Leaning Into Series: The Complete Box Set

by Hayes, Lane

  Miles snickered. “You were probably afraid I’d get tired and demand a piggyback ride.”

  “Yeah, that did cross my mind,” I agreed sarcastically. “How about if I buy you a coffee for the walk back to the car?”

  “Make it a hot chocolate and promise to hold my hand the whole way, and you’ve got yourself a deal,” he countered with a straight face.

  My smile was so big it hurt. I enveloped him in a giant bear hug and pulled back to kiss his forehead. “Deal.”

  I laced my fingers with his and pulled him through the crowd to the boardwalk. And I didn’t let go. Block after block through familiar city streets and eclectic neighborhoods, I kept him close, marveling at how right it felt just being with him. I noted his shy, pleased smile and cautioned myself not to read too much into the look. I didn’t want to ruin the mood by saying too much. But a few hours later, when he stared into my eyes and clung to me as I moved inside him, I knew it was a matter of time before I lost myself to Miles completely.

  * * *

  “He’s on line one.”

  I glanced up from my computer but continued typing. Talia stood in the doorway wringing her hands. I frowned before pushing Send.

  “Who?”

  “Stockton. I think this is it,” she whispered with wide eyes. “Oh, my God, Grant. I’m going to cry. I’m so proud of you. I—”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself,” I admonished as I reached for my landline. The sudden pump of adrenaline through my system made me feel sick.

  “Can I listen?” she whispered.

  I licked my lips nervously and nodded in agreement before sliding my chair sideways to make room for her. Talia perched on the edge of my desk and adjusted her black skirt then leaned into my space to shamelessly eavesdrop on my conversation.

  “Hello, this is Grant.”

  “Grant!” the voice on the other end of the line boomed. “Stockton here. I’m calling to inform you that we’ve reached a decision.”

  “That’s great.” I held my breath, willing him to spill his news without provocation. Hopefully good news.

  Talia set her hand on my shoulder and squeezed when the silence on the line went on a beat too long.

  “Yes. After thorough deliberation, the board has unanimously named Kostas Realty our broker of choice. Congratulations.”

  Talia covered her mouth and widened her eyes. I met her wild gaze and let out a strangled cough before finding my voice.

  “That’s amazing, sir. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

  “We’re looking forward to getting started on the fun stuff,” he said affably. “Our lawyer is drafting the final version of the contract now. Once it’s ready, we’ll announce our decision with a full press release. I didn’t see the point in keeping you out of the loop for another week or so. Shirley and I would love to meet with you and Tom for a pre-announcement glass of bubbly. Does that sound good?”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you,” I answered automatically.

  “Check your calendar. I’ll text you a date and time.”

  We exchanged another round of pleasantries before I hung up and swiveled to face my cousin. I was stunned. No doubt I looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

  “We got it. We won.”

  Talia whooped with joy then threw her arms around my neck and showered me with kisses. Then she jumped to her feet and said a prayer in Greek along with a blessing or two before finishing with “Oh my, oh my, oh my.” I laughed before swooping up to twirl her in a circle. I didn’t stop until she squealed and smacked my chest.

  She dabbed a tear from the corner of her eye and sniffed. “So proud. Call your dad now.”

  “Maybe I should wait,” I teased, pausing to grab my cell when it beeped from my desk.

  “Are you nuts? He’s going to—what’s the matter?” she asked, pointing at my cell. “Don’t tell me Stockton changed his mind.”

  “No.” I handed her my phone so she could see the message herself.

  Looks like we have a date Saturday night. Honey

  “Is this Miles? Oh. Tom.” She looked up at me with motherly concern. “What are you going to do?”

  I scratched the back of my neck and stared unseeing out the window. “I don’t know. It’s a drink with a client. Not really a big deal.”

  “Will Miles understand? I like that boy. Crazy as shit, but he’s fun. You need more fun in your life.”

