Lies in Love

by Ava Wood

  Landon shook his head. She hadn’t told them about their date. “There’s just something about her. I want to know her more.”

  “You can’t. Just leave her alone, okay?”

  Landon was going to argue, but Talia’s sister appeared behind Camey.

  “Camey, I’m…” she stalled when she spotted Landon. “Oh, hi.” Her brow furrowed as she turned her attention back to Camey. “I’m going to go check on Talia.”

  Landon could tell she was trying to be discreet, probably trying to keep him from hearing, but with all of the noise of the club she had to raise her voice just enough for him to hear.

  Camey ogled Landon as she spoke. “I have a feeling she needs you right now.”

  Sara hugged Camey and walked away.

  “What’s going on?” Landon was suddenly concerned. Why were they worried about Talia?

  “Don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of it.” Camey started to walk away but Landon gently hooked onto her arm.

  “Please. I just want to help.”

  “If you want to help then forget you ever met her. That’s the best thing for her right now.”

  That was it. Camey didn’t say anything else and Landon didn’t stop her again. He watched her disappear into the bodies on the dance floor and then he walked away. She was asking him to just give up, but it wasn’t in him. He’d already given up his job and the place he’d called home. Giving up the reason he’d changed everything just to make Camey happy wasn’t an option. He had to find some way to hang on to the inspiration for changing his life.

  Talia curled up in her dad’s old recliner wearing her most comfortable sweatpants and her old ratty tennis t-shirt from high school. It was one of the few t-shirts she had from before Mason that she hadn’t worn while they were together. She had donated every item of clothing she ever wore while she was with him, which explained her closet full of frumpy outfits that she now called her wardrobe. She didn’t want any reminders of her time with him. Every piece of furniture, every bit of clothing, even all of her curling irons and makeup from that time were left behind or given away. She rarely did more than brush her hair, which was why she had a room full of hats for those bad hair days. She was running her fingers through her freshly washed hair when a knock sounded at the outer door to her apartment. “Who’s there?”

  “It’s me, Talia. Open the damn door. It’s freezing,” Sara’s muffled voice demanded.

  Talia whipped the door open, simply staring at her sister. “What are you doing here?”

  “What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting in Fort Worth.”

  Talia rolled her eyes and walked back to her recliner, allowing Sara to let herself in.

  “What’s going on, Talia?”

  “I just didn’t want to go out tonight and you wouldn’t let it go. I’m getting sick of arguing with you all the time.” Talia dropped back into her chair, avoiding eye contact with her sister.

  “You’re getting sick of arguing with me? It sure seemed like you were enjoying it to me.”

  “No, Sara. I hate arguing. I hate being a frigid bitch, but it’s all I can be right now.” Talia pulled her legs up in front of her on the chair, trying to hide inside herself.

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  Talia shook her head. She really didn’t want to talk about it. She didn’t even want to think about it. It wasn’t just about Mason anymore, either. Now that Landon was in the picture, Mason was hardly an afterthought, but she didn’t know what to do about Landon. He made her go out with him, made her like him, and then he disappeared. As if her pride wasn’t hurt enough, it was just one more blow that knocked her down another peg.

  “Talia, talk to me.” Sara’s voice was sympathetic.

  “I met someone. We went out, and then I didn’t see him again.”

  “Who?”

  “Remember the guy at Satin that was following me around a couple of weeks ago?” Talia wouldn’t look at her sister as she spoke.

  “The hot blonde guy?”

  “Yeah, I guess.” Talia didn’t like hearing her sister call him hot, even though he was obviously gorgeous. “We went out a couple of weeks ago and it was great. I thought we both had a great time. We agreed that we knew where to find each other and left it at that. He never asked for my number or anything. I guess that should have been a good sign that he wasn’t interested. Anyway, when I went to the club last Friday he never showed. I thought for sure he would be there so I spent most of the night looking for him. The only thing that got him remotely off of my mind was dancing with you guys but it didn’t help much.”

  “So you like this guy?”

  Talia rolled her eyes. What a stupid question. “That’s what I just said, isn’t it?”

  “Not in so many words, but yeah.”

  “Yeah, I like him. He’s the first guy since…” Talia didn’t want to even say Mason’s name. He didn’t deserve for Talia to even acknowledge his existence.

  “I know.”

  Talia was glad that Sara wouldn’t force her to say his name. “Look, don’t tell the girls. I don’t want them feeling sorry for me over some stupid guy. It didn’t really even mean anything. I just thought maybe we could’ve had some fun.”

  Sara nodded. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I’m going to go home and get some sleep. Lord knows I don’t sleep enough most of the time.”

  “Sounds like a good idea. Maybe I’ll turn in now too.” Talia got up and stared awkwardly at her sister. “Thanks for checking on me. I know I haven’t been easy to live with, but I do love you and I’m thankful I have you on my side.”

  “Always.” Sara hugged Talia and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She gripped her sister’s hand before she left.

  It was the first time Talia and Sara had acted like sisters in months. It felt good to have that sisterly connection with her again. Trying to concentrate on that and not think of Landon, Talia went to bed.

