“So how long have you been living with your sister?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“A month or so. It’s just temporary.” Lindsey moved on to another section of the cabinet.
“Until what?”
“Until I find another place.” Her voice held a note of annoyance so he decided it was probably best if he let it drop. He could more than likely get more info about Lindsey from Mike.
“Okay. So what should I do?”
Finally she put her cloth down and turned to him.
“There’s another cloth in my bag. We wipe everything down and then clean it up with a vacuum attachment.” She nodded to the vacuum in the corner. “Then we stain.”
“Easy enough.”
Derek walked over to her bag, grabbed a small towel and wet it in the sink. He walked to the other end of the cabinet and began to scrub. After a few minutes he glanced over at Lindsey to find her watching him. When their eyes met she gave a hesitant smile and then turned away.
It reminded him so much of their stolen glances from the beginning. For so long he’d suppressed thoughts of this woman, basically because they were useless. He’d lost her and everything they’d found in one another. The easy laughs, the stolen kisses, and eventually the consuming passion that he’d never known up to that point or any time after. Even to this day. They might not get back there—probably wouldn’t because they were no longer those people. But he’d take what he could get.
Nine
Monday morning, the sky was a brilliant blue and the air was inviting. It wasn’t unusual in the Midwest to need snow boots one week and flip-flops the next. This was one of those rare and beautiful late February days that made you want to go outside and soak up the warmth of the sun, which was exactly what Lindsey planned to do.
Derek had to visit a job site in the city so Lindsey considered it a work-from-home kind of day. She pulled Eden’s bouncy seat out onto the deck, placed her inside of it, and then ran back into the kitchen to grab her coffee. After turning on a musical toy to keep her niece appeased for a while, she finally settled into one of the comfortable patio chairs. The brace on her arm itched like crazy so she undid the straps and rested her arm on the cool glass tabletop before tilting her face up to the sky.
It was heavenly, the heat on her skin and just the slightest hint of a breeze. Birds sang along with the toy’s happy jingle and Lindsey smiled. She needed this. The entire weekend she’d been overwhelmed and confused about the previous week. Overwhelmed with all of the work that still needed to be done on the house and confused by her unsettled feelings about Derek.
They’d now worked together for most of the week. Tuesday they’d finished the lower cabinets, Thursday glazed the uppers, and Friday they’d prepped the floors. Tomorrow they planned to stain them. The most annoying part was that she was beginning to look forward to seeing him. That was a dangerous feeling. She’d been down that road before. The one where he made her feel good about herself. Flirted with her just a little, then a lot. Then made her fall hard for him. That road had ended in heartbreak, which was exactly what she never wanted to experience again. And yeah, he’d slowly started to break rule one, but she’d let him get away with it. Definitely unwise, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
Deciding she had more important things to dwell on, Lindsey sat up, took a sip of her coffee, and then opened her newest crafting magazine. She loved to look through and get ideas for projects, find out what was becoming trendy. If it wasn’t for her art she would go crazy. If things were different financially, her work could resume being her source of peace instead of another stressor.
She flipped through the pages, making mental notes to herself. Between her Etsy shop, consigned custom furniture pieces, and occasional design clients, she was doing okay. But her inventory would soon run out and she required money to make money. Supplies weren’t free, and as much as she loved a good Dumpster dive, she often had to scour antiques and garage sales to find good items worthy of repurposing. She needed to do better. If her father was able to pay her back the money he’d borrowed over the past year, she’d be in a lot better shape, but she wasn’t going to hold her breath on that front. Her dad didn’t have anyone else so she didn’t regret helping him. He knew better then to ask Mel for money. It was time for Lindsey to start making a plan.
Eden began to fuss so Lindsey leaned down. “Hey, pretty girl, did you lose your paci?” Lindsey pushed the rubber back between Eden’s tiny lips and then started the musical toy once more. She hummed along, smiling to herself when she realized she knew every note of the baby toy.
