Love Discovered in New York (The Washington Triplets)

by Danielle Allen

  Unable to fake it anymore, my eyes narrowed at him. “Don’t be,” I retorted, cutting him off with my hands on my hips. “My family is none of your business.”

  For the first time since the conversation started, Eric’s eyes left mine and seemed to nervously skim the crowd. “How’s Mikaela doing?” Eric asked randomly.

  I’m not even entertaining this conversation, I thought with a frown. There was always something weird happening with Eric and Mikaela. I used to think it was a crush with weird sexual tension, but then when Mikaela started getting distant, she would completely shut down at the sheer mention of Eric Black or any other guy. And even up until the last time we last spoke, she didn’t seem interested in dating anyone.

  “I have to get back to work. But you take care of yourself Eric,” I uttered through clenched teeth. Taking a step to the right, I attempted to walk around him when his hand gripped my upper arm tightly. I snatched my arm out of his grasp and glared at him. “Don’t you dare put your hands on me again.”

  Eric lifted his hands up quickly. “Oh! Sorry. I just… I really am sorry.” He paused before he continued, “For everything. I just wanted to pass along my condolences. For your loss.”

  “Thanks,” I muttered as I slipped between two groups of people and into the crowd.

  Quickly, I made my way to the staff break room and walked all the way to the back bathrooms. Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it and let out a deep breath. My eyes prickled with tears as thoughts of my mother in her casket flashed before my eyes.

  I should’ve gone back home when she asked. I should’ve—dammit! Of all the people here tonight, why did I have to run into Eric Black? Chicago was small enough without people from my past seeping into my present. And then he brings up Mom while I’m at work?! Really? Who does that? I questioned angrily as I focused on the resentment that bubbled inside beneath the surface to keep me from crying.

  After splashing water on my face, I went to my locker to reapply my eye makeup. The door opened and Jessica walked in.

  “Hey Mya, some guy is waiting for you.”

  Shit, why won’t he leave me alone? I wondered to myself, feeling my blood begin to boil.

  Exhaling sharply, I closed my locker door and leaned against the locker bank. With more bite in my voice than I meant to have, I asked, “For what?”

  Jessica looked instantly panicky. “Um, well, I don’t know. I just happened to overhear him ask Rhiannon for you and she started flirting with him. I just thought you should know since you looked out for me earlier. Thank you for that, by the way.”

  Rhiannon and Eric? A bitch and an asshole…. They’re probably a match made in heaven, I thought with a shake of my head. I looked the redhead in her eyes as she chewed on the corner of her lip. She looked so young.

  “You don’t have to thank me for that, Jessica. I didn’t like the way she was talking to you. I don’t care what you did or didn’t do, you didn’t deserve that.” I walked toward her and motioned for her to follow me out of the break room. “You don’t have to take shit from Rhiannon. You don’t have to take shit from anyone. Now let’s get back to work.”

  Opening the door, I looked at everyone having a good time and I plastered a smile on my face.

  “THOSE CELEBRITIES KNOW HOW TO party,” Kelsey said, sitting down beside me on one of the couches at Duke & Duchess the next afternoon. “The ladies room smells like sex.”

  “And weed,” I added with a shake of my head.

  “You don’t even want to know what the men’s room smells like,” Stephen chuckled as he walked up. He took his seat directly across from us, next to Devin who was preoccupied with his phone.

  We laughed, joked and complained about the major events of the A Dangerous Affair wrap party as we waited for Nicks to arrive.

  “Okay, thank you all for coming in,” Nicks began when he walked up. Handing each of us an envelope, he continued, “I know some of you are off today so I will make this quick. You four work your asses off for Duke & Duchess and I want to show my appreciation.”

  I looked at the envelope with my name scrawled in Nicks’ chicken scratch handwriting. The light weight of the envelope let me know what I would find inside. I trailed my finger across the flap and looked at everyone else. It seemed as though no one wanted to make the first move. I shrugged because I didn’t mind.

  Ripping the envelope open, I gawked at a check for $2500 dollars. Moments later, everyone else followed suit.

