by Kayla Perrin
“Oh, Paul. Give it up!” Lorraine told him.
He strode toward her now, and she flinched, but stayed rooted to the spot. He wasn’t going to hurt her. At least she didn’t believe he was.
He raised a finger and wagged it in front of her face. “This is how you repay me? Seeing someone else and now stealing from me?”
The allegation was so absurd, Lorraine didn’t even know how to respond to it.
“Buddy, I’m going to call the police.”
“That won’t be necessary,” came another voice, a booming voice that commanded authority. Lorraine’s heart began to pound, but this time from excitement as opposed to fear.
Hunter. She knew it, even before she turned to face him. And when she did, a smile broke out on her face. Her eyes darted toward Paul, and she saw fear flickering in his gaze. Good. Let him deal with a bit of what he was doling out.
Hunter strode toward Paul, his eyes locked on his. He stood over Paul by a good few inches, and his stature and gait showed that he wasn’t playing.
“If I ever see you around here again, you’re gonna regret that decision. Leave. Now. Or that will be another decision you’ll regret. I promise you.”
Paul’s face twitched, and Lorraine knew he was battling for something to say. Trying to figure out how to come off as tough in the face of a man who was clearly tougher.
“You’re not moving,” Hunter said.
Paul started to walk. Slowly, but nonetheless he was moving toward the exit gate in the fence around the pool. He quickened his pace, went through the gate, then strode briskly toward the parking lot.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Manuel said. “If I’d seen him coming in here, I would have stopped him.”
Lorraine waved off his apology. “You have nothing to apologize for. Thank you for showing up when you did.” Then she turned to Hunter, smiling tentatively at him. “And you, too. You came at just the right time. Thank you.”
“Who is this?” Manuel asked, indicating Hunter with a jerk of his head. “Your new boyfriend?” His eyes danced, saying he approved.
Lorraine chuckled awkwardly, but didn’t answer. How could she answer? She didn’t know what Hunter was to her, other than a man who’d given her a couple of good times in the bedroom.
“My name is Hunter,” he said, extending a hand to Manuel.
“I’m Manuel.” Manuel shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Then Hunter faced Lorraine. “Can I speak to you for a minute?”
“Of course. We can go to my townhouse.”
She felt silly, walking with a towel wrapped around her waist toward her townhouse unit that Hunter had never seen. She’d been avoiding him, and here he had come to her rescue like a knight in shining armor. Same as he had the first night.
They walked without saying a word. When they got into her unit, Lorraine gestured to her left, where the living room was. “Please, have a seat on the sofa. You can turn on the television if you like. I’m just going to go and get changed.”
She could barely meet his eyes. She felt bad for not getting back to Hunter before now. Lorraine went into her bedroom and changed into a sundress. She combed her damp hair out quickly and put it into a ponytail. Then she went out into the living room to meet Hunter.
He was standing, not sitting as she expected. He had a look on his face that alarmed her.
Then she realized what the look was. Disappointment.
“That was your ex-husband, I take it?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“How long has he been bothering you?”
Lorraine shrugged. “Only recently, really.”
“But he’s the reason you had to have your phone fixed. He was spying on you?”
Lorraine explained to Hunter what had happened. “He found out about the store because he was accessing my private messages. And he was threatening to take the store from me. But I spoke to my lawyer, and he assured me that the store is mine. I owe none of it to Paul.”
“Why didn’t you call me about this?” Hunter asked.
“Because Paul is my problem.”
Hunter’s jaw tensed. “But I could have helped you. Talked to him, done whatever you needed me to do.”
“I spoke to my lawyer. Armed myself with the facts.”
“And that’s what you were doing today?” Hunter asked. “Having a discussion with Paul about those facts?”
Lorraine’s back stiffened. Hunter had her on that one. She shook her head. “He said he’s rejecting what my lawyer said. He’s going to fight me.”
“And that’s why you could have called me. One thing I hate more than anything is when a guy bullies a woman.”
Lorraine appreciated his valor, but she stood by her words. “I appreciate you wanting to help me, but I can take care of myself.”
Disappointment flashed across Hunter’s face, and for a moment, Lorraine felt bad. She didn’t mean to offend him.
“And why didn’t I hear from you?”
Why, indeed? “Because... I was stressed out. I just felt I needed time away from...” She made a gesture of a circle with her hand, encompassing the space between her and Hunter. “From us. Especially with the drama going on with my ex.”
“And that’s why you didn’t give me your new number? At least let me know you were okay?”
“I wasn’t thinking about checking in with you.”
Hunter’s eyes widened, and he cocked his head as he regarded her. “I see.” But he didn’t sound happy.
“I’m sorry,” Lorraine said. “I didn’t mean to sound offensive. It’s just... I’ve been stressed out. I told you before, I’m barely out of a marriage. My ex is giving me grief. A lot’s going on.”
“I get it,” Hunter said, but Lorraine wasn’t sure if he did. Yes, she was fiercely attracted to him, but she wasn’t ready for another relationship.
