Anything but Love cl-3

by Beth Ciotta

  Luke sipped his coffee and tried to relax. Any other time he would have enjoyed being in Florida. Especially in February. A respite from the harsh Vermont winter. Not that he typically minded the cold. But who wouldn’t enjoy flying south for a few days? A few days of warmth. A few days of sand and surf.

  Out of nowhere, Luke imagined Rae and her kickass curves. He pictured her in a tiny bikini. Imagined them walking along the beach, hand in hand with a little girl or boy, splashing up the frothy waves, kicking up sand. He’d have to make that happen someday. In a heartbeat, Luke imagined a few other happy scenarios—all involving Rae and their kid. Tension eased from his shoulders, his head throbbed a little less. Apparently fantasizing was Luke’s coping mechanism.

  He’d spoken to Rae a few hours earlier. A brief call. He’d promised to call her when he knew the results. Her trip to the hospital had turned out well. Maybe Luke was on a roll. Maybe this visit would also end with tears of relief.

  Because the scan wasn’t invasive, his dad would come walking into the waiting room any minute now and then, like Dev said, they’d know something conclusive not long after. Come on, good news!

  Luke glanced at the television hanging on the opposing wall, seeking mindless distraction. Some gossip show—Hollywood Insider? Hollywood something. The sound was down. The featured reporter babe was gossiping about whatever. Several candid photos scrolled by—Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus …

  “What the … Is that Rae?” Luke bolted out of his seat. Coffee sloshed on his pants. “Damn.” He ignored the burn and moved closer to the screen. Rocky and Jayce moved closer, too.

  “It is,” Rocky said.

  “That second shot,” Jayce said. “That’s Main Street.”

  “Paparazzi in Sugar Creek?” Kaye asked.

  Luke stared at the headline at the bottom of the screen, scrambled to get the letters straight in his head. “Trust Fund Baby—”

  “—Turns Philanthropist,” Rocky finished.

  And just like that the show jumped to the next story.

  “What’s going on?” Kaye asked.

  Luke had a clue, he just hadn’t expected the news to break so soon and not while he was away. He turned and saw Dev, Rocky, and Jayce scrolling through their smart phones.

  “It’s all over the Net,” Dev said.

  “Mostly entertainment venues,” Jayce said.

  “This has Harper written all over it,” Rocky said.

  Still focused on his phone, Dev asked, “See that bit about the Cupcake Lovers self-publishing a recipe book? What’s that about?”

  Rocky shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “You have a signed contract with Highlife.”

  “I know.”

  Luke thumbed his own phone. “I’ll call Rae.”

  “I’ll call Chloe,” Dev said.

  “Calling Harper,” Rocky said.

  “I’ll do my thing,” Jayce said, which meant some sleuthing.

  “I’ll be reading,” Kaye said, sounding irritated now. “Someone let me know something when someone knows anything. Wait. I’ll call Daisy. She knows everything about the Cupcake Lovers.”

  Luke crossed the room, searching for a quiet corner as everyone connected with someone in Sugar Creek.

  Rae answered on the first ring. “What’s going on with your dad?”

  “Still waiting for news. What’s going on with you?”

  “I guess you saw one of the reports.”

  Luke jammed a hand through his hair, torn between worry and frustration. “Why didn’t you wait until I was back to unleash this media blitz?”

  “I wasn’t me. It was Harper Day.”

  “The publicist Rocky’s been working with.”

  “That’s right,” Rae said, sounding a little out of breath. “It was a mix-up. A miscommunication. Daisy sent a text to Sam asking for Harper’s advice. Sam forwarded the text and … Harper’s a real go-getter who jumped the gun. She thought she was acting on Sam and the club’s wishes and a couple of leaked leads later.… It’s mushroomed throughout the day.”

  “Are you being hounded?” Luke asked. “Reporters? Photographers?”

  “I’ve gotten more phone calls than anything. Nearly as many as my lawyer. There are a lot of organizations desperate for a hefty donation.”

  “Why did Gram tell Harper you wanted to give away your money like that?”

