by Claire Adams
“Yeah, but that wasn’t it. He didn’t exactly have anyone to call.” I didn’t need to tell her why. Her face fell into a frown.
“That’s horrible. I’m assuming since I’m only hearing about this now that you didn’t tell your parents you two are talking.”
“He doesn’t know who I am.” Her mouth fell open, and I held a hand up to hold her off as I explained. “I told him my name was Lexa, but I didn’t feel right telling him I’m the girl whose parents are suing him. He was being assholish enough.” I knew that wouldn’t help my case.
“Wait, so he was being an asshole?”
“Yeah, He’s kind of an asshole. I mean, he can be, but I don’t know… There’s something there. I don’t know if it’s because he reminds me so much of his sister and I’m hoping there will be a light inside him as bright as hers, but I’m interested to find out.”
She put her cup in the sink. “If he’s capable of being an asshole, it could get worse. Promise me you won’t get in over your head with this guy.”
“I promise.” I held my hand up to swear.
“How serious could it be with you lying about who you are, much less your parents not knowing what’s going on? Are you going to hide him from them forever? You can’t hide who you are.” She placed her hands flat on the counter and took a deep breath. “Aren’t you the least bit nervous he’ll flip out on you when he learns your secret?”
“Yes, but I don’t plan on keeping it from him forever. I’ll tell him before it gets too far.” I felt a wave of panic thinking of how he might react. The last thing I wanted was for him to hate me.
“The look on your face is frightening, my friend. I’m not convinced that you should entertain this another minute, but I know you. Once you set your mind on something, you’re going to go through with it.”
I knew she couldn’t begin to understand the way I felt. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings because she’d been there for me through everything with losing Shawn, but at the same time, I had felt so alone in my grief. Maybe a small part of me needed to be close to someone who was feeling the same thing, someone who understood that grief the same way I do, who experienced the same pain.
“I’ll be careful, but promise you won’t say anything about him in front of my parents.”
“I’m not crazy. No one wants to see that aftermath, much less be caught in the crossfire. If it comes down to it, you can tell them when I’m nowhere around.” She took her bag from the counter and fished out her keys.
“It’s a deal.”
“I better run so I can stop by the bank and still get good parking. I’m not in the mood to walk any more than I have to, either.” I walked her to the door, and she stopped and gave me a hug. “Be careful with this one.”
“Yes, mother.” I broke the hug as we said our goodbyes. I shut the door behind her and turned to lean against it. I had to get ready, and I had no idea what to wear.
I hurried upstairs to my bedroom and threw open the closet door. I found a nice casual skirt and a low-cut, sleeveless blouse and decided to pair it with sandals. The weather was warm, and it wasn’t like we were going anywhere special. I didn’t want to overdo it, but I wanted him to see more skin than my work scrubs had allowed. It’s only fair, considering.
Chapter Nine
Aiden
I ran downstairs after hanging up with Lexa and found Mattie in the kitchen scribbling on a notepad. “You’re the person I was looking for, right where I need you.”
She paused her pen and put her hand on her hip. “Well, it’s good to be needed, but if you wanted anything from me today, you’re out of luck. I have a funeral in two hours, and I’m only here to get a grocery list and make sure the gardeners did their job yesterday.”
“Are you kidding? I’m having a guest for lunch, and I need you to cook something.” I threw my hands up and gripped my hair. “What am I going to do?”
“Take her out to eat or cook something. There’s a pan of enchiladas in the fridge if you want to serve those. You could pair it with chips and salsa. Other than that, your options are tuna fish and crackers.” She put her pen back to the pad and finished her list.
“I guess I could figure it out. I’ve never cooked anything before, so a restaurant is looking better by the minute. I hoped to stay around here.”
“Is this one so bad you can’t take her out in public?” Mattie tore the paper and put it in her purse, which sat on the counter. Then she took it and slung it onto her shoulder.