Lindsey’s phone rang and she glanced at the caller ID. She smiled to herself when she read Callie’s number before answering. “Hey!”
“Hay is for horses,” Callie said.
“Ha ha.” Lindsey loved how her friend always sounded happy. Several months back, Callie had started dating Preston High’s football coach and was madly in love.
“I’m headed downtown to the restaurant supply shop to get some things and wondered if you wanted to meet for lunch after.”
“I’d love to, but I’m watching Eden for Mel,” Lindsey said.
“Ooh, even better. Bring her with. I thought we could discuss Anne’s bachelorette party.”
“Okay, that sounds good. Oh, but wait…” Lindsey gave a pause, glanced down at her sleeping niece, and continued. “Eden just said she can only agree if we do Thai.”
Callie laughed. “Four months and she’s already so bossy. She’s my type of girl. Want me to come by and pick you up?”
“How about we meet you? I’ve got the car seat already hooked up in my car. Eleven?”
“Sounds good, see you soon.”
Two hours later Lindsey walked into Lulu’s Noodle Shop, Eden in her car seat slung over her good arm. Callie waved from a booth near the back and Lindsey made her way toward the table. The hostess brought a holder for Eden’s carrier and then Lindsey slid into the booth.
“Look at her. She’s still so tiny.” Callie smiled as she peered into the car seat. “Soooo. Tell me how it’s been going with Mr. Walsh.”
Lindsey just shook her head and smiled. “It’s fine. It’s nice to have the help and things are coming along nicely.”
“Coming along, huh? So have you kissed him?”
“Oh my goodness, no way!”
Callie laughed. “Okay, okay. You just never know. You guys create a lot of energy when you’re in the same room. If you’re not too careful it’s going to combust.”
Lindsey didn’t have much time to process that thought because their server greeted them. They ordered crab rangoon, chicken pad thai with extra heat, and two green teas.
“Okay, so continue with your story,” Callie said.
“I don’t recall telling a story.”
“Well, you were just getting started.”
“Oh no I wasn’t,” Lindsey said with a laugh. “There’s really nothing to tell. We’ve kind of come to an understanding, I guess. We’re friendly and working well together for now.”
“You know he wishes it were more,” Callie said.
Lindsey’s stomach dropped at the comment. “You can’t be certain of that. And I don’t think he does. He feels bad for the way things ended, that’s all. He needs to know I’m over it and maybe someday I can give him that. I don’t know.”
“Have you guys talked about it?”
“A little. But I think we both realize that there is nothing to be gained by going over it again and again.”
“I can see your point, I guess. But have you forgiven him?”
Lindsey blew out a hard breath, considering her answer. “I don’t know. I’m just not sure how I feel about any of it anymore. It still hurts but … I don’t know. Maybe I’ve realized it was long ago and it doesn’t do me any good to hold on to the anger.”
Callie gave her a weak smile. “I’m sorry that happened to you. I wish I’d been your friend then. You better believe I’d have beaten
that boy’s ass for you.”
Lindsey smiled. “I do believe it.”
Eden began to stir in her seat, probably ready for her own lunch. Lindsey pulled a pumped bottle out of the diaper bag and began to unbuckle her from the car seat.
“Can I feed her?” Callie asked, eyes wide with excitement.
“Of course.” Lindsey lifted Eden and then placed her in Callie’s arms.
“Oh my goodness, she’s so tiny. I want to take you home with me.” Callie spoke in a baby voice down at Eden and then kissed her fuzzy little head. Eden responded by squirming, her face twisting into a cry.
Lindsey handed Callie the bottle and then sat down to her own lunch. “Okay, I’ve dished my dirt. When are you and Coach gonna start making babies?”
“Hush your mouth,” Callie whispered, as if her voice might disturb Eden’s meal. “I’m nowhere near ready for babies. Although this cutie could maybe change my mind.”