  “I don’t think she did. I think that’s the angle Harper used to get the most publicity bang based on my buying the day care center and offering to fund the publishing of the Cupcake Lovers book. Speaking of,” she rushed on, “I heard back from Brett late this afternoon. Highlife does want to push on with the release. Except, the rest of the CLs heard about my offer through the news and, according to Daisy, everyone wants to bail on Highlife and go our independent way. I don’t know what to tell Brett. I don’t know the legal ramifications and my lawyer, Al, isn’t familiar with the contract. I don’t—”

  “Reagan. Calm down.” Head down, voice low, Luke spoke in a soothing tone. “Getting worked up about this isn’t good for you or the baby. Listen, if all goes well, I’ll be home tomorrow. Hell, maybe I can catch a red-eye. I don’t know. Whatever the case, just lay low until I get there. Stop taking those calls and stay out of sight. I’ll give you Adam’s number. If you need to go somewhere, call him. Or hell, Sam or Leo. I’d rather they handle some obnoxious photographer than you.”

  “I don’t think it’s that bad, Luke.”

  “Humor me.”

  She blew out a breath.

  “Say ‘okay.’”

  “Okay,” she said on a wobbly laugh. Then, “I’m sorry, Luke. Not knowing your dad’s condition I didn’t want to trouble you about any of this. Not until later. I know Chloe and Daisy felt the same about Rocky and Dev. I should’ve known one or another of you would’ve caught wind of the news via some outlet.”

  “We’ll sort it out when I get home.”

  “I know. I’m not worried.”

  “You sound worried.”

  “It’s the contract thing. What if I caused a legal mess for the club? What if—”

  Her voice hitched and Luke frowned. “I’ll talk to Dev about it. He’ll know what to do. He always does. He’s a wiz at that stuff.”

  “I know.”

  Luke heard his family signing off their own calls. “I should go. I’ll call you again later.”

  “Luke, I…”

  The emotion in her voice, set him on edge. “What?”

  “I … I’m thinking good thoughts for your dad.”

  “Thank you for that.” Luke disconnected, his own emotions jumbled. If Rae hadn’t been so jazzed about so many projects, if she’d exercised a little restraint …

  “I’m guessing you got the same scoop as us,” Rocky said. “What a mess. Although Harper swears she can spin things either way regarding the book deal.”

  “I went over that contract with my lawyer with a fine-tooth comb,” Dev said. “There’s a way out if the club wants it.”

  “From what Daisy said,” Kaye said. “They do.”

  “From what little Chloe shared about self-publishing,” Dev said, “sounds to me like a sound financial risk.”

  “How’s Rae holding up?” Rocky asked.

  Luke crossed his arms, shook his head. “Not great. She’s caught me off guard more than once this week. Moments of supreme confidence and enthusiasm and then—wham—she’s fragile and vulnerable. It just hit me but, sometimes she’s like two different people.”

  “Hormones,” Dev said. “Chloe was like that when…” He trailed off but not soon enough.

  “I knew it,” Rocky said. “Rae’s pregnant.” She elbowed Jayce. “I told you…” She trailed off, too, suddenly conscious, as was Luke, of their mother hovering, eyes narrowed.

  “Lucas Monroe,” she said in a tone every kid dreaded. “What have you done?”

  And just because the situation wasn’t awkward enough, Luke’s dad ambled in, took
one look at his family, and glowered. “What’s going on?”

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  Rae chose to spend the rest of the night in her suite. Shutting out the world until Luke returned to Sugar Creek seemed like a fine idea. Not that she wasn’t capable of handling things on her own—for the most part she’d been navigating life solo for a long while—but in this instance, she didn’t have to. In this instance she had a friend and partner in Luke. Somewhere along the way he’d garnered her trust, so she trusted his advice regarding her immediate crisis.

  She shut off the television and monitored all calls, most of which tapered off after six, although she had jumped on the call that had come in from Luke just past five. The relief in his voice had been evident, filling Rae with instant joy. Her heart had pounded as Luke shared the results from the scan.

