Plenty to Believe [Plenty, FL 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Lara Valentine

  Justin tucked the bag under his arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  Her gaze flew to Linc. He wasn’t looking at her, studying a rack of childbirth books he couldn’t have any real interest in. She took a deep breath. He wasn’t going to keep her from having dinner with Justin. He seemed genuine in his friendship and his desire to want her there.

  “Tomorrow night. Sevenish.” She smiled at Justin, ignoring Linc.

  After they exited the store, Leah slumped against the counter. If Justin and Linc truly wanted to share a woman, going to dinner was a really stupid thing to do. She would end up heartbroken when Justin moved on to a woman they both agreed on.

  But she couldn’t stop herself from spending time with them. Both of them. She was drawn to them like the proverbial bee to honey, magnet to steel. She tried to be philosophical. She’d never had her heart broken. It was probably way past time.

  * * * *

  Justin handed Linc his coffee. They were sitting in Josh’s Java after their shopping trip to Leah’s bookstore. Linc wasn’t in the fucking mood to talk and it was clear Justin was frustrated as hell with his best friend.

  “Why are you acting this way? I know you’re attracted to her. Not your type my ass. I see the way you look at her when she’s not watching.”

  Linc scowled over his coffee. “You’re seeing things, buddy. Leah’s not my type. You know I like them blonde, busty, and uncomplicated. Leah’s complicated. She’s got ‘complicated’ written all over her.”

  “If that’s your way of saying she’s smarter than hell, you’re right. I like a woman who knows how to spell her own name and doesn’t dot the ‘i’ with a little heart or flower.”

  Linc smirked. “Are you saying the ladies I date are dumb? I’m not attracted to their scintillating conversation. I have you for that.”

  “I don’t think you’re attracted to them at all. I think Leah is your type. She’s my type and we’re attracted to the same women.”

  Linc stretched out his long legs. “She doesn’t look like the women we’ve dated in the past.”

  That, at least, was the truth. Leah was infinitely more beautiful than any woman he’d had in his life before. She was petite, her body slight. Linc guessed she barely weighed a hundred pounds soaking wet. Her hips were rounded, but trim, her bottom a sweet, sexy curve. Her breasts were small and firm, but the perfect size for his hand. Her skin was creamy, damn near perfect. Her eyes were a soft, warm brown that made a man’s heart pound and his stomach twist into knots. Her lips were full and he’d fought the urge to kiss her dozens of times. He could get lost gazing at her beautiful face, his hand stroking her shiny, gorgeous hair. It was the most unusual color and looked like silk. He wanted to rub the strands between his fingers and bury his face in her neck, breathing in her sweet scent.

  He wasn’t going to do any of those things.

  Justin sipped his coffee. “Exactly. I’m done with casual sex and women who are only in it to be with someone famous. I want a real relationship, with a real woman. I want someone I can love and build a family with. I thought that’s what you wanted, too. It’s what we talked about when we moved here.”

  It was what they talked about. Linc wanted the love of a good woman as much, maybe even more, than Justin did. The woman simply couldn’t be Leah, although he couldn’t imagine himself with anyone else. His attraction to her was strong. He liked and respected her, too. She was the kind of woman a man was proud of, and would want her to be proud of him in return.

  “When we find the right woman, I want those things. All of them. The right woman isn’t Leah. I’m sorry.” Linc stared out the front window of the coffee shop, watching the residents of Plenty pass by. He loved this damn town. He’d chosen well when he’d told Justin they should move here.

  “Listen, you really seem to have feelings for Leah. If you want to go your own way, I understand.”

  Justin’s lips tightened. He was pissing off his best friend. If only Linc could tell him he wasn’t all that happy about it either. When Linc was around Leah, his chest was tight and his heart sped up. She was gorgeous, her innocent beauty tempting him to forget why they could never be together.

  “I don’t want to go my own damn way. I want to share Leah with you.” Justin stood and headed back to the counter. “We’re having dinner with Leah tomorrow night. You’re going to be nice and charming. We’re going to start courting her, dammit. Eventually, I’ll find out why you’re lying. In the meantime, suck it up, buttercup. Leah’s the one. You know it. I know it. And starting tomorrow night, we’re going to let Leah know it.”

