Mandy eased off the bed. “That leaves bachelor number three.”
She’d been out to dinner with him two nights ago, but they’d avoided all talk of her leaving. He said it depressed him too much to think what Intrigue would be like without her.
“I’ll check.” Lisa rushed to the door and pulled it open. Her pulse spiked. “Mitch.” With his hair all spikey and stubble on his face, he looked like he hadn’t slept. “You okay?”
He looked over her shoulder. “Hey, Mandy. Just came to say good-bye to my girl.”
The phrase “my girl” thrilled her. “Come in. I was just about to leave.”
Mitch glanced around. “Can I help?”
“Sure.” She grabbed his hand and led him into bedroom.
Mandy giggled. “I’ll see you two in a few hours.”
Heat raced up her face as she held up her free hand and wiggled her fingers. Her two suitcases and backpack sat by the entrance. She slipped on her backpack and picked up her purse.
“You sure you can’t stay a little longer?” Mitch pressed his body up against hers and her hormones, heart, and pussy went wild.
“I have an appointment with a realtor to see about selling my condo.”
He leaned over and nuzzled her neck. “I want you to stay.”
Each of the men had said that, but unless all three came to her as a united front and told her they loved her, she couldn’t chance losing it all. What if Trevor and Mitch had another falling out?
“I do, too, but Denver calls.”
He leaned back and picked up her suitcases. “I’ll be visiting, you know.”
“I hope so.” Two hours wasn’t such a long drive—or so she told herself.
Guilt bit into her. Mitch was a busy author. Driving four hours and spending a day or more with her would cut into his writing time, but she hoped he’d visit a couple of times.
Together they walked to the living room where Mandy was now holding a very sleepy baby. Lisa would miss holding and feeding Josh.
“I’ll say good-bye here,” Lisa said. “I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay here.”
“Nonsense. Having you here was a huge help.” She nuzzled the baby. “Isn’t that right, Joshie?”
The baby cooed.
If she stayed any longer, she’d break down again. She hugged Mandy. “Give Candy another hug for me, too.”
“Will do.”
Outside, Mitch placed her things in the trunk. This was going to be so hard.
“This isn’t good-bye. We’ll find a way to get you back here.”
It would take a commitment from all three to do that. “I hope so.” Her eyes watered and she blinked back the tears.
She held out her arms and Mitch picked her up in a big bear hug. The kiss that followed spoke of a future, but without the words, she couldn’t stay.
Lisa broke the kiss. “I have to go.”
He set her down. “I know.”
She wanted to tell him that he’d given her the courage to try her hand at writing, but if she started on how much he meant to her, she’d never get out of there. Mitch held open her door and she folded herself in. After putting on her seatbelt and stabbing the key in the ignition, she was ready to go back and start her life again.
She turned on the engine and rolled down the window. “Give Trevor and Dante a hug for me.”
“Yeah, that won’t happen, but I will tell them you looked as beautiful as ever when you drove away.”
Her chin trembled, and before she broke down, she waved and pulled down the long road back to Denver.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“What did the realtor say?” her BFF, Beth Simpson asked as she rushed into Lisa’s condo.
They hugged. “A month is too long to be away from you.”
“I know. So tell me what Carol said.”
“Drink?” It was only four p.m., but she was already stressed out from saying good-bye, driving back home, and meeting with the realtor.
“Sure. Whatever you’re having.”
Beth always was one to please. Lisa poured two glasses of white wine and handed her a glass. They settled in the living room. “As expected, I’d be lucky to get two-hundred-fifty thousand for the place.”
“And you still have three-hundred-thousand to pay off on the mortgage.”
Lisa sipped the wine. “’Fraid so.”
“So what are you going to do? If I had three hot men who wanted me, I’d sell everything I had to be with them.”
Beth probably would. She was the consummate romantic, which was probably why she was a wedding planner. Lisa wasn’t sure she could watch overly happy, if not stressed, women enjoy their happiest day time and time again and not yearn for the same thing.
“I’m not convinced the four of us could be happy together.”
Beth’s eyes widened. “How can you say that? I thought you said Trevor and Mitch had made up.”
“Yes, but once when I was at Trevor’s house and Mitch and Dante came in, I thought he stiffened. ‘Conveniently’ he got a page to go into work.”
“I see your point.”
“I need to see that they are best friends again, just like Dante and Trevor are now. Trevor becomes more relaxed when Dante is around.”
“So Dante is a balancer.”
“I guess you could say that.”
“And the others?”
She didn’t know what kind of astrological game Beth was playing, but she could make something up. “To me, Trevor is fire. His passion knows no bounds, but it also consumes him. Mitch is like air. His mind seems to float, surround, and embody a person. He’s insightful, charming, and sensitive, though he doesn’t often show that side.”
Beth smiled. “Sounds like you’re in love.”
“If being sick to my stomach when I’m not with them, and the mere mention of them makes my panties wet, then yes. I’m in love. But I want all three men to get along and love sharing me. I want children.”
“What do they want?”
“Trevor adores kids. That much I know. Dante would make the perfect dad because he’s basically a kid himself.” She smiled. “Once, I stopped in his hardware store to see how the daycare area was coming along, and what did I find but Dante in the middle of the kids playing with them.”
