Then Came Abby (Southern Love #4)

by E. L. Todd

  Abby saw the concern in her sister’s eyes. She hated to be a liar, but Paul wanted her to think everything was okay. “He’s doing well.” She swallowed the lump in her throat.

  “He is?” She seemed surprised.

  “He isn’t in the best place, but he’s not struggling. He seemed fine. It has been a few months, Alex.”

  She studied her sister’s face. “Are you lying?”

  “No…”

  “I can tell when you’re lying.”

  “Well, I’m not.”

  “Is he seeing anyone?”

  “I think he’s been talking to someone…nothing serious.”

  Alexandra nodded. “Thanks for doing that.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So…are you going to date this guy or what?”

  Blaise walked out of the room, shirtless. “What guy?” He stopped when he saw Abby. “Sorry. I didn’t know you were here.”

  “Put on a shirt,” Alexandra said firmly.

  “Damn, you’re controlling,” Abby said with a laugh.

  “I don’t like it when he walks shirtless in front of other people,” Alexandra said.

  Blaise smiled. “Anything for you, baby.” He walked back into the room and changed.

  “You think I would check out your fiancé?” Abby asked, offended.

  “You used to say Paul was hot all the time.”

  “Well, he was. And so is Blaise. But I’ve never really looked at them like that. That’s just weird.”

  Alexandra sighed. “Sorry. I wasn’t trying to imply anything.”

  “If you think I would ever want one of your men, you’re sadly mistaken.”

  “Well, I wish I could say the same thing…” She looked at the painting.

  Abby rolled her eyes. “Just let it go.”

  “No,” Alexandra said. “You haven’t dated anyone in years. Get back on the horse already.”

  “I’m sorry that I can’t bounce back and forth between two guys like a tramp.”

  Alexandra’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

  “Maybe it’s easy for you to move on, but it isn’t for me, okay?”

  “Don’t let it ruin your life.”

  “You clearly don’t,” she jabbed.

  “I’m this close to kicking your ass,” Alexandra threatened.

  “You’re the wimpiest person I know,” Abby said with a laugh. “You’d never even touch me.”

  “That’s about to change.”

  Blaise returned to the living room. “Are you guys twelve?”

  “We’re always twelve in sister years,” Alexandra said.

  Blaise stared at the picture. “What’s this?”

  “It’s Abby’s,” Alexandra explained.

  “And why is it here?” Blaise asked.

  “Uh…she wanted to know if you would carry it to her apartment,” Alexandra said.

  “Well, if she can carry it here, why can’t she carry it herself?” he asked.

  “I broke a nail,” Abby lied.

  Blaise glanced at her nails, seeing the unadorned tips.

  “Can you carry it for her?” Alexandra asked as she ran her hands down his back. “Please.” She kissed his neck gently.

  “Gross.” Abby cringed.

  “Will you do something special for me when we get home?” Blaise whispered.

  “Definitely,” she whispered. “Whatever you want.”

  Blaise picked up the painting immediately. “Where are we going?”

  “My apartment,” Alexandra said.

  The three of them walked a few blocks until they reached her place. Abby didn’t mind letting Blaise come to her apartment. If Alexandra loved him, he was obviously a trustworthy person. She opened the door and let him bring the painting into the room.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “Anything for my sister-in-law.”

  “No,” Abby said. “Anything for a blow job.”

  Alexandra’s cheeks reddened.

  “Your sister does give good head,” Blaise said.

  Alexandra hit him gently on the arm.

  “What?” Blaise said. “It’s true.”

  “Let’s go.” Alexandra pulled him toward the door.

  “See you later,” Abby said.

  Alexandra turned to her one more time before she left. “Think about what I said.”

  “How could I forget when you’ve said it so many times?”

  “Think about what?” Blaise asked.

  “Your fiancé wants me to get laid.”

  “Oh,” Blaise said. “Have fun with that.”

  Alexandra shut the door. Their voices carried in the hallway until they disappeared. Abby stood in her apartment, staring at the painting she won in a simple bet. She was tired of being alone, watching TV by herself, waking up every morning to the sound of her own breathing. She needed someone, but there was no one.

  Chapter Four

  Abby decided to bring Paul lunch to cheer him up. He seemed really upset the last time she saw him. Sometimes a friend could make all the difference in the world. She knew he needed someone, and she needed someone too.

  When she walked into the building, Nancy immediately eyed her. Abby didn’t’ bother speaking. She just walked past the desk and down the hallway. When she reached his office, she knocked. There was no answer.

  “You have a lot of nerve coming down here.” The anger in his voice was palpable. It wasn’t extremely loud in volume, but deep in threat. She suddenly felt bumps form on her arm. “You should get out of here before I have security throw you out.”

  Abby turned around. A man in a suit approached her. He had dark brown hair, a fair face, and a chiseled jaw. A freckle on the corner of his mouth was tiny and hard to see, but she noticed it. The anger in his eyes diminished when he came near her.

  “I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “From the back you looked like—”

  “Alex. I know.” She stared at him then averted her gaze. “Is Paul around?”