Lindsey chuckled. She knew what Callie meant. Holding Eden was magical. The difference was, Callie had a partner. One that Lindsey was pretty darn sure her friend planned to be with forever. She didn’t know Bennett real well yet, but she could tell just by the way he looked at Callie that they were it for one another. And Lindsey could totally see Bennett as a family guy. He probably wanted three boys and a baby sister. The thought of Callie with multiple kids made Lindsey giggle.
“What?” Callie asked.
“Just imagining you with a brood of children.”
“Oh, no way, Linds. Don’t let Bennett hear you say that. He’s already informed me his first son will be named Robert after one of his first coaches.”
“Robert?” Lindsey cried, her eyes widening. “He is so going to knock you up soon. But a little boy nicknamed Bobby would be so cute. Little Bobby Clark.”
“Right? Isn’t it the cutest thing you’ve ever heard?” Callie crooned. They both laughed and then began to discuss Anne’s party while Eden ate her lunch. They’d thrown Anne a bridal shower in January that had been a success. Quite a feat considering Callie and Lindsey had both been nervous about planning a party for the woman who did that for a living. But Anne had loved every minute of it.
“So I feel like her shower was our special girl time and this should just be crazy, grown-up fun. You know what I mean?” Callie asked.
“Okay,” Lindsey said. She was a little apprehensive about hearing what Callie’s ideas were. She had been known to really love a good time. Lindsey wasn’t so much the nightclub type. But this wasn’t about her, either. “What did you have in mind?”
“Welll … don’t freak out. But what would you think about doing a coed bachelor and bachelorette party?”
“That sounds fun.” But immediately Lindsey felt panicked. Bachelorette party meant a night out. Coed meant with boys. So Derek would definitely be there. “Where were you thinking we would do this?”
“Well, one of my best customers at the bakery is the head of PR for that big new casino in Mayville. I was going to ask her about getting a few rooms. See if she could get us a deal. What do you think? It would be close, all-inclusive, so we could drink and not worry. There is a club inside, gambling, food, swimming pools.” Callie’s grin was wide and hopeful.
“It does sound fun. Who were you thinking of inviting?” Lindsey picked at a piece of tofu on her plate.
“Well. Obviously Mike and Anne, me and Bennett. Maybe Brooke and Alex. Of course Eric and whoever he’s dating. Maybe Emma if she’s free. Oh and of course, uh, Derek. And you.”
“So instead of coed bachelorette party, you really mean couples.”
“No! I said Emma. You and Derek don’t have to hang out if you don’t want to,” Callie said. She tilted her head to the side. “Although it kind of sounds like you might not mind. You know, since you’ve gotten used to being around one another.”
“Even if we were fine hanging out, you guys will go back to your rooms for the night and then it will be awkward.” And Lindsey didn’t want to admit it, but she couldn’t afford to get herself a room on her own.
“It will not be awkward. If you want, Derek and Mike can get a room and we girls can get our own.”
“Oh yeah, that will go over like a lead balloon with your horny boyfriends,” Lindsey said.
“True.” Callie scrunched up her lips. “But if they have to take a cold shower for one night then that’s what they’ll do. Lindsey, I don’t want you to worry about this. We’ll all be there.”
She had to go along with the plan. How could she not? The scariest part was that she was mostly afraid she might enjoy herself. And if at the end of the night she had to drive herself home then she’d do it. “You’re right, it’s fine. It is a good idea.”
Callie grinned. “Yeah? I promise the party will be fun.”
“I know it will be. I’m excited.”
“Yay! Me, too.” Callie pulled out her phone and opened the calendar app. “Might as well get it down.”
Lindsey pulled her planner out of her bag. She was a paper-and-pen kind of girl. They settled on a date and each jotted down a few planning notes.
“Perfect. Why don’t I check in with everyone else and make sure that date is good, although I can’t imagine there would be any problems. If Anne has Claire … or Derek has Tanner, we can just help them figure something out.”