  Linc stroked his goatee as Justin strode up to the counter to talk to Josh. Having Leah in his home was a dream come true and a nightmare, all at the same time. He’d fantasized about having her there, cooking in the kitchen, watching the big-screen television while they cuddled on the couch, and of course, making love in his big bed. The more he was with her, the more he wanted to be with her. She was shy and quiet, but her quick, intelligent mind and loving heart shone through.

  She’s not for me.

  He would be friendly and polite tomorrow night, but he wasn’t going to court her. Justin could have her. He loved Justin like a brother. If Leah was the one for him, Linc would step aside and let him have her. He wanted them to be happy more than anything.

  Linc took a big gulp of the hot liquid, feeling it burn all the way down his throat. He wasn’t being a selfless hero giving Leah up to Justin.

  Linc was protecting himself.

  Chapter Two

  Leah fiddled with the napkin, trying not to feel out of place among the four other women. She was having dinner with Cassie, Jillian, Becca, and Ava at the diner, and as usual she didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t good in a group.

  Jillian placed a comforting hand on her arm. Leah knew Jillian the best of all three women. She was a fiery redhead with two handsome husbands, Sheriff Ryan Parks and his brother Jack, a firefighter. “I dragged Leah here kicking and screaming. I was at the bookstore when Justin Reynolds asked her to have dinner with him and Linc tomorrow night.”

  Instead of expressions of amazement, the other women’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm.

  “Aren’t you surprised he asked me out? I am. I’m not exactly his type.”

  Becca Miller smiled. The petite, pretty blonde owned the local hair salon and was married to a doctor and a lawyer. “I think that’s exactly the point. Justin and Linc could have any of those women who are their so-called type. Those women come to them. If it’s one thing I’ve learned…it’s that men like to strive for things. If something comes to them too easily, they don’t value it.”

  Ava Bryant nodded in agreement. She had long dark hair and sparkling green eyes. She was recently engaged to three hunky men in town who owned the coffee shop and the martial arts studio. “Becca’s right. Men like to play sports, take over companies, compete. It gets their adrenaline going, and when their adrenaline is engaged, it engages their emotions.”

  Leah frowned. “What does that have to do with me? Are you trying to say I should play hard to get?”

  “Fuck no.” Jillian laughed. “You shouldn’t play hard to get, you should be hard to get. Make sure they treat you with respect at all times. Don’t take any crap. Don’t let them get away with any bad-boy behavior. Those other women probably let those boys do whatever they wanted. You let Justin and Linc know they have to treat you like a lady and court you. They’ll come running.”

  Cassie Harper pointed to Jillian. Cassie was a tiny, delicate blonde with bright blue eyes. She was married to local businessmen Zach and Chase Harper. “Jillian knows what she’s talking about. She had to lay down the law with Jack. He straightened up right quick. Now he’s a model husband.”

  Becca rolled her eyes. “Let’s not go that far. Model? Shit, he’s still my brother. How about he doesn’t drive Jillian crazy anymore?”

  Leah slumped in her chair. “I can’t imagine Justin Reynolds and Linc Davis runn
ing after me. Especially not Linc. Didn’t you tell them?”

  Jillian shook her head. “No, it wasn’t my place to say. Maybe we heard what he said out of context?”

  Cassie sipped her iced tea. “What did Linc say?”

  Leah looked away. The words were still painful. “He said he wasn’t interested in me. He said I wasn’t his type, and he didn’t want to have dinner with me.” She looked back at Jillian. “And I don’t think we heard him out of context. He said what he said. I need to just get over it.”

  Becca’s face was red with anger. “That asshole. Justin is a total sweetie, Leah. What you see is what you get. Linc, well, Linc is sweet, too, but much more complex. There’s always something simmering just below the surface, you know what I mean? The whole still-waters thing.” She took a drink of her tea and slammed the glass down on the table with a thump. “I’m going to kick his ass next time I see him.”

