“Mom, I don’t have that kind of access to anyone and even if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you.”
“Is that any way to treat the woman who gave you life?”
“That’s all you gave me,” I snapped.
“How dare…” I stopped listening to her tirade. Nothing was ever going to change with her.
The door opened and Addison entered the coffee shop. She caught my eye and gave me an apologetic grin. I nodded my understanding and she pointed to the counter, indicating she was going to get a drink. A quick thumbs up and I returned to my mother’s rant. “...Brix! Are you there? You better not have hung up on me.”
“I’m still here, Mother, but I do have to go. It was great talking to you, for a change.”
“You ungrateful, little…”
“Bye, Mom. Talk soon.”
I disconnected the call. She tried to call back, but I placed my phone on silent. She could speak with my voicemail.
Addison appeared at the side of my table. “Hey, you.”
I stood up and pulled out her chair. “Thank you so much for meeting me today.”
Addison sat down and placed her coffee cup on the table. “It’s no trouble at all. Frankly, I was ecstatic that you called.”
I smiled and slid back into my chair. “Well, I figured it was time we had that coffee you asked me to a few months back.”
Addison scrunched her face in thought before her eyes grew wide. “I totally forgot about that.”
“I’ll never forget it. You kicked my butt in bowling.”
Addison let out a sweet laugh. “True, true, but I don’t believe you called me here to reminisce over my bowling prowess.”
Her smile dropped and so did mine. I shook my head. “You’re right. I have far more pressing issues.”
“Like the fifteen sets of eyes on us as we speak?”
“Yes! And I figured since you’ve been where I am, you might have a few pointers on how I’m supposed to handle all of these people staring at me all the time.”
Addison wrapped her fingers around her coffee cup, simply holding it. The temperature had dropped considerably outside. The warmth from the cup must’ve felt wonderful against her chilled skin. “I wish I had an easy answer for you. It’s weird to be a normal person one day and the next everyone seems to know everything there is to know about you.”
“I had a woman walk up to me on the street yesterday. She demanded that I find her a husband like Sebastian. The media is calling me the Cupid to the Stars.”
Addison let out a snort of a laugh. “Seriously? I haven’t read that one.”
“Yes! My own mother is hounding me about getting her an audience with Sebastian.”
“An audience?”
I waved my hands. “Her words. Not mine.” I took a long drink from my coffee, finishing off the brew. “My last three yoga sessions have been jammed packed. People are coming just to see me.”
Addison reached over and patted my hand. “Brix, the women in your classes have always only been there to see you. Not to learn yoga.”
I ripped my hand back, aghast. “You sound just like Autumn.”
Addison shrugged her shoulders. “It’s the truth. It’s the reason Jacoby and I went.”
I covered my face with my hands, deciding to ignore that tidbit. “I know I told you and Sebastian I didn’t need your protection, but this is ridiculous. All my life I’ve avoided people, especially women, and now they stare at me constantly.”
“You mean like the brunette in the corner who’s been watching you from the moment I entered?”
I glanced in the direction Addison indicated to see a nice looking brunette with her phone in front of her face. I could only assume she was either recording us or taking pictures. Either way, it was a terrible sign. “That’s exactly what I mean. I’m surprised Gable isn’t in here tearing her phone from her hands.”
“That’s not his job,” Addison advised. “There’s no hiding us from people, Brix, but we can find ways to enjoy our moment in the spotlight.”
“Easy for you to say,” I muttered, staring into the hole on the lid of my coffee cup.
“Not really. I struggled at first. It’s a lot to take in. My job requires me to work with men all day, and there I was, suddenly a sex object to all of them. More so than I had ever been.” My heart lurched in my chest at the thought. “I had to find my niche. For example, follow my lead.”
Addison turned in her seat toward the intruding woman. She smiled and waved at the lady. In response, the woman’s cell phone dropped a little. So, I followed suit, adding a little wink to the mix. The woman turned a bright shade of red, giggled, and put her phone in her pocket. She got up, sauntered over to us, and shyly requested, “May I have your autograph?”
“Sure, honey,” Addison cooed, pulling a pen from her purse. “What’s your name?”