  “He’s talking to someone in the other room, but he should be done soon. But it’s probably best if you leave anyway.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “After what that whore did to him, it’s probably best if he didn’t have to deal with you too.”

  Her eyes widened in anger. She almost threw a punch at his face, but she held it back because she was in a room full of lawyers. “No one calls my sister a whore but me. I suggest you watch your mouth.”

  “Just go,” he said. “Paul doesn’t want to see you.”

  “He’s my friend.”

  “No, you’re just a ghost of Alex. And he doesn’t need that right now. Not after what she did to him.”

  Abby immediately hated this guy. “He obviously hasn’t told you the entire story.”

  “She left him for someone else, right after his dad had a heart attack. That’s all I need to know.”

  “That isn’t what happened,” she said. “But I’ll let Paul tell you the truth.”

  “Just get away from my brother.”

  “No,” she snapped. “I can talk to him whenever I want.”

  “I’ll call security if I have to. Or better yet, I’ll drag you out myself.”

  Abby tossed her box of food on the nearby counter. “I dare you to touch me.” She met his gaze with her own ferocity. The survival mode kicked in, and she would win if it came down to it.

  He backed down. “I’m not trying to be an asshole. I just want to protect my brother—that’s all. I really think seeing you is only going to make this more difficult for him, especially since you look so similar to her.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “You may as well leave me the hell alone.”

  “What’s going on here?” Paul approached them. He glanced at their faces, seeing the disapproval on both of them.

  “I was trying to get rid of her,” he said. “But she won’t budge.”

  “Do your employees talk to everyone like this?” Abby asked.

  Paul sighed
. “This is my brother, Toby.”

  “Oh…”

  Toby stared at her. “Hence, the protective mode.”

  “And you obviously know who she is…” Paul put his hands in his pockets.

  “It’s a good thing you never set up that date,” Toby snapped.

  The insult wounded Abby. She wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was because it was so unexpected.

  Paul put his arm on his shoulder. “Abby is cool. Just because Alex and I aren’t together anymore doesn’t mean I’ll stop caring about Abby. She’s still my friend.”

  “How can you have any desire to keep in touch with anything that remotely resembles that bitch?” Toby said.

  Abby punched him in the face before she could stop herself. Her fist flew through the air and collided with his jaw. It stung on impact, but the pain was negligent. The adrenaline erased the sting in her knuckles. No one talked about her sister like that—ever.

  “Damn.” Toby stepped back and rubbed his chin. “What the hell?”

  Abby raised her fist again. “Don’t talk about my sister like that.”

  Toby stared at her with wide eyes. “Fucking crazy…”

  Paul put his hand on her arm. “Calm down,” he said gently.

  She jerked her arm away. “Why haven’t you told him the truth?”

  Paul pulled her aside. “Just let it go, Abby.”

  “No,” she said. “Toby thinks Alex cheated on you then took off. He has no idea that it was entirely your fault. Why are you hiding it?”

  He sighed. “I don’t want everyone to be disappointed in me.”

  “So you pin it on my sister?”

  “I didn’t see why it mattered. We are broken up anyway—forever.”

  “You’re such a coward…”

  “I know.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I’ll tell them the truth.”

  “When?”

  “Tonight.”

  Abby grabbed the food she brought him then shoved it into his arms. “I wanted to do something nice for you since you’re going through a hard time. But if I had known you were tarnishing my sister’s name, I wouldn’t have cared so much.” She stepped away.

  “Wait.” He grabbed her arm. “I’ll tell them.”

  “Sure…”

  “Have lunch with me tomorrow. I really need someone I can talk to…”

  The pity in his eyes hurt her heart. But she shook it off. “I can’t if you are still lying.”

  “I’ll tell Toby tomorrow at lunch. You can watch.”

  She sighed. “I don’t know…”

  “Please,” he said. “Just because Alex and I aren’t together doesn’t mean you aren’t important to me. You are. You are all I have left of her—in a sick, twisted way.”

  “I—I’m going through a hard time too.”

  His eyes widened. “What happened?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it…”

  “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow, then?”

  She nodded.

  “Thank you,” he said. “And please don’t punch my brother on the way out.”

  “I can’t promise anything.” She walked down the hallway. When she reached the end, Toby came out of the break room, still rubbing his chin. Their eyes met, and the flame of hostility turned into an inferno.

  “I’m glad my brother finally dumped the trash.”

  She raised her fist to hit him but steadied it.

  He didn’t flinch. “What? Chickened out?”

  “Talk to me like that again and I’ll do it.” She walked past him without looking back then disappeared down the sidewalk.

  Chapter Five

  Fernan laid the dress on her desk then put his hands in his pockets. He patiently waited for her to respond.

  Abby eyed it then felt it in her fingertips. “What’s this?”

  “The gown I would like you to wear to the gala.”

  She looked at him. “I said I wasn’t going.”

  “Come on,” he said. “You’re going to make me go alone?”

  “I told you where you could find the hookers.”

  He smiled. “I don’t want a hooker—not my style.”

