“Hey, it’s not your fault. All the blame lands right in dipstick’s lap. We’ll get the money. We’ve only been advertising a few weeks. I bet we’ll be booked solid by June.”
June is only a month away. The reservations would have to start rolling in for that to happen. “On the bright side, Ms. Edna’s bringing over fruit punch. Want to stick around?”
“Oh, goodie. Yeah, but we both work in the morning, so just a little glass,” Rachael says, walking out the door just as quickly as she’d breezed in. I love that girl. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten when we shared crayons and invented our own language, so we could keep our secrets private.
I push the drain lever with my toe and get out of the now-cold water. Ms. Edna’s fruit punch has a deceptively hard kick. It’s fruity and sweet, with a delicious burn as it slides down your throat. After the first few sips, you no longer feel the burn. We learned long ago that a little goes a long way towards complete annihilation. Over the years, many have tried to pry the recipe from Ms. Edna, but she’s got it locked up like a vault and only shares her famous beverage on special occasions. I suppose being insulted by a jerk must qualify.
By the time I’d dried off and pulled on an old pair of NC State sweats and t-shirt, sans bra, Ms. Edna had already left her goodies.
“Here ya go. Drink up.” Rachael hands me a small juice glass filled to the rim.
I take a cautious sip and wait for the kick. “Ahhhh.” I hiss as the alcohol hits and seeps through my body. I sit down on the couch and take another sip, which is even better than the first. “Ms. Edna made an exceptionally good batch of fruit punch.”
Rachael giggles. “I still can’t believe those precious old ladies drink this stuff. Do you think they get plastered? I mean, I just can’t imagine it.”
Rachael giggles again, a sure sign the magical beverage is beginning to work. “I think I’m already at my limit and I still have half a glass.” Rachael holds her glass up and stares as if she’s waiting for the amber liquid to tell her either ‘Stop’ or ‘Bottoms up.’ “I’m glad Henry is staying with a friend tonight, and I hope you’re not going out with Banks later. He came by the bakery earlier today and asked about you.”
I curl my feet under my butt and grab a pillow from the corner of the couch. My head was already beginning to spin. I definitely wouldn’t be going out with Banks tonight. “No, he asked, but I didn’t know what would be happening with Belinda today.”
“Banks is really nice. He has a great job, and you always seem to have a fun time with him.”
I do have fun with Banks. As with all small towns, the pickings are slim. I went to school with Banks. He was the quarterback of our high school team. He’s handsome and sweet, and we do have a very nice time. “Banks is very sweet.”
Rachael rears her head back and gives me a skeptical look. “Sweet? You’ve been dating off and on for years. Why hasn’t anything ever developed between you two?”
I raise a brow and look in Rachael’s direction. At least I think that’s what my eyebrow is doing. “Who’s saying it hasn’t?” Oh no, the fruit punch is already working. I shouldn’t have admitted that piece of information. Rachael won’t ever let it go now.
“April! You bitch!” Rachael jumps and pokes me with a finger. “You fucked Banks? And you never told me? I thought we were best friends! How long has this been going on?”
I rescue Rachael’s empty glass and set it on the coffee table beside my half-empty one. That certainly explains the language. Rachael rarely lets herself fall back into her old behavior. Not since Henry. “You know we’re best friends, Rach. I didn’t tell you because…”
Rachael plops back down on her side of the couch and slumps back against the cushions. “You thought I would feel bad because I closed up shop after Henry was born?”
“Yeah.” I slapped my hands together, making them pop loudly. “Like Fort Knox.”
“Oh, April. Only a best friend would do something stupid like that. So, it’s serious between you two?”
“No. It’s not serious. We both date, hoping to find someone, but you know what failures my dates have been. Banks is nice and dependable, and we both know we’re not going anywhere. He’s… safe.”
Rachael nods over-enthusiastically. “So, it’s just about mind-blowing sex.”
“Nice sex,” I clarify. “And only occasionally.” It’s more like conveniently scratching an itch. When Banks itches, I scratch it for him, and when I have an itch that I absolutely can’t reach by any other method, Banks is more than happy to accommodate.
