What Makes Us Stronger (A Well Paired Novel Book 3)

by Marianne Rice

  He couldn’t help the tug at his lip. “I’d love to see you attempt to bring Meatball for a walk.”

  Apparently offended, Lily placed her delicate hands on her hips and let out a loud huff. “Care to place a wager on it?”

  Not one to bet with a woman, he bit at the inside of his cheek. This could be fun, though.

  “Sure.”

  Lily narrowed her eyes at him. “If Meatball lets me walk him, you pay for dinner. If I can’t handle him, dinner’s on me.”

  Ty would pay for dinner regardless, but he’d love to see this through nonetheless.

  “Deal.”

  With a roughness that surprised and totally turned him on, Lily placed two fingers in her mouth and let out a piercingly loud whistle. “Come on, Meatball. Lily’s going to bring you for a walk.”

  They stood shoulder-to-shoulder waiting for his lazy dog to traipse out of the woods. Lily cast a questioningly glance at him and whistled again.

  “He’s not one to come when called.”

  “All dogs love attention. Unless you don’t talk to him either,” she mumbled, but he heard her loud and clear.

  Yeah, Ty wasn’t known for being a conversationalist. It wasn’t because he was shy or intimidated by people. The closer people got to you the more they wanted to know. And then you opened up to them, and then they betrayed you. Better to let everyone assume you were incapable of carrying on a conversation. Or, at least, this was his approach with women.

  The few he’d gone out with had no expectations of a relationship. His lack of words was quite clear about how he felt about continuous dates, sleepovers, commitments.

  “Maybe he got lost.”

  “Doubtful.” Meatball wouldn’t wander off. It would mean he’d have to walk further to get to his next meal. The only thing he did care about. His vet had diagnosed Meatball with depression. Ty had scoffed at him and refused the medication or therapy. Dogs didn’t get depressed. People did. He would know.

  “I’ll go get him. He doesn’t bite, does he?”

  “Only if you’re kibble.”

  Lily rolled her eyes and sighed, venturing off into the woods. Ty could see where Meatball was by the movement in the bushes. Chances were he’d found a dead mouse or something to keep him occupied for a few minutes or an hour.

  “Meatball?” he heard Lily call and then. “Oh. Look at you. Aren’t you the cutest?”

  Her blonde head disappeared as she lowered herself to Meatball’s height and was obstructed by the bushes.

  The bushes were a good twenty yards away, but he could hear her giggling and the rustle of the leaves underfoot. She finally emerged from the brush, Meatball at her heels.

  “Do you have a leash?”

  “Sure.” He’d never used it. Well, once or twice when he first got Meatball. He’d hooked the blue leash to his collar and forced him outside. They made it to the mailbox on the first day, and then Meatball sat. Then lay down in the warm sun. The following day he did the same. Seemed he enjoyed napping outside. Walking, not so much.

  Ty went inside and grabbed the leash, still hanging on its hook by the basement stairs. Exactly where it had been and unmoved for nearly four years. The screen door slapped behind him, and he held it out for Lily.

  “Here you go.”

  There were about twenty minutes left of daylight, but Lily wouldn’t need that long. Meatball was already asleep at her feet.

  “Hey, buddy. Want to go for a walk?” She scratched his back and rubbed his head and ears as she attached his leash. “Come on, boy.” Lily started walking and tugged at the leash.

  Meatball didn’t budge.

  Ty sniffed and attempted to hide his grin. This would be fun. The only thing that would make him get to his stumpy legs was the sound of food. Ty would hold that card to his chest for a little bit.

  “Meatball. You need to exercise. Come on.” She tugged again. And again, nothing. This time Lily got down on her knees and lowered her head to the dog, lifting his head up, and looked him in the eyes. “Buddy, let’s go. Come on.” She clicked her tongue and started crawling on all fours, obviously hoping Meatball would follow suit.

  He couldn’t help the laugh that escaped his lips.

  “You knew he’d do this.”

  “Yup.”

  She got up and brushed the dirt off her knees. Crawling around in the dirt with white pants wasn’t something he’d ever imagine someone like Lily doing. It made him like her even more, if that was possible. “I thought your dog would be... bigger.”

