesture to the homes looking over the lake. “These are Lakeview models, our most expensive, and they’re all sold.”
“Wow.” The awe in her voice makes me look at her, and her expression is just as amazed, which makes me feel great. “Can we go in?”
“Sure.” I lead her toward the front door of one house that’s nearly done. “There are one hundred and fifty homes in this phase.
“That’s big.” She scans the curved stairway in the entry and high ceilings, then strolls through the pimped-out kitchen, her hand sliding across the quartz counters. When she walks into the open living area, she pulls in a sharp breath. Windows cover the walls facing the lake with views of the mountains beyond. It is truly breathtaking.
“Oh. My. God. This is stunning.”
She wanders through the rooms, recognizing all the details I so painstakingly dwell over, and her validation soothes my rough edges over our… Is what we have a relationship? Are we dating? Are we committed? Are we just trying things out? I hate not knowing exactly where I stand with her, and I’m fully aware that’s mostly because I don’t want it to end. That I’d feel safer if we gave it a label. It may be immature, but my heart is stressed over the possibility of losing her again.
I follow as she moves from room to room, then house to house, watching her marvel over details and look out at the views. All while I’m watching her. Soaking in the long, smooth legs stretching beneath cutoff shorts, the shape of her ass, the swell of her breasts in the V of her fitted tank, the flash of flat belly beneath the hem.
I think of other women I’ve dated, arguably just as beautiful as Laiyla. Many just as smart as Laiyla with good hearts, great senses of humor, strong sex drives, a desire for family. I don’t know why they didn’t stick. All I know is that I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about her.
In one of the Sycamore models, Laiyla sits in a window seat and looks out at the view of the mountains. “I’m so…” She turns her gaze on me. “Impressed by everything you’ve done with your life. I’d say proud, but I feel like I lost the privilege of being proud of your work when I walked away.”
I sit on the ledge with her and take her hand, twining our fingers together. “It still means a lot to me.” When she continues to stare at me, I smile self-consciously. “What?”
She shakes her head and tightens her hand in mine. “I just… I don’t know what I was thinking to just walk away. You were everything to me back then. I know it probably doesn’t seem like it, but you really were.
“I hate that I let my parents control me, though, at the time, they still paid all my bills, paid for college. I wasn’t exactly independent. But I’m thirty, and I’m still having a hard time dealing with them. They keep calling, and I’ve stopped answering. I’ve explained what I want here and why I want it, but they don’t hear me because it’s not aligning with their grand vision for me. All they hear is disobedience. All they see is foolishness. And it’s hard, because while I may be a grown adult who has proven over and over that I’m capable and intelligent and driven, it’s never enough for them. I’m expected to obey and excel and shine, and, to be honest, it’s exhausting.”
She sighs, and her expression of discontent haunts me. This is a very similar conversation to the one we had before she left for Paris. Then, she used more teenager-type language—they don’t understand me, they don’t care what I want, I have to do everything they say—but the heaviness she carried in her attempts to please them is still coming through loud and clear
. And I can’t help but wonder if I’m going to lose in this tug-of-war. Again.
“They don’t want me here,” she says. “They hate the fact that I want to renovate the marina, and they’re pissed I quit.” She meets my eyes with turmoil in her own. “It’s just, they’re all I have, you know? Now that Grandpa’s gone, my mom and dad are my whole family. You have your sisters and your sisters’ husbands and their kids and your parents and your grandparents and even this town. I’d be alone without my parents. And, sure, we have our issues, but they’re still my parents, and I love them.”
My heart sinks. The problems that stole her away the first time are still alive and well now.
“Maybe if they came up, we could change their minds,” I say. “I could meet them, show them what I’m working on—”
My cell buzzes with a message from Brianne. “Lucy has bunko tonight, so we’re meeting at Wildfire Brewery for dinner. See you at six.”
“Ah shit.”
“What’s wrong?”
I pocket my phone. “I forgot it’s Sunday.”
She shakes her head before realization dawns. “Right, your family. No problem, we can always do dinner another night.”
I tighten my hand on hers. “Come with me. Bri and my parents would love to see you.”
She gives me that uneasy I-don’t-know look. “Bri told me Lucy’s still pissed—”
“She’s not going to be there. She’s got bunko. Dinner was supposed to be at her house this week, but she can’t make it. We’re meeting at the brewery. Give it a shot, Ladybug. You might be surprised at how easily you could have a second family here.”
17
Laiyla
I’m wringing my hands as we pull up to Wildfire Brewery. KT, Chloe, and I have eaten here a couple of times over the last few weeks. It’s new and upscale and huge as far as restaurants go. Taking up a large portion of the industrial complex, Wildfire brews on site and has an expansive tasting room and store.
“Hey.” Levi draws my attention, and his smile helps me relax a little. He releases his seat belt and leans over to kiss me. “It’s going to be fine.”