by E. L. Todd
“I’m sure they will be.”
“Goodnight, darling.”
She stepped through the doorway then turned around. “Why do you always call me that?”
“Because you’re my darling.” He winked at her then shut the door.
Abby stared at the entrance to his apartment before she headed to her sister’s place. When she knocked on the door, she heard her sister on the other side.
“If that’s Abby or some guy she’s seeing, I’m going to scream.”
Abby laughed.
Alexandra opened the door. “It’s you…”
“I just came by to get my flowers,” Abby said quickly. “You can go back to humping each other’s brains out as soon as I’m done.”
“Thank god,” Alexandra said.
“As your maid of honor, you’re going to be seeing a lot of me, just so you know.”
Alexandra sighed. “Maybe I should ask someone else.”
“Bitch,” Abby said with a laugh.
Alexandra smiled then led her to the flowers. They were in a huge crystal vase, and there were at least two-dozen roses.
“Wow,” Abby said. “They are gorgeous.”
“And they look super expensive,” Alexandra said. “He’s got the hots for you.”
“I already knew that,” she said with a laugh. She grabbed the card and opened it.
Darling,
I know you didn’t want the first date or the second one, but I hope you’re excited about the third. I know I am.
“The third date?” Abby asked out loud. When she recounted their time spent together, she realized they had been on three dates. It made her nervous.
“What?” Alexandra asked.
“Nothing.” She folded the card and put it in her purse. “I’m not sure how I’m going to carry these. They are way too heavy.”
“Have your boyfriend do it.”
Abby glared at her.
“Should I be expecting him anytime soon?”
“I told him the truth,” Abby said. “You can calm down.”
‘Thank you.”
Abby tilted the vase over and poured all the water out.
“What are you doing?” Alexandra asked.
“The water is the heaviest part.” When the vase was empty, she picked it up. “Now I can actually carry it.”
“Wow,” Alexandra said. “You aren’t quite as dumb as I thought.”
“Shut up.” She walked to the door. “I’ll see you later.”
“Bye. And please don’t come back.”
Abby laughed. “I love you too.”
Chapter Twelve
“Why did you tell Toby where I lived?” Abby asked as soon as Paul sat on the park bench. They were having lunch together in Central Park, both wanting fresh air.
He opened his sandwich. “He said he wanted to apologize to you. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“Well, I did.”
Paul studied her face. “I’m sorry…I never would have violated your privacy on purpose. I know he had good intentions.”
Now Abby felt horrible for snapping at him. “No, it’s okay.”
“Did he…make it worse?”
She shrugged. “We argued for a little while. We’re okay now…for the most part.”
Paul bit into his sandwich and chewed it. “I know it’s hard to believe, but my brother is the best guy I know. He’s always been selfless, loyal, and honest. And you can’t find that in people these days.”
“He said the same thing.”
“I think you wouldn’t hate him so much if you got off on the right foot.”
“It really was a bad introduction,” she agreed.
Paul laughed. “The very first thing he said to you was a threat.”
“Which I’ll never forget.”
“Come on, it’s funny. It’ll be a good story later. And you have an awesome punch. You’re going to have to teach me your moves.” He hit her arm lightly.
“If you’re nice…”
“I’m always nice to you.” He opened his chips and ate them. “I guess this might be a bad time to mention I invited Toby.”
“To what?”
“Here.”
She sighed. “Great…”
“I thought you settled your differences?”
“He’s still annoying…”
Paul laughed. “I can’t argue with that. So what’s new with you?”
“Nothing,” she said. “My life is pretty boring.”
“And…how’s Alex?”
She was always a sore subject. “She’s happy.”
“How’s she doing in school?”
“She’s studying all the time, so I think really well.”
“And do you know anything about Martha?” he asked.
“No,” she said as she shook her head. “I haven’t asked.”
He ate his chips and stared at the birds on the sidewalk, eager to get a crumb.
“Have you been…having any more threesomes?” she asked.
Paul chuckled. “No.”
“How was that, by the way?”
He shrugged. “It’s not that different from a twosome, from what I remember.”
“I sincerely hope you used protection.”
“Of course. I was drunk, not dumb.”
When Alexandra looked down the path, she saw Toby approach them. He was wearing a black suit and a dark tie. She saw the similarities between he and Paul. They both had the same dark hair and bright eyes. Their builds were the same too. She stared at him then looked down.
“Is it cool if I join you?” Toby asked.
Abby nodded.
“Sure,” Paul said. “Take a seat.”
Toby sat down and ate his sandwich. He glanced at Abby. “How’s your day?”
“Fine.”
“What are you eating?” he asked.
“Potato salad.”
“Do you come to the park often?”
“You ask a lot of questions,” Abby said suddenly.
Paul laughed. “He’s trying to have a conversation with you. And you’re making it pretty one-sided.”
Toby nodded. “She is.”
Abby finished her potato salad then threw the cup away.