  Leah shook her head. “No, you’re not. He can’t help what he feels. He didn’t know I’d overhear him. He wasn’t trying to be mean. He was being honest.”

  Cassie’s blue eyes were soft. “What did he say when he found out you overheard him?”

  “He didn’t find out. Jillian and I went over to the counter. He doesn’t need to know I know. I want to have some pride left.”

  Ava frowned. “So, let me get this straight. You’re going to have dinner tomorrow night with two sexy men. One of them wants you there, and one of them doesn’t. They think you think they both want you there. In actuality, you know only one wants you there. Whew! A tangled web, Leah. How are you going to play it then?”

  Jillian slapped the table. “That’s why I brought Leah here tonight. We need to help her through this. I’m trying to convince her to let us make her over a little. Make Linc realize he’s passing up something he shouldn’t.”

  Becca’s eyes sparkled and she started bouncing up and down in her seat. “A makeover? Can we? I’d love to get my hands on your hair, Leah. It’s so gorgeous. It just needs a few layers and some thinning.”

  Cassie grinned. “And some brighter colors. You have a cute figure, but you hide it under those earth tones and prim blouses. I think we’re about the same size. I could lend you something. After all, I won’t be wearing most of my wardrobe for a while.” She patted her still-flat stomach. She was three months pregnant and glowing.

  Leah grabbed a handful of strands. “My hair is a mop. I can’t do anything with it so I just leave it loose.”

  Becca patted her hand. “Leave it to me. I know just what to do to make your fabulous hair even more fabulous.”

  Could she do this? Did she even want to do this? She’d always said a man had to want her for herself.

  A new haircut and a new outfit wouldn’t change who she was inside. It was a minor thing and she did want to look her best, not only for her date, but in general. It was time she stopped blending into the background.

  She nodded. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

  Ava laughed. “Good for you. Give ’em hell. Let them know who’s in charge.”

  Becca picked up her fork as their meals were delivered. “We’ll head to the salon right after dinner. I’ll call Mark and Travis and have them bring Noah there so I can nurse him.”

  Becca’s brand-new baby son was so precious and Mark and Travis were strutting around town, completely proud dads. It was cute to watch. Leah wondered if she’d ever be lucky enough to find a man as loving and caring as those two.

  Jillian dug into her mashed potatoes. “See, I told you this would be a good thing. You should come to dinner with us every week. I’ve been inviting you forever, and I’m glad you finally came.”

  Leah was glad she came, too. It was time to come out of her shell and live a little. Tonight was only the first step.

  * * * *

  Justin chopped the celery and scraped it from the cutting board into the salad bowl. He was prepping food for dinner tonight with Leah. He wanted to get as much of the grunt work out of the way before she arrived.

  Linc entered the kitchen in workout shorts and a towel slung over his shoulders.

  “Dressed a little casually for guests, aren’t you?”

  Linc rubbed the towel over his sweaty face and scowled. “I don’t have a guest coming over. You do.”

  “Don’t you make a damn face at me. I don’t know what your deal is but I do know you’re a lying sack of crap. Eventually, I’ll get it out of you, but for tonight you need to get your ass upstairs, take a shower, dress decently, and then make Leah feel at home and welcome. Anything less would be rude. Do you want to hurt Leah’s feelings? She’s a sensitive woman. She didn’t appreciate your crack at the bookstore about baking cupcakes.”

  His friend had the grace to look ashamed. “I didn’t mean it the way it came out. I think it’s really nice she’s so sweet and old-fashioned.”

  “Don’t be an asshole tonight. I know you like her. Act like it.”

  Linc turned away and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “Leah’s a nice woman but she’s not going to be my woman.”

  Justin took a deep breath, trying not to lose his patience with the man he loved like a brother. Linc was the reason Justin had even had a career in music.

  “I know you want her. Why are you fighting it?” A thought came to Justin’s mind. “Do you think she’s a virgin or something? Shit, Linc, she’s twenty-seven. She’s surely had sex.”

  Linc downed half the bottle of water in one long drink before answering. “No, I don’t think she’s a virgin, but I also don’t think she’s got a hell of a lot of experience. She blushes every five seconds.”

