Behind the Stick

by Sandra Marie

  “I’ll talk to him.”

  “Good!”

  “Now do you want to tell me why you’re dressed like Poison Ivy in the middle of the week?”

  “I was at Ginny’s house trying on my costume for the next comic convention when I saw Lauren and she told me what happened. I grabbed my purse and came right here.”

  “You could have just called.”

  “Sometimes in order to get things done you simply have to do them in person.”

  “Even if you’re dressed like you just stepped off the pages of a comic book.”

  Her lips tilted up, eyes growing wide. “Really? You think I look like I just walked off the pages of a comic book?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “That is the best thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  “Don’t tell Ashton. He might get jealous.”

  Lily May waved her hand. “Oh, knock it off. Don’t ruin this moment for me. I was worried I didn’t get down the ivy just right.”

  “I’d say it’s pretty perfect.”

  She let out a squeal, and all eyes were back on her. Gavin narrowed his gaze on everyone, and they turned back in their seats.

  “You should go and put some clothes on. If Ashton were to walk in here right now, he’d have a heart attack with the amount of skin you’re showing.”

  “And I would tell him he needs to get over it. I am wearing this to the convention whether he likes it or not. Besides all these men can stare all they want. At the end of the day there’s only one man I care about, and he should be home soon. I think I’ll go surprise him.”

  “Oh, he’ll be surprised all right.”

  She held her finger up and pointed it at him with gusto. “Don’t you go texting him.”

  Gavin lifted his hands in front of him. “My mouth is sealed.”

  “Unless you want to tell him about your little problem.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  He just needed to find the right words, and, Ashton, I messed up wasn’t exactly sitting well with him at the moment.

  Lily May headed for the door, and a lightbulb exploded in Gavin’s head. “Hey, Lily May.” She spun around on her heels.

  “I’m going to do a St. Patrick’s Day thing here at the bar, and I was wondering if you’d—”

  “I’m in.”

  “You didn’t even hear me out.”

  “Lauren already told me. I was surprised as all get out that you didn’t come to me first. To be honest it really dilled my pickle.”

  “I knew you were busy with the gala.”

  “I’ve been done planning that for weeks now. I’m just sitting around waiting for the big event. Besides, it’ll all be over come next week, and then I’ll be free for a bit before I start a new project.”

  “I don’t know if I can afford you,” Gavin said. Lily May charged a pretty penny for her services.

  She waved her hand. “You can pay me by getting all that fixed and taking Lauren to the gala.”

  “What? I’m taking Rae. I told you that.”

  “I know, but I invited Tommy, so that would be an awkward threesome if you ask me.”

  “That’s probably why she called,” Gavin said, remembering the missed call on his cell earlier in the day when he was doing inventory.

  “Both your names will be on the list. I’ll call you to go over the St. Patrick’s Day stuff tomorrow. See you later.” Lily May gave one final wave, her red wig trailing behind her as she disappeared out the door. Gavin turned back to his customers, who were all staring after Lily May. He snapped his fingers, and they all turned back, acting as if they weren’t just ogling her.

  He shook his head and refilled drinks while going over what exactly he was going to say to Ashton.

  Lauren would always kill for an excuse to stay in bed and read all day, but now given the chance, reading was the last thing she felt like doing. None of the heroes interested her at the moment. She preferred a particular green-eyed bartender who made her laugh.

  God, she was becoming like the heroines in her books, and she didn’t care. She rather enjoyed the idea of having someone to think about and wonder if he was thinking about her too. It wasn’t like that with Dylan. She didn’t care what he was doing or when she’d see him again. She’d actually get annoyed when she had to put down a book to meet up with him for a dinner date. How she didn’t realize then that they weren’t a match made in heaven was beyond her.

  She wasn’t even sure if she got hurt if he’d show up to make sure she was okay like Gavin did. Maybe Dylan would have sent a text, maybe even a call if he was feeling particularly worried, but he wouldn’t just show up unannounced to take care of her.

  Her phone beeped, and she grabbed it off the nightstand. A warm giddy feeling filled her up at Gavin’s name on her screen. She clicked into the text.

  Just checking in. Want to make sure you’re okay.

  She typed back.

  We’re fresh out of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Other than that, I’m good.

  Mint chocolate chip, really?

  Her eyes widened in playful shock, and her mouth fell open. It’s only the best flavor.

  It tastes like toothpaste.

  Take that back!

  Seriously I feel like I should get my toothbrush when I’m eating it.

  There is something wrong with your taste buds because it’s the best!

  I think it’s the other way around.

  Let me guess your favorite flavor is she tapped her lip as she thought. Vanilla.

  There is nothing vanilla about me