“I have a favor to ask,” Hunter began. “Which is why I tracked you down. One of my colleague’s cousins just got some bad news. Her diabetes has gotten worse, and she’s going to have to start taking insulin injections. He was wondering if you might be able to help her. I told him about you, which is why he came to me with this. Can you talk to her. Give her some advice?”
“Sure. You want me to call her?”
“Actually, Peter was hoping you could go there tonight. If that’s convenient for you.”
“Oh. Will you be with us?”
“Do you want me there?” Hunter countered.
It felt to Lorraine as if he was asking her something else. Something was off between them, but Lorraine understood what it was. She’d left Hunter hanging, and he wasn’t happy about it.
But what were they to each other? Two people who’d had sex a couple of times. Not two people who were trying to build a relationship.
“All right,” Lorraine said. “I can make it. What time?”
Chapter 19
Lorraine went out and did some shopping so that she could make some healthy options to bring with her. She made a dairy-free broccoli salad with miso, as well as an apple crumble with coconut oil and no butter. These were tasty dishes with fewer calories, no cholesterol and less fat, which made them healthier. She wanted Peter’s cousin to know that as a diabetic, you could still eat tasty food.
At six o’clock, her cell phone rang. She went out to meet Hunter. He was standing outside his car, and her heart thudded when she saw him. Earlier, she’d been shocked and embarrassed when she’d seen him so unexpectedly, which had led to her being a little guarded. Now she was once again seeing him as a man. Tall, dressed in tan pants and sandals with a white T-shirt that hugged his biceps, he caused a flush of heat to spread over her. Why did he always take her breath away?
For a few days, she’d avoided
him, hoping that she could gain perspective and put her attraction for him behind her. But the butterflies in her stomach told her that attraction had returned with a vengeance.
His eyes connected with hers and lit up, then widened with surprise when his gaze lowered to the containers of food. He quickly opened the door for her, then walked to meet her. He took the containers from her, and she got into the passenger seat.
“What’s all this?” Hunter asked, handing them back to her.
“I figured I’d make a couple of dishes to leave with your friend’s cousin. Just a sample of healthier food so she knows she doesn’t have to starve or eat only lettuce for optimal nutrition. I made a healthy broccoli salad, and an apple crumble with less fat and less sugar that’s still big on taste.”
“Ah. That was thoughtful.”
Hunter went around to the driver’s side and got into the car beside her. A fluttering sensation spread through Lorraine’s stomach as he started the car. She felt awkward, and was glad when music filled the car, taking up the quiet space.
“I like you,” Hunter suddenly said after five minutes of silence.
Lorraine turned to face him. Her lips parted, but she didn’t know what to say.
“It bothers me that you shut me out. After everything that’s happened between us, I would think you should know that you could have called me about your ex. To talk, to seek advice...whatever. Promise me you’ll tell me if he bothers you again.”
Why? Lorraine wanted to ask. Why did he care so much?
“Promise me,” Hunter repeated.
“Okay,” Lorraine said. “I promise.”
* * *
Less than ten minutes later, Hunter pulled into the driveway and parked behind Peter’s car. By the time he took the key out of the ignition, Lorraine was already getting out. It was as if she couldn’t wait to be out of the confined space with him.
The door to Peter’s Honda Civic opened, and he appeared. He stepped in front of Lorraine’s path and offered her a hand. Then he gestured to the large reusable bag she had.
“I made a couple of dishes for your cousin,” Lorraine was saying when Hunter got out of the car. “A sample of the kinds of foods she can eat that still taste great. I imagine she’s overwhelmed. I’ll explain everything when we’re inside.”
“I really appreciate you doing this,” Peter said. “Hunter’s spoken highly of you.” He looked in Hunter’s direction.
“No problem,” Lorraine said. She gave Hunter a quick glance, then turned her gaze back to Peter. “Ready to head inside?”
“Sure thing,” Peter said.
She fell into step with Peter, and Hunter walked behind them. His shoulders tensed. He was certain now. Her body language, the distance between them. Lorraine was here, yes, and he was grateful that she’d agreed to help Peter’s cousin. But emotionally she was shutting him out.
* * *
Twenty minutes into the visit, Peter leaned close to Hunter and whispered, “She seems like a great girl.”
“Yeah,” Hunter agreed. “She is.”
Which made it all the harder to watch her, eyes lit up as she talked to Diane about her qualifications as not only a nurse, but a nutritionist. Hunter could easily picture Lorraine being a part of his life. Problem was, she was pulling away from him.
She was the epitome of loveliness and grace during dinner. Hearing Lorraine’s qualifications, Diane willingly opened up about her diabetes predicament. Hunter saw Diane go from stressed and overwhelmed to positive and hopeful.
“You mean I can eat food like this?” she asked after sampling the apple crumble. “This is delicious!”
“I used coconut sugar. It’s very low on the glycemic index, so much better for diabetics. I also used a bit of coconut oil and no dairy. So yes, you can have this kind of food. Not a ton of it, of course. But it’s really important to cut out the fatty fried foods in addition to limiting your sugar. I’ll be more than happy to go over a meal plan with you. I have a friend who’s a registered dietician—we can both meet with you.”
“You’re so wonderful to offer me this. Thank you so much.”
