“Oh, now. Silly girl. Give it time. But for now, I have someone else I think you should meet.”
I try not to roll my eyes because Louise is truly so sweet.
My arm still firmly grasped in her hold she tugs me forward. I say a quick prayer for someone to rescue me as she steers me towards another man.
“Bodie, this here is Maisy,” she quickly states.
I glance up at him. Shit he’s tall. Taller than Wilder. And handsome. He’s got these big thick arms that I just know he’d give teddy bear hugs. He runs a hand through his wavy dark hair and my mind flashes to the way I pulled on Wilder’s the other night begging him to fuck me. My cheeks glow red at the memory. A bead of sweat breaks across the back of my neck. Am I old enough to be getting hot flashes?
Bodie grins flashing his pearly whites. He has nice straight teeth. “I know, we’ve met, remember?” he was one of the men that helped move the furniture in at the apartment.
“Well, yes, but this is different, before you were all sweaty and doing heavy lifting.” Louise lets out another one of her high-pitched laughs. “Bodie is my nephew. Son of my sister Linda Lou. He’s just as handsome as my boys, but I’m the prettier sister.” Her eyes twinkle. “He’ll give Finnick a run for his money.”
I can feel blush creeping down my neck and spreading across my chest. I shake my head slightly. Bodie chuckles under his breath as he looks at me.
“Since Maisy is new in town, I was thinking you should take her out. Say Tuesday evening?”
I start to protest, again as Bodie looks over my shoulder and smirks. “Sure, why not.” Shooting me a wink, he grabs a pen and paper off the nearby table. He scribbles something down. “Call me. Anytime day or night.”
“Right. I’ll do that.”
“Be sure that you do,” he tells me, promising to talk more later but he needs to do something first.
“She’ll call this week. I’ll make sure of it. She doesn’t have her landline setup yet, but we’ll get it all sorted.” Louise is serious about her matchmaking. She turns to me waiting for me to add to the conversation.
“Okay. I’ll call.” I agree to a date only because I really don’t want to meet anymore single guys. For a town so small there sure is a lot of them here today.
I’m pretty sure Bodie is taking one for the team anyways, especially since he gave me a wink while handing over his phone number. Heck, he didn’t even ask me for the date, Louise volunteered him. After agreeing to this ridiculous setup, I move away to get myself a drink and a plate of pasta salad, when a heavily pregnant woman comes up next to me.
“You must be new in town and the pretty lady my daughter went on about all weekend.” She beams at me with glowing cheeks holding her hand out for me to shake.
“I’m Maisy.”
“I’m Kenya, Auden’s mom and Finnick’s ex. Don’t believe everything you hear about me. I’m not liked very much.” Wow, blunt.
“Um, well, that sounds unfortunate.” What else can I say to that?
She waves it off. “Nah, I deserve it. I wasn’t a good wife, barely a good mother, but I’m trying to be better,” Kenya confides, as she rubs her belly. “This one makes baby number three.” I stare at her, looking for similarities between her and Auden. They share the same smile, but other than that I think Auden takes after her father.
“Congrats. Third times a charm, right?”
She lets out a laugh. “I like you. You’re funny.”
I shove a bite of pasta in my mouth, not sure how to handle this. I slept with her ex. I now work for him and am now his tenant. “This is really good.” I decide talking food seems safe enough.
“Louise is an amazing cook. I burned that bridge, but she’s a good woman. Slightly nutty. Doesn’t take no for an answer. How do you know the family?”
I don’t know how much information to disclose here but I might as well be honest since she is asking and will find out either way. “Oh, um I’m working for Wilder and renting the apartment over his garage.”
“Oh. You should go for him.” She nods toward her ex-husband. “He’s hot. I don’t say that because I’m still hung up on Finn, because he’s a bit of a jerk. But honestly, he’s a great guy under that tough exterior. Branson’s great too but he has some growing up to do still.”