  “Those bimbos you usually have around look pretty similar.”

  Fernan chuckled. “I like your wit.”

  “I thought you said it was annoying?”

  “It is,” he said with a smile. “But I like it.”

  Abby couldn’t hold his gaze any longer so she looked down at the dress.

  “Where did you put the painting?”

  “Huh?”

  “The painting I carried to your apartment yesterday. Where did you hang it?”

  “Oh.” She felt the fabric in her hands. “Above the fireplace.”

  “Sounds fitting.” He leaned against her desk and crossed his arms over his chest.

  Abby suddenly noticed the muscles of his arms. His biceps stretched the shirt he was wearing, and his forearms were tight with veins and slim muscle. His chest was wide and prominent, and his stomach shrunk down to his hips. He really wasn’t bad to look at.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Huh?”

  “What are you looking at?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” she said quickly.

  He looked away. “My mistake.”

  She felt her palms sweat. “The dress is beautiful.”

  “I think it would fit you nicely. I told my stylist your measurements.”

  “My measurements?” she asked incredulously.

  “I’m an artist,” he said with a shrug. “I pay attention to detail.”

  “That’s creepy…”

  “I didn’t mean to offend you.” He stood up then looked at the dress. “I would really like it if you wore this to dinner with me. But if you don’t want to go, that’s fine. Keep it.”

  “I can’t accept this,” she said automatically.

  He held his up hand. “It was a gift.”

  “I feel like you’re guilting me into going with you.”

  “Is it working?” he asked with a smile.

  “No…”

  He sighed. “It was worth a shot.” He opened his wallet and put down his card. “You already have all my numbers, but this is my personal cell phone number. Call or text, and I’ll answer it.” He left it on the table.

  “Fernan…”

  “Yes?”

  “I don’t date people I work with.”

  He nodded. “I can understand that.”

  “So, it’s never going to happen.”

  “What if we didn’t let our personal relationship affect our business relationship?”

  “But it will. It always does.”

  “Not if we’re mature about it.”

  “I said no, “she said quickly.

  He held up his hands. “I’m sorry. I won’t ask again.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  She shrugged.

  “Do you have a boyfriend?”

  “No.”

  He nodded. “Are you not interested in me just because I’m your boss? Or is it for another reason?”

  “I’m just not interested in dating anyone.”

  “You were burned pretty bad, then?”

  Abby felt uncomfortable. This was getting into dangerous territory. “Just—stop.” Her words carried more emotion than she meant.

  Fernan’s eyes softened with pain. He stepped back. “Let me know if you change your mind. I’m going alone, so don’t be afraid to join me.” He turned around and walked back to his office upstairs.

  Abby stared at the dress on the table then ignored it. If she wasn’t in the place to date anyone, she shouldn’t even bother. She would just hurt the person she was with. It wasn’t fair to them.

  At lunch, she walked to the restaurant where she was meeting Paul and his horrific brother. When she walked to the patio outside, she saw Toby sitting at the table. Her heart pumped quickly, sending adrenaline through her body. Paul was nowhere in sight. Ho
pefully he was just in the bathroom.

  She approached the table and sat across from him. She didn’t acknowledge him and neither did he. Minutes passed in silence.

  “Where’s Paul?” she blurted.

  “He’s on his way,” he said simply. “He had something to do.”

  “Great,” she said with a sigh.

  He locked his gaze on her and stared her down. The anger and hatred was bright in his eyes. There was no denying his obvious distaste for her. It burned so brightly, she was surprised he hadn’t thrown a punch.

  Abby returned his look with equal resentment. His brown hair was slightly different today, curly at the ends. He clearly showered that morning then rubbed his head with a towel. The suit he wore looked expensive. She didn’t know much about fashion, but she saw the Armani symbol in the corner. It was an expensive suit, probably worth more than her entire wardrobe.

  Toby looked at his Rolex. “Come on, Paul.”

  “You’re so materialistic,” she blurted.

  He glared at her. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. You wear your expensive suit and watch and think you’re better than everyone else?”

  “What the hell is your problem?” he snapped. “I went to college so I could make a better life for myself. If I want to buy expensive things, I’ll buy expensive things. It’s not my fault you didn’t go to college.”

  Her eyes widened. “And what makes you think I didn’t go to college?”

  “You don’t seem bright.” He leaned back in his chair and squared his shoulders.

  “Fuck you.”

  His breathing increased at the insult.

  “I’m smarter than you. I can tell you that much.”

  “I don’t see how. What do you do for a living?”

  “None of your damn business,” Abby said.

  “You probably mooch off your boyfriend—just like Alex did.”

  The insult pissed her off even more. “I don’t have a boyfriend, and if I did, I don’t need him to take care of me. Fancy clothes and jewelry don’t buy you happiness, they make your pathetic life feel more hollow.”

  “You sound like you know what it’s like to be hollow. And there’s no mystery to why you’re single.”

  “I can tell you’re single too.”

  “Because I like fucking around too much.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Typical playboy with all his toys—could you be any more cliché?”