“Terry.”
Addison grabbed a napkin and scrawled Terry’s name at the top before she signed hers.
Terry shifted where she stood and quietly asked me, “May I have yours, too?”
Addison grinned and pushed the napkin toward me. I smiled and signed below Addison’s little xoxo marks under her name. A shrill squeal exploded from Terry as I handed her the napkin. She bounced in place for a second and asked if she could hug us both. Addison stood up and not only allowed her a hug, but also took a selfie with her. They invited me to join in the next picture, so I accepted. Terry hugged me afterward and bounced back off to her table.
When we were alone again, Addison leaned forward and whispered, “See. Was that so bad?”
I shook my head. “Not really.”
Addison took a quick sip of her coffee and let out an audible appreciation of her drink. “My best word of advice is to simply go with the flow. It’s easier to not make a big fuss over it.”
“But what about when I want to take Aspen to dinner?”
Addison beamed. “It’s good to see you two are working things out.”
I dropped my eyes back down to the empty cup, spinning it on the table. “We agreed to take it slow.”
“Slow is good. But to answer your question, you still go with the flow. If you open up to people like we just did, they tend to not bother you as much. You see, when she got what she wanted, she left. Now she’s not staring at us nor is she filming us.”
I glanced in the woman’s direction. Addison was right. The woman was caught up in a book rather than glued to her phone.
The corner of my mouth lifted in a half grin. “I’ll try.”
“That’s all you can do.” Addison glanced down at her watch. “I hate to cut this short, but I have a few errands I need to run before I head home.”
I stood, ready to walk her out. “Thank you for giving me some of your time. After how we left things…”
“You were right in how you reacted.” Addison lifted from her chair. “It’s why I was surprised you called. But I’m glad you did.”
“Me, too.”
Addison and I started toward the door, dropping our empty cups into the trash bin. “Look, Brix, it might be too soon to ask this, but Bass and I are having a few friends over tonight. Nothing big, just Mercy, Cassie, and Amber, whom I believe is bringing Autumn.”
“I don’t think I know Cassie.”
“She’s Sebastian’s editor.”
“Ah.”
I opened the door for Addison and walked toward the awaiting Suburban. Gable stood by the rear passenger side door, dressed in his usual black suit, looking as foreboding as ever.
“Anyway, I would love for you and Aspen to join us.”
I pondered the invitation for a moment. Everything still stung, but I knew, deep down, that she’d always had my best interest at heart. I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’ll consider it on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“You’ll always be honest with me. No more hiding.”
Addison pulled me into a tight hug. “I promise.”
“Then
what time should we be there?”
Addison stepped back and rubbed her cold hands together. “Around seven. Oh, and Cupid to the Stars, you wouldn’t happen to know a nice guy for Mercy or a nice girl for Cassie, would you?” She snickered in jest.
I rolled my eyes. “You should know better than me having any connection with women.”
She chuckled. “Fine. Then, how about a guy for Mercy?”
I glanced up at the man patiently waiting for Addison to jump into the nice, warm vehicle so he too could dethaw.
“Mercy has her sights already set on someone.” I stared directly at Gable as I spoke.
Addison jerked her head in the direction of my stare then back at me. “No!” she gasped, taking another glance at Gable. “Really?”
“Yup.”
“How do you know?”
“She told me at Jacoby and Eddie’s wedding.”
Addison cupped her hand over her mouth. “He doesn’t seem her type.”
“A man of control such as Gable doesn’t seem like Mercy’s type?” Really? C’mon! I wasn’t a matchmaker, no matter what anyone else called me, and still I could see that one coming a mile away.
“Valid point.” She stepped away from me. “Never mind, then, Cupid. We’ll see you and Aspen at seven.”
“We’ll be there.”
Addison jumped into the car. As Gable shut the door, his eyes cut in my direction. He nodded toward me, almost as if to say he understood my reaction at Indulgence and that he was only doing his job. I returned the nod, letting him know I understood him, too.
As the Suburban drove off, a drifting snowflake fell from the sky, landing on the tip of my nose. I lifted my face to the sky to see snow gently falling from the heavens. A smile lighted my face.