Beth laughed. “That is so precious.”
“I know.”
“What about Mitch? Have you discussed kids with him?”
She shook her head. “That would imply I’m looking for something permanent.” She closed her eyes for a moment and pictured him with a child. She smiled. “I can see Mitch teaching his son or daughter to play tennis, climb every mountain, and just explore life. Mitch sees no barriers. He is an adventurer, if not physically, at least in his mind.”
Beth sighed. “I bet he’d read to your children every night.”
Lisa polished off her glass. “All this talk about how wonderful they are isn’t helping.” She swiped a bit of moisture from under her lip.
Beth scooted around the coffee table and sat next to her on the sofa. She set down her glass and picked up both of Lisa’s hands. “You always accuse me of wearing rose-colored glasses, but I think this relationship is meant to be. They love you.”
That ripped a chuckle from her chest. “How do you know? You’ve only met Trevor and that was at Mandy’s wedding a year ago.”
“I don’t have to meet them. From the way you’ve described how Mitch went out of the way to fly you to Yellowstone tells me that he does. As for Dante, who apparently prides himself on being a successful entrepreneur, he took your suggestions to heart and changed the way he did business. Not many men would be willing to run with an idea coming from a woman.” Beth’s voice escalated. “And Trevor. You said he never takes anyone to his place of work. These men showed you they loved you. What more do you want?”
“I want it all.” Just like Trevor used to say.
* * * *
Dante stabbed a hand through his hair. He faced Mitch
and Trevor, who were sitting next to each other on the sofa. “Lisa’s been gone a week, and I can’t stand it anymore.”
Trevor jumped up and guzzled the rest of his beer. “I thought you called her yesterday.”
“I did.”
Trevor slammed the bottle on the coffee table. “How did she sound?” He’d been on edge since she left.
“Sad and lonely, but she said she’d accepted the job in Denver.”
His friend’s shoulders stiffened as he planted his left foot forward looking ready for a fight. “Fuck. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Dante blew out a breath. “That’s why I asked Mitch here. I wanted to break the news to you both.”
Mitch chewed on his bottom lip. “I think I’m getting a clear picture here.”
Dante’s brain had been seeing red then black for the week. “Enlighten us.”
“As a writer, I have to pretend I’m the character—think what they think, react how they would react.”
Dante understood what he was saying, but how would that help them? “I know what she’s going through. She doesn’t want to be underwater without a commitment from us, which is another reason I wanted to talk to you two.”
Mitch’s brows rose. “I misjudged you. You are one smart cowboy.”
Dante grinned. “Damned straight.”
Trevor returned to the sofa and faced Mitch. “You act like you have a plan.”
“I do.” Mitch placed his bottle on the coffee table. “It’s like this. We’ve told her that you and I have forgiven each other, but has she seen us together—together as in bed making love with her?”
“There wasn’t time.”
“What about me?” Dante said. He wanted to bust Mitch’s chops to lighten the mood.
Mitch leaned forward and looked at Trevor seeming to ignore his comment. “Which of you have told her that you loved her?”
He and Trevor both spoke at the same time, but it was to explain that they didn’t have to, since it was obvious.
Mitch held up his hand. “Whoa. Lisa is a woman. She doesn’t think like a man. I’m not saying that just saying we love her is good either, but we have yet to present a united front.”
Mitch’s words made sense. “What do you propose, oh brilliant one?” Dante said.
“I have an idea that I hope to hell will work, but it will require us to commit to this relationship. Who’s in?”
* * * *
Lisa came home to an empty condo and dropped onto the sofa, took off her high heels, and propped her aching feet on the coffee table. She needed a drink after the week she’d had, but she required a minute before she walked over to the kitchen and foraged through the fridge for something decadent to either eat or drink.
Her place was too quiet. She missed the sound of the baby cooing or crying as was too often the case, of voices in the kitchen, and the general movements of Cam and Vince running up and down the stairs from their offices to the kitchen. Her condo seemed devoid of life.
Beth had texted her earlier that she had to cancel their girls’ night out because of some last minute wedding snafu. That sucked.
While her new job had some benefits, like health care and a decent salary, the work was different from what she used to do. Relearning the law would take time. She didn’t mind the extra effort, but the environment was more sterile than she was used to, perhaps because she had a small office. She rested her head back and pictured her old tiny cubicle. She used to complain how she didn’t like sitting in a place where everyone could listen to her conversations. Funny, how she missed what she thought was so bad before.
But even if this job was perfect, she wasn’t sure she could be happy again. Trevor, Dante, and Mitch had spoiled her. Their loving ways had not only built her self-confidence, but they’d taught her things about herself. She could read a book and understand that happy endings didn’t always fit, and that the sick children struggling with cancer had more courage in their little finger than she had in her whole body.
Well, she didn’t want to wallow in pity all night. “Move, Lisa.”
She was halfway to the kitchen when someone knocked. Yes! Beth must have taken care of the wedding business early and stopped by. She yanked open the door. “I didn’t expect to see you.”
Beth breezed in. “I was in the neighborhood. You hungry?”