  “Oh my God, Nicks…” I breathed, shifting my eyes from the check to Nicks and then back to the check.

  The collective gasp from the rest of the group let me know that everyone else received similar amounts of money.

  Kelsey bounced up and down and screamed. Stephen and Devin slapped their hands together in an intricate handshake. I closed my eyes and let my head drop back. My savings account was depleted soon after I arrived in New York and the token of appreciation that I held in my hands would really help.

  “Thank you,” I said, standing to give him a hug. Seconds later, we were involved in a rowdy five-person group hug.

  “You all got the same amount. I divided the excess evenly. You’re my team and you deserve it. I couldn’t have done it without you,” Nicks said, giving each of us a good-natured slap on the back as we dispersed around the bar.

  “Come with me. I have to show you something,” Kelsey said quietly, pulling my arm.

  I grabbed my crossbody bag and stuffed the check in my wallet as I followed her to the back. Once the door was closed behind us, Kelsey spun around with her cell phone in hand.

  “So Phil texted me last night…,” she started slowly, showing me the text message. “We’ve been talking since I saw him here Friday night and um…he wants me to meet him at the pool hall on Berry Street next Tuesday when he gets back in town. I think he kind of asked me on a date.”

  Tucking my soft curls behind my ear, I cocked my head to the side. Taking a second, I studied the way her pretty face scrunched up with worry. “Do you want it to be a date?” I asked, trying to gauge how she felt about the situation. Phil was always a touchy subject with Kelsey—sometimes he was ‘the one’ and sometimes he was the bane of her existence.

  “Since we are both off, I was hoping that maybe, just maybe, you’d come too. I would feel better about the whole situation if you came. I need you to be my buffer.” Kelsey’s voice had a pleading tone to it and it was completely unlike her.

  “Kelsey, you know I’d do anything for you. Anything in the world.” I gestured emphatically with my arms. “But what am I supposed to be doing while you two eye-fuck each other all night.”

  “Bring someone.” Sliding her phone into her pocket, she smiled as if I had already agreed to the date.

  I laughed. “Don’t smile at me like that, I haven’t agreed to go with you! And I don’t have anyone to bring on your date.”

  “Bring a date!” she exclaimed excitedly. Her tone was back to normal and I could see the light in her brown eyes dance with possibilities. I knew what she was going to say before she continued. “Ask Colton! You obviously enjoyed his company. You said he was smart and funny and you called him a sex god!”

  “I didn’t—”

  “Mya,” Nicks called before pushing the door of the break room open. His interruption saved me from hip checking the shit out of Kelsey.

  I never called him a sex god! I thought indignantly, glaring at my best friend. I can’t deny that he’s a sex god, but I certainly never called him that!

  “Yes, Nicks,” I answered sweetly, smiling at the man responsible for the revitalization of my bank account.

  “Nicks!” Kelsey squealed, waving her arms up and down.

  He looked between the two of us and shook his head. “I don’t know what’s going on in here, but whatever it is, keep it up. That’s the nicest I’ve ever heard you two greet me!”

  We laughed.

  “We’re always nice to you, Nicks!” Kelsey responded.

>   “And with this token of appreciation, we’re going to be a whole lot nicer,” I quipped, grinning.

  “Anyway,” he continued. “Mya, there’s some guy here for you. It’s the same guy from last night.”

  My heart pounded in my chest as the smile slipped from my face.

  Eric. He’s got to go. He can’t show up at my job to ask questions about my family. We are none of his business, I thought definitively.

  “Are you okay? Do you want me to put him out?” Nicks asked, quickly turning into the big brother figure I’ve grown to love.

  “No, thanks. I can handle this,” I muttered, brushing past him. The elation from the bonus was gone as I stalked out of the break area.

  Although I didn’t need reinforcement, I could feel Nicks and Kelsey on my heels and a sense of calm came over me.

  I will not cuss him out. I will not cuss him out. I will not—, I thought before interrupting myself with a sharp intake of breath.