  And here come the insults. Again. She thought his house would be different and then his dog. What else would he disappoint her with today?

  “He’s not.” Ty went to the back door. “Come inside, Meatball. Dinner time.”

  It was the only time he obeyed commands. Meatball shimmied to all fours and trotted up the steps and in through the door Ty held open for him, and instead of closing the door on Lily again, he waited while she brushed past him and into his home.

  He’d never been self-conscious of his home before. There wasn’t anything wrong with it. The living room was a decent size, and fit his brown leather couch and matching recliner. The flat screen wasn’t obscenely large, just big enough to fill the space above the fireplace.

  The kitchen was quaint. At least that’s how his mom described it. The appliances were stainless steel, the counters a dark gray granite, and his cabinets a deep cherry. Custom. They took him nearly a year to design and build, but they were worth it.

  Over time he’d refurbish the rest of the house. The oak hardwood floors were in solid condition, as were the railings to the upstairs. The bathrooms were next on his list. First the downstairs, then the upstairs and master. He didn’t need three bathrooms, but since the house came with them, there wasn’t much he could do about it. The downstairs one wasn’t large. A pedestal sink and toilet. The laundry off from that room.

  And besides the three bedrooms upstairs, there wasn’t much else to his place. But it was his. Always a project to do, but in good enough condition that he didn’t feel like a bum living in it.

  He had a yard, some privacy, and was only fifteen minutes from his parents. Ty opened the pantry door and popped the lid to the kibble. Taking out a hefty scoop, he carried it over to Meatball’s bowl.

  Meatball’s stumpy legs scurried across the wood floor and he slid into his bowls, sloshing water over the side. As always.

  “So he can move,” Lily chuckled and picked up his bowl, filling it with water.

  “Food is his only motivator. Speaking of, I’m sure our pizza is ready.”

  “Oh. Should we stay with Meatball a little longer?”

  Ty liked how she looked in his kitchen. Her light colors contrasted well against his the darkness of the cabinetry. He could picture her propped up on the counter, him standing between her legs.

  “Damn.” Scraping his hand across his face, he wiped the image clear. “He’s fine. He likes to be alone after he eats.” Which was a good thing because the gas the little guy emitted was torturous.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Trust me. I’m sure our food’s ready by now anyway.” Ty held out his hand, gesturing Lily to the front door.

  When they were buckled up and in the cab of his truck, Lily spoke. “You two are good for each other.”

  “Me and Meatball?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “You both like to be alone and are grumpy.”

  “I’m not grumpy.”

  Lily shot him a dirty look, and he smiled in return.

  “Maybe it’s just me then.”

  “I wouldn’t say you’re grumpy either.”

  “Oh, I know I’m not grumpy. But I seem to bring it out of you and your dog. You two don’t seem to like people very much.”

  Again with the insult, only this time it was the truth. He had been especially grumpy around her. Only it wasn’t because he didn’t like her.

  It was becaus
e he liked her too much.

  Ten minutes later he pulled into Pizza Dough. He thought about asking Lily if she wanted to take the pizza back to his place and eat there, but he didn’t think she’d agree and there was only so much rejection he could handle in a day. Or a week.

  Slipping out his wallet, he handed the cashier his credit card.

  “Pizza’s on me.” Lily took out her wallet and fished around for money. The cashier paused, his eyes bouncing from Lily to Ty.

  “Put it on my card and add two drinks as well,” he told the cashier.

  “I lost the bet.”

  “You had no chance.”

  Lily held out a ten-dollar bill. “At least let me pay for half.”

  Ty shook his head and picked up a pen, signing the receipt and shoving his card back in his wallet. The cashier handed him the pizza box and two paper cups.

  “Here.” He gave one to Lily. “I’ll find us a table.”

  When they had their drinks and pizza cooling on paper plates, Lily spoke again. “This was supposed to be my treat. To thank you for fixing my dryer. Oh.” She stuck her hand in her giant purse again. “What do I owe you for the part? The belt thing.”