  Talia had insisted on meeting Miles soon after he moved into my place. She’d hijacked his number from my cell and they had developed a “text” relationship. They would chat about anything from my schedule to their favorite dessert creations on The Great British Bake Off. Miles knew Talia was sizing him up to make sure he wasn’t taking me for a ride. But somewhere in their lengthy discussions about avoiding the 101 during rush hour and wondering how hard it really was to make a Victoria sponge cake, Miles had charmed her. She adored him. And Tom was…a bug.

  He was an extra player whose presence was supposed to be added insurance. Truthfully, we hadn’t interacted much. Tom stopped by the office a couple of times to go over his renderings. He was mostly professional, though I noticed he’d move into my space when Talia entered the room and get a little handsy. But then he’d wink and leave, and I wouldn’t see or hear from him for a week or two. It was silly. Everyone in my office knew we weren’t really interested in each other. And I was beginning to think this act wasn’t for Stockton. It was all for my father, who was many miles away in another country, no less.

  “I have a few days to think about it,” I said.

  Talia hugged me then patted my cheek in a gesture that reminded me of something our grandmother would have done. “Call your dad.”

  I dutifully dialed his cell and shook my head when Talia mouthed, speakerphone. I wouldn’t send her out of the room, but I needed to make the initial connection on my own.

  “Hi Papa, it’s me.” Fuck. Why did I sound like a ten-year-old?

  My father chuckled, perhaps amused at my greeting. “Hello. We were just talking about you and planning our next trip to California. There’s so much snow on the ground and more is com—”

  “We got the deal, Papa. We won,” I interjected.

  Silence.

  “Papa?”

  I heard a gasp and then nothing for a long moment. Talia frowned and smacked my arm. “Speakerphone,” she repeated.

  I obeyed just as he let out a frightening howl that was equal parts pain and glee. I shot a confused look at Talia just as he broke into tears. I took the phone off speaker and juggled it anxiously. “Are you okay? Did you hear me?”

  “Yes. Yes, I heard. I’m overjoyed. So much joy. So much pride.” He switched to Greek and spoke in a rapid-fire tongue I had a hard time following. The gist was, “This is really fucking awesome news” though. I grinned at my cousin and gave her a thumbs-up sign.

  “It’s great, Papa. But it’s not final until the contract is signed.”

  “I want to be there for it,” he announced.

  “Okay, but I don’t know their timing. It could be next week or next month. I’m not sure.”

  “That’s fine. We could use a break from the weather here anyway. We’ll let you know what we decide. Or we’ll surprise you.”

  “Uh…”

  “Gio.” His voice was suddenly thick with emotion. “I knew I could trust you and count on you to carry our family forward. When I die, I will rest knowing you will take good care of our name. I’m more proud than I can say.”

  I hoped my voice didn’t crack when I responded. “Thank you, Papa.”

  Talia sniffed and tucked her arm around me. Then she greeted my father effusively and joined him in singing my praises. I chuckled at her animated facial expressions designed to counteract the excess adulation and keep my ego in check. And when she agreed to break out the Ouzo at my father’s insistence, I knew the rest of the day was shot. Kostas Realty was officially closed for celebration.

  I’d hung at the impromptu par
ty for as long as possible, but a few sips of Ouzo was my limit. I escaped the office earlier than usual, leaving strict instructions for my employees-slash-cousins to clean up their mess and keep the volume down. They raised plastic glasses in a toast yelling “Yamas” as I walked out the door. They were probably waiting for me to leave, so they could do the same or continue the festivities elsewhere.

  Of course, once I was in my car, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. My thoughts bounced from work to family to Miles and back again. Always ending with Miles. I drove home in a funny sort of daze. I pictured him behind his desk at EN Tech, fielding calls and keeping order. He’d looked sexy as fuck that morning in a navy suit with a colorful striped tie. I’d noticed that he’d turned in his superhero accessories for funky patterns and prints. I always wondered if his fashion accents hinted at his moods or his psyche. I turned down my street and reached for my garage door opener but paused with my finger on the button. What was I going to do in an empty house? I’d go crazy waiting for him to come home, and I needed a break from work.

  I glanced at the time on my dashboard. It was two o’clock. Miles was at work. My friends were at work. Well, not all of my friends. I adjusted my sunglasses and headed north.