“Sex should be sweaty and dirty and make you pass out afterward from blissful exhaustion. That’s the kind of sex that stays with you for years. Not ‘nice.’ I’ve got to tell you, April. I’m beginning to think I don’t know you at all.” Rachael says before toppling over and smashing her face on the couch cushion.
I stare at my best friend, thinking the same thing. I know for a fact she’s only been with Henry’s father, and once again, I wonder who the mystery man is that put that heated glow on her face as she described the kind of sex I’ve never had.
The next afternoon, as I finish up with my last customer of the day, I look up to find Belinda and her brother deep in discussion on the sidewalk in front of the store. He’s still wearing that stupid ballcap. The bell above the door rings as Ms. Camden and her daughter come in.
“May I help you, Ms. Camden?” I ask, but my eyes are still on the two outside.
“Just let me look around, dear. I want something special for my foyer.”
“Sure, just let me know if I can help you with anything.” I pretend to be busy as I watch the conversation play out. Belinda nods and kisses her brother on the cheek. The bell rings again as Belinda comes in while Elias watches from outside with a somewhat contrite look on his face. Our eyes meet, and I feel a jolt from his green eyes connecting with mine, just like they did at the bar. He’s so hot—why does he have to be such a jerk? I tear my gaze from his, as Belinda cautiously approaches the counter. “Good morning, Belinda.” I give her a big smile. It’s not her fault her brother is a dipstick.
Belinda offers a slight smile. “April, I know you’re busy, but could we talk for just a minute?”
Poor Belinda. I hate that I played a part in her unhappiness. My eyes go once again to the store window, and I’m slightly disappointed when Elias is no longer looking inside. Instead, his head is bent over his phone. I check Ms. Camden’s location and take Belinda into the back room. “Of course, Belinda. I’m sorry things turned out the way they did.”
Belinda looks like she might cry at any moment. “April, I know my brother can come across a bit harsh at times, but I hope you’ll let me explain.”
“Belinda, I don’t think your brother wants you to have the wedding here.”
Her lips press together tightly, and I’m afraid I see water gathering in her eyes. “Please, April. Just listen.” Belinda waits until I nod before she speaks. “When I was ten, our parents were killed by a drunk driver. Elias had just graduated high school and was supposed to start college in the fall. We have an aunt and uncle that could have taken me, but Elias knew I needed to be with him. So, he got a job working on our uncle’s construction crew. Can you imagine being eighteen and suddenly you’re responsible for a ten-year-old? He gave up everything for me. When I was thirteen, Elias auditioned for a home show on our local cable network. Not because he wanted to, but because the pay was double what he was making working construction, and he wanted me to be able to go to whatever college I wanted to. As you know, he didn’t stay local for long. The big network discovered him, and we moved to Los Angeles, and suddenly our money troubles were over. And with that came different types of problems. It was hard at first to navigate through all the phony and insincere people. Some were better than others at disguising their true intentions. Elias and I have both been hurt in the past by believing in someone, only to be disillusioned later.”
I had no idea about their per
sonal lives. I admire what Elias did for his sister, and Belinda was right—I’m sure it was very hard to do. And people taking advantage of them…I can only imagine how hard that must be. “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through, Belinda. Please believe me when I say I never wanted to use you or your brother’s connections.”
Belinda’s eyes soften and pull at my heart. “Oh, I know that, April. And Elias knows it, too. I’ve told you our story, so maybe you’ll give him another chance. He’s very sorry.”
I lean back to check on the Camden’s and look toward the window. Elias is staring right at me. Even though his eyes are shaded by his cap I still feel his piercing eyes. Ms. Edna was right—he is handsome. Today he has a scruffy beard with a black t-shirt stretched at the shoulder seams over rugged, worn blue jeans. I wish I knew what he was thinking. I suck in my lip and look away first when my body responds to him in a very embarrassing way. I cross my arms over my chest. I’m not sure it’s smart to have any more dealings with him. “I don’t know, Belinda. I think it may be better…”
“Please, April. Just give him a chance. At least let him apologize.”