Everything I’d been through wasn’t for naught. I got the girl. I had my friends and even though I was still me, I was a different version of me. Maybe better, I didn’t know yet, but different just the same. So what if the woman by the newsstand was staring at me as I watched Addison’s car disappear. Life wasn’t perfect, but it was magical.
I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and as I walked to the car, I dialed Aspen. She answered after the first ring.
“Hey, sugar. How’d your meeting with Addison go?”
“Well, she gave me some great tips and invited us to dinner tonight.”
A lull of silence followed by a breathy sigh hung between us. “And you’re okay with it?”
I pressed the button on my key fob to start the Porsche. Autostart was one of those miraculous things of technology. “You’re the one who said I need to forgive them as I did you.”
Aspen’s throaty laugh filled my ears. “That I did. I’m glad you’re giving them a chance.”
I slid into my car and pressed the button to finalize the ignition start. My Porsche roared to life and I relished the feel of the heat against my frozen skin.
“Me, too.” I pulled out of the drive and started down the road. “So, would you like to come with me tonight?”
A hum and a simple answer brought a massive grin to my face.
She said, “Yes!”
I wish to express my undying gratitude to all of the people who provided me the support I needed through their many talents, time, and most of all, love throughout the creation of this book. At the top of my list is my readers. Without you all, my characters would be nothing more than words on a page. Thank you for breathing them life!
To my husband and son, I love you both more than life itself! You are the driving force of my dreams. Thank you for believing in me.
Amy Gamache, thank you for never being afraid to tell me where I’ve goofed up. Your passion for perfection is immeasurable.
Mary Shilling! Girl, I could never have done this without you. Your advice is invaluable. Thank you for everything.
And I would be nowhere without my darling beta reader, Sarah Canady. You’re the world’s greatest cheerleader and I’d be lost without you. Love you, girly!
To Jada D’Lee and Lindsey Gray, thank you for making my book look beautiful. You both have an eye for details that are unmatched. Love you both!
Thank you to all the ladies at Enchanted Publications. Your support and guidance is unmatched. I’m blessed to be surrounded by such talent and great friends.
To all the members of The Break Room, my beloved reading group ─ I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again ─ y’all are awesome! That is all!
And last but certainly not least, thank you to all the bloggers who help promote me and my books. There are far too many to name, but know I adore you all. You are the cornerstone of this business and appreciate everything you do. Thank you!
Jeanne McDonald enjoys writing contemporary fiction filled with spice, romance, drama, and humor. She prides herself in being a mother, a wife, a student of knowledge and of life, a coffee addict, a philosophy novice, a pop culture connoisseur, inspired by music, encouraged by words, and a believer in true love.
Jeanne is the founder of the author co-op, Enchanted Publications, and is an avid supporter of autism awareness.
When she's not spending time with her family, she can be found reading, writing, enjoying a great film, or diligently working toward her bachelor's degree in literature. A proud Texan, Jeanne currently resides in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her family.
You can learn more about Jeanne and her books at www.jeannemcdonald.com.
Where to find her:
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A Ray of Hope
The Truth in Lies (The Truth in Lies Saga I)
The Certainty of Deception (The Truth in Lies Saga II)
The Truth Be Told (The Truth in Lies Saga III)
Indulgence (Taking Chances #1)
Compass
Politically Incorrect
Other Titles Offered by Enchanted Publications
Tiny Threads by Jami Denise
Canada Square by Carrie Elks
Fireworks by Lindsey Gray
Holiday Cure for the Cursed by Lindsey Gray
Not the Same Season by Lindsey Gray
Constellation by Jennifer Locklear
Breathe Again by Sydney Logan
Listen to Your Heart by Sydney Logan
Chasing Castles by Jiffy Kate
The Other One by Jiffy Kate
Compass by Jeanne McDonald
Politically Incorrect by Jeanne McDonald
Indulgence by Jeanne McDonald
The Contract by Melanie L. Moreland
All Over You by Ayden K. Morgen
Jackson Stiles, Road to Redemption by Jo Richardson
http://www.enchantedpublications.com
Not where the storyline ends...
Satisfaction (Taking Chances #2) Page 14