  Camey and Sara carefully arranged the flowers in the van for their afternoon wedding. Talia was busy putting together a last-minute anniversary bouquet for a man waiting inside so it gave the pair a couple minutes to talk.

  “So Talia told me what was bothering her, but this is between you and me. She asked me not to tell you and Reina, but since I saw you talking to Landon last night, I couldn’t keep it to myself.”

  “What the hell? Spit it out, Sara.”

  “Talia went on a date with Landon a couple of weeks ago and she has the hots for him. She expected him to show at Satin last week but when he didn’t she got upset. That’s why she refused to go last night. She was afraid he wouldn’t show again and she felt pathetic looking for him so she made some excuse about a meeting and stayed home.”

  “Seriously? She likes Landon? Shit.” Camey knew this was bad. Landon liked Talia and Talia liked Landon, but the two of them together had catastrophe written all over it.

  “Yeah. She said he’s the first guy she’s liked since Mason.” Sara climbed inside of the van to adjust a few of the arrangements at the front and then crawled back out. “This is big, Camey. What are we going to do?”

  “I know what we aren’t going to do. We aren’t going to let them end up together. Could you imagine what would happen if Talia found out that Landon is an escort.” Camey whispered the last word just in case Talia was in ear shot.

  “Well, duh. But she’s miserable. I hate seeing her like this.”

  “Just let me handle it. I’ll figure something out.” Camey clammed up when Talia came through the back door.

  “I swear, men can be so stupid.” Talia placed a huge table arrangement in the van and continued talking. “That guy said his wife was bawling when he left the house, because he forgot about their anniversary yesterday. What an idiot. Why do men assume flowers will make everything better?”

  “I don’t know.” Camey opened the side door of the van and began adjusting the flowers so that they were safely supported against ea
ch other without crushing any of the blooms.

  “There are just a couple more arrangements inside and then I’ll grab the box of bouquets and we can go. We should have plenty of time to get all of the arrangements set up at the church and in the hall before the wedding even begins.”

  Sara and Camey both nodded and returned to loading the van. It was just another typical wedding Saturday. When the last of the flowers were loaded, Camey and Talia hopped in the van to make the delivery while Sara stayed behind to help Izzy until closing time. She’d join the girls at the reception hall when the shop was locked up tight.

  Camey slipped off her shoes by the front door and slogged through her apartment. She was exhausted from another Saturday of wedding deliveries. She would give anything for a nice warm bubble bath and a massage, but she was too tired to run the water and she wasn’t sure which of her latest conquests’ company she could tolerate this evening. Instead she settled for falling onto her bed staring at the ceiling, trying to work out the kinks in her back. As she lay motionless she remembered her conversation with Sara that morning and realized she had a call to make. She had to make it perfectly clear to Landon that he needed to cut all ties with Talia so she could finally start to move on with her life. It was fairly evident that Talia still wasn’t over whatever happened between her and Masen. Camey rifled through her bedside table to find Landon’s number. She reluctantly dialed after she found it scrawled on a pad inside the drawer.

  “Hello?” Landon answered on the second ring.

  “Landon?”

  “Yeah? Who’s this?” He sounded slightly out of breath.

  “Did I disturb you? Are you on a job?” Camey hoped he wasn’t in the middle of some sexual escapade.

  “What, no? I’m rearranging furniture. I just moved in with my … Never mind,” Landon stopped himself mid-sentence, realizing he didn’t owe Camey any explanation.

  “Look, Talia is pretty upset that you didn’t show up at the club a couple of weeks ago and I need you to fix that. You need to figure out some way to make her realize that she’s better off without you.”

  “And how exactly should I do that?” Landon sounded agitated.

  “I don’t know. Go by her shop and tell her you’re buying flowers for your girlfriend. Make her think you’re a total sleaze. Maybe then she’ll realize she can live without you and she’ll move on.”

  “Why does she have to live without me?”

  Camey grew tired of Landon’s constant rebuttals. “Hello. You’re an escort. Do you really think it’s a good idea for her to get any more attached to you when you can’t even commit to one woman?”

  “Oh.”

  Camey waited for Landon to say something more, but he was silent. She grew impatient and asked, “Look, can you just make her realize she’s better off without you so she isn’t so miserable?”

  “Where can I find her?”

  “She runs Perfect Petals on the east side. You think you can find it?”

  “Sure.”

  “Go by Monday just before five o’clock. She’ll be there getting ready to close. It’s usually quiet by then.”

  “Okay.” Landon’s voice was solemn. He was being overly compliant.

  “I’m sorry it had to come to this, but I appreciate you being so agreeable.”

  “Sure. I’ll stop by Monday and make it right.”

  He hung up before she could thank him. After hearing how despondent Landon sounded, she almost felt bad for asking this of him, but she had to protect her friend. Getting Landon involved with all of this was the worst idea she’d ever had. She’d never forgive herself for making such a stupid mistake. She hoped that after Monday maybe Talia could finally get her life back to normal.