“I’m a little bit of everything. Hungry, tired, and missing my good friend.” She gave Beth a hug. “Let me change.”
She ducked into her bedroom. She wasn’t really in the mood to go out, but she did need to eat, and being around people never failed to perk her up. As she sorted through her underwear drawer, renewed tears formed. Each of her lingerie purchases had special meaning as she wore a different color for each of the men. Until she decided she could handle seeing them again, the fancy stuff would remain in the drawer.
She pulled on a relatively new white set, a comfortable pair of jeans that had once been tight, but now hung on her, a cute tee, and a lightweight jacket in case the restaurant was cold. In no time, she was ready for her hot date.
“All set. Where do you want to go?” Last week Lisa got to pick. This week it was Beth’s turn.
She shrugged. “How about Hanley’s. I’m kind of in the mood for a steak.”
Beth seemed so intent on going there that she wasn’t going to complain. “You know it’s one of my favorite places. Let’s go.”
Her friend’s grin came out a little too wide, but fatigue had a way of skewing things. Because Beth had her car and she lived on the other side of town, Lisa followed her to the restaurant. Once inside, the hostess apologized, saying that the only table not reserved was a large booth near the back.
“I’m good with that.” It would give her a chance to stretch out.
No sooner had the waiter stopped by and taken their drink orders than her phone rang. It was the weekend and she didn’t want to deal with anything.
“Aren’t you going to answer it?” There was a hint of panic in her voice. Something was going on, and she needed to find out.
“Fine.” She pulled her phone from the side pocket of her purse. “It’s my realtor.” Why would she call on a Friday night? “Hey, Carol.”
“You will not believe it.” The excitement in her voice had Lisa sitting up.
“What? Tell me.”
“We’ve sold your condo.”
She’d decided that her condo was too far from town and that even if she would end up broke, she wanted to get rid of the albatross. When Beth asked if that meant she’d be moving to Intrigue, she’d told her no. Being around the men and not being sure they wanted her for a long-term relationship would be too hard. “How much?” If it was below the two-fifty, she’d have to decline.
“That’s the thing. I said you’d paid three-hundred thousand, and before I could say you’d take two-fifty, they said okay.”
Her heart jumped to her throat and she sipped on the water. “I don’t think I understand. Someone offered three-hundred thousand for the condo?”
The couple in the next booth glanced over. She mouthed, “Sorry.” This was too good to be true.
“If you can meet me on Monday, we can sign the papers. They are paying in cash.”
She was speechless. “Thank you. I’ll call you on Monday.”
Beth was grinning. “Did I hear right? Did you sell the condo?”
“Yes. And the best part is that I don’t have to cash in my CDs and incur that terrible penalty.”
“That’s fantastic. Now what?”
“I’m going to look for a place closer to my new job. Driving across the city is so not how I want to spend my morning.”
The waiter came with their drinks. Before he had a chance to ask if they’d decided what they wanted to order, Beth and she clinked glasses.
“To home selling,” Beth said.
Lisa was excited, but the thrill was a little bittersweet. She wished the sale meant she would be leaving Denver, but that wasn’t going to happen.
* * * *
Lisa spent the entire weekend with the realtor looking for another condo to purchase. Carol’s luck at finding the perfect place wasn’t panning out.
“Maybe, I’m being too picky.” She wanted a place like Mitch’s only on a much smaller scale. While she liked Trevor’s condo, she wasn’t a big modern person. Mitch’s exuded coziness and warmth—at least it could if he had more furniture and decorated the walls.
Carol sighed. “I’m sorry. I’ll spend more time tonight scanning the listings, but I’ll see you tomorrow as I need you to sign the contract.”
“I’ll be there.”
During the whole drive home, she told herself this was for the best. She still couldn’t fathom what kind of person would buy a place above market value. Carol claimed the new owners loved the location and feared that if they didn’t scoop it up now, someone else would buy it. Apparently, fifty-thousand wasn’t that big of a deal for them.
Each night she’d done some packing, so that when she had to move, it wouldn’t be so terrible. After a long soak in the tub, her muscles were total mush. She put on her pajamas and climbed into bed. She truly thought she wouldn’t sleep a wink, but her alarm roused her at 6:20 a.m. She’d go into work and then take a late lunch. Carol said the signing wouldn’t take too long, and given the realtor’s office was near hers, it worked out well.
Maybe because she felt happier than she had in a while, she decided to put on her pink lingerie set under her navy blue pencil skirt, peach blouse, and blazer. Donning her too-high heels, she left for work.
To her delight, between the phones ringing and people asking her to read a couple of briefs, the time to sign the condo papers came sooner than she could believe. She’d already mentioned to her boss about the paper signing, so Lisa slipped out just as most were returning from lunch. So as not to starve, she raided the snack machine. As much as she loved chocolate covered donuts, she couldn’t live on them.
Finding a parking place near Carol’s office hadn’t been easy, but she wouldn’t let a little inconvenience get in her way of being happy. She entered the thankfully air-conditioned building and told the receptionist that she was here for Carol’s two o’clock appointment.
Competing for Lisa [The Callens 11] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 19