“You’re leaving now? You’re supposed to be my lifesaver, so remind me what the hell am I paying you for?” I stormed away, and she called out to me as I hit the stairs.
She gave a belly laugh. “Because you’re lost without me.”
Her voice faded as I went upstairs to get myself cleaned up. I contemplated shaving the beard, but wondered how pale my face would be underneath it. Maybe I could trim it up, but I wasn’t sure where to begin. I decided not to do anything drastic and stepped into the shower. I scrubbed myself clean and made quick work of rinsing off. After the shortest shower of my life, I went to the closet to figure out what to wear.
I wanted her to be interested, but I didn’t want to look too dressed up for a lunch date. Besides, I’d only look like a bum in the expensive clothes I would normally wear out. I found something acceptable and laid it across my bed.
I sat next to it wrapped in a towel and glanced at my phone. Sure enough, I’d missed a call from Layne. I didn’t need the guy calling me every other minute while Lexa was here, and I had a feeling he was back in town and had heard the news of my wreck. It wasn’t like I hadn’t called the office to tell him about it. I dialed his number and laid back to get the call over with.
Layne answered with his usual attitude toward me. “Well, it’s about damned time you called. I guess you didn’t think being nearly killed would warrant a call to my cell phone.”
I released a deep breath. I had been prepared for this conversation and already had my excuse ready. “I didn’t want to ruin your vacation with your wife; why would I?”
“Yeah, right. So are you banged up or what?”
“The soreness is about gone, the road rash is scabbed, and I met a gorgeous nurse. I’d say I’m doing well.” I wished I hadn’t mentioned the nurse, but luckily he didn’t press for more details.
“Good for you, and since your father had such a great name, I hear you even got out of being charged. You’re lucky you didn’t kill someone. Not to mention that this didn’t get out to the public. The press would have a field day with it with the lawsuit. You better keep your nose clean until it’s settled.”
“I’ll try to remember to behave myself. I wanted to tell you as soon as I get my insurance lined out, I’m buying another Harley. I was wondering if you still had the name of your buddy down at the dealership.” He and my dad had hooked me up with my bike two years before.
“Why don’t you buy yourself a nice, safe car? Hell, for that matter, you’ve got five of them in the garage; take your pick.” He knew better. I wasn’t about to turn my parents’ cars into an everyday driver.
“No thanks, I like having a bike. It matches my beard.” I gave the thing a stroke and for a moment wondered why I ever contemplated cutting it.
“You’ll be a lot better off without the bike or the beard. I know you’re sick of hearing it, Aiden, but you need to focus on work. You can’t sit back and live off your parents’ money doing nothing for the rest of your life. By the looks of it, you’ll be around a long time. You’re luckier than anyone I know.”
“Yeah, too bad I don’t feel so lucky.”
Then I thought about Lexa. That might be a stroke of good luck. Maybe things really were turning around for me. “Look, Layne, I’d love to sit here and shoot the shit with you all day, but I have a hot date with a sexy nurse. So you’ll forgive me if I have to go.”
“Well, when you’re done slumming around Savannah, there’s a job waiting for you.” His end of the phone w
ent dead, and I laughed. Lexa didn’t seem like she came from the slum, and considering what she’d told me, I suspected she came from money. Maybe not insane money like me, but close enough.
I sat up and lost the towel to get myself dressed. Then I rushed downstairs to check out the pan of enchiladas and realized they hadn’t been touched. Mattie had cooked them the night before and knowing her cooking, they would be delicious. I’d opted for beer and a sandwich. I turned up the oven halfway and slid them inside. With any luck, Lexa would be into Mexican food.
I found the chips Mattie had bought and a jar of salsa and decided to put them in a bowl. I could at least make things half decent and still wasn’t sure about my presentation. I had no idea how to use the oven timer, so I set the microwave for twenty minutes. I hoped it would be enough to warm the food, but I knew it was good enough for frozen pizza, so it had to be enough to warm the dish.