  Chapter 12

  The Art of Love. I studied the book title, noting the clichéd intertwined hearts in the word love. That alone should have made me roll my eyes and shove that sucker back on the shelf. Instead, I quickly scanned the aisle in the bookstore to be sure the coast was clear. Then I flipped it open and perused the table of contents. The chapter titles were pure schmaltz. The Signs of Love, The Seasons of Love…oh brother. I snapped it shut and returned it just as Josh rounded the corner.

  “There you are! Nanners and I were looking all over for you.”

  He bounced his daughter on his hip as he moved toward me, nuzzling his nose against her chubby cheek. She giggled sweetly and grabbed a lock of his wayward hair, pulling until he winced. I chuckled as he extricated himself from the nine-month-old’s powerful grip. Thank God for Anna. She had an uncanny gift for providing a much-needed distraction at the right moment. If I’d been alone with Josh, he would have zoned in on my location in the bookstore and asked probing questions about what the hell I was doing in the Valentine section. Then again, if it weren’t for Anna, Josh wouldn’t be a part-time stay-at-home dad, and we wouldn’t have had a clue there was such a thing as Toddler’s Story Time at the boutique bookstore in the Marina.

  “How was The Girl Who Liked Squirrels? I’m disappointed I didn’t catch the ending. Tell me all about it, Joshy,” I pleaded, ruffling his hair playfully.

  Anna squirmed in his arms just then in a quest to be released. He tightened his hold and gave me a dubious once-over. “I promised the princess a million Cheerios and a trip to the park after story time, and I must deliver. You’re a little overdressed, but I guess you could pass for our bodyguard. Are you in?”

  “Only if we stop for lattes on the way,” I singsonged in that syrupy voice adults reserve for babies and puppies.

  Josh nodded then turned toward the high-end stroller at the end of the aisle. I played peek-a-boo with Anna while her daddy situated her in her carriage and briefed her on their itinerary. “…to get Uncle Grant an adult sippy cup for the park. We’ll swing till we’re dizzy, then we’ll go home and make dinner. What should we have? Papa liked that meatloaf recipe I tried a couple of weeks ago and…”

  I snickered as he went into detail about the menu that night as he ferried us out of the bookstore. I buttoned my coat when we stepped outside. It was a gorgeous Monday afternoon in early February. Blue skies and fluffy white clouds. The temperature hovered in the sixties. A nice winter day by anyone’s standards but it was still chilly. I stuck my hands into my pockets and tilted my face skyward.

  “Is she going to be warm enough?” I asked conversationally as we made our way to the coffee shop.

  “She has her yummiest coat on and she’s bundled under two blankets in a semi-covered stroller. I have another blankie in her diaper bag if we need it. Besides, we won’t be there long. It’s almost naptime. I’m going to start dinner while she sleeps. Finn is leaving the office early today to spend time with her.”

  “You and Finn have this daddy thing down to an art form. I’m impressed. I doubt my dad ever changed a diaper when we were babies,” I commented idly.

  “Maybe not but your dad’s still a good father. He’s just…intense,” Josh said.

  “You noticed?”

  “A little. Now that you’ve won that deal, your folks must be coming soon.”

  “I’m officially on ‘any day’ alert.”

  “Ouch.” He pushed the stroller with one hand as he adjusted his sunglasses. “Well, at least you know it’s a happy visit. How many times did your dad tell you he was proud?”

  “A couple of times.”

  “Did I mention I’m proud of you, little buddy?”

  I grinned. Actually, he’d leaped into my arms and rained sloppy kisses on my cheeks until I’d pushed him away and told him to cut it out. “You did. Thanks, Joshy.”

  “Did you hear that, Nanners? Lattes and juice boxes are on Uncle Grant!”

  “Sure thing. I’ll even throw in one of those prepackaged chocolate graham cracker things you like too.”

  “Damn. That must be some deal. Where are your parents going to sleep? I suppose you can bunk with Miles in my old room.” He shot a sideways knowing glance at me before asking, “Do they know you guys are a thing?”

  I furrowed my brow as I sidled past a young couple holding hands. “We’re not a thing.”