  The cancer had not spread. His dad’s condition had not worsened. Treatment and monitoring would remain status quo.

  The Monroes—including Jerome and Kaye—were flying home to Sugar Creek tomorrow.

  Rocky and Jayce would be married on schedule Saturday afternoon.

  Rae had been so thrilled for everyone concerned that she hadn’t taken offense when Luke had rushed her off the phone. She knew he was overwhelmed and that he was heading to dinner with his family to celebrate their good fortune. It wasn’t until after that she realized he’d sounded a little awkward when they’d said their good-byes. When he’d added they had a lot to discuss when he got back, she assumed it was the media frenzy coupled with her house-hunting mission. But maybe it was something more. Or maybe her imagination was running amok. Her emotions certainly were. She’d been on a roller coaster all day.

  Desperate to strike an even keel, Rae ordered in a healthy dinner and focused on everything positive. In addition to reporting the good news on his dad, Luke had assured her that Dev was on top of the contract issue and that neither she nor the club had anything to worry about. In anticipation of moving forward with self-publishing the CL recipe book, Rae turned her energy to researching the subject. She wanted to be adequately educated when the group met on Thursday.

  After that, she created a file on her computer, listing every organization that had either reached out to her or Al regarding a donation. But of course she wanted to share her good fortune with those who needed it most. How she was going to narrow that down when there were so many noble and worthy causes, she didn’t know.

  Sipping water and pulling on the last of her energy, Rae looked over her notes regarding possible supplemental programs for Sugar Tots. She also jotted a list of new names for the school though nothing really appealed. Maybe Luke would have some catchy ideas. Thinking of Luke, Rae Googled dyslexia, reacquainting herself with techniques that would help with his visual processing.

  She’d been yawning incessantly for the past hour. She finally shut down her computer around nine thirty, grabbed her Kindle Fire and, lying back in bed, opened the last digital book she’d purchased—What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

  She didn’t remember falling asleep. Barely registered a knock on her door then the sound of Luke’s voice. Although that couldn’t be right. Luke was in Florida. She must be dreaming.

  “Rae. Sweetheart.”

  He sounded so real, so close.

  Rae forced her eyes open and blinked into her dimly lit room, gasping when she saw a figure hovering near her bed.

  “Shh. It’s okay. It’s me.”

  “Luke? What are you doing here? What time is it?”

  “A little after four.”

  “In the morning?” Her vision and thoughts had yet to clear. Foggy, she pushed to her elbows, noting her laptop on the bed. Her Kindle was still in her hand. The only light in the room came from a muted bedside lamp. “I must’ve fallen asleep while reading,” she croaked.

  “I can see that,” Luke said while peeling off his outer wear. “I called you around ten to let you know I was catching a red-eye. When I didn’t get you, I figured you’d switched off your phone. I knocked, but you didn’t answer, so I used the key you gave me.”

  “That’s fine.” She set her Kindle on the nightstand and reached for her laptop.

  “I got it,” Luke said. “You crawl under the covers.”

  At least she’d changed into pajamas before crashing.

  Luke moved her laptop to the desk then started shedding clothes. “I’m wiped.”

  “I can imagine. I thought you were flying in tomorrow. Did your entire family take the red eye?”

  “Nope. Just me. Wanted to get back to you.”

  Even though she was groggy, her heart pounded at the sentiment. “That was sweet.” Her dopey smile widened when he switched off the lamp, crawled under the covers, and pulled her into a spooning position.

  “I’d take advantage of your sleepy state,” he said, “if I weren’t so tired myself.”

  “Rain check,” Rae said, snuggling into his embrace.

  “Mmm. Rae?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I didn’t spot any paparazzi lurking outside or in the lobby, but I could be mistaken. Someone might’ve seen me let myself into your room. It could end up on fricking TMZ. Bartender serves up a midnight special for heiress philanthropist.”

  Eyes closed, she smiled into the dark, comforted by Luke’s presence. “I don’t care.”

  He kissed the back of her head, draped one of his legs over hers, and palmed her tummy. “I’m glad.”