While I waited, I received a text from Glen, but instead of messaging him back, I decided to call to help my time go by faster. It was better than pacing around the room wondering what to say to her.
He answered with his usual pitch. “Jay’s Pub, this is Glen.”
“Why is your place named Jay’s Pub if your name is Glen?” I’d been wondering the answer to that for months, but had never gotten the story.
“Well, it’s good to hear you’re still breathing, and if you really want to know, it’s because this place used to be the Blue Jay Café. I decided to keep a bit of nostalgia. Regretted it every day since.” He chuckled, and the noise in the background died down. I wondered if he’d walked to the back office.
“I guess you missed me last night. Turns out I did get sore from the wreck. It hit me hard yesterday, so I decided to go to the gym and work out the soreness.”
“You’re a lucky man, and I guess I’ll forgive you for ducking out on me the way you did since you didn’t die on me. But you ever pull another stunt like that one, and I’ll never pour you another one.” I almost felt bad for doing it.
“I guess if that happens, I’ll have to start ordering longnecks.” That got a laugh from him.
“Asshole.” He tacked on the word after a pause and then released a sigh of frustration into the phone. “Well, I wanted to check on my favorite customer and make sure you weren’t back in the hospital.”
“No, but I do have a nurse stopping by.” I gave a sly chuckle. I’d told him about Lexa and how she’d helped me. And, that she was sexy as fuck.
“Nice. I guess I won’t be seeing you tonight, either?”
“If I’m lucky. We’re having lunch, so I doubt it will be an all-nighter.” I heard the gates open and went to the window. “She’s here; I’ll fill you in over drinks soon.” We said a short goodbye, and I hurried to the door. She parked in the circle and then got out looking fresh as a flower on a spring day.
“You look beautiful.” I found my own honesty a surprise, but her smile was worth it.
“Thank you; you look nice, too. How are you healing up?” She walked up and took my chin between her fingers and turned my head to get a good look at the small cut by my eye. “Looking good.” She stepped away, and I waved her into the house.
“I hope you like Mexican food, I-”
“Yes. It smells amazing; I didn’t know you could cook.” She took a deep breath and smiled. “Wow.” I didn’t know what to say, but I didn’t correct her. Would it hurt if she thought I cooked the food? I wondered. Technically I did heat it, so I let it slide. Mattie wasn’t around to correct me.
“Have a seat, and I’ll go fix you a drink and check the food.” I led her to the front room to the sofa I’d crashed on too many times to count over the past few months. I was thankful Mattie had shown up when she did and the house was presentable. I hoped she didn’t look up since Mattie had taken my no ladder rule to heart.
“Sure, thanks. Do you mind if I look around?” She had her eye on my mother’s favorite painting, and I extended my arm to show welcome.
“Make yourself at home.”
I hurried into the kitchen hoping the dish hadn’t burned and thankfully the timer was ticking down its last few seconds. I opened the oven to see the enchiladas were bubbling hot and checked the drawers for the oven mitts, which Mattie had put away. I had kept them on the counter for months, but nothing was where I’d left it. I went to the cabinet hoping to find plates and wished I’d set the formal dining room. Here I was with a grand estate and I was serving my date reheated dinner from the night before on our service wares. I could do better.
I ran through the living room, holding up a finger to Lexa as I passed, hoping she’d stay put. When she did, I went to the formal dining room and checked to see if Mattie had cleaned it. Sure enough, it was sparkling clean, and the faint smell of polish hung in the air.
On my way back through, she stood as I passed. “Can I help with anything? I don’t mind, really.”
“Um, sure.” I figured it was better to let her instead of running around like a fool. “Come on, and we’ll get the table set. Dinner’s ready, but I didn’t want us to eat in the kitchen.”
She followed me into the room. “Oh, either table is fine with me. I’m more interested in the company.” I went to the cabinet where mother kept her Limoges service. Lexa’s eyes widened, and she ran her fingers over the pattern. “It’s beautiful.”