  “You sure look like it when we all get together.”

  “Yeah, well…”

  “I guess you might get a tip on how to change things by hanging out in the Valentine section of the bookstore,” he teased. “Did you find the latest New York Times bestseller, How to Tell the Cute Redhead You’re Sleeping With That You Want to Go Steady?”

  I nudged his arm hard, but I couldn’t help laughing at his deadpan delivery. “Geez, I can’t believe I missed that one. And by the way, who says things like going steady? You sound like an old man.”

  “Nice one. Your powers of deflection are weakening. You like Miles, and everyone knows. I’m sure even Miles knows.”

  Josh was right. Miles had to know I was crazy about him. Over the past few months, I’d stopped questioning the wisdom of getting involved with Miles. I was already in too deep. I was a sucker for him in every way possible. He was quirky and fun, but also kind and thoughtful. And the sex was amazing. I couldn’t imagine living without him now.

  “Of course we like each other. The roomie thing wouldn’t have lasted long if we didn’t,” I assured Josh.

  “How long is it going to last? Is he looking for a place?”

  “I hope not.”

  Josh furrowed his brow. “So you’ll go on being roomies indefinitely? That sounds…depressing.”

  “Yeah, well…” I didn’t have a good comeback for that one. It was depressing.

  “You should tell him how you feel,” Josh said softly.

  I let out a deep sigh as we paused in front of the coffee shop window before admitting the one thing that had weighed heavy on my mind for awhile. “I don’t know how.”

  “I get it. It’s scary. But you’ve got to speak up. He can’t read your mind. I’ve known you forever, Grant. I know you’re shy and that you have a million and one hang-ups like everyone else, but believe it or not…you can be a little intimidating.”

  I pulled my sunglasses down my nose and scowled. “Me? How?”

  “You look…” Josh scrunched his nose in distaste and waved his hand in front of me like a disgruntled fashion designer. “…too put together.”

  “Excuse me?” I huffed.

  “Come here.” Josh motioned me toward him then yanked at the lapel of my long wool coat and mussed my hair.

  I smacked him upside the head as I pulled away then turned to use the window’s r
eflection to fix the mess he made. I doubted I fooled Josh, but I kept my tone light when I spoke again. “I’m afraid I’m gonna get it wrong.”

  He put his arm around my shoulder companionably. “You won’t. You’ll think of something to say or do. You’re kind of a genius at getting your message across. ’Member the time you poured Frosted Flakes cereal all over my bed in the dorms ’cause you were pissed at me for leaving food in the room?”

  “We had a serious ant problem, and I’d asked you nicely twenty times,” I groused.

  “Well, the cereal certainly didn’t help that issue, but you made your point. You usually do when your frustration level reaches epic heights.”

  “Hmph. Thanks. I think.”

  “You’re welcome. Personally, I can’t wait to hear about the clash of the redheaded dynamo and the Greek tycoon. If you can find a way to film any of that, please do.” Josh chuckled good-naturedly and gestured toward the coffee shop entrance. “We’ll wait outside for you. Latte no foam, please.”

  I made sure he saw my eye-roll before I stepped inside. I took my place in line and studied the menu board over the register. Plain coffee sounded boring but—

  “Grant?”

  I blinked and refocused on the handsome, dark-haired man dressed in casual business attire standing beside me with a wary half smile. I hadn’t seen him in over a year. I almost didn’t recognize him. But once I did, I returned his uneasy smile and nodded a cordial greeting.

  “Andy. How are you?”

  “I’m good. Um…do you work around here?”

  “No. I’m visiting a friend.” Fuck, this was awkward. “How about you? I thought you lived in Mountain View.”

  “I moved to the city a few months ago after Miles and I split and…anyway, I got a new job, new boyfriend.”

  “I heard,” I said coolly.

  “The boyfriend didn’t last, but I like the job, so I’ll stay for now.”

  “That’s nice.” I stepped forward in line and glanced back at the menu, unsure what else to add. I’d liked Andy once upon a time, but so much had changed. I couldn’t pretend to be neutral.