  “I don’t remember,” he lied. “I have the receipt at home.” Which he sort of did. It was on his computer, which was at home.

  “If you don’t end up telling me, I’ll look up the part and figure it out. I’m going to pay you back.”

  “Sure.”

  Tapping her nails on the table with one hand, she picked up her lemonade with the other, that eyebrow of hers shooting up again.

  “What?” He used his napkin to wipe his face.

  “Nothing.” She picked up her plastic fork and knife and cut the tip of her pizza.

  “You eat your pizza with a fork?”

  “Just half of it. When I get closer to the crust I pick it up.”

  She ate her pizza like a classy lady. Not to say those who bit the end of their pizza didn’t have class. But there was something about Lily. She had an air about her that was almost... clearer or more sophisticated than the people he knew. And it wasn’t high-class snobbery.

  Even her initial comments about his house and his dog weren’t from a high horse attitude, more like he’d surprised her. Which, now that he had some time to process, he kind of liked. It wasn’t like they knew each other well. Whatever her initial impression of him was, he’d changed it over the past week.

  They’d never been alone together, always surrounded by their mutual friends, and he couldn’t recall a time when they had a conversation between just the two of them.

  Maybe he came across as a snob as well?

  “Can we start over?”

  Lily paused, the fork resting on her lips. “Start over?”

  “Yeah. I have a feeling we got off on the wrong foot.” Although he wasn’t sure how.

  Lily set her fork on her paper plate and put her hands in her lap, leaning slightly forward. “I’m listening.”

  Shit. He didn’t know what else to say. Ty opened his mouth to tell her just that, then shut it again thinking that wasn’t the best way to start over. With nothing to say. Looking for a distraction, he ripped another piece of pizza from the box and shoved the pointed end in his mouth.

  “Like I said earlier, you and Meatball are a lot alike.” She sipped her lemonade and crumpled her napkin on her plate then slid out of the booth, clearing the plate from under him.

  Ty chewed and swallowed his pizza, washing it down with a gulp of Sprite. He tossed his dirty napkin in the pizza box, closed the lid, folding the box in half, and stuffed it in the trash.

  Lily gave him another shake of her head and walked out the door. Unlike Meatball, Ty followed right at her heels. Clicking the button on the key fob, he unlocked the door to the truck and opened it for her.

  “Thank you,” she said before climbing up. When her butt stared him in the face, so beautiful and round, Ty closed his eyes backed away.

  The country music on the radio was the only sound in the truck. Neither one of them attempted to make conversation. When he pulled in front of her spa, Lily hopped out and he quickly turned off the ignition and chased after her, moving between her and the front door.

  “We are not,” he said. That eyebrow of hers. He wanted to trace it with his tongue. Lowering his gaze to her eyes, he continued, “Meatball and me.”

  Lily played with her purse straps, clutching her keys in her fist. “Meatball needs more attention. With a little TLC, I’m sure he’ll come out of his shell.”

  “I guess in that sense, Meatball and I are a lot alike.”

  Lily’s eyes rounded. Her tongue darted out, and she slowly licked the corner of her mouth then glided along her lower lip. Ty closed his eyes and groaned.

  “You’re saying you need TLC?” she whispered, her breath feathering across his face.

  “I...” Ty swallowed. If he leaned in a few inches he’d be able to taste her lips. If he moved his hand he’d be able to touch her fingers. If he stepped closer he’d be able to feel the heat of her body against his. “I should go.”

  Like a fool, he backed away and retreated to the safety of his truck. He waited until she unlocked the front door and slipped inside before driving away.

  Yeah, it wouldn’t take much TLC from Lily to completely get him to come out of his shell.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “SO THE DATE WENT WELL?” Lily had only gotten one foot through the door and Mia was already questioning her.

  “It wasn’t a date.” She brushed past Mia, avoided Hope’s knowing smirk, and set her mini-cooler on the coffee table in the back of Books by the Ocean. Over the past year, their monthly book talks had slowly turned into girl talk.

  First, it was Alexis joining their circle of friends and distracting them from their monthly read with her sexy Italian who’d come to Maine to help her family better market her winery. Then it was Hope and Cameron’s drama until they fell madly in love.