“This was my grandmother’s, and it was my mother’s pride, so that’s why I want us at the formal table. You’re a worthy guest.” I couldn’t help but wonder what my mother would think of Lexa. She was always worried about the type of women I liked and rarely approved, but I would bet the bank she’d like her.
Her hand fell upon mine, and she looked up at me with a warm smile. “Thank you.” Was it crazy that those two little words turned me on?
Chapter Ten
Lexa
“I can’t get over these enchiladas. I don’t think I’ve had any this good.” I sipped my wine and then took my last bite.
“Yeah, they’re one of my favorites.” He looked around the dining room, and my eyes followed suit. The room glowed with a soft peach hue as the sun reflected through the window and off the walls. “I can’t remember the last time I had a meal in here.” The weight of his brow told me that it must have been with his family.
“So, what do you do?” The question seemed innocent enough, but it had him frowning. “I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. Honestly, my life’s been on hold, I guess.” He downed the last of his wine and then poured another glass.
“We all grieve in different ways. Sometimes it takes longer for some people.”
He shook his head and then took another sip. “I finished up law school like my father wanted, but I never took the job he had waiting for me. It was my father’s dream, not mine. I only did it because he pushed me. He was an arrogant ass at times. I had worked myself to death in school and wanted to take some time for myself. I wanted to be a pilot.”
My heart stopped beating in my chest. “So, you were learning to fly?”
“Not as a career, but I had a few classes, like my dad. He lost interest after the newness of owning a private plane wore off and was content to hire a pilot. It was a new dream for me and something I decided on a whim. I had only told my dad about a few weeks before the accident. I felt like I’d finally found something I enjoyed, something I could be excited about, and that made me happy.
“But he thought it was a waste of my time. I think he was afraid I’d be good at it when he wasn’t. He’d said it was nothing more than a hobby and that I had better take the job at the firm instead before he gave it to someone else.”
“So, you missed out on the opportunity?”
“No, it’s still there. As a matter of fact, the entire company is mine. My father owned the entire business. His partner got himself into some gambling debt, and though my father saved his ass, he let him keep his name on the door.” He leaned back in his chair. “No, I had no interest in working for my father and
having to do things his way. I had enough of that growing up.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Aiden, but your father’s gone. If the business is yours and you obviously have the qualifications, why not take it and make it your own? There’s nothing holding you back now.” I hoped I hadn’t overstepped my boundaries by making such a point that his father was dead, but instead, a strange smile played around his mouth.
“You get it, don’t you? The problem is I should feel guilty for wanting to take it and make it mine, but I don’t. So, I’ve stayed away. I’ve lost three people in my life, and each one I’ve grieved so different from the next. But with my father, and the way he always treated me, with all the pressure and expectations — it’s been liberating.” He folded his hands behind his head and seemed more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. “Is that bad?”
“No. I mean, I can see why other people might think so, but you’re right. I do get it.” I couldn’t tell him there was a strange part of me that had hoped with my brother gone, I’d stop living in his shadow and how the guilt of that was being punished now with me being invisible to my parents. Even though I had been a daddy’s girl, Shawn had always been the family pride.
“I think by not taking it, I’m still rebelling against him. Of course, I have taken it to new levels with my drinking, the awesome beard, and wrecking on a DUI. I’d never have done something so stupid and reckless with my dad around.”
“I wish you’d been more careful.” I reached over and placed my hand on his knee. It was a friendly gesture, but his eyes met mine with a desire so strong, I warmed in the depths of my core.
He leaned forward, placing his hand upon mine. “I’m glad I wasn’t. I got to have the sexiest nurse. You were so worth the risk.” My face burned with a blush as he stroked my wrist with his thumb and leaned closer. “Have you ever done anything reckless?”
I couldn’t think of anything more reckless than what I was doing with him already, but something inside urged me on, hungry for more. I took his face in my hands and pulled us together, my lips crushing hard against his. His arms came around me, and his chair slid back as he pulled me closer. I shifted into his lap.