How can I put out the hopeful light that surrounds Belinda? I nod, Belinda smiles and rushes out of the backroom before I can change my mind. I follow her as the bell above the door rings when Belinda and Elias change places. When I look up, Elias is standing before me. Just his presence touches something inside me. My attraction to him is only complicating matters. I’m glad I have the counter between us, because suddenly I feel weak in the knees.
“April,” Elias says as he removes his cap and gives a polite tip of his head, with none of the jackassness from the previous day.
“Mr. Holt.” I try to keep it neutral, but I must have failed from his reaction. I probably should have met him halfway, but I can’t help the way he affects me. I want to strangle him and kiss him.
“I deserved that. I don’t know if there’s anything that I can say to make you forgive me. I’m not proud of my behavior. I can only offer up my love for my sister and living the life we do for way too long as an explanation. I sometimes forget there are genuine, caring people in the world without an agenda. But I hope you will reconsider helping Belinda with her wedding. She has her heart set on White’s Manor, and on you.”
I drum my fingers on the counter as I consider his apology. He seems earnest and remorseful, but I would be crazy to get involved. But then there’s Belinda—my eyes drift to the sweet girl looking hopefully in the window, watching our every move. I give her a smile, and Belinda points her finger at Elias and glares. My lips pull at a smile. “Well, I’m sorry. That sounds like a horrible way to live. Just for the record. I never wanted my house on your show. Rachael and I are doing just fine on our own.”
Elias holds up his hands in surrender. “I completely understand. And you are. The brickwork on the patio is professional quality. It’s hard for an amateur to accomplish a quality herringbone pattern, but you certainly did.”
I get a zing out of Elias Holt complementing our DIY skills. For sure, I’m not going to mention how long it took to complete. “Thank you. We worked very hard, and we’re proud of what we did.”
The bell over the door rings again and we both look up as Ms. Camden and her daughter leave and Belinda comes in with a questioning smile on her face. “Well? Did you make up?”
Elias pulls Belinda into his side and shrugs. “I don’t know. It’s up to April.”
His green eyes meet mine, and I feel myself warming in certain parts of my body. Which is a totally inappropriate way to feel about a client. They wait for my answer, and I sigh and admit defeat. “We have less than two weeks to get everything done. Belinda, I’ll need your help every day.”
Belinda’s eyes sparkle as she bounces on her toes. “I promise. Whatever you need. Thank you, April!” She runs behind the counter and gives me a hug, then just as quickly heads for the door, calling over her shoulder, “I’ve got to go call Wes and let him know the good news!”
I glance at Elias, and we both laugh at the whirlwind that just left. “Is she always that way?”
Elias nods, his eyes following Belinda out the door before he turns back around. “Yes. Isn’t it wonderful?”
I can’t help noticing the love between the two. Now that I understand a bit more about their relationship, I understand the strong connection. I really can’t imagine how he did it. “You’ve done a wonderful job raising a very grounded young woman. She’s very lucky to have you for a big brother.”
“Thanks.” Elias looks uncomfortable with my comment. “Have you had dinner yet?”
My heart somersaults—did Elias Holt just ask me out to dinner? I fight down the fan girl inside me. I sneak a glance at his handsome face as I calmly straighten supplies to play it cool. As much as I want to, going out with him would be a bad idea. He’d just apologized, and I don’t want anything else to get in the way of Belinda’s wedding. “Umm,” I nervously pull my hair back from my face as I try to come up with a reason to say no.
Elias clears his throat and shifts on his feet as if he were actually nervous. “I mean, we probably need to get started planning, right?”
The wedding plans. I could slap myself silly right now for thinking anything else. I mean, really—why else would Elias Holt be asking me out to dinner? “Sure. Just let me lock up. I’ll meet you outside.”