“Oh, I’m not interested in either. I’m not looking to start anything. I just moved here, and the last thing I need is a man complicating things.”
“Says the woman Finnick has stared at for five minutes solid.”
I swallow hard and when I catch his eye, he quickly turns his head.
I go to chat her up a little more, trying to change the subject since she seems nice, when the crazy chick from the Bud’s shows up. Crap, this isn’t going to be good. “I’m sorry, looks like I might need to help with that.” I point to the girl.
Kenya snorts. “She really should be in a mental hospital. The girl is nuts, even when I was married to him, she kept trying to turn his eye. But one thing about him that I respect is that he’s loyal. When everyone talked shit about me though he knew there was truth to it he stood by me.”
I move off feeling weird and all kinds of awkward like his ex-wife was trying to sell me on him. Tossing my paper plate in the trash I shake the conversation off and slide up behind him as he goes for another beer. “Hand me one of those will you, Wilder?” He jumps when I put a hand on his arm.
“Uh…what are you doing?”
I cock my head to the side. “You’ve got company. Crazy Barbie at one o’clock.”
“Fuck,” he mutters and glances out the corner of his eye. He hands me a beer then pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know how many ways I can say get lost.”
“Yeah, she’s a bit stalkerish.” I take a long drink.
“You’ve got to help me get rid of her, but I don’t want to make a big scene. My kid is here, and this is my parent’s house. That bitch has no boundaries. Someone keyed my truck last night, and I’ll give you one guess who was behind the handiwork.”
The last thing I need in my life is to deal with more of his crazy stalker fling or whatever she is. I need to shut this spark I feel with him down fast. “Quite the predicament you’re in here, boss man.” I start to walk off and he grabs my wrist.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to get away from Psychotic Barbie and go hang out with your mother or even your ex-wife. Both are much better company than whatever situation you’re trying to drag me into.” I tilt my head in Amanda’s direction. “I gave you a head’s up. I don’t owe you anymore favors.”
I go to make my escape, but he pulls me in close. “Stay.”
“Would you stop it? Your mother has already asked me a million and one times what I thought about you. She’s on a serious matchmaking quest, don’t give her any ideas.”
“Too late, if you don’t help me out now, Amanda will know it was all to piss her off. I’ll explain to Mom later.”
I fight back a groan. “I don’t need to be cozied up to you. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong impression. Especially not your daughter. I’m already working for you and now living over your garage. Your ex-wife was telling me to date you not even five minutes ago. Next thing you know your mother will be planning our fictitious wedding and for fear of breaking her heart I’ll be forced to marry you or something.”
His eyes light up.
“What? I don’t like the look you’re giving me.”
“Nothing. Just please do this for me one last time. Let me worry about my kid.”
“I think you might be a crazy person. Maybe you and Amanda belong together.”
9
—Finnick—
I’m pissed at myself for ever getting involved with Amanda. That’s what I get for thinking with my dick. All I needed was a woman like Maisy who understands no strings attached sex. Too bad she didn’t move to town sooner. She could have saved both me and my dick a lot of grief. But hell, if she had been around, I’
d want more than sex and one night. Because now that I’ve had her I know that one time will never be enough. There’s something about her that makes me want to get to know more. And fuck, the sex was that damn good. Never had such an attraction to anyone in my life. I keep telling myself its lust and nothing more, but I get this stupid tight pain in my chest every single time I think about her.
I shuffle a little closer, not near enough for Amanda to see me, but to overhear what is about to be said as Maisy stalks toward her. “Amanda, what are you doing here? I didn’t realize anyone invited you to my party.”
“Finnick will want me here. Ask him.”
“What’s this?” my mother steps between them sensing the tension.
“I was hoping to speak with Finn,” she says, in her fake as shit sweet voice. She even toned down her sexy clothing which is surprising. Her tits aren’t hanging out of her top for once. Amanda is all tits, and she knows it. Uses it to her advantage to get what she wants. I fell for it a time or two only I know better now.