  * * *

  Luke woke to the feel of Rae trailing kisses over his shoulders, his collarbone, his chest. His lips curled in a lazy smile. “Good morning to me.”

  She grinned up at him and Luke’s heart jerked. He’d always wanted a woman to smile at him like that. The way Chloe smiled at Dev and Rocky smiled at Jayce. Hell, even his grandma had a secret smile for Vince. Like he was the center of her universe. Adoration mixed with admiration. Not superficial, fleeting love, but good and true love. Luke never thought he’d see the day. But there it was. That secret smile.

  For him.

  Was it possible? Did Rae love him? Good and true?

  “Weren’t you wearing pajamas when we fell asleep?” he teased.

  “I’m feeling frisky,” she said with a waggle of her brows.

  “Yeah?” He smoothed her longish bangs out of her beautiful face. How had he ever thought her mousy? “How about we move this show to the shower. Long day yesterday. Should have rinsed off last night but all I wanted to do was climb into bed with you.”

  She rolled onto him and surprised him with a full body hug. “I’m glad you’re here, Luke.”

  “In your bed?”

  “In my life.”

  Another heart jerk.

  Clingy women usually scared him off, but Rae wasn’t being clingy as much as affectionate and emotionally forthright. She was usually more guarded and he wondered what had shifted between them and when. Luke hugged her back, wondering about the tender feelings stirring inside him. He was certain he’d never felt this way before. And he was pretty sure this particular rush wasn’t connected to the baby.

  He flashed back on a discussion they’d had the other night. “Maybe the person you’re attracted to is a reflection of where you are in your own life,” he said mid-thought.

  She pushed up a little and looked down at him with a scrunched brow. “Are you still wondering why I’m attracted to you? Or the other way around?”

  “I’m wondering why our relationship is escalating so fast.”

  “Is it?”

  He arched a brow. “You don’t feel it?”

  “I feel it.”

  “Something you want to tell me?”

  Her cheeks flushed. “Not at the moment.”

  Yet her heart shone in her eyes. Luke tempered his pulse. Rae loved him. Good and true. He’d bet the Shack on it. He wasn’t sure what to do with the knowledge. He wasn’t sure how he felt beyond freaking good.

  “So where are you?” she asked. “In your life that is.”

  “A
t a turning point.”

  “Obviously.”

  Luke skimmed his hands over her bare back, loving the feel of her skin and the way her body molded so perfectly to his. “I was on unsteady ground even before I knew about the baby. I first felt the shift when you started working for me last fall. Something about your quiet confidence, your intelligence and kindness. I started lusting after you even when you were sporting that mousy look and those shapeless clothes. Then that kiss, that first kiss. Jesus. I sensed something special, something just beyond my reach.” He smoothed his knuckles over her cheek. “Only you’re not. You’re here. In my arms. In my life.”

  She burst into tears.

  What the … Luke rolled her onto her back, smoothed tears from her cheeks. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “You said everything right.”

  “Then why are you crying?”

  “I don’t know. I mean I’m incredibly touched by what you … you said. But this is crazy. The last few days, I can’t seem to control my … my emotions.”

  “Hormones,” Luke said. “Mood swings are natural at this stage of pregnancy. Dev said…” Damn.

  She sniffed back tears, frowned. “You told Dev?”

  “It’s one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. Part of the reason I flew home early. I wanted to brace you … I just, I didn’t mean to blurt it out like this.”

  “But you promised—”

  “I didn’t offer the information, I swear. I…” Luke dragged a hand down his face. “Could you pull on a robe or something? I can’t look at you naked without thinking dirty thoughts. Trying to focus here.”

  She smiled a little and Luke took solace in knowing he might not be dead meat after all.

  “Dev guessed,” he said while she pulled on her pajama top. “A logical deduction in his mind because why else would someone who played the field like me suddenly turn monogamous for a girl he barely knows? Rocky suspected for the same reason only her suspicions were tweaked even more by you.”

  “Me? I didn’t say anything. I’m sure I didn’t slip—”