“No problem,” Lorraine said. “Call me anytime.”
When Peter, Hunter and Lorraine were heading out the door, Diane gave her a long hug. “Thanks again.”
Lorraine’s smile was genuine. “You’re welcome.”
“Thanks so much for meeting my cousin tonight,” Peter said when they stepped outside. “You made a strong impact on her.”
“I was happy to do it,” Lorraine said. Then Peter hugged her.
“And thanks to you, too,” Peter said to Hunter.
“No problem, my friend. See you next shift.”
Hunter and Lorraine settled into his car. She sighed contentedly.
“You were in your element tonight,” Hunter said. “You really gave Diane hope.”
“With the help of my dietician friend, we can monitor her blood sugar levels, which I expect to go down rapidly if she follows my suggestions for eating.”
Hunter started the car and began to back out of the driveway. “You were great with her. You were born to help people.”
Lorraine glanced at him and smiled, and warmth filled Hunter’s heart. Again, it was easy to see why his father had taken to her. She was a giving person. Bright, positive. Sweet. And the more time he spent with her, the more he liked her.
But he wasn’t going to be a fool and continue pursuing her if that wasn’t what she wanted. “Have you given more thought to me working with you?” Hunter asked. “I’m sure you’ll need help getting the business set up. I’d love to be a partner.”
“You were serious about that?”
“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I weren’t serious.”
“I kind of thought... I figured that was more about your father.”
“You mean as a way to honor my father?” Hunter asked. When Lorraine nodded, he asked, “Does it really matter if I want to be involved for that reason? I see the value in what you’re doing, and why he wanted to help you do it. When I say I want to be involved, I’m talking for the long haul.”
Lorraine glanced out the window and said nothing. Hunter’s stomach sank. Why was she so determined to shut him out?
But perhaps more baffling to him was the fact that he wanted to break down her walls. With this many negative cues from any other woman, he’d already have moved on. Yet something was making him hang on here.
He pulled into her townhouse complex in a short while, and that’s when Lorraine faced him. “As for your offer, can we talk about it later? I’d just like to think about everything.”
“Sure.” Pressuring her wouldn’t help. If he tried to push the issue, she would probably run.
She offered him a smile. “Thanks again.”
Hunter reached behind the passenger seat. He wanted to leave Lorraine with something. Something he’d been compelled to have made for her.
But she opened the door and exited the car.
And she didn’t look back.
* * *
Lorraine hurried toward her townhouse unit. Irrationally, her heart was pounding. But she’d needed to get out of the car and away from Hunter as soon as possible. The longer she was around him, the more her brain refused to work properly. All she could think about was the way he’d held her, kissed her and how she wanted more of that.
Lorraine didn’t look back as she went up the stairs to her door. Didn’t look back as she opened the door and slipped inside.
She locked the door and leaned her body against the cool metal. Then she blew out a frazzled breath.
There was a knock on the door, and Lorraine jumped, throwing a hand over her heart. She quickly spun around. Hunter?
Lorraine stood rooted to the spot. Several seconds late
r, there was another knock.
What was she doing? Just answer the door.
Lorraine pulled the door open. As she expected, Hunter was standing there. What she didn’t expect was to see him holding a small gift in his hand.
“You took off so quickly.” He extended the medium-sized yellow box, wrapped in a pale blue bow. “I wanted to give you this.”
“What is it?”
“You have to open it,” Hunter said. “That’s how you find out.”
She took the box from him. Her heart thudded as she pulled at the ribbon. Why did she feel so nervous? And why was he giving her a gift?
“Um, come in,” she said, realizing that he was still standing outside her door.
Hunter stepped inside, and Lorraine wandered into the living room, where she sat on the sofa. She placed the ribbon onto the coffee table, then pulled the lid off the box.
She glanced at Hunter. The edges of his lips curled in a slight smile, and a flush of heat spread across her chest. “Go on.”
Lorraine pulled out the white tissue paper. And when her eyes landed on what lay within, a gasp escaped her lips.
“Oh, my goodness.” She lifted out the five-by-seven picture frame and stared at the photo of her and Douglas within it. Douglas was sitting in his wheelchair and smiling from ear-to-ear. Lorraine was standing behind him, her face lowered close to his, a huge smile also on her face.
“Oh, Hunter. This is beautiful.” She remembered the day it had been taken. She had been pushing Douglas through the atrium at the hospice, heading for the garden. That’s when he’d flagged down a passing nurse and asked her to take a photo of the two of them on his smartphone.
They’d talked a lot about her vision for her store that day, and Douglas had been very encouraging. He’d assured her that as long as she didn’t give up, she would make her dreams come true.
“Hunter...” Tears welled in Lorraine’s eyes. “This is the perfect gift.”
“I found that picture of you two on my father’s cell phone. My dad looks frail, but he also looks really happy—as do you. I thought you’d like to have it.”
Lorraine held the photo to her chest. “I love it.” It brought back the happy moments she’d spent with Douglas. Despite what he’d been going through, he’d remained positive and had given her the kind of encouragement she would have loved her father to give her. “Thank you.”