Lindsey nodded, taking a sip of her tea. She was just going to have to accept it. Derek was once again a part of her life. It was up to her to make sure that she was in control this time.
* * *
Lindsey sat up straight and swept a lock of hair from her eyes with the back of her arm. Her hands were covered in stain, and her body ached, but the kitchen floor was done. She suddenly felt giddy about the progress they’d made over the past week and a half of working together.
Glancing across the room, she laughed when she caught sight of Derek. There was stain on his face, his forearms, and in his hair.
“What?” he asked.
“You’re just a little dirty. That’s all.”
“I was hoping you might like me a little dirty,” he said with a wink.
She rolled her eyes. “Rule one.”
“Ah please.” He laughed. “That’s all in good fun. When I flirt with you, babe, you’ll know it.”
Lindsey shook her head. He’d been doing that more often the past few days. Slowly unleashing his powerful charm on her.
Occasional conversation had started up between them but mainly on safe topics. Anne and Mike, movies, the house. A few times she’d caught herself before saying something that began with the phrase “remember that one time when.” She definitely didn’t need them traveling down memory lane together. In fact, she’d straight-out made it a rule that it was forbidden between them.
Lindsey laid down her paintbrush and reached for her bottle of water before taking a long drink. It was nearly five o’clock, which meant they should probably start cleaning up. She wasn’t sure what his plans were this evening—and she wasn’t going to ask—but she was certain he wouldn’t want to work through the evening.
Derek headed for the hall and then she heard him call out from the bathroom. “Jesus, you weren’t kidding. I’m a mess.”
She chuckled to herself and then glanced around at the now fully stained kitchen floor. They had worked hard today. Especially Derek. Her ability to paint wood floors was a little ineffectual considering she couldn’t bend over and hold her weight up with her bad arm. She’d had to sit on her knees and lean to the side, doing small little strokes with her paintbrush
Derek on the other hand had strapped on giant knee pads and gone at it like a madman. She might have stolen a few glances at his butt when he was facing away from her. Any woman in her position would have done the same.
The doorbell rang, surprising Lindsey. She figured it might possibly be Anne and Mike coming out to see how things were going. It would be exciting for them to get a glimpse of all the progress they’d made during the past week.
“I got it,” Derek called over his shoulder. She could hear his work boots clomping down the hallway, his voice low as he spoke with another male. When he didn’t return right away she began to grow suspicious. Slowly Lindsey grabbed onto a window ledge and hauled herself up to a standing position. She backed herself into the dining area so as not to step on the wet stain and nearly collided with Derek holding a pizza box and a case of beer.
“You hungry?” he asked with an eyebrow raised. “I hope so because it’s already a done deal.”
“You didn’t have to do that. It’s nearly five and I figured you’d want to get home. Or that you’d have plans.”
He looked wary and stepped back a little. “Right now you are my plans. Did you have somewhere to go tonight?”
“No.” She shook her head, feeling guilty for assuming he’d want to rush off and relieved that he didn’t. Why was she always determined to assume the worst about him? She eyed the pizza box. “Is that from Pie Mia’s?”
“It is.” Derek grinned. He walked over and set the pizza and beer down on the floor next to what appeared to be a folded-up blanket that she’d never noticed before. “Hope you don’t mind eating picnic style. I figured we’ve been on the floor all day. Why stop now?”
Lindsey couldn’t hold back the smile on her face as she walked over to where he stood fluffing out the blanket and laying it on the dining room floor. Once he had it arranged he held out a hand to her. She took it, allowing him to hold some of her weight as she lowered herself to the floor. He sat down beside her.
“What kind of pizza did you get?” she inquired. “Did you plan this?”
“You ask too many questions. But I will answer the first one. Someone might have informed me that you have a particular favorite flavor at Mia’s.” He gave her a crooked smile as he opened the box and turned it to face her.
Lindsey gasped in delight when she saw the goat cheese, chicken, and caramelized onion pizza she and her friends loved. “That is definitely my favorite!”
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