I run to the back and dig around in my bag till I find lip gloss. A quick trip to the bathroom to fluff my hair, and I’m as good as I’m going to get. One look in the mirror and I’m calling myself all kinds of a fool. It’s not a date! My heart is beating out of my chest and my cheeks are flushed. I lean closer to the mirror and frown; my eyes are actually starry. I’m pathetic! “It’s not a date,” I say to the silly girl in the mirror. If anything, it’s a business meeting. I look down at my blue slacks and pink cotton button-up shirt, with the store logo, Pots of Posies, monogrammed on the right front chest. Which had been perfectly fine for work, but not for a professional dinner meeting. I’m even wearing white lace-up sneakers. I sigh, snapping the lights off; it will simply have to do.
After locking up, I fall into step beside Elias. He takes the cap out of his back pocket and pulls it on.
As he puts a hand on the small of my back, he asks, “I thought we could go to Sixth Street Diner, if that’s okay?”
I know by the twinges on my skin the exact spot his hand is touching on my back. “Yes, that’s fine.” We step down from the sidewalk, and his hand drops away.
“Belinda took me on a tour of the town yesterday, and I noticed the diner. It’s a very charming town. Have you lived here your whole life?”
I wish he’d put his hand back. “Yes. Other than going to college. This is home.” We walk in silence for a few minutes, and I let myself wonder what it would feel like to be on a date with Elias. Dangerous, for sure. “So, I know how you got from Ohio to Los Angeles, but how did you two get to North Carolina? If you don’t mind me asking.”
Elias gives a kind of half chuckle before answering. “Belinda fell in love with a Marine three years ago while we were in North Carolina filming a renovation.”
“Ahhh.”
“Wes is a really great guy. He loves Belinda and makes her happy.”
I stop in front of the diner, and our eyes meet. “You’re an incredible big brother. Believe me, not all brothers are like you. I have three, and I shudder to think what my life would have been like with them in parent roles. What you did? Giving up your plans to basically be a dad? That was a great thing.”
Elias shrugs uncomfortably at the praise and reaches to hold the restaurant door open, allowing me to enter first. “Not really. She was so little and so lost without Mom and Dad. I couldn’t leave her, too. We were all we had left of our family. I think it helped us both heal.”
Once we were inside, he holds up two fingers to Melissa, the hostess, who pulls menus from beneath the counter and leads us to a booth in the back. She takes our drink order
and leaves us the menu to look over. Once she’s behind Elias she turns around and mouths, “he’s hot,” then gives me a thumbs up. I grin and nod in agreement. Melissa was one grade ahead of me in school and we’ve always been friends.
“What would you recommend?” Elias asks as he takes off his cap and flips open the plastic coated super-sized menu.
I don’t imagine there’s anything on the menu that he’s accustomed to. I don’t recall a single kale salad or Vegan Cashew Basil Pesto. I hold up my own menu to cover my smirk. It wasn’t like I needed to look at the menu—I had it memorized years ago. But I’ll help him out. “They have a really good grilled chicken with vegetables if you’re health-conscious.”
His head pops over the top of the menu in his hands. “And if I’m not?”
For a moment, I simply admire his chiseled good looks before bowing my head and retreating back behind my menu. “Well, you can’t go wrong with their burger and homemade fries.”
I’m surprised when he orders the burger and fries. By just looking at his toned body, he must have a daily exercise routine. He probably runs miles a day to stay looking that tight. I can’t even remember the last time I was in a gym. Probably high school. Lately, my exercise has been lugging fifty-pound bags of mortar up two flights of stairs.
“Tell me what we need to do to get things started for the wedding,” Elias asks.
Right. Belinda’s wedding. “Well, tomorrow I want to set up an appointment with the caterer. I need to know what colors Belinda wants to use, and she’ll need to pick out flowers. We’ll talk about how Belinda wants to decorate, the setup, and anything special she wants.” The caterer will be Rachael, so that won’t be an issue. I hope. I’ll just have to convince Rachael not to call Elias “dipstick.”
Heartbreaker: Billionaires of White Oaks Page 4