  “Colton?” I questioned barely above a whisper. Although the words came out as a question, I knew for certain it was him.

  Standing in jeans and a dark green t-shirt that stretched across his muscular back and defined arms, he was facing Devin. I let my eyes run over the length of his body as I took a few more tentative steps. He was laughing at something Devin said when he unexpectedly turned around. When our eyes met, I swallowed hard. The desire that seemed to unfurl from the depths of me whenever I laid eyes on him was making itself known as my nipples hardened. The thin, plum colored top was no match for Colton’s effect on me. He licked his lips before smiling sexily.

  “Mya,” Colton said as his eyes danced over my body in obvious appreciation. Between the way his eyes caressed my body and the way his voice slithered over my name, I knew I was in trouble.

  “Hey,” I greeted him, stopping a few feet away from where he stood. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to pick you up for our date,” he said simply with a smirk. His brown eyes sparkled mischievously and I couldn’t do anything but laugh.

  What are you up to Colton Davis? I mused as I narrowed my eyes at him. I left his apartment in the middle of the night without leaving my number so there would be no way he could think we made plans to see each other again.

  In disbelief, I looked over my shoulder to find Kelsey. I did a double take when I saw that Kelsey, Nicks, Devin and Stephen were all hanging out at the bar, not even trying to pretend that they weren’t watching and listening to the conversation.

  Kelsey winked before she exclaimed, “Oh your date! I forgot all about that Mya! It’s a good thing you’re off today.”

  I shook my head and stifled the laughter I felt bubbling up inside of me. Pursing my lips to keep from smiling, I turned back to Colton who gave an appreciative nod toward Kelsey before looking down at me.

  “Are you ready?” Colton asked, taking a step closer to me.

  I dropped my voice so that I wouldn’t be overheard. “What are you doing?”

  I looked into his beautiful brown eyes and the butterflies started. He reached out and tucked a stray hair behind my ear and traced his fingertip across my heart tattoo. “I’m taking you on a date.”

  I smiled and put my hands on my hips. “How do you know I’m not busy? I could have plans. You can’t just pop up and expect me to be ready and willing to hang out with you today. You don’t know me. You don’t know my life,” I protested playfully in a hushed tone.

  Taking my hand from my hip and interlocking it with his, Colton leaned forward so his lips just barely grazed my ear. “Then tell me no,” he challenged in his sexy, musical voice.

  He backed away slowly and when our eyes met, I just held his gaze for a few seconds, not saying anything. I felt his fingers flex against my hand, squeezing gently. The sensation that jolted through our touch caught me off guard.

  I was with him for too long the other night. The addiction has settled in, I thought as I felt my stomach doing summersaults in his presence.

  Turning around to face my coworkers, I said, “I’m heading out. Apparently, I have a date.”

  Kelsey beamed at me and started walking toward us. “I’ll walk you guys out.”

  What is happening? I wondered. As the three of us walked out of the bar, Colton and I remained hand-in-hand. We all squinted in the sunlight and we were greeted by the intensity of the heat.

  “So, where are you two headed, Colton?” Kelsey asked as soon as the front door closed behind us.

  Rubbing his thumb across the skin on my thumb, Colton answered cryptically. “It’s a surprise.”

  “I like,” Kelsey responded, nodding in approval. “Will you excuse us for a second?” Grabbing my arm, Kelsey pulled me a few feet away from Colton. “I’ve never seen that look on your face before so as your friend, I’m begging you, don’t fuck this up.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “What?” I looked over my shoulder to see if Colton could hear the conversation. He was looking at his phone so I turned back around to face Kelsey.

  “Give him a shot. I haven’t seen you actually interested in a man since…ever. And Graham doesn’t count because it was an arrangement that may have provided decent sex, but there was no spark. There was nothing there. But with you and Colton…I could literally see the fireworks bouncing between the two of you when you were talking.”

  “We need to discuss your use of literally,” I joked, trying to downplay the conversation.