  Lily refused to be the next center of attention. She’d moved to this little corner of Maine to escape the limelight.

  “Ty doesn’t date much. At all really. I’m glad my brother is finally getting out.”

  “We shared a pizza after he fixed my dryer. It was a thank you dinner. That’s all it was.” Lily opened her cooler and took out the cherry vodka and diet soda, glad she opted for the hard stuff tonight.

  “How would you feel if it was something more?” Hope opened up a package of large plastic cups and held one out to be filled.

  “If what was more? Vodka?” Jenna fluttered in, her wispy skirt blowing around her ankles. “It’s Mia’s turn to be designated driver, right? So fill me up.” She plopped herself on the couch and held out her hand for a cup.

  “She wants something more with Ty.” Mia snagged a water bottle and sat across from Lily.

  “I do not.” Lily continued pouring the drinks, going easy on the vodka for Alexis, who’d already texted saying she would be a few minutes late.

  “Is there something wrong with Ty?” Hope asked, sipping her drink.

  “No. We’re not... he’s not... interested. And neither am I.”

  “Liar,” Mia snorted, not even trying to hide behind her water bottle.

  “Ty hasn’t shown an interest in any woman since he’s been home from the Special Forces. I think it’s great if you two hook up.” Hope grabbed the bottle from Lily and added another splash of vodka in a cup. “Here. This one’s for you.”

  “We’re not hooking up.”

  “Just for the sex?”

  “Mia,” Jenna scolded.

  “I’m not having sex with Ty!” Lily said more forcefully than intended.

  Mia looked up over Lily’s head and smirked. “Hey, Ty.”

  Lily stilled, her eyes wide and her heart began to race. Maybe it was the vodka.

  “Ladies.”

  Nope. It was Ty. Closing her eyes, Lily lowered her head and tucked her chin to her chest. Maybe if she crouched down small eno
ugh he wouldn’t notice her sitting there.

  “What brings you by?” Hope made a poor attempt at hiding her smile behind her plastic cup.

  “Mom said a shelf in the backroom fell down.”

  Lily still hadn’t turned around or acknowledged Ty. She’d been trained on proper etiquette in all sorts of situations, but never had this one come up in her etiquette classes. Should she greet him and pretend he hadn’t heard her? Continue ignoring him and pray he’d leave soon? Or address the comment and tell him that she really did want to have sex with him? It was pretty much a lose-lose situation.

  “Sorry to interrupt your party. I’ll be out back.”

  “It’s a book club,” Mia called after his retreating back.

  “Maybe I should go.” Lily set her cup down on the table and tucked her book back in her bag.

  “If it was just dinner then there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. There’s no doubt my brother has the hots for you. But if you’re not interested you should probably tell him soon. He doesn’t need his heart broken again.”

  “Again? Ty’s never told me about a girlfriend. I’d have known if he’d ever had his heart broken.” Hope eyed Mia suspiciously who actually looked apologetic for the first time in her life.

  When Lily first moved to Crystal Cove she thought Hope and Ty were a couple. He spent a lot of time at her restaurant and with Hope and Delaney. It wasn’t until Cameron came to town that Lily learned they were only friends. Best friends, but not lovers.

  And that was when Lily allowed her fascination with Ty to grow deeper. She hadn’t told anyone about her infatuation with him.

  Part of what appealed to her was his sense of loyalty. Ty cared about this family, about Hope and her family. He was a hardworking man and spent time in the military. All admirable attributes. And he wasn’t cocky or arrogant about his looks. Instead, he seemed shy, unlike the men she’d associated with for so many years.

  There were no designer suits and ties, fancy cars, priceless jewelry or high-end liquor with Ty. Just honest to goodness, what you see is what you get. Take it or leave it Ty, rough around the edges and wrapped up in a country song.

  And the fact that she could make that analogy almost had her cracking up. Country music was so far off her radar two years ago, and here she was, sitting in a cute little bookstore surrounded by working middle-class women ogling a carpenter who knew how to fill out a pair of Levi’s.