Maisy glances at me, and I mouth thank you. Her eyes roll, and I’m afraid she’s going to rat me out. “I’m sorry, but the last two times you’ve tried to speak with him, he hasn’t wanted to. This is his family’s home. You need to respect his wishes and leave.”
Amanda narrows her eyes at Maisy. “You can’t tell me what to do.” She glares at her so hard I think lasers might shoot out her eyeballs. “You’re not even from here. Why are you even here? And what did you mean your party?”
“Didn’t you key his truck? Are you stalking him?”
“Answer my question. Why are you here?”
Mom steps between them. “Now, Amanda. I always thought you were a sweet girl, but if my boy doesn’t want to be with you, you need to leave.” Mom gives her the talk now or you are in big trouble look. “Did you key his truck?”
Putting her hands on her hips, Amanda’s jaw clenches. “He does want to be with me, he’s just playing hard to get. We’re perfect together. He’s just confused. I’m trying to get that into his head. And I know you agree with me, you’re always trying to push us together. You can’t trust the word of this stranger. We don’t know anything about her. Maybe she keyed his truck.”
Mom’s brows shoot up. Probably noticing the crazy side of this bitch I’ve been trying to tell her about.
“Yeah. That makes perfect sense. While he was with me all night, I snuck out to key his truck.”
Amanda practically has steam blowing out of her ears hearing confirmation from Maisy we spent the night together.
I glance around for Auden, but she seems occupied with her brother.
Dad stalks over to them, gives Amanda a look then shifts to Mom. “Who invited her?”
Amanda gasps at how rude it comes out, and I want to laugh but keep quiet. I don’t want to draw her attention to me. She hasn’t spotted me, and I want to keep it that way.
“No one did, Harold. She’s being quite rude if you ask me,” Mom tells him with a sigh. I rub the back of my neck. “Apparently she keyed Finn’s truck.”
Dad looks to Maisy. “What’s this got to do with you?”
“Nothing really. Your son’s a nice guy who has done a lot for me since I arrived, and I wanted to repay the favor by keeping crazy pants here from making a scene in front of his family and friends, but she can’t seem to take the hint.”
One of the old man’s rare grins spreads across his face. This isn’t good. My old man likes her. He doesn’t like anyone, not since Kenya which means he’s probably going to help Mom with the crazy matchmaking bullshit she loves to do. I need to put a stop to it all because I want her for myself.
“Leave.”
“But, Mr. Wilder, sir,” Amanda stammers.
Dad shakes his head. “My house, my rules. Take it somewhere else. If Finnick wants to talk to you, he’ll reach out. Don’t show up uninvited again. I know your mother raised you better than this.”
Amanda doesn’t fight it. Most of the people in town fear my dad. Although I have to say he’s all bark and no real bite. Her shoulders sag as she goes out the front door. I sigh in relief when I hear a car door shut and it takes off.
Maisy is now in front of me smirking. “See. There wasn’t no crazy blow out drama. She went peacefully. And I didn’t have to be all over you for her leave.”
No, she didn’t. Part of me knows it would have been nice having her in my arms again.
Her elbow digs into my side and I get a whiff of her perfume, remembering how good she smelled when I buried my face between her thighs. Like a tropical paradise. “Now you owe me another favor.” Her lips quirk up spreading into a sexy smirk. Maisy is gorgeous. Short enough that she can wear heels and not tower over me. Sexy as sin curves. Big tits and a perfect ass to match.
She’s feisty and a bit on the sassy side.
She’s fucking trouble is what she is. I like my life and she’s been in town all of a week maybe and blown my comfort all to hell.
“Name your price. What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
“Everyone wants something.”
“Listen, I’m sure you’re a nice guy, but I don’t know you all that well and this woman really has an axe to grind. You said she keyed your truck. What will she do the next time?”
“She’ll cool off once she finds a new man to hook her claws into.”
“You sure about that?”
“She won’t be a problem.”