  Kelsey smiled, but her face was thoughtful. “I’m serious Mya. I just don’t want you to get in your own way. Yes, your dad is an ass. But every man isn’t going to do what your dad did. But in the off-chance Colton ends up being an asshole, we’ll get Devin and Stephen to beat him up,” she continued, peeking over my shoulder at him. “Just go with it. You two clearly have something.”

  I looked at her in confused disbelief. Where is this coming from? She saw us together twice and now she’s essentially declaring that he might be ‘the one.’ When did this happen? I wondered as I gaped at her.

  Sidestepping me, Kelsey called over to Colton. “What do you think about that pool hall on Berry Street?”

  I stiffened, opening my eyes widely. Oh shit, I thought as my heart pounded in my chest. I stared daggers into her as I sent mental demands with my eyes. You better not do it.

  “It’s a cool spot,” Colton answered. “Why? What’s up?”

  Kelsey looked at me and then back at Colton. “I’m going next Tuesday and you should meet us there. Take care of my best friend tonight,” she said as she reached for the door handle. “Mya, call me later…if you have the will to do it.” And then she was gone.

  “She’s funny,” Colton commented with an easy smile as soon as the door closed behind Kelsey.

  “The funniest,” I replied dryly. Turning to stand in front of him, I rubbed my hands together. “Okay where are we headed?”

  “You’ll have to wait to find out,” he countered, walking to an older model sports car.

  His voice alone does something to me, I thought as I followed him.

  “This is a pretty color,” I acknowledged, running my hand along the side of the car, admiring the paint job. “Gray is my favorite color.”

  Colton opened the door for me and gestured for me to get in. “Thank you. And that’s good to know.”

  I climbed into the car and the black leather felt warm against my thin shirt. Colton hopped in a few seconds later. Revving the engine, he flashed me a sexy smile as we pulled off.

  “Mya, Mya, Mya,” Colton started as he maneuvered into traffic.

  Looking over at his profile, I felt the fluttering in my belly again, so I looked away.

  Oh shit, I know he’s going to ask me about my disappearing act Friday night, I considered, swallowing thickly. How am I going to explain leaving his house in the middle of the night? Ordinarily, I wouldn’t think twice about telling a man that Friday night was a one-time deal. I mean, a couple of guys from college would attest to the fact that I can quickly and ra
ther easily end it. But there’s something irresistible about Colton. And for that reason alone, casual, monogamous sex with Colton Davis is not an option.

  “Before you say anything, I just want to make it clear to you that I’m not looking for a relationship,” I blurted out, looking back over to him.

  He nodded and gave me a sexy smirk. “That’s fine.”

  We were silent as faint music from a mix I was quite impressed with floated from his speakers. I studied his face and tried to read his expression as he switched lanes.

  That’s fine? Why is that fine? I know he was feeling what I was feeling Friday night. Wait, what am I doing? He said it was fine. He—.

  “What does ‘Imitation makes you who they are; Individuality makes you who you are’ mean to you?”

  “What?” My voice trembled and came out in a strained burst of air.

  Colton glanced over at me, but he didn’t say anything. The question hung in the air as the silence stretched between us. I hoped that he would do what most people do and try to fill the silence, but he didn’t. Since I was trapped in the car with him, I had two options: answer the question or make the car ride to an unknown location super awkward.

  I cleared my throat and stared straight ahead. “It was the last thing my mother told me…before she passed away.”

  “Did she always have sayings like that?”

  I paused, liking that he didn’t immediately go for a sympathetic response. Looking out the window, I smiled. “For me, yes. She might’ve had them for my sisters, too. I don’t know. I never asked. But once a week, she would email me some wise saying. Some she made up, others she found on the internet. But every single one of them applied to me in some way. Needless to say, she didn’t agree with a lot of my life choices,” I concluded with a dry laugh.

  “What didn’t she agree with?”

  “Getting a degree in Business—but mainly because she didn’t think I would complete it. Selling my car. Moving to New York. Not coming home for the holidays.” I shrugged and continued staring out the window. “But when I got that message, I felt like she got it. Like she got me. I felt…”