  Justin grinned. “She’s beautiful when she blushes.”

  Linc started to nod in agreement, but quickly stopped and stared into the refrigerator as if there was something fascinating in there. Justin didn’t know why but Linc appeared to have his head up his ass. A very long way. It was up to Justin to make sure he didn’t do something stupid he would regret later.

  Justin walked over and pushed the refrigerator door shut and got into Linc’s face. “I’m serious. Don’t be an asshole. Be sweet to Leah. We’ve spent too much time trying to get her comfortable enough to go out with us.” Justin was only getting warmed up. He had much more to say on the subject of Linc’s stubbornness, but Linc’s cell phone interrupted him before he could get going again.

  Justin smiled. Linc’s ring tone was Justin’s biggest hit, “Affirmative Love.” That single had gone triple platinum.

  “Are you done lecturing me? Am I allowed to answer the phone or will that upset Leah, too?”

  Linc’s jaw was tight, but Justin didn’t give a damn. Their years of friendship gave him the right to give Linc hell whenever he wanted to.

  “If it did hurt Leah’s feelings, my answer would be no. Answer the fucking phone then, if you’re too chickenshit to tell me what your issue is with Leah.”

  Linc looked ready to slug him, but grabbed his phone off the kitchen counter instead.

  “Hello.”

  Linc’s features relaxed immediately. “Bobbi, we haven’t heard from you in almost a year.”

  Linc pressed the speaker button on his phone and set it on the table between them. They both knew Bobbi from way back in the day. She was a good concert promoter, and although not really a friend, she would definitely be considered a close acquaintance.

  “Hey, Linc. How’s Florida? Getting a tan?”

  Linc chuckled. “It’s February and about fifty degrees. Not exactly beach weather. How’s that new husband of yours? Still in newlywed heaven I bet?”

  There was a moment of silence before she answered. “Married life is more than I ever thought. It’s been eight months of bliss. Listen, is Justin there, too?”

  “I’m right here,” Justin said.

  “Hey, Justin. How are the golden pipes? Have you written anything lately?”

  Justin rolled his eyes. No one ever asked him about anything but his voice and his music. He had other inter
ests, not that anyone cared.

  “The pipes are fine, and no, I haven’t really written anything. Too busy these days.”

  “Too bad. I was thinking you might want to show off some new material. I’m putting together a concert tour. I want to do something really special. It’s going to be a group of rock bands, at least four or five. Huge venues. It’ll be like Woodstock but every week a new concert.”

  Linc was immediately in business mode.

  “What time frame? What bands were you planning to have? Is this an American tour or European?”

  “A summer tour. America with the final show here in New York. Madison Square Garden, of course. As for the bands, I’ve got tentative agreement from the Loggers, Crime Hearts, and Safety Sign.”

  Justin and Linc exchanged puzzled looks. All those bands had split up and retired years ago. Linc looked at Justin and hit the Mute button on the phone.

  Justin shook his head. “No way. I’m retired.”

  Linc nodded and unmuted the phone. “Listen, Bobbi. Justin retired from touring. Fuck, we’re both too old for the grind of traveling from city to city. He might do an album every three or four years, but he’s decided to not tour or promote. Any sales will just be on word of mouth.”

  “That’s not a very efficient way to sell albums. Shit, the Rolling Stones still tour and they’re like a hundred years old. You’re not even forty.”

  Justin didn’t like Bobbi’s nasty tone. She was usually very professional.

  Justin pulled the phone closer to him. “I’m not Mick Jagger. Never pretended to be, either. It’s very sweet of you to think about us and give us this chance, Bobbi. But I’m retired. I like retirement. I have no desire to tour, ever again. It was great to hear from you, though. Glad to hear you’re a happy newlywed.”

  “Think about it.” Bobbi’s tone was cool and clipped. She obviously was surprised they’d turned her down. “This is a big opportunity. I’ll call you in a few days after you’ve had time to mull it over.”

  “We won’t change our minds,” Linc answered. “Justin’s retired. We’re done. But I also want to say thanks for offering this to us. It was good of you, Bobbi.”