“Okay. Fine. Get your mom off my back with all this matchmaking business. I was able to get out of the first few dates she tried to wrangle me into but couldn’t get out of the last one. A man is the last thing I’m looking for right now.”
I clench my fists. Bodie came to me gloating about he had a date with her, and it pissed me off. Asshole wanted to rub it in my face. When we were moving all her shit him, and Bran kept going on and on about how hot she is. “There’s only one way she’ll leave it alone.”
“What’s that?”
“Get coupled up with someone.”
Her face pales. “Um and who am I going to do that with?”
“Me.”
“Excuse me? Uh…did you not hear the thing I said about not wanting a man complicating my life right now.”
I shrug. “You heard me. We could pretend to date for a few weeks and then we tell her it didn’t work out. She’ll leave you alone if she thinks you’re undateable.” Only I plan to show her that we could have the best of both worlds. She’ll get my mom off her back, Amanda will get off mine, and maybe there will be more hot sex in it for the both of us. We had a good time. I’d definitely like to hit that again even if I know I shouldn’t go there.
“No thanks. I’ll take my chances.”
“And why the hell not?”
“I don’t shit where I eat.”
“I could fire you.”
“For what? I’ve not even started yet.”
“Calm down, tiger.”
“And why would I be the one that’s undateable? You’re the one who is a grumpy asshole that attracts crazy women, and I’m not like Amanda. I’m not your type. You’re not mine either,” she tacks on.
Those orgasms I gave her screamed otherwise, but I keep the comment to myself.
“Whatever,” I mutter and stomp off. What the fuck was that just now? I’m a damn catch.
I go to the kitchen and check out the desert selection before I stick my foot further in my mouth. I bump into Kenya. “Maisy seems nice and she’s really pretty.”
“Don’t you start on me too.” I cut off a piece of cheesecake and hand it to her.
“Thanks. I’m just saying that you’ve not really dated seriously since me, and I know it’s not because you’re hung up on me. I wasn’t the love of your life, Finn. You married me because I got pregnant.” I glare at her. “Don’t get defensive. Just hear me out. Auden thinks you’re unhappy. I agree with her.”
“Did she tell you that?”
She nods, swallowing, then taki
ng a drink of water. “She thinks you won’t date because you’re worried about her not liking them.”
“Kid is too smart for her own good.” I shake my head and scoop out some whipped cream for my apple pie.
“You should ask her out.”
“Who?”
She rolls her eyes. “Duh. Maisy.”
“Nope not happening.”
“So, you like Amanda?”
“Fuck no.”
“But you slept with her?”
“I’m not getting into this with you.”
“I only want you to be happy. You deserve to be with someone who appreciates you. You’re a little rough around the edges but deep down, you’re a good man. Any woman would be lucky to have you. I know I ruined us, but we weren’t meant to be.”
I grunt. The last thing I want to discuss with my ex-wife is my love life or our failed marriage. “How’s things with you? When’s this baby due? Jack still working out of town a lot?”
“Stop changing the subject. I never in a million years thought you’d end up with a woman like Amanda. You’re better than that. I mean, you were married to me.” She grins and I laugh.
“I wasn’t with her. I slept with her a couple times, nothing major never even bought her a meal.”
“Stop being such a man and thinking with your other head.”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
“You know I’m glad we can talk like this. I never thought we’d be friends and maybe we never will be, but I like this. Us communicating.”
“Me too, Kenya. Me too.” I never thought we’d reach this point. I stare at our reflection in the back door in the kitchen that leads out to the back deck. We look normal. Not ready to tear out one another’s throat. Maybe things are changing between us for the better.
Auden skips into the kitchen with Mickey stumbling behind her. She skids to a stop and smiles big at us. “Can Mickey and I have some dirt puddin’?”
“Yeah, princess.” I push off from the counter and grab the bowls.
“Mickey and I will be leaving soon. Come give me a hug.” Kenya tosses her plate in the trash and opens her arms to Auden.
Fabricated Christmas Page 5