  Chapter 6

  Sweater Weather

  The mid-March air was cool and breezy. It had made for a frigid ride to Perfect Petals. The chill kept Landon’s nerves at bay for what he had planned. He knew he wasn’t what was best for Talia, but it stung too much to think of walking away from her. He’d never longed for a woman like he longed for her. Her inability to fall for stupid love clichés was captivating. He just wanted to be near her; no matter what it took. He couldn’t let Camey force him to give her up so soon. He had changed so much of his life so he could be deserving of her.

  He sat on his bike, leaning over the handlebars, watching her arrange displays in the window, acutely aware that she was alone. He’d seen all of the girls wave their goodbyes nearly half an hour ago. Now he was just waiting for the right moment to walk inside, the right moment to apologize. The longer he waited the harder the words were to find.

  She was beautiful standing there in the window wearing an oversized navy cable-knit sweater that hung off one shoulder and dark skinny jeans with a cream crochet slouchy beanie. Her hair wrapped over her shoulders, framing her face in a sea of auburn. She completely took his breath away as she moved throughout the store. When she disappeared from view, Landon got off of his bike and walked toward the glass front door. He was surprised when she walked outside and they were standing face to face.

  “What are you doing here?” Her voice was full of ire.

  “I needed some flowers.” He immediately regretted his response. She’d flipped the closed sign nearly an hour ago. It was a little late to come calling for flowers.

  “We’re closed.” Talia picked up a folding sign from the sidewalk and began to heave it inside.

  Landon hurried to her, helping her carry the sign.

  Just inside the door, she set it down and said, “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He spoke softly, trying to ease her anger. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it to the club last Friday.” He wondered if she would expect him to get on his knees and grovel.

  “Where were you?” The hostility in her tone had diminished.

  “I had some business I had to take care of, but that’s finished now.” She’s definitely pissed.

  “Oh.” She continued adjusting things around the shop while he watched her work. She moved without effort; like every motion had a set plan. No movement was wasted.

  She must have realized he was still standing there staring, because she turned to him and said, “Well, thanks again for the help.” Landon could tell it was an invitation to leave, but he didn’t wasn’t ready to leave; not by a long shot.

  “Are you hungry?”

  She turned around, her hair whipping around her as she faced him once more. “I could eat.” Her voice was a mere whisper.

  “Why don’t I help you finish up so we can go grab dinner?” He was trying for friendly. He had her softened and he couldn’t risk pushing her back to anger.

  She stopped to study his face. He wondered what she was thinking as she looked him over. “Could you bring in that plant stand out front? That’s really all that I have to get done now.”

  “Sure.” He turned to the front door but stopped and spun back to face her. “Are you just asking me to do this so you can lock me out and avoid going to dinner with me?”

  Talia smiled. “No, I’m not going to lock you out. Just get the damn plant stand, okay?”

  Her words were callous, but she was still smiling. Damn, Landon missed that smile.

  He struggled to carry in the massive plant stand on his own and he wondered how Talia ever did it alone. “Do you usually carry that in on your own?”

  Talia smiled again, “I usually take the plants off first and carry it in a piece at a time, but I figured with a big muscular man here, you could just carry it all in at once.”

  “Gee, thanks.” He was glad to see she had warmed to him again. When she began to move his way he stopped her. “You probably ought to get a jacket. It’s pretty cool out.”

  “I can handle it.” She continued toward him, but he stopped her again.

  “Just get your damn jacket.” He laughed as she pouted and turned for the back room. Moments later she returned in her puffy brown winter coat. “Brown, huh?”

  “It’s the color
of dirt. It’s easier to clean at the end of the day.”

  “That wasn’t the answer I was expecting.” He extended his arm to her and was pleased when she slipped her hand beneath his elbow. “What are you in the mood for?”

  “A big juicy burger.”

  Landon smirked at Talia. “You serious?”

  “As a heart attack.”

  Landon pulled Talia through the door and waited as she locked up. Out on the sidewalk the breeze was pleasant. He knew that would change once they were riding down the city streets on his motorcycle.

  “You know, it’s not that cold. I really don’t need this big thing.”

  “I think you’ll change your mind.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Talia stopped talking when Landon climbed onto his bike.

  “Your chariot, milady?” He lifted his black half-helmet from the seat behind him and held it out for her.

  “You expect me to get on that?”

  “I do.”

  “You’re out of your mind.”

  “If you only knew.” He was mad for her. He adored the way her mood changed from anger to sarcasm to just plain obstinate. He was still holding out his helmet when she snatched it from him and began staring at it.

  “I have no idea how to put this on.”

  Landon stood from his bike and delicately pulled the beanie from Talia’s head, slipping it into his interior jacket pocket. Her hazel eyes were intent on his, her lips gently pouting as he watched the hardness at the corner of her eyes soften. She stood absolutely still as he placed the helmet gently on her head and tightened the straps to fit. When the helmet was properly secured, Landon whispered, “Perfect.”

  She inhaled suddenly and continued to watch him as he pulled his hand away.

  “Have you ever ridden a bike before?”

  She subtly shook her head, looking adorably timid.

  “All you need to do is hang on to me and don’t let go. And whatever you do, don’t lean.”

  She nodded, still standing frozen.

  Landon climbed back on his bike and started the engine. When Talia didn’t immediately climb on, he patted the seat behind him in invitation. “I promise, you’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”