Toby took out his phone and texted someone. As soon as he returned his phone to his pocket, Paul’s vibrated and he looked at it.
“I should get back to the office,” Paul said awkwardly. He turned to Abby. “But I’ll see you later?”
Abby raised an eyebrow. “That wasn’t sly at all, just so you know.”
Paul chuckled. “Well, you two have fun.” He walked down the path and disappeared at the curve.
Toby finished his sandwich then threw the wrapper away. “So…?”
“So…?” She crossed her arms over her chest and averted her gaze.
“You still hate me, then?”
“I don’t hate you…”
“But you don’t like me much.”
She shrugged. “A little.”
“Want to get dinner after work?” he asked. “I think I could make you like me a little more.”
“I have plans with Paul.”
He nodded. “And what will the two of you be doing?”
“He’s coming over and watching a movie.”
Toby studied her face, his look lingering on her eyes. “Do you have a thing for Paul?”
She glared at him. “I’m extremely offended by that question.”
“Well, you spend a lot of time with him.”
“He’s my sister’s ex-boyfriend. I’ll make my sister’s life hell whenever I feel like it, but there a few things I’ll never do, and hooking up with her ex is one of them. I love my sister more than anything, and the accusation is extremely insulting.” She shook her head and looked away.
“So, you won’t date him because he used to be with your sister?”
“I wouldn’t date him even if he wasn’t. I don’t Paul like that.”
He leaned back in his chair. “So
, does that mean you wouldn’t date someone he was related to…?”
“What?” She turned to him. “What the hell does that mean?”
“You wouldn’t date…his brother? That wouldn’t betray your sister, right?”
“No, it wouldn’t, but I have no interest in anyone Paul is related to.” She looked away.
“You might change your mind.”
“I highly doubt it.”
He smiled. “You’re the most stubborn person I know.”
“How am I stubborn?”
“I just asked you out and you rejected me.”
“You did not ask me out,” she snapped. “Just because you say something, doesn’t mean you ask something. You always do that and it’s really annoying.”
“Well, my meaning was inferred.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“Fine,” he said. “You want to go out sometime?”
“Never.”
“Ouch.”
She didn’t look at him.
“Why not?” he asked.
“I thought you didn’t like me?”
“I don’t.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Then why would you want to date me?”
“I have a feeling there’s a beautiful person under that dark, but gorgeous, exterior.”
“I’m confused. You went from hating me to liking me?”
“I never hated you. Even if I didn’t like you when we met, I thought you were hot.”
“That’s romantic…”
“What?” he said. “It’s the truth. And I would like to get to know you better.”
“I’m not dating right now.”
“Then can we hang out?” he asked.
“And do what?”
“I forgot that you don’t have friends…” He rubbed his chin. “We could go to a Yankee game, out to dinner, to the beach, clubbing…there are a lot of things we can do as friends.”
She rolled her eyes. “If that was your way of wooing me, it totally backfired.”
“Come on,” he said. “I’m actually pretty awesome.”
“If you call yourself awesome, you’re automatically not awesome.”
He sighed. “I have confidence. I’m not cocky. There’s a big difference.”
“I don’t like meatheads that spend all their time at the gym then buy superficial crap they don’t need.”
“Where the hell are you getting this from?” he asked. “Just because I have a Rolex? My dad gave this to me the day I graduated from college. And he didn’t pay my tuition. I had to pay it on my own. My dad may have money, but he taught me and Paul the value of a dollar. And I compete in the Tough Mudder every year because a friend of mine passed away in Afghanistan when he was deployed. It raises money to help disabled veterans. So before you make these ridiculous accusations and label me as an asshole, get to know me.” He rose from the bench and glared at her. “You know where to find me when you’re ready to apologize.”
She didn’t look at him as he walked down the path, but her guilt started to rise the farther away he became. She always thought he was an asshole, but she was quickly realizing she was the one who was in the wrong the entire time.
Chapter Thirteen
“I brought popcorn,” Paul said when he walked inside. He tossed the bag on the counter then sat on the couch. “And I rented something.”
“What?” she asked.
“You want to guess?”
She rolled her eyes. “The Godfather?”
“Hell yeah.”
“If you like it that much, why don’t you just buy it?”
“It’s makes it more special.”
She smiled then pulled the beers out of the refrigerator. “I got Shocktop.”
“Excellent,” he said. He leaned back on the couch and watched her sit beside him.
She handed him the beer. “How was work?”
Paul shrugged. “It was okay. Toby was weird after lunch.”
Abby sipped her beer. “In what way?”
“He was just grumpy.” He eyed her. “Did something happen?”
She grabbed a coaster and placed it under beer on the counter. “I may have said some mean things…”
Paul drank from his beer. “You two are never going to get along, are you?”
“I’m not sure,” she said honestly.
“He seems really upset. May I ask what happened?”
“I said some means things to him—which turned out to be totally wrong.”
He nodded. “Did you apologize?”
“No…”
“Are you going to?”
“I would like to, “she said. “But I doubt he wants to hear from me.”
“It doesn’t hurt to try.” He shrugged. “If he rejects your apology, then whatever.”
“Does he like me or something?” she asked.
Paul drank his beer then looked at the TV. “I don’t know.”
She eyed him. “Keep your secrets, then.”
He smiled. “Brothers fight, brothers clash, but we have each other’s backs until the end of time. I suggest you talk to him.”
“Okay.”
“But I will say one thing…”
“Huh?” she asked.
“He felt really shitty at the apartment the other day. When you stormed out, he said he never felt worse, and he’d do anything to make it right between you. My brother is extremely caring and passionate, but he seemed especially emotional at that moment.”
She circled her finger around the rim of her bottle.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Nothing…”
He smiled. “You want to apologize to him now?”
“Well, he might be more willing to talk to me if he was meeting you…”
“I guess so.”
She looked at him, smiling.
“So, our get-together is off?”
“Can we do it tomorrow? I’m so sorry. I just feel horrible. The guilt is eating me away.”
He nodded. “I understand. And tomorrow is cool. But you better have steaks and beer, not cheap popcorn.”
She laughed. “I’ll cook you a real dinner.”
“I miss having food…Alex always cooked.” He sighed.
She stared at the despair in his eyes then rubbed his shoulder gently. The pain on his face wounded her heart. “It won’t always be this way, Paul.”
“I know, “he said quietly. “I—I just hate picturing her with someone else…she should be with me.”
Abby wrapped her arms around him. “You’ll find someone better.”
“There is no one better.” He pulled away then grabbed his phone. He texted then waited for a response. “He’s at McCormick’s.”
“The bar?”
He nodded.
“I guess I’ll swing by.”
“You want me to come?”
“No, it’s okay,” she said. “I think I can manage.”
She and Paul left the apartment and walked down to the street.
“He’s a sucker for homemade cheesecake,” Paul said before they went separate ways.
“What?” she asked.
“Whenever he was mad, my mom made him cheesecake. It usually works.”
“Well, I don’t have any cheesecake.”
Paul shrugged. “It looks like you’ll have to rely on your wit.”
“I don’t have any of that either.”
He chuckled. “Then you shouldn’t even bother.”
“Thanks for the encouragement.”
Paul headed up the street. “I’ll see you later.”
Abby walked through the crowd on the sidewalk then headed to the bar near the park. She had only been there once with a friend that lived nearby. She didn’t care for bars, especially the louds ones, but they weren’t the worst place.
When she walked inside, there was music playing in the background. She was grateful it wasn’t extremely loud. The tables were crowded with people, and the darkness made it difficu
lt for her to make out any faces. She stepped forward and approached the bar.
“You look lost.”
Abby saw the man smiling at her. He was sitting on a stool, his scotch in hand.
“I’m looking for someone.”
“I can be someone.” He grinned at her.
She rolled her eyes. “That shit doesn’t work on me.”
“You’re still talking to me, right?”
She sighed. “You have a point.” She moved forward and peered at the tables. Groups of men were huddled at a few but she didn’t spot Toby.
“This music is pretty loud, huh?”
“I guess.”
“We should go somewhere more quiet.” He left his stool and stood dangerously close to her.
“We’ve been talking for a minute. You’re good—but not that good.”
He laughed. “I like your attitude.”
“It’s not an attitude. I just don’t like you.”
He laughed again. “Tommy.” He extended his hand.
“Tommy, it was nice meeting you.” She turned around.
He grabbed her arm. “Hold on.”
Anger immediately flashed through her veins. She didn’t like to be touched, not by very many people. The grip on her arm made her snap. “Don’t. Touch. Me.”
He smiled. “Ooh. I like the angry side of you. It’s sexy.”
She yanked her arm away.
“I’m not done talking to you.” He grabbed her again.
Abby glared at him with venomous eyes, ready to tear his throat out. She twisted her arm and prepared her signature punch.
Toby appeared from the shadows and grabbed the man by the neck. He squeezed his windpipe then pinned his other arm behind his back. “Touch her again and I’ll kill you.” His voice was low, but carried the rage of an entire Roman army.
The man chocked as his air was cut off.
“Did you hear me?” Toby said.
Abby stepped back as Toby raised his feet off the ground. She was shocked by his sheer strength. His muscles bulged inside his shirt, about to tear the fabric. She felt her heart race as Toby stared him down, a look of vengeance on his face.
The man croaked out a mumble. The men nearby scooted back as Toby strangled him. Everyone was frightened of the rage vibrating in the area.
“Toby, let him go.”
Toby looked at her. “Fine.” He released his hand, and the guy fell to the floor with a loud thud. The man turned on his side and moaned. “Leave. Otherwise, I